I had a Lyte and I switched out the electronics for a passive system. Put in a 3 way switch and it sounded massively better. Easy enough for a tech to do if you're not comfortable with doing the job yourself.
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Light weight bass?
- Thread starter moreorless
- Start date
I had a Lyte and I switched out the electronics for a passive system. Put in a 3 way switch and it sounded massively better. Easy enough for a tech to do if you're not comfortable with doing the job yourself.
I recently acquired a used 2007 Fender Highway One Jazz bass, and it is pretty light, I don't know if they are all this light, but it surprised me, not a bad bass for the money ... IMHO
I second the Hofner CLUB bass. 
I use it all the time on three- and four-hour gigs, and it's amazingly, fantastically light. I literally weighs about the same amount as an acoustic guitar!
It's basically the Beatle bass, but with a more traditional single cutaway shape. I am reluctant to play the violin-shaped Beatle-bass because 1.) people will think you're a Beatles cover band and 2.) I am no Paul McCartney and don't want to give the impression I am drawing a comparison!
As for tone: It's actually a lot more versatile than you would think. Obviously, the forte of the Hofners is to get a set of short scale flatwounds and go for that vintage sound. They deliver in spades, even on the import models, which is what I have. The mid-level model -- I believe it's called the "comptemproary" -- has a solid block like a semihollowbody and is heavier.
You can get a more modern sound by using rounds, but make sure they're good rounds, obviously. Even great bass can be hamstrung with lousy strings.
I use it all the time on three- and four-hour gigs, and it's amazingly, fantastically light. I literally weighs about the same amount as an acoustic guitar!It's basically the Beatle bass, but with a more traditional single cutaway shape. I am reluctant to play the violin-shaped Beatle-bass because 1.) people will think you're a Beatles cover band and 2.) I am no Paul McCartney and don't want to give the impression I am drawing a comparison!
As for tone: It's actually a lot more versatile than you would think. Obviously, the forte of the Hofners is to get a set of short scale flatwounds and go for that vintage sound. They deliver in spades, even on the import models, which is what I have. The mid-level model -- I believe it's called the "comptemproary" -- has a solid block like a semihollowbody and is heavier.
You can get a more modern sound by using rounds, but make sure they're good rounds, obviously. Even great bass can be hamstrung with lousy strings.
My Hofner Icon basses, violin and Club, weigh in at 5 lbs. They are VERY cool instruments, and get a nice warm vintage "thump" with flatwound strings.
Thanks so much fo rthe suggestions! A lot to chew on... I think I will try swapping out the active pick ups on the "lyte" for passive ones because that bass works well for me as far as size/weight. I also will check out some of the newer Ibanez basses even though they are mostly active. As for the "Beatle" basses, I have one and lets just say it doesn't work well for "slap & pop" bass lines, but it nails the Macca sound nicely!
Does yours have the p-j combination? I've read lots of good press about the basslines vintage pups....
Vintage for Jazz Bass® SJB-1 - Seymour Duncan 4-String
Vintage for P-Bass® SPB-1 - Seymour Duncan Passive
if you need to fight hum, the +1 on the stkj2 or stkj1 for no hum and classic tone
Hot Stack for Jazz Bass® STK-J2 - Seymour Duncan 4-String
Classic Stack for Jazz Bass® STK-J1 - Seymour Duncan 4-String
Vintage for Jazz Bass® SJB-1 - Seymour Duncan 4-String
Vintage for P-Bass® SPB-1 - Seymour Duncan Passive
if you need to fight hum, the +1 on the stkj2 or stkj1 for no hum and classic tone
Hot Stack for Jazz Bass® STK-J2 - Seymour Duncan 4-String
Classic Stack for Jazz Bass® STK-J1 - Seymour Duncan 4-String
Also don't forget that the right strap makes or breaks all of this.
I used have back pain with Any bass. Then I found a strap that was both Wide and Soft/Flexible. Have never felt pain since.
Make sure you are using the right strap.
I used have back pain with Any bass. Then I found a strap that was both Wide and Soft/Flexible. Have never felt pain since.
Make sure you are using the right strap.
popgadget
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- Sep 4, 2005
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- Authorized Greenboy Designs Builder, Scabbey Road
The stock pups ARE passive. You just need to bypass the preamp if you want it to be completely passive.
I have two of them, I kept the stock pups in one and added a Audere preamp/tone circuit, the other one got EMG actives and electronics.
IF you are looking for a lightweight bass, I would start with one of these bodies:
Bass Bodies and Necks. The bodies average around 3.5 lbs top and sound AMAZING! I built a bass for a guy and ever used a bound neck and a Gotoh 201 bridge and it still only weighed 7.5 lbs. I built another with a lightweight bridge and lightweight tuners and it was right under 7 lbs! They resonate like crazy too. I know people think that because they're inexpensive that their "cheap," but their are NOT. You could put a basic Allparts neck on it, a standard bridge and have a hell of a nice bass for not much money and it will save your back! PM me if you want more info. I LOVE these things!
Bass Bodies and Necks. The bodies average around 3.5 lbs top and sound AMAZING! I built a bass for a guy and ever used a bound neck and a Gotoh 201 bridge and it still only weighed 7.5 lbs. I built another with a lightweight bridge and lightweight tuners and it was right under 7 lbs! They resonate like crazy too. I know people think that because they're inexpensive that their "cheap," but their are NOT. You could put a basic Allparts neck on it, a standard bridge and have a hell of a nice bass for not much money and it will save your back! PM me if you want more info. I LOVE these things!
If you would be into having something built & the $1,400.00 ish and up price range is do-able, I can vouch for the lightweight custom basses built by Tom Clement. My 5 string (Clement #248) Pictured here weighs in at 7.6 lbs. Mine's wired 100% passive with Nordstrand Big Singles. He makes fretted and fretless to your custom specs (everything down to pickup placement and string spacing) in various body styles & woods. Mine is light as can be and SINGS.
~ Todd
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Check out the newer MTD Saratoga series. I've got one that is a little under 7.5 lbs. Mine sounds great and plays very well. It balances nicely even with the very lightweight body. It's passive with 2 volumes and a tone knob. Check out these videos.
Mark Dann in NYC who is a TB member makes ridiculously light custom basses.
I played one many years ago.
I can't remember the # of lbs, but i almost flung it to the ceiling when I picked it up.
good luck.
I played one many years ago.
I can't remember the # of lbs, but i almost flung it to the ceiling when I picked it up.
good luck.
David at Certainbass.com made me one last summer. I love it and don't feel it's a compromise in any way. Light as a feather, especially after playing a Ric or my P-bass.
