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lightest bass - not hollow or wierd
- Thread starter SteveC
- Start date
If you can swallow the price tag, Sadowsky NYCs usually are light. Beyond that you have to hunt. My AmStdP is 8.2 lbs, AmDlxP is 8.7lbs. My MB-2 is probably close to 6lbs...love playing it.
Quadzilla
Supporting Member
I had an old 4 string ZON years back that was under 6 lbs! 
Only prob with it was that it was neck dive city because of the lack of weight in the body.
Only prob with it was that it was neck dive city because of the lack of weight in the body.
There will be variables with every bass, even the same model from the same manufacturer. Basswood basses will be on the light side, and possibly some of the luthite bodied basses. Changing hardware can significantly change weights too.
I think Elricks are usually quite light and I recently tried a very light Jazz 5 from Magnusguitars.([This invalid link has been removed])
That one was about 3.5 kg.
My 36" 5 string comes in at about 4.2 kg.
But..what's light for me may well be heavy for you or vice versa.
That one was about 3.5 kg.
My 36" 5 string comes in at about 4.2 kg.
But..what's light for me may well be heavy for you or vice versa.
Why? If he's a supporting member, which I suspect he is since he has a FS ad, then it's kosher. N'est pas?
Oh, and OT: I had a wicked light Squier P, and my Roscoe LG 3005 is a featherweight. In a nutshell, the weights of mass-produced basses can vary significantly even within a a brand and model. If you want a light version of a production bass then your best bet is to try out as many as you can until you find one you like.
My lightest bass right now is a black Lakland 55-01. It is the lightest Lakland I have ever owned (and there have been plenty) Like others have said, you will find light basses and heavy basses that are the exact same make and model. I guess you could go custom made and get balsam wood 
That's a very vague request. What do you consider "light"? What type of bass do you prefer?
An obvious choice would be a Hofner Icon, but I have no idea if you'd like that tone, or the short scale.
By the way, I once built a full-sized alder P bass that weighed 7.4 pounds. It isn't that difficult.
An obvious choice would be a Hofner Icon, but I have no idea if you'd like that tone, or the short scale.
By the way, I once built a full-sized alder P bass that weighed 7.4 pounds. It isn't that difficult.
Renaissance by Rick Turner, the Godfather of the boutique bass: Turner Renaissance Guitars - Hand-Built Guitars, Basses & Ukuleles By Rick Turner.
Im used to forums not allowing such things added into thread posts simply because it just seems like spam (regardless of membership status). If its not a problem here then carry on!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] at under 8 pounds. Click on the picture, too.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Not sure I want to spend NYC Sadowsky type money, but am aware they are light being chambered and all. Not many to try around here so I'm at the mercy of the internet.
I think I may try a RA Mouse for my jazz/upright needs. Not sure what to do for my other gigs.
I think I may try a RA Mouse for my jazz/upright needs. Not sure what to do for my other gigs.
At well under $2000 used, my Mike Lull PJ5 and M5V are both around 8.5 lbs, I think that's a nice weight for a 35" scale 5er. My mouse is the same size as my guitarist's Am std tele and about half the weight!
I used to own a late-80s Peavey Unity (neck-thru koa 4-string) that was stupid light; I never weighed it, but if a typical Fender Jazz Bass is ~9.5 lbs this thing had to be 7 lbs or less. Though, as someone else noted about another light bass above, it too suffered from some minor neck dive.
But if you can find one for sale it'll certainly be an order of magnitude cheaper than a Sadowsky!
But if you can find one for sale it'll certainly be an order of magnitude cheaper than a Sadowsky!
- Apr 30, 2002
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I had a Fender 57 RI P-Bass that was in the 7lb range. It was ash and by far the lightest bass that I have ever played. If you can put your hands on one of those to try out I would reccomend it. An Epiphone Jack Cassady is very light as well.
