Lighter alternative to Fender P's with the same tone. Is it out there?

[Charlie28711]

I LOVE the tone(s) of my 3 Fender P basses. After two lumbar spine surgeries in 2019 and having my chest cracked for triple bypass this past July I'm really wanting to find that tone in a lighter bass. I tried a couple of lower end Ibanez's. The weight was fine but the tone wasn't there. Marcus Millers, Harley Bentons both sound good but as heavy or more so. Any suggestions? I'm wondering about Spector Legend mid price and the Ibanez SR1600/2400 basses..

 

[Jazz Ad]

A JP90 maybe ?
As far as I'm concerned anything passive with a p pickup, a rather light body and a maple neck will sound like a p

 

[two fingers]

How light do you need to go? When I had ultralite tuners on this bass it was just over 7 pounds.

Which is to say, the best way to get a very light P bass is to make your own from parts.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Find whoever it was who bought this 6.7 pound LB-100 in Empress wood.... Rocket Music - GLLB100ShorelineGoldSOLD

 

[ScotRFM]

It's a P/J configuration, but roll off the J pickup and an Aerodyne may work. Won't be exactly the same sound, but it'll be reasonably close and pretty light.

 

[jd56hawk]

You might want to think outside the box.
When is a P bass not a P bass?
Lightweight but heavy tone.
(For some reason, people often mistake this for a short-scale bass.)
Always thought this thing was a steal...under $600 new.

 

[rockscott]

Birdsong shortbass. 6 lbs, beautiful p tone, perfect balance, amazing neck and superior build quality. The best $1000.00 i ever spent!

 

[baileyboy]

I LOVE the tone(s) of my 3 Fender P basses. After two lumbar spine surgeries in 2019 and having my chest cracked for triple bypass this past July I'm really wanting to find that tone in a lighter bass. I tried a couple of lower end Ibanez's. The weight was fine but the tone wasn't there. Marcus Millers, Harley Bentons both sound good but as heavy or more so. Any suggestions? I'm wondering about Spector Legend mid price and the Ibanez SR1600/2400 basses..

Uh... you could just buy a lighter Precision, just sayin'...

 

[mongo2]

I get my favorite dual coil P bass tone from my Mustang PJ LE using just the P pickup. It weights 7 lbs 12 oz.

I also have a DIY single coil slab P bass (my favorite P bass type) that I assembled specifically to be lightweight with a Paulownia/Empress body, Gotoh Res-O-Light GB350 tuners and a dual rail humbucking Strat pickup. It weighs 5lbs 14oz.

 

[Nunovsky]

Try a Squier CV precision. I tried one recently and it was relatively light.

 

[mikeswals]

How light does light have to be?

I had a '72 alder/rosewood P that was 7.6 lbs, felt like nothing. Many vintage are this way.

 

[JRA]

Any suggestions?

the best way to get a very light P bass is to make your own from parts.

6.2 lbs:


6.8 lbs:


IME: it's easy to out-do fender for $400-$600: using the lightest, best parts. if the split-coil is up to the task and if it's generally located in the 'spot' = P-bass!

 

[ShawnG]

Empress bodied G&L?

Traveler TB-4P = 6.5 lbs

 

[Bass V]

I just googled what my lightweight Epiphone Thunderbird IV should weigh ...it said 12lbs!
a Pro IV is said to weigh 8lbs which sounds right, something is whacky about that quote.
for killer P tones only better I'd suggest checking out some Birds.

 

[bassdude51]

How light do you need?

You could go short scale. Hofner. The Squier Bronco with a Dragonfire dual coil AlNiCo pickup sounds a lot like a P Bass. (I got one.)

You could start sitting on a stool or chair when you play to get the pressure off of your back and chest.

I built a Warmoth P Bass that comes in @ 7 lbs and 3 oz. That's a good pound or 2 lighter than a typical P.

Good luck. I think that there's no shortage of basses for your issues.

 

[TheReceder]

You might want to think outside the box.
When is a P bass not a P bass?
Lightweight but heavy tone.
(For some reason, people often mistake this for a short-scale bass.)
Always thought this thing was a steal...under $600 new.
View attachment 4034216

Curious if you have any issues with neck dive. A friend of mine bought one as her first bass and that was the only complaint she had. Again... it was her first bass so I don't know if she really understands how bad some instruments can be.

 

[jmlee]

Used US-made Peavey Fury. Very light and with addition of pickup of choice a great bass.

Oh, and I have one of those just over 6 lbs G&L empress LB-100s. Amazing!

 

[thmsjordan]

I would add my $0.02 here that you could possibly do a build and use the lightest woods possible. Basswood for the body and I think a maple fretboard would make it as light as possible. graphite stiffening rods make the neck even lighter. Chambered bodies also make for lighter weight. Aluminum screws can be had. Ultra light tuners, and the old vitage fender bridge used on 60's and 70's basses would all save weight. Plastic volume and tone knobs.

 

[rmayer]

I'm not sure of your budget, but my latest G&L LB100 with the Empress body option weighs in at 6.7 pounds. And considering it was Leo's last company, I'd say it sounds like a P Bass. You have your choice of tons of colors and neck widths and radius also, this one has a 1 1/2" width with a 12" radius, which I find very comfortable. Did I mention that it weighs 6.7 pounds, the lightest G&L I have ever owned.
Edit: If you want to hear a great review on these basses, check out Ed Friedland on Youtube.and search for LB100.

 

[jd56hawk]

Curious if you have any issues with neck dive. A friend of mine bought one as her first bass and that was the only complaint she had. Again... it was her first bass so I don't know if she really understands how bad some instruments can be.

I don't own one, but neck dive's a non issue...even with my new Thunderbird Vintage Pro.