I have an Ibanez SR500 and SR600 and bought them both because they are so easy to manage. I'm 5'2" and have back problems (probably from playing a Fender Precision when I was 13 and 90 pounds) and they are great to play because they are light, the neck is very thin, and the body is shaped so that is is very thin at the edges, which cuts way back on how far you have to reach your right arm and shoulder over the bass to play it. They go for about $600, and I think the 500 is lighter. For short scales, I have a Squire Jaguar and it feels very good but is not as nice in tone as the SRs and also doesn't have as much variety of tones as the SRs. Some will tell you that the SRs are too trebly, but with the electronics on these, you can get just about any tone you want. I put flats on the 500 and can get very deep, luscious tones as well as more trebly tones.
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Lightest bass for a small girl?
- Thread starter Born Villain
- Start date
I have an Ibanez SR500 and SR600 and bought them both because they are so easy to manage. I'm 5'2" and have back problems (probably from playing a Fender Precision when I was 13 and 90 pounds) and they are great to play because they are light, the neck is very thin, and the body is shaped so that is is very thin at the edges, which cuts way back on how far you have to reach your right arm and shoulder over the bass to play it. They go for about $600, and I think the 500 is lighter. For short scales, I have a Squire Jaguar and it feels very good but is not as nice in tone as the SRs and also doesn't have as much variety of tones as the SRs. Some will tell you that the SRs are too trebly, but with the electronics on these, you can get just about any tone you want. I put flats on the 500 and can get very deep, luscious tones as well as more trebly tones.
I recently tried a Ibanez SR500 BM in a shop. Awesome bass to play, I loved the neck feel and the body shape. But being made in massive mahogany, I do not think it weighs less than 8 pounds. It felt heavier to me than my 8 pound Peavey BXP Millennium.
I'm also voting for the Danelectro Longhorn. Great sound, shorter scale, light as angel's balls. Not that a teenage girl should know anything about the weight of angel's balls, but I suppose that depends on the culture said girl grew up in!
30.5" scale, 5.5 lbs.
I'm not sure what they go for used since I've never bought one, much less recently. I think you should see if you can find one in your area and give it a go. I think you'll be floored. I know I was when I had to use one sitting in once (I walked into a bar and... oh wow.. hi Aunt T****, up there on the stage!)
Description and review of one version: http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/bass/danelectro-dead-on-58-longhorn-bass-566544
30.5" scale, 5.5 lbs.
I'm not sure what they go for used since I've never bought one, much less recently. I think you should see if you can find one in your area and give it a go. I think you'll be floored. I know I was when I had to use one sitting in once (I walked into a bar and... oh wow.. hi Aunt T****, up there on the stage!)
Description and review of one version: http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/bass/danelectro-dead-on-58-longhorn-bass-566544
I'm a huge fan of Schecter Guitars (I have a Hellraiser C-1 FR in white and oh man it's a BEAUTY), so I'll have to check out the bass you suggested. Thanks very much
I'm also voting for the Danelectro Longhorn. Great sound, shorter scale, light as angel's balls. Not that a teenage girl should know anything about the weight of angel's balls, but I suppose that depends on the culture said girl grew up in!
30.5" scale, 5.5 lbs.
I'm not sure what they go for used since I've never bought one, much less recently. I think you should see if you can find one in your area and give it a go. I think you'll be floored. I know I was when I had to use one sitting in once (I walked into a bar and... oh wow.. hi Aunt T****, up there on the stage!)
Description and review of one version: http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/bass/danelectro-dead-on-58-longhorn-bass-566544
I used the reference of Satans balls earlier
. I'm definitely going to have to check out this one since everyone has said that! Thanks!
It's funny, because I'm actually looking at buying an Ibanez five string now...don't want it if it's that heavy, haha.
Right now the lightest SR600 is 7 pounds 5 ounces, with the heaviest five string being 8 pounds 5 ounces...interestingly enough the lightest SR605 is only 7 pounds 6 ounces!
If you want really, really light (and easier to play) check out the Ibanez Mickro, which is 30 inches, more in line with a guitar.
Well it's really heavy for me but it might be a different story for you! Don't take my word for it!
Another big vote for the Dano - great bass, great sound, light as a feather - mine gets used in amongst the Fenders and Yamaha, great fun to play.
The other light one I had was the epiphone violin bass - I would not recommend that one at all.
The other light one I had was the epiphone violin bass - I would not recommend that one at all.
I used the reference of Satans balls earlier
Lol I know; since the other one was heavy I thought I'd use the opposite to describe this one
As everyone on here has already heard me say, I had 2 Hofner 500/1 Beatle basses in the 60's. Two years ago, I bought a Hofner Ignition Club bass and love it. Since, I bought a Rogue VB100 from Musicians Friend. I cannot tell the difference between the Rogue and the Hofner Ignition Beatle bass. I play mine interchangeably. The Hofner Ignition is near $500, and the Rogue is $229, often on sale for $199. Try one and you can return it for any reason in 30 days. I don't think you will return it.
Have you checked out the Cort Curbow? Super lightweight and a small body. You can find some good deals on a used one.
"Maybe you should start doing some muscle exercises as well? Helps with being able to support basses."
Regardless of what bass you end up with,I promise you,this advice is gold. Do light weight shoulder stuff. Look up shoulder injuries on you tube and do the stuff with the 1-3 lb weights.
All the strength you build will support all the player specific stuff that you can injure.The more frail you are the more likely you are to injure. Think of this as preventative.
BTW I'd recommend this to EVERY one and I practice what I'm preaching and do these myself.
Regardless of what bass you end up with,I promise you,this advice is gold. Do light weight shoulder stuff. Look up shoulder injuries on you tube and do the stuff with the 1-3 lb weights.
All the strength you build will support all the player specific stuff that you can injure.The more frail you are the more likely you are to injure. Think of this as preventative.
BTW I'd recommend this to EVERY one and I practice what I'm preaching and do these myself.
