Light Weight P Bass - Where and How?

[mongo2]

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.

I remember quite a few here in the NYC area.

There were also Danelectros all over the place but I lived in a town between their two factories.

 

[ThudThudThud]

Squier Classic Vibe 60's Precision. Mine was very light, and very comfortable.

 

[Judge Nickels]

Guitar Mill now has this option for $25 (making the unfinished body $200):

>>
Lightweight Surcharge? (ASH & ALDER ONLY!)
Ensures your body will be on or under 4 lbs (Ash), or under 5 lbs (Alder.)
>>

Looks like the Ash body would get you into a sub 8lb bass if you were careful and you'd be starting with an American made body.

 

[Judge Nickels]

Guitar Mill now has this option for $25 (making the unfinished body $200):

Looking again, I think it is $200 for a finished body, which is a good deal cheaper than Warmoth. I don't have any experience with Guitar Mill, so I can't speak to the quality.

 

[rmayer]

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?

Do you have a budget? I would suggest G&L LB100/Empress body or Maruszczyk Jake L.
Neck width? I prefer the Jazz width.

 

[onosson]

I don't know its precise weight, but I bought my Aerodyne P-Bass largely for its lightness for use on lengthier gigs (3-set, 3-night stands on a frequent basis). It's easily the lightest bass I own - if you can locate a used one I highly recommend them.

 

[baileyboy]

The lightest P bass I've come across was an '81-'82... weighed 8 lbs 2 oz. Felt great, but wasn't in the market for one at the time.

 

[MattZilla]

There's one pretty close to that in the classifieds here. I think it was made by that coppolo dude.

 

[Mordamir]

Drill a few holes in the body with one of these. It'll lighten it up and also give it some character, might affect the resale value though.

 

[ofguilt]

While not exotic or uber fancy. The Glary Music P bass clone I played was extremely light. The one I demoed played nicely and sounded pretty good for the $60ish delivered price tag. You can hardly buy a parts body for that price.

 

[twinjet]

View attachment 3331763

Maruszczyk Jakes with chambered swamp ash bodies and Hipshot Ultralite hardware are 7 pounds or so.

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I'm not sure if it's the case with all ash bodies, but my J is absurdly light. Might barely come in at 8 lbs.

 

[JIO]

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?

An unfinished body needs to weigh in the neighborhood of 3-4+ lbs (no more than 5) to end up with a bass that weighs around 8 lbs. A P neck will weigh about 2 lbs and all the hardware (pu's, bridge, tuners, pg, electronics/knobs) add up to the rest.

 

[lostpoet2]

I bought one of these $72 “Glarry” basses from eBay as a fun project bass. It has a Pauwlonia body, and it weighed 6lbs 10oz stock. I’ve done some cheap mods to decrease weight and now it is just under 6.3 lbs. I would love to get it down to exactly 6 pounds, but I’d have to buy Gotoh GB350 tuners, and I’m not sure I’m ready to put $80 tuners on a $70 bass, lol.
New 46" School Band Electric Bass Guitar With Carry Bag & Strap Accessories US | eBay

 

[moonshinegtrs]

How about a P bass built with Danelectro construction methods...

This bass ended up @ 6 1/2lbs.

Here is another one... 6lbs even.

They have a really cool tone too.


Moonshine

 

[GretschWretch]

How about a P bass built with Danelectro construction methods...

This bass ended up @ 6 1/2lbs.
View attachment 3332827

Here is another one... 6lbs even.
View attachment 3332826

They have a really cool tone too.


Moonshine

You have just injected a disturbance into my force.

 

[gtlover]

My Precision Lyte Deluxe is about 6 1/2 lbs. Feels like nothing compared to my other basses.

 

[Jack Butler]

Nice!

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

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