Jazz bass that is too heavy...

[bassdude51]

With all due respect............get rid of the BadAss and go bent plate, buy some Gotoh Res O Lite tuners and you'll be dropping about 10 oz of the weight.

That'll get you into the 8 lb territory.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

With all due respect............get rid of the BadAss and go bent plate, buy some Gotoh Res O Lite tuners and you'll be dropping about 10 oz of the weight.

That'll get you into the 8 lb territory.

I did not even notice the bridge. Thats good advice.

 

[smtp4me]

I have Squier jazz bass that I never play because it's too heavy for me (it's 9.4lbs). I have a 3" air-pocket strap but still get neck/shoulder pain when I play. I used to play it a lot - maybe it started to feel too heavy after extended playing during covid, or maybe it was after I changed the neck to a fretless one. Not sure, but either way, I tend to play my Fender CB60SCE acoustic, or Höfner violin bass instead these days, and the jazz just hangs on the wall.

I'm thinking a different kind of strap might help, something wider, or different type? Any suggestions?

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Levy's makes bass straps as wide as 4 and 4.5 inches in width. They are also slightly padded.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I use one of these, distributes the weight to both shoulders.
DuoStrap Neo

^^^This^^^
A life saver for my 10 pound 6 string.

 

[Lady of Doom]

@Jayne M-B My jazz bass is sadly exact same weight as yours and I’ve had it 26 years. I put hipshot ultralite tuners on it to bring it down to its current weight (It used to be 10 lbs even). I totally understand the frustration in dealing with the weight and I wish I could say there’s a good answer.

My solution (I thought) was to just pay to have 2 light weight basses custom built. The first was supposed to have taken 6 months, and over two years later it’s still never been delivered. The second is from another builder and….we’ll see. I’m dubious. If I had my time back, it’s not a choice I’d make again. ‘Fool me twice,’ you know?

Squire sadly doesn’t hold its value as well as we’d all like, so I say make it yours. The only value that’s worth retaining is the value of your shoulder, not the instrument’s. If you’re ever feeling reckless, let an over zealous woodworker route under the pickguard a little and put some light weight tuners on there. It’s a crass, obscene thing to consider, but as Jack Black said, Rockin’ ain’t no walk in the park, Lady!

Hipshot tuners saved me over half a pound, and that made a huge difference to my shoulder. But, it’s not enough.

 

[lermgalieu]

I have a 9+ pound Ultra Jazz and I swear by the padded leather 3.5" Levy's straps. I could wear it all night.

 

[GreyBeard]

I'm in the same boat. Right now I've switched from my Ultra Jazz V to my 5502 because it is lighter. I'm looking for a 5 string semi hollow body etc. Getting old sucks

 

[bdplaid]

Sandberg California TT SL. 6.5 - 7 lbs. Best playing bass you'll ever own.
I have a Squier CV that's about 7.5 lbs that for sound and playability, rivals any Fender I've ever played. $450.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

My SX ($ 120) sounds great and is very light and the neck is awesome. The fender is just a bit heavier.

 

[J. Montgomery]

When I used to play 3-4hr gigs on a 6 string, I started using a Comfort Strapp and love it. I highly recommend them, and suggest using them with strap locks.
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[Astre]

I have Squier jazz bass that I never play because it's too heavy for me (it's 9.4lbs). I have a 3" air-pocket strap but still get neck/shoulder pain when I play. I used to play it a lot - maybe it started to feel too heavy after extended playing during covid, or maybe it was after I changed the neck to a fretless one. Not sure, but either way, I tend to play my Fender CB60SCE acoustic, or Höfner violin bass instead these days, and the jazz just hangs on the wall.

I'm thinking a different kind of strap might help, something wider, or different type? Any suggestions?

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You'd despise my 11lb Harley Benton jazz bass.

 

[C Stone]

You should really find a jazz bass that fits you in my opinion. As we get older our bodies change and being able to handle the load is one of the abilities that diminish too. I'm not sure how many headless jazz basses are out there but a medium / short scale would be an option too. Sire offers a short scale PJ and there are others for sure.

Getting and staying in shape is a good advice but I wouldn't expect this to solve the issue. Anyhow, the muscles that do the most work in this case are you upper back and shoulder muscles (trapezius and deltoids) so push-ups (while a great al around exercise) are not a good specific exercise in this case.

Push-ups really do help the shoulders stabilizer muscles without 'bulking up' and helps keep the bodies core tight, bonus is it works the anterior delts and triceps. I find they really help to support bass playing in general.

 

[sethlow3]

If it’s too heavy for you and you barely play it, a strap isn’t going to do much. You may as well sell it IMO. If you must have the jazz bass tone as an option, you could opt for a G&L JB-2 with empress body or a Sandberg TT4 superlight.

 

[Corevalay]

Treadmill weights and a good diet. Being in good shape helps more than any magic light tuners or super wide strap.

I'm in great shape and still hate heavy instruments... they're just uncomfortable to play.

 

[C Stone]

I guess I'm about average fitness for a woman in her 50s. I don't think I've ever been able to do push-ups like that, but I will look to some gym work.

Apologies as I did not pay attention to your 'handle' I would have adjusted the amount of reps to suite, perhaps 5-10 reps at a time and if they are too difficult you can use your knees (as the fulcrum) instead of your feet.

 

[Ric5]

I have Squier jazz bass that I never play because it's too heavy for me (it's 9.4lbs). I have a 3" air-pocket strap but still get neck/shoulder pain when I play. I used to play it a lot - maybe it started to feel too heavy after extended playing during covid, or maybe it was after I changed the neck to a fretless one. Not sure, but either way, I tend to play my Fender CB60SCE acoustic, or Höfner violin bass instead these days, and the jazz just hangs on the wall.

I'm thinking a different kind of strap might help, something wider, or different type? Any suggestions?

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for me anything under 11 pounds is great.

 

[gmarcus]

These are awesome if you don't mind adding a strap button to the lower horn. I use flush mount strap locks on the back of the bass and you can't see any mod to the bass while playing.
Hip Strap guitar strap

 

[Mark Ambler]

Guitarguitar (terrible name) in Camden had one of those ultra light Sandbergs when I last went in, it sounded good but it was unreal how light it was!

 

[Eric Swaim]

I draw the line at 10 lbs. Get a wide thick leather strap and your problem should be solved. If not, time to start working out and getting into better physical shape to play bass standing up.

 

[Shooz]

I have Squier jazz bass that I never play because it's too heavy for me (it's 9.4lbs). I have a 3" air-pocket strap but still get neck/shoulder pain when I play. I used to play it a lot - maybe it started to feel too heavy after extended playing during covid, or maybe it was after I changed the neck to a fretless one. Not sure, but either way, I tend to play my Fender CB60SCE acoustic, or Höfner violin bass instead these days, and the jazz just hangs on the wall.

I'm thinking a different kind of strap might help, something wider, or different type? Any suggestions?

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I had a 10.5 Fender 70’s jazz Vintera, I never could get along with its tone or how it played. I eventually ditched it, I have other jazz basses way lighter that feel and sound great. If you don’t get along with it, say goodbye because the right bass for you is out there.