Basses for us weak folks

[Jim Dep]

I had a similar shoulder problem from years of 5-6 nighters' / 4.5 sets a night.

I went from a heavy Fender P-bass to a Fender Mustang and modified the PUs for improved tonal range. I also went to a Fleishman headless bass, similar to a Stienberger. These were both very light basses in comparison and solved the shoulder problem.

Before that, I used a modified strap that distributed the weight of the P-bass to both shoulders. That gave some relief, but changing to the Mustang and Fleishman (fretless) made the difference.

Good luck!

 

[unbridled]

Ibanez Mikro

 

[Showdown]

Fender Lyte P bass are about 7.5 lbs sound and play great...you can get them for under $400.

+1 P-Lyte, or the bass that replaced it, the Zone. I've owned both (still have the Zone). Lightweight, P/J, Jazz neck. Sound good, play good.

 

[lowendblues]

My swamp ash Carvin B4 sounds great and is incredibly light.

 

[Chrisk-K]

A Steinberger or Parker bass weighs less than 5 lbs.

 

[Need2KnowBasses]

Tobias Growlers with Ash bodies are very light and all around great basses that often sell used for under $1000US.

 

[Need2KnowBasses]

You also might want to to try a wider strap. 3 inches or more.

 

[carlos840]

My first reaction is "why would you admit your weak and do nothing about it!"
My second is get a wide strap and exercise... youd be surprised how much abs and back exercise can help back pain regarding playing standing up!
The stronger your core muscles are the less you'll suffer...

 

[Josh Pelican]

I'll jump on the wider strap bandwagon as well. They can make any bass feel lighter.

The Aerodyne and SR basses, as previously mentioned, can be pretty light because of their shapes.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Ibanez SR series is pretty darn light and the SR500 and up have some great pickups/preamps on them (both are bartolini). Mine weighs next to nothing and is pretty comfy to play too.

 

[Tanner5382]

One of the Gibson SG reissues could work, depending on whether or not you like Gibsons. I know they're usually a love/hate thing. Other than that, I agree with everyone else on the Ibanezes. Maybe a Fender Jaguar or Danelectro?

 

[spade2you]

Keep in mind that balance on a strap is just as critical as weight.

A point that needs to be reiterated. Saving the back/shoulder is fine, but not at the cost of tendinitis elsewhere.

 

[SactoBass]

One of the Gibson SG reissues could work.

+1 on the Gibson SG reissues (assuming the OP likes that kind of bass). Those basses weigh between 7 and 8 pounds. Paul McCartney's bassist Brian Ray (when Paul isn't playing bass of course) now has two of those SG's in his arsenal. He no longer plays the Guild M85 due to the weight (those Guilds are around 12 pounds!!).

Another option for a lightweight bass is a Birdsong Cortobass. Mine weighs around 7.5 pounds. A new one is probably beyond the OP's budget, but used ones pop up occasionally on TB and on the Bay.

 

[ga_edwards]

A point that needs to be reiterated. Saving the back/shoulder is fine, but not at the cost of tendinitis elsewhere.

+1. I rarely play my Thumb these days because of the ergonomics. I started get all sorts of back and shoulder pains after longs gigs, and my left hand would cramp up on certain songs where it was all at the nut end. So I tried a 'comfort strapp' which helped relieve the weight a little, but still had neck dive issues. So I tried a 3 or 4 inch wide suede backed leather strap that distributed the weight more and was grippy enough to ease the neck dive issue. But I was still getting troubles with the but feeling so far away.

As much as I love the tone of that bass, I knew it was bad for my body so I got a Yammy RBX4/A2 to get my through gigs when the Thumb got too much to bear. Then later I got my Attitude that although is heavy, it balances a lot better (and I use the comfort strapp with it too), and the wide neck helps prevent my hand cramping up.

The long and short of it is though, no bass is worth messing up your body and health, no matter how nice it sounds and how pretty it is.

 

[Stee Flo]

Kala U-bass.

 

[iri5hpunk21]

I had back problems for a long time and my Peavey T-40 wasn't helpoing at all.

When I got my Gibson Grabber, the back felt much better. Clocks in at around 8lbs, which isn't a feather, but it sure as hell has a beefy tone.

 

[eyvindwa]

I switched to EUBs for similar reasons.

When I told my PT about my changeover in instrument style he agreed it was the right thing to do.

I was about to suggest that - sounds like the obvious choice (based on the limited info we've got here).

 

[amphlett7]

I was about to suggest that - sounds like the obvious choice (based on the limited info we've got here).

While I do play upright, I don't think it would be right in the band that I play with.

Although I probably will eventually buy an EUB

 

[Fetusyolk]

There's a big difference between advice and what you're doing. Shut up.

OP,
We can recommend billions of basses, best bet is to go look at them yourself.

i don't think anyone on this forum appreciates the level of rudeness you just displayed. not cool.

also, even though i can't name a specific bass i would start looking into hollow or chambered bodies. you could always start a build from any of the parts sites on the web such as warmoth or allparts. best of luck chap

 

[GregDunn]

How about an Ibanez SR? I don't know about Australia, but they seem to be everywhere in the US and the ones I have tried out have been light. Someone already mentioned an Aerodyne, if you want another jazz bass that could be the way to go.

If you like the neck profile (I do), the new Ibanez basses are very very light and comfy to play. OP, you should try to find and play one; your response will either be "OMG awesome" or "meh". Either way, you've narrowed your choice a bit.