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Lightest bass for a small girl?

B

Born Villain

Jul 26, 2013
14
0
#1
Yeah so I'm actually really small and I don't have a lot of strength. I'm in a band now and we want to play gigs, but my bass is way too heavy. It's an Ibanez 5 string (I dont want a 5 string), and I'll probably end up selling it. I only have 100$ right now but I could save up for one, I'm using the drummers Fender right now. So, what's the lightest bass I can get? I spent 1200$ on my Schecter guitar so hopefully the bass will be a LOT less, but at this point it doesn't matter. Thanks. :cool:
 
#7
Hollowbody is my first thought too. I don't know that you're going to get one for $100 though. Here's a few of the cheaper ones I could find. Note, I'm not recommending these specific basses; I've never tried any of them. But a hollowbody is going to be WAY ligher than a solidbody, for obvious reasons.

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http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/epiphone-allen-woody-limited-edition-bass
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/epiphone-viola-bass-vs

And try this search:
https://www.google.com/search?q=hol...O04APG2YDoCQ&ved=0CCYQpwUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=756
 
#11
Birdsong short-scale bass (31"scale length) is easier on smaller hands, thanks to the shorter scale length, and depending on what woods are used, can weigh as little as 5.5 to 6 lbs. I have one (a Birdsong "Double Fusion") with a walnut body, maple neck, and rosewood board, and it weighs 7.8 lbs. I also had a mahogany Birdsong Cortobass, and it weighed just a hair more than 7 lbs.

These basses are the "real deal", being used on-stage by the likes of the bassist for My Morning Jacket (he has at least two of them). In the last 6 months (probably less), I have seen three bassists on late-night TV (Letterman, Lenno, Kimmel) using Birdsong basses.
 
#14
What's "light" for you? I'm a girl as well, and my Ibanez SR600 (four string) weighs in at 7 pounds 5 ounces (according to Sweetwater). To me this is pretty "light." That being said, I'm decently strong (from basketball induced lifting), so my "light" may not be your "light." It's all very subjective. If Sweetwater has basses in stock they usually list them on their "Guitar Gallery," which lists the weights of the exact bass you're looking at.

So, if your "light" is equivalent to my "light" go for an Ibby SR600/other SR bass. If your "light" is lighter than my "light" go for a Short Scale...or a Hollowbody...or a Short Scale that's also a Hollowbody. I've been GASing for the Fender Mustang basses; 30 inch scale, but Sweetwater lists a CIJ at 7 pounds 14 ounces, and a Pawn Shop at 8 pounds 5 ounces...heavier than the full scale Ibanez.
 
#16
verycoolname said:
What's "light" for you? I'm a girl as well, and my Ibanez SR600 (four string) weighs in at 7 pounds 5 ounces (according to Sweetwater). To me this is pretty "light." That being said, I'm decently strong (from basketball induced lifting), so my "light" may not be your "light." It's all very subjective. If Sweetwater has basses in stock they usually list them on their "Guitar Gallery," which lists the weights of the exact bass you're looking at.

So, if your "light" is equivalent to my "light" go for an Ibby SR600/other SR bass. If your "light" is lighter than my "light" go for a Short Scale...or a Hollowbody...or a Short Scale that's also a Hollowbody. I've been GASing for the Fender Mustang basses; 30 inch scale, but Sweetwater lists a CIJ at 7 pounds 14 ounces, and a Pawn Shop at 8 pounds 5 ounces...heavier than the full scale Ibanez.
Click to expand...

My light is no tense on the muscles. Light as in a 98 pound 10-year-old looking girl (as I'm told), yes. My drummers bass is a fender and it's not so bad, but I'm hoping for lighter if I can.
 
#17
Born Villain said:
Would a Fender Aerodyne be light enough for me? Is it generally a nice bass?
Click to expand...

Every bass will weigh a little different, even if they're the same exact model. This is because every piece of wood is unique. The best thing is to try them out before you buy them.

Yes, Aerodyne is generally a nice bass.
 
#19
Meaning to be helpful:

If you're tensing shoulder muscles, it might be that the strap is not adjusted to suit you. IOW, the instrument's weight may not, in itself, be the problem.

A pretty good starting point is to set the strap length so your standing position on the instrument is the same as seated.
 
#20
Ewo said:
Meaning to be helpful:

If you're tensing shoulder muscles, it might be that the strap is not adjusted to suit you. IOW, the instrument's weight may not, in itself, be the problem.

A pretty good starting point is to set the strap length so your standing position on the instrument is the same as seated.
Click to expand...

No, I have brachial plexus in my right shoulder (only one out of the four muscles work, as in the one muscle does everything), so it puts stress on my back and my other shoulder. Also, keep in mind, I'm tiny as all hell and it is most definitely the instruments weight that bothers me. I can't stress that enough.
 

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