Good "Light-Weight" 5-strings to Consider

[jazzbill]

For the past five years I have been playing 99% upright. Recently I joined a classic rock and soul dance band that requires a 5-string. My only 5-string is a Music Man Stingray HH5 that weighs a ton and is causing some back pain. I am in the market for a light weight fiver that has a lot of versatility in sound. It has been a dozen years since I shopped for a BG. What are some brands that I should check out? I am in the Dallas area so there are a few available music stores.

 

[Moving Pictures]

Ibanez makes some nice light 5-strings, especially in their Premium and Prestige series.

 

[Thumper]

It would help if you provided a $ range, and a new vs used choice.

 

[NortyFiner]

When you're asking about a fiver lighter than a Stingray 5, the cynical answer is "most of them". You could beat an Iraqi tank to death with one of those things. That being said...

Ibanez SR series. I owned a SR-505 fiver for a while; it was lighter than my 4-string P-bass.
Schecters aren't terribly heavy either. Certainly lighter than a Ray.

 

[Sav'nBass]

You need to define lightweight more. For me heavy is anything over 10lbs.. Most of my basses are 9.xxlbs... Like christle said Ibanez is hard to beat in the weight department.. but a lot also depends on your price range.

 

[4StringTheorist]

The guitar center in Arlington is a Dana B. Goods dealer, so they might have some MTD Kingston basses to try out. Dynamite for the price and light.

 

[Dave W]

Price range?

 

[wcriley]

The lightest bass guitar I've ever owned is an Ibanez SRA505 (not SR505).
Discontinued. Sold for around $600 new, so you should be able to find one used in the $300-400 range.

 

[5fingerfrenzy]

I guess it would depend on your budget. My Roscoe 5 weighs in at 8.5lbs and is my #1 go too for bar gigs. I have never had shoulder, plus the sound cuts thru any mix in any room. But if not in the budget, you can never go wrong with Ibanez.

 

[Watchootognbout]

State a weight range.What's heavy to some is light to others.
This bass is 9 lbs.
It's discontinued,but a few are still available.

 

[Gorn]

This thread is useless without a price range.

 

[PokeyPrasch]

Peavey G V @ around $500-600

 

[Don M]

Its not high end, but I have a Peavey Millennium BXP 5. Its a passive 5 string with two jazz pickups with two volumes and a tone control. Its pretty light, seems about the same as my Mustang. Seems to have a pretty good range of tones. Best off, they aren't expensive new ($350ish) and dirt cheap used (got mine for $100).

 

[LeanGreen]

Take a look at a Pedulla Rapture 5-string. You should be able to find a used one at a very attractive price.

 

[pingvuiini]

Maybe go full body headless?? Lighter weight and very compact.

 

[cm3ohana]

I can't speak to the > $1,000 basses as I've not had the pleasure to try them. But, I have gone through several 5ers and agree with the posts above. You asked for "a lot of versatility in sound" so I'm assuming you're focusing on active. If you're looking for something in the active category I would say Ibanez and Peavey. However, with these two, string spacing may be an issue as they are tighter than the MM and Fenders. The only 5er I've kept has been a Peavey Dyna Bass which has an active/passive switch along with the super ferrite pickups and a 3-band EQ. Love the tonal possibility with this bass. But, it is a bit more aggressive in it's sound but that can be tamed a bit with string changes. However, if you are using pedals or have an amp that's "versatile" then passive basses might be a consideration and I found the MTD Kingston's to be a good choice in terms of weight. Good luck with your search.

 

[FlatwoundFunk]

Maybe go full body headless?? Lighter weight and very compact.
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[bassjnky1]

I realize that there are many basses that might qualify for what you are looking for...my experience is with the Ibanez SR505. I bought it exclusively because it was light. It's the least expensive bass I own and it does vacation duty as well. In fact I'm at the beach now and the SR is with me.

Every time I play that bass I am amazed at how good it sounds and how easy it is to EQ. For this reason it is always my "back-up" gig bass when I need to throw something in the van...just in case something breaks or my back needs relief.

 

[wmhill]

MTD Saratoga Deluxe- these are pretty sweet and generally even lighter than listed...
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[static0verdrive]

I just play cheap basses for the moment (until some magical cash-infused future where I have a fretless F Bass and a fanned fret Dingwall) - my 5-string is a Squier... but my vote for good, light, 5-string goes to Ibanez. I'm surprised every single time I pick one up at my local shop, then I have to fight GAS for weeks afterward.