Light Weight P Bass - Where and How?

[JW56789]

For a parts bass, poplar ('basswood'), paulonia, or possible a chambered body. The usual suspects (maple, ash, alder), unless you can find body weights (as Warmoth posts theirs) may be too heavy already.

Stick with a simple but effective bridge, and lightweight keys.

 

[Lava]

I bought a P bass body from MJT that weighs 4 lbs. 3 oz. and the entire bass weighs 7 lbs. 15 oz.

Good to know.

 

[BassGH]

Sweetwater posts the weights of their basses for sale.

Hard to overstate how important that is for us internet shoppers.

 

[NOVAX]

Once a bass passes the right arm curl test and I strap it up, it's not about weight anymore, it's all about balance.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I'm hoping to find/assemble a P Bass that's no heavier than 8 lbs. Does anybody have any suggestions? Also, how much would an unfinished body need to weigh for the assembled bass to not exceed that limit?

 

[Artman]

Or shop around for an old Fender P-Lyte.

 

[LaDave]

I bought a P bass body from MJT that weighs 4 lbs. 3 oz. and the entire bass weighs 7 lbs. 15 oz.

I can back this up as I just built one that is 8lbs 5oz and the body was 4lbs 9oz.

I posted photos and specs in my welcome post yesterday:
My first Bass: Warmoth/Musikraft Build

 

[Warpeg]

I'm told that the $55 eBay basses are in that weight range.

 

[wateroftyne]

Both of these P's are around 7lb 2ozs. Both sounds glorious. Configure your own online here: Link Removed

 

[tjh]

I'm hoping to find/assemble a P Bass that's no heavier than 8 lbs. Does anybody have any suggestions? Also, how much would an unfinished body need to weigh for the assembled bass to not exceed that limit?

… any more criteria than 'a P Bass' ?? … that may be kinda'portant here too ...

when working towards light, you can't focus on just one thing, like just an unfinished body ... it is a synergistic affect of everything that goes together … a fully loaded body right in the 5 lbs range will get you close to your sub 8 lbs (using Fender type components) …

I have had a few P's (even some J's, which is tougher) through here that broke the sub 8 lb mark, some after I massaged them a bit, and some without having to take any steps to make it there … here is a prime example of the later that ended up in the hands of JohnK to make one of his special creations … completely stock early Hwy 1 P …

'04/5 MIA Fender 3TSB Hwy 1 Precision Loaded Body ... VERY Light!!

 

[micguy]

I'm hoping to find/assemble a P Bass that's no heavier than 8 lbs. Does anybody have any suggestions? Also, how much would an unfinished body need to weigh for the assembled bass to not exceed that limit?

That's not quite how you make a light weight bass. Every thing matters - OK maybe not at 8 pounds, but getting to 7 or under, everything matters. If you're assembling it, you definitely want ultralite tuners - either the Hipshots or something comparable in weight.

Here's my "P" - all Warmoth wood, roasted neck, graphite rods, every piece of hardware is aluminum (even the knobs). 6.6 pounds, balances perfectly hands free on a strap:

 

[jblock]

My Mike Lull P bass is 7 pounds 5 ounces, and extremely well balanced. I also owned a G&L that was about the same weight, but you could feel all the weight in the neck.

 

[FingerDub]

View attachment 3332169

DEEE-LICIOUS.

 

[FingerDub]

That's not quite how you make a light weight bass. Every thing matters - OK maybe not at 8 pounds, but getting to 7 or under, everything matters. If you're assembling it, you definitely want ultralite tuners - either the Hipshots or something comparable in weight.

Here's my "P" - all Warmoth wood, roasted neck, graphite rods, every piece of hardware is aluminum (even the knobs). 6.6 pounds, balances perfectly hands free on a strap:
View attachment 3332235

Nice build dude!

I used to think that weight was overrated, you know cuz I'm a masculine man and can handle anyone or anything. 6.6 lb must be great. I have a Spector at seven and a half pounds and it is a fantastic Bass and one of the reasons is playing comfort.

 

[Alivefor5]

As stated earlier - G&L basses with Empress bodies.
I have a JB4 at 7.5 lbs. and a Kiloton 4 at 7.2 lbs.
They have Precision style basses.

 

[micguy]

Nice build dude!

I used to think that weight was overrated, you know cuz I'm a masculine man and can handle anyone or anything. 6.6 lb must be great. I have a Spector at seven and a half pounds and it is a fantastic Bass and one of the reasons is playing comfort.

I have, on occasion, had the opportunity to switch from a 7.25 pound bass to a 6.6 pound one in the middle of a set. You'd think you wouldn't feel that much of a difference, but...it's actually quite noticeable. Everything I have is 7.5 pounds or under, except the "heavyweight" - a 7.75 pound fretless that I play on a gig where we play sitting down.

One warning to the OP - light weight basses, and the pursuit of building them, is an obsession. Very habit forming.

 

[secondbestcody]

I just bought one of the Fender SE ocean turquoise P basses and it only weighs 8lbs 4oz after putting a high mass bridge on it.

 

[Maxdusty]

Depends on your budget...
I have to say the lightest one I've owned (and probably the wackiest- looks like a wobbly P bass) is a Danelectro Rumor Danoblaster bass. It's usually inexpensive (I bought mine for around $150) and has the added bonus of a built in chorus effect.
The weight is way under 8 lb, I remember reading it was around 7 lb at most which seems about right. I no longer have the bass, couldn't get over the "sparkle" finish. lol

Not my picture, but mine was this color. That button on the lower bout pickguard is for the built in chorus effect.

 

[Hammerfield]

Squier VM P?? I have one. Made Of basswood, it's light and very good

 

[nnnnnn]

Hofners were outliers?

Yes. I mean no criticism of them, but how often do you actually see them other than in the hands of that one obvious mega-famous player? I'd like to try one one day, but I've never seen one in a shop.