Basses for bassists with back issues

[Rob Martinez]

I own a few Hofner basses, violin and Club. They weigh in at about 5 lbs each.

Danelectro Dano 63 short scale bass is very light.

Eastwood Club bass is very light too.

 

[jallenbass]

+1 on the Squier CV 60s Precision. Real bass, but lightweight and comfortable. Under $350, and sound amazing.

A great bass but mine weighed 9 lbs. Not exactly light weight for someone with back problems.

 

[DrSpunkwater]

If I had serious back issues, I'd play a Hofner. There really is no substitute for the Hofner when it comes to light basses.

 

[rubbadubdub]

I would try a beatle bass before you buy. Not exactly a versatile bass. More idiosynchratic than my epiphone EB3 even. If you want a cheap and very light bass with an alder body and pj pickups try the Stagg 300. I don't know wether they are easily available in the states but in the UK they are on ebay in abundance. I can't vouch for the quality control from bass to bass and I havn't fallen in love with the looks of mine but it has excellent fret work with a low buzz free action, a pretty effective p bass tone (maybe lacking a little in the deepest lows compared to my other p basses) and a modern fairly flat fingerboard.
I did have to shim the neck a little and give it a general set up but nothing serious. It's ideal for carrying on my scooter and for long rehearsals or gigs. Cheap as chips and very light.
I also have back trouble caused in my case by a large and heavy JayDee bass.

 

[phillybass101]

Yesterday I picked up a Yamaha RBX270 in a pawn shop and it was very light. I thought Hmmm. Put in some high end pickups and pre and I'm in the mix. Years ago I owned one and played it through a Walter Woods head and SWR Goliath II and it sounded great. I may have to revisit this in the future.

 

[JoeVictim]

Thank you. I was going to ask myself when you posted that you had asked.

Out of curiosity, have you decided on a strap?

No. I'm playing Couch right now. They have no intentions of making anything wider than two inches. I've been living without leather for 3 years. Don't want to step backwards...

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Is anyone aware of a wider strap that contains no leather?

Even at 7.5lbs, my Carvin can feel heavy on the 4 hour practices... and I don't want to harm any furry friends so there is an ethical requirement too.

Levys has a polypropylene strap without leather ends that is very reasonable and 3"

I know of a strap that is good to relieve back ache but has leather ends. They are made locally and can probably have them made custom without leather

 

[madbassplaya]

Levys has a polypropylene strap without leather ends that is very reasonable and 3"

I know of a strap that is good to relieve back ache but has leather ends. They are made locally and can probably have them made custom without leather

I use that strap!

 

[JoeVictim]

Levys has a polypropylene strap without leather ends that is very reasonable and 3"

I know of a strap that is good to relieve back ache but has leather ends. They are made locally and can probably have them made custom without leather

Thank you! I got your pm.

I use that strap!

How do you like it?

 

[Rip Topaz]

If I had serious back issues, I'd play a Hofner. There really is no substitute for the Hofner when it comes to light basses.

The only thing stopping me from owning a Hofner is the look. The violin bass thing just isn't me. Great bass for a bad back, though.

 

[precijazz]

The only thing stopping me from owning a Hofner is the look. The violin bass thing just isn't me. Great bass for a bad back, though.

Take a Club Bass. Same thing sans the violin shape.

 

[boynamedsuse]

Levys has a polypropylene strap without leather ends that is very reasonable and 3"

I know of a strap that is good to relieve back ache but has leather ends. They are made locally and can probably have them made custom without leather

Links?

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Links?

Well since I am being asked...

These are new straps that put the instruments weight on the users hips rather than the back or shoulder...

Slinger Straps:
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These are the 3" Polypropylene Straps w/ Polyester Ends (no leather products)
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New for 2013 from Levy's a 3" Heavy-Weight Cotton strap w/ Suede ends:
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[Smallmouth_Bass]

Lomo has a Basslab 5-string Soul (Jazz) listed on the classifieds right now that rings in at a minuscule 5.2 lbs: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/basslab-soul-5-string-5-2-lbs-sounds-like-10-tons-957520/

I am not affiliated with the sale in any way, but have played the bass on several occasions. This is a really good option if you have a bad back.

 

[natrontheape]

L

 

[JoeWPgh]

Use a chair, or stool whenever possible. When I had back issues from a 9 ton Ibanez boat anchor, I found flipping the strap to the wrong shoulder for easier tunes helped a lot.

 

[DrSpunkwater]

The only thing stopping me from owning a Hofner is the look. The violin bass thing just isn't me. Great bass for a bad back, though.

If you've got a bad back like some people, sometimes you have to make compromises on looks and tone. In this instance, you have to ask: "Which is more important to me? My tone, or not being in unbearable pain?"

That said, thank goodness I don't have a bad back.

 

[NorCal Dog]

 

[rogerbmiller]

Danelectros! Most are hollow bodied and made of Masonite with small necks, headstocks and tuners (i.e. guitar tuners with plastic buttons). The Dolphin (56 reissue model) is 30 inch scale to boot. I had major sciatic and lower disc issues and gigged exclusively on a Dolphin last summer while I was nursing myself back to health. Cant weigh more than 5 lbs. And retro thump for days due to the short scale. Brilliant!!

 

[boynamedsuse]

Well since I am being asked...

These are new straps that put the instruments weight on the users hips rather than the back or shoulder...

Slinger Straps:
Invalid Link Removed

These are the 3" Polypropylene Straps w/ Polyester Ends (no leather products)
Invalid Link Removed

New for 2013 from Levy's a 3" Heavy-Weight Cotton strap w/ Suede ends:
Invalid Link Removed

I ordered one of the straps with Polyester Ends from Bass Strings Online and it arrived today. (Very fast shipment, thank you!)

Although the strap seems to be leather free, the product is not. The hanger used for display with this strap has a small piece of leather that connects it to the strap—about 3" by 3/4".

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