Hi all... I find now that I’m older and experiencing arthritis in my neck and shoulders I would like to find a good light weight, balanced bass. Wonder if any of you have purchased a light weight bass and what your thoughts are. Would probably be looking at a “ P “ but would not rule out a “ J “ Thanks for the help!
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Light weight bass?
- Thread starter Ron A
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- light weight bass
stop looking for P or J if you want lightweight
These are just over 3kg:
GSR100EX | SR | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars
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for something just over 3.5kg & under $1k USD, look at pre-owned Ibanez Premium Soundgear series
These are just over 3kg:
GSR100EX | SR | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars
Link Removed
for something just over 3.5kg & under $1k USD, look at pre-owned Ibanez Premium Soundgear series
I picked up a 2012 Squier Vintage Modified Precision, it weighs 7lbs 3oz (3.26kg) thanks to the Agathis body. Definitely possible to get a lower weight P.
I bought this in 2015 sight unseen for $149 to lay down some bass tracks. The best $150 I ever spent in my life. Light as a feather with awesome playability. Where was all of this back in the early 70's.
Are you looking for suggestions for specific instruments, or also experiences with lw in general? For years I've been "collecting" basses that run 8lbs or less for comfort and back reasons. I have a bunch of them now. You can absolutely find great playing and sounding lw basses, but you may have to hunt a bit.
/rick
/rick
Don’t know your budget, but I just got a Rickenbacker 4003SW Walnut. Can’t believe how light this bass is. Definitely under 8lbs.
For a lightweight standard type of bass that wouldn't dent my wallet to heavily I went with the Hofner Ignition Club Bass. Mine weighs in at 4 lbs 8 oz and is perfectly balanced on the strap with no neck dive.
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Lightweight is one thing (and a good thing!)
but if the bass is neck heavy that will be even more uncomfortable than a heavy bass that balances right. I have a pair of Reverend Decision P basses that are both under 8 pounds (7 pounds 10 ounces for the Surf Green one, 7 pounds 13 ounces for the Powder Yellow one) and they still balance perfectly on a strap due to the lightweight tuners and extended upper horn. These are super comfortable to play, even on a 4 hour gig. I've been on a crusade to acquire light basses for years now, and that 8 pound mark is the sweet spot in my experience, meaning it's about as light as you can go without getting into neck dive territory and that is the worst ergonomic problem an instrument can have for me.
If you want quality/price check out the Ibanez products. They have realy much lightweight models.
Can't tell where you are located. As far as new basses, Sweetwater has weights listed for new basses, at least for most of them.
For almost guaranteed lightweight, Ibanez will get you there pretty consistently and cheaply. I’m on the lookout for a lightweight Fender P. I’m in no rush so I just try whatever is on the shop floor when I’m passing a store. No luck yet though. Whereas, if I wasn’t fussed about the brand, I could pick up a light Ibanez P tomorrow at any number of shops.
Another vote for Ibanez. Anything in the SR line is very light, and gives off almost no pressure on the shoulders with even a thin strap. By comparison, my Fender Jazz has a thick, padded strap for my shoulder.
If you can get something off the Ibanez Premium line, go for it.
If you can get something off the Ibanez Premium line, go for it.
I have not really set a budget. Would like something in the middle $1.5k I guess or a good used one on Reverb
If money is not an issue Mike Lull makes amazingly lite weight basses. I have a VINTAGE JAZZ and a 54 P by him, both in the neighborhood of 7 1/2 lbs.
My G&L L2000 weighs 7.3 lbs...very few solid body full-scale basses weigh less.
It's swamp ash, the weight of which can vary more than any other popular body wood I'm aware of, but Empress is also light, and even though G&L isn't using it right now, some Empress basses were still available the last time I checked Reverb.
I would definitely suggest looking at some G&L SB-100s or JBs.
Price is right in your ballpark and the sound, playability and quality is second to none.
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