Lightest bass for a small girl?

[hdracer]

Suzi Quatro is tiny.
She rocks out full size basses that make her look even smaller.

 

[verycoolname]

I'll have to chime in again in regards to the working out thing; it's not a bad idea, but I wouldn't say it substitutes buying a lighter/more comfortable bass. It's not just a matter of being "weak" (which the OP probably isn't...unless she is), it's a matter of being "petite" and uncomfortable playing on a larger (and heavier) instrument.

I played softball with a girl who was 5 inches shorter (I'm 5 feet 5 inches) and probably 20 pounds lighter than me...and she could bench/squat the same amount as me. That being said, she still used shorter (and slightly lighter) bats than I did. If she played bass she'd probably go for a short scale...doesn't mean she's weak, just of a different stature (and with smaller hands).

So, I'd do some light lifting (moderate exercises with your arms/shoulders), but the root of the problem is still that you need something "comfortable" for you.

Do angels even have balls? What would they need them for?

You mean to tell me you've never heard the phrase, "every time a bell rings an angel grows a pair?"

 

[cfsporn]

Danelectro Longhorn. $300. <6lbs. Awesome tone.

 

[Zootsuitbass]

Personally I'm gassing for a Lakland 30inch Hollow body. I bet that would fit nice.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

If you can find one, an old Vox Panther.
Basswood body, about 4 1/2 pounds, plenty of vintage cool factor.
I had one at the same time as an original Longhorn.
It made even a Longhorn seem heavy and big.

Now, 47 years later, I'm a Grandpa, much bigger than I was in my teens
and I still have one of them in my collection. 8^D

 

[MMatFoCBass]

All day every day!

Girl you sound amazing;

Wish I could meet musical people like yourself.

I'd get a Mustang if it were me and I was concerned with finding a bass that was functionally light rather then super light.

I have a hollow-body and it is a joy but I really don't feel safe with acting as radical as I find normal. I'd hate to damage a hollow-body.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[gurensan]

Suzi Quatro is tiny.
She rocks out full size basses that make her look even smaller.

I've seen her before from 70's tv clips.

I used to have one of those basses. Wish I still did.

Suzi must have been ungodly scrappy to have hefted that Tele bass on a regular basis. I know it was a little heavy and tough to play even for me, and you know how little I'm not!

 

[Dradder]

Suzi must have been ungodly scrappy to have hefted that Tele bass on a regular basis.

Invalid Link Removed on the size of the basses she played. Quote re her Gibson Les Paul: "This weighs more than I do."

 

[Roger Ford]

Everyone is ignoring what the OP said long ago, and recommending exercise and weight lifting. She said she had muscle problems in her shoulder. I'm sure she has already done things to assist.

 

[Major Softie]

Do angels even have balls? What would they need them for?

You can't be part of the army of Heaven in the battle with the great Satan without balls! Especially when he has such big heavy ones. Remember, Satan is an angel too . . . just an angel that didn't play well with others.

Villain, I've got a 17 year old (although she's taller than me, so not tiny). She's also probably far more familiar with the weight of Satan's balls than Angels balls, but I'm just not going to think about that anymore....

 

[MartinG1957]

Don't want to break into this thread but what was up with the Epi Viola?

Hi Boris (apologies for diversion but to answer the question) - my Epi Viola: I found the intonation poor and for me, impossible to adjust the bridge to get it spot on, pick ups were thin and weak, dead spot on neck at the 12th, volume controls very agricultural in the way they worked, no subtlety at all and tone control also very poor and lumpy in its effect. Not an expensive bass, but dearer than the Dano and for me, the Dano is a way better bass in all areas.
All IMHO, YMMV etc.

 

[almost human]

OP, here you go:

Longhorn on ebay

 

[boristhespider7]

Hi Boris (apologies for diversion but to answer the question) - my Epi Viola: I found the intonation poor and for me, impossible to adjust the bridge to get it spot on, pick ups were thin and weak, dead spot on neck at the 12th, volume controls very agricultural in the way they worked, no subtlety at all and tone control also very poor and lumpy in its effect. Not an expensive bass, but dearer than the Dano and for me, the Dano is a way better bass in all areas.
All IMHO, YMMV etc.

Ta, MartinG. Interesting...i also have an Epi Viola, v similar issues but i'm working on modding it. Still think its better quality than the Hofner Icons/Ignitions though. Despite its faults mines still a keeper

But back to the OP...i still think a Dano longhorn is more versatile in tone than a Violin type bass (whether Epi, Hofner or other brand). I've also been really impressed with the Squier VM Mustangs. Great punchy tone, comparable to a Precision with some more punch. Also lighter than the Fender equivalent due to basswood body

 

[MartinG1957]

Good on you Boris, I unfortunately don't have the skills for modding, hope you get it the way you want it never tried the Hofners... In an attempt at adding a little more to the thread, my Longhorn is actually lighter than my Strat...

 

[OffBikeOnBass]

I'd like to add my $0.02. Just bought a Samick Corsair CR13. It's small and light with no neck dive. Personally, I like the way it looks and was quite impressed with the build quality. It will sound better with higher quality strings than you get from the factory, in my opnion.

They sell these on Amazon.com for less than $200.

 

[3star2nr]

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.

Get something made of swamp ash.

Your gonna spend at least 1200 if you buy new for a light bass.

Otherwise, look for a used hollow body or a used swamp ash

 

[Shardik]

Ash? You must be kidding. Ash is not a specially light wood.

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

Link Removed

 

[Zootsuitbass]

Ash, is associated with the 70's boat anchors. And that wood is referred in some luthier circles as heavy northern ash. Swamp ash is know to be on the light side and can be very light.

Also, alder the other most common build wood has been getting harder and harder to find light. So it is fair in a ash alder world to say, look for ash.

 

[Shardik]

I'd say look for light weight. The density and hence the weight of ash varies a lot, even within the same tree.

There are body woods that are in common use and are lighter than both ash and alder. Basswood and poplar comes to mind.