Ibanez TMB30....thirty inch scale, seven Lbs....Around $300,maybe less.
There's a five string,if you like.
There's a five string,if you like.
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ISO decent short-scale lightweight bass
- Thread starter Purple bassist
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- lightweight bass
$600 gets you a semi-hollow Danelectro Longhorn. You could buy two and still have money left over for many, many strings.
The ones they have in stock at Sweetwater right now are both around 6lbs.
The ones they have in stock at Sweetwater right now are both around 6lbs.
I have a couple of MIJ short-scale Js for sale in the Classifieds (search for History KBJ made by Fujigen), upgraded hardware and pickups on both. The fretless is well under 7 lbs, the fretted is a hair under 8 lbs. Also on Reverb if you prefer that platform.
Hofner club bass, full hollow body so it weighs nothing.
The Nordstrand Acinonyx (a.k.a, the Cat) gets a lot of love on TB. I have a v1 and from the minute I got it I haven't played any of my numerous other basses.
Lots of good options out there already. Ibanez AGB200 (semi hollow) and its sibling the AFB200 (hollow) are also options. The AFB does feel like an acoustic guitar because it’s thicker and some don’t like it.
I believe some squire mustangs are lighter and they have a jazz neck width iirc. Good luck!
I believe some squire mustangs are lighter and they have a jazz neck width iirc. Good luck!
I agree that it’s a great sounding bass, but mine is close to 10 lbs.
I recently picked this one up it's only 6 1/2 pounds total weight. It's the music man short scale from their Sterling line. I think with the case and everything it was around 600. I got it new from Sweetwater. It's actually a very nice sounding and playing bass guitar and the quality is right up there. Easily on a par with some basses costing $1000 or more. Passive but sounds huge. Switching for series/parallel/single coil with a push/pull boost on the volume control NEO magnet pickup. I know early on there were some people who were complaining about the quality control on these bases but this one is perfect.
This. I bought one a few months ago. Put some Dadarrio tape wounds on it and it’s now my main bass.
i too own a banshee.
of my other current ss basses, the lightest is a sterling, then sire u5, followed by fender mustangs and squier jaguar.
if forced to keep one bass right now, it would be the sire.
of my other current ss basses, the lightest is a sterling, then sire u5, followed by fender mustangs and squier jaguar.
if forced to keep one bass right now, it would be the sire.
I am an average player; fortunate enough to play weekly (or weakly). Classic rock and blues.
My Schecter banshee short scale is too heavy for my arthritic shoulders. Looking for something similar, but lighter. Any ideas? My budget is around $1500 (US), if that helps.
Thank you for your expertise!
Hmm... light short scale bass that fits your budget? Since I'm left handed, and not all that many shorty basses are, I'm not familiar with most of them. However...
The lightest one I own is a German-made Hofner 500/2 Club Bass. A featherweight at 4.89 lbs. Definitely outside your budget, though. But, the Chinese Ignition and CT models aren't. I have no idea what those weigh, but they would definitely be lightweights...
The next lightest one I own is a Danelectro Longhorn. At 5.13 lbs., it's actually lighter than my 2 violin basses. It's a little... strange... looking, but it's actually just an ES-335 guitar-shaped/sized bass, with some of the upper bout's inner parts missing. Modern Dano's are perfectly playable on stage - if you remember that it's not a solid body bass, and take reasonable care of it. Definitely within your budget...
Other lightweight shorties?
- Guild Starfire basses. The 2-pickup Starfire II Bass - new - is either just within, or just outside your budget - depending on the model. OTOH, the Starfire I single pickup model is well within your budget. My Starfire I (the only available lefty model) weighs 6.6 lbs., and is a very, very nice bass.
- '90s MIK Rogue VB-100 violin bass. Different body construction from the new ones, and no longer made. But, you can find them if you look (black body sides are the giveaway). At least as well made as the Hofner 500/1 CT model, but without the CT's tone block running up the middle. If you like violin basses, this is a good one...
- Serek Bass. There are several different models, all available in long, medium, or short scale. Mine is a neck-thru, semi-chambered Sacramento (looks like a miniature Rickenbaker - but not enough like one to get them into trouble). It weighs exactly 7 lbs. Serek basses are custom basses - and a new one is more than double your budget. A used one, though? That might be worth a look...
- Birdsong Bass. Mine is a Fusion lined fretless, which has a very dense, heartwood Walnut body, with an Ebony fingerboard and scratch plate. It weighs 8.13 lbs. - which is heavier than you want, but this body is particularly heavy - and not the wood they usually use for bodies. There are undoubtedly used Birdsongs that would fit your weight requirement - and your budget...
Other than that? All my other short scale basses are either 'way too heavy - or 'way too expensive. But, there are a lot of right handed shorty's out there - I imagine you can find one you like...
I have an S. Martyn Blaze 6 string 33” headless bass that weighs in at 7.2 pounds. I’m sure a 4 string would be lighter. You might be able to find a used one in the $1500 range. It’s an amazing bass.
The gretsch junior jet basses are pretty solid and light. With your budget you could get one of those and throw in some nice electronics and better tuners.
Reverend Sentinel. Mine plays superbly, sounds great, and weighs 7.2 lbs.
Reverend, hands down. Pick up a used Sentinel. It's *exactly* what you are looking for, even if you didn't know it.I am an average player; fortunate enough to play weekly (or weakly
My Schecter banshee short scale is too heavy for my arthritic shoulders. Looking for something similar, but lighter. Any ideas? My budget is around $1500 (US), if that helps.
Thank you for your expertise!
I used to own one and have plenty of samples of it on my YouTube channel. Here's one of my favorites:
Speaking of Minutemen, if you want to buy new instead of used, Reverend also has the Mike Watt signature, the Reverend Wattplower. I currently use one and dig it since the spacing is tighter than the Sentinel, but I think I dig the Sentinel more in hindsight.
Also also is the Reverend Dub King, but it's a dual humbucker monster instead of a single P like your Banshee. I don't find them to be quite as ergonomic as the other options, but it is my personal favorite tonally-speaking.
Based on all your requirements other than price, I would add $500 to your budget and wait for a good deal on a used Serek Midwestern with a B-90 pickup. That 5 pound Sandberg Lionel also looks promising, and Sandberg Florence 4 RW TSB might be an option, but I can only vouch for the OG Serek Midwestern as a lightweight fat blues/roots machine.
You guys are awesome! Thank you so much!
I'm leaning toward the Acinonyx vs the Sandberg. Richie at Sweetwater is also doing a search for me.
Thank you all!
I'm leaning toward the Acinonyx vs the Sandberg. Richie at Sweetwater is also doing a search for me.
Thank you all!
