Good "Light-Weight" 5-strings to Consider

[2cooltoolz]

Maybe check out the G&L basses. I think you can get the Empress bodies still,but even with the ash bodies, they are under 9 pounds. Lots of options,too.

I'm an older guy with back problems, and I have been considering these Empress wood G&Ls as well. Generally they run about 7.5 lbs, which is quite appealing. The downside, while slight, is that it's a softer wood, which dings fairly easily, and tends to have a "barkier" tone (per the reports). I haven't had a chance to play one, but I am interested.

 

[mrufino1]

Birdsong (hy5 are the 5's he makers) or muckleroy are both really light and made in Texas. My 5 string kala u bass is my new main gigging instrument, just got home from a gig now and it was awesome, less than 5 lbs.

 

[spade2you]

This Emerald Flow Bass was reported to be 7 pounds.

 

[Sav'nBass]

I have a Kingston Heir, a Brubakef Brute and a 55-01 and a Peavey Cirrus U.S. and they all sound great and under 9'8".

 

[Stevorebob]

Keep the Ray and get a good, wide strap — Mono Betty, I recommend.

 

[jazzbill]

Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't put a price range because I am not sure myself how much I am willing to spend.
I am going to go out and see what I can find locally this afternoon. I don't think a wide strap is the solution. The problem is in the lower left side of my back after a three or four set gig. I don't intend to sell the MM. I love the punchiness and range of tones it can get, I just don't want to wear it all night.

 

[spade2you]

Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't put a price range because I am not sure myself how much I am willing to spend.
I am going to go out and see what I can find locally this afternoon. I don't think a wide strap is the solution. The problem is in the lower left side of my back after a three or four set gig. I don't intend to sell the MM. I love the punchiness and range of tones it can get, I just don't want to wear it all night.

Wider straps don't help with lower back problems. They spread the weight out, but this doesn't change the weight.

A two shoulder strap system could possibly help since some back issues are caused by the uneven weight distribution on one shoulder. I have never tried one since I generally just opt for a really light bass.

 

[Thumper]

When you have lower back problems, gimmicks or straps won't help (guess how I know). Get a lighter bass, and since it's on your lower left side, be very conscious of neck weight/balance (assuming you're left handed). I can't speak to Ibanez or Kingston, but generally less weight = more $. Another thought is to get a Squier Vintage Modified P5 from Sweetwater (they list weights), wait for one in the 8.8 or less range, get the licensed Hipshots ala Steve Rolfeca, and for around $400 you will have a giggable 5.

I fully expect the haters to weigh in, but rest assured, they are really good. Look at my basses listed below or in my profile, and then think about this, of all my basses, my band leader/lead guitarist prefers my VMP5. I've gotta tell you, that stings more than a little.

 

[jazzbill]

Okay, I went out and found a used Ibanez under $400 that will be fine for this gig. Thanks all.

 

[Stevorebob]

Thanks for the suggestions. ...I don't think a wide strap is the solution. The problem is in the lower left side of my back after a three or four set gig. ...

Wider straps don't help with lower back problems. They spread the weight out, but this doesn't change the weight.

A two shoulder strap system could possibly help since some back issues are caused by the uneven weight distribution on one shoulder. I have never tried one since I generally just opt for a really light bass.

I hear you, and it makes sense. I’m just saying that a $50 strap might be worth a try.

My experience is that it makes a difference. I used to believe that I had to play light-weight Ibanez basses to save my bulging-disk and sciatica pain (crap, that makes me sound really old), but I play a 10.5 lb. Sting Ray and a 9.5 lb. Jazz with no issues thanks to Mono Betty straps. And as nice as Ibby SR basses are, they are no Sting Ray and no Jazz.

Of course, YMMV. But isn’t 50 clams worth a try? Even if it doesn’t work, it’s still a great strap.

 

[Moving Pictures]

Of course, YMMV. But isn’t 50 clams worth a try? Even if it doesn’t work, it’s still a great strap.

Straps are definitely a part of the equation and good straps do make a huge difference. You need to find the one that suits your situation and for me, after much experimentation, that translates into Levys 4.5" padded leather straps. The Betty irritated my shoulder when using any bass because I have nerve damage. They just hit "that" spot.

However you have to look at the larger picture and that includes the specific injury, the bass weight, the strap in addition to your tone goals. It's more of a journey to solve this but a good comfortable strap in an excellent place to start. A balanced bass is also a big part of the puzzle.

 

[Don M]

Birdsong (hy5 are the 5's he makers) or muckleroy are both really light and made in Texas. My 5 string kala u bass is my new main gigging instrument, just got home from a gig now and it was awesome, less than 5 lbs.

What type of music do you play? How versatile is it? I've been thinking about getting one to replace my current 5'er.

 

[Arizona Jones]

Think I saw a G&L 5'er in the classifieds that was 8 pounds even.

 

[mrufino1]

What type of music do you play? How versatile is it? I've been thinking about getting one to replace my current 5'er.

I play mostly weddings, casinos, the occasional club, so covering many styles. Everyone has loved the sound. I just got the new kala rounds for my hadean solid body kala copy and tried them during sound check last night, they sounded great. I installed the kala/ lr baggs electronics in that one, so my kala California 5 and the hadean have the same sound just about.

I love the stock pahoehoe strings too- if you love 60's, 70's rubbery bass or upright, they're great. When I run it through an amp sim, either my b1on or sansamp vt bass, it loses the upright flavor and sounds like a fat p with flats. I even have a setting "1981", I think that was a stock sound, with chorus and some amp model, that I use for " don't stop believing ", sounds perfect. I've been playing only the uke type bass on gigs now for 5 or 6 months and it's worked every time.

I'm going to contact kala about the rounds for the 5 string, hopefully they're planning to make them, because then it just went from awesome to being able to cover any situation if someone wants that round wound sound.

Short version: definitely check one out.

 

[Don M]

I play mostly weddings, casinos, the occasional club, so covering many styles. Everyone has loved the sound. I just got the new kala rounds for my hadean solid body kala copy and tried them during sound check last night, they sounded great. I installed the kala/ lr baggs electronics in that one, so my kala California 5 and the hadean have the same sound just about.

I love the stock pahoehoe strings too- if you love 60's, 70's rubbery bass or upright, they're great. When I run it through an amp sim, either my b1on or sansamp vt bass, it loses the upright flavor and sounds like a fat p with flats. I even have a setting "1981", I think that was a stock sound, with chorus and some amp model, that I use for " don't stop believing ", sounds perfect. I've been playing only the uke type bass on gigs now for 5 or 6 months and it's worked every time.

I'm going to contact kala about the rounds for the 5 string, hopefully they're planning to make them, because then it just went from awesome to being able to cover any situation if someone wants that round wound sound.

Short version: definitely check one out.

Was the Hadean in its stock form usable or did the electronics really need changed? How were the stock strings on the Hadean?

 

[mrufino1]

In don't like the thundergut strings on the solid body, so I changed them. The electronics are too bass heavy but usable if you like the sound. The lr baggs are much better though. (and should be since they cost as much as the bass did!)