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lightest jazz bass

W

williamk

Apr 2, 2008
871
28
#1
I have a AVRI '57 p-bass that is very light, I love it. I also have a Geddy Lee Jazz bass which is much heavier, and I'm going to have to sell it. Is there a fender jazz bass out there that has a similar lightweight body like my p-bass? which of the fender models is the lightest?
Thanks!
 
#3
There is no model that is specifically lighter than the other. Weight is hit or miss with Fender. Depends on the wood used for that instrument. The two "lightest" Fenders I've owned was a Highway One Jazz that was 8 and change lbs and my current '72 Jazz which is 8.9 lbs.

The lightest "Jazz" type bass I have is my Sadowsky which is 7.5 lbs.
 
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#4
There are some models made of basswood, that's pretty light. You might get some neck dive, though, which could be helped with some lightweight tuners. That's what I did with my basswood Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass, and I'm pretty pleased with the result.
 
#7
Jazz basses generally run a little heavier than P-basses (usually 9 lbs or more) because the bodies are bigger, but as ClassicJazz points out weight varies from bass to bass so your best bet is to look at individual instruments rather than sub-brands of Fenders. Road Worns can be light, as can be the American Standards. My AV62 Jazz is pretty light for a Jazz at roughly 8 lbs 10 oz. You may want to look at websites like Sweetwater or Bass Central that list the weight of the individual basses they sell.
 
#8
It's true that wood can vary within the species, but it's also true that some woods are typically lighter than others. In general, Alder and Basswood are lighter than Ash.

Some Fender models just seem heavy to me, but I don't know of it's the wood or the electronics. The Marcus Miller comes to mind and the 70s models with ash bodies.
 
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#9
While trying a lot of differant Fender basses last weekend I noticed how much lighter a new Am Std Jazz bass was compared to the Geddy Lee model and to the two Special's that I tried. Couldn't give you an exact weight, but I could feel that bit of a differance.
 
#10
awilkie84 said:
The American Specials that I've played are pretty light.
All of them vary, though. Just pick some up & test them out. There's sometimes a 2-4lb difference even in the same set.
Click to expand...

I cant comment on the AmSpecs, as I have only played a couple in stores and never had on the scale ... but, as a rule, in these days I cant imagine seeing anything over a 1.5 to 2 lb variance within any particular model ... with that said, you will see 7.5+ Jazz models, and you will see 10+ Jazz models, just not the same model ...

... with regards to the Road Worns, I have seen a couple break or at the 8# mark, and some into the low-mid 9# mark, so even with them you have to take it on a case by case basis as ClassicJazz says ...

.. I too have had an 8# Highway Jazz, but it was a Hwy 1, not ONE ... I have also had 9.5# Hwy's ... the lightest I have is a 7.5# Squier VM, but most like it are all in the 9.5# range .. I went through several before I lucked into this one ...

with that said, be careful when it comes to stated weights ... I made a rather lengthy post a while back regarding scale differences and inaccuracies in comparable methods ... one or two pounds can be a MAJOR difference in this game, and when you ask weight from someone, you may want to get the method and scale accuracy ... there are very few calibrated scales around being used, and not many will go to the Post Office to check ...
 
#11
I got very lucky three years when I bought a AM STD Jazz off a buddy of mine from Ohio. He's a pure precision bass guy that had to have this Jazz when he was toying w/ it in a local music store. Lucky for me he had no need for it and I took it off his hands. It's a 2008 model w/ a late 2007 s/n. It only weights 8.4 lbs and sounds absolutely wonderful. By far the lightest AM STD I've ever had my hands on.
Unfortunately, w/ my CS64 and Sadowsky RV4, I don't give it the attention it deserves. But, because it's such a great bass, I hang onto it.
With that said, there are some light Jazzes out there, but folks do tend to hang on to them.:)
Good luck w/ the hunt!
 
#14
williamk said:
I have a AVRI '57 p-bass that is very light, I love it. I also have a Geddy Lee Jazz bass which is much heavier, and I'm going to have to sell it. Is there a fender jazz bass out there that has a similar lightweight body like my p-bass? which of the fender models is the lightest?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
My early road worn 3TS is 8.6 lbs, but I also have 2 different squier VM 77's w/ maple block inlay fingerboards that are very light. The black one is 7.6 and the sunburst is 7.3 . Both play extremely well and the only upgrade I did was changing the bridge. the black one has an early bad -ass and the burst has a vintage fender bridge w/ the thd rod barrels. Overall very good basses even tho the necks are thinner depth than i usually like when compared toa real 70's fender jazz, it works on these. Look for the ones w/ agathis bodies. Agathis is a very light and resonant form of mahogany. This guy shows some skills using one;
 
#17
I will have to agree with those who recommend the road worn for light weights. Especially the early ones. My P bass is 7lbs even and I have played a 2011 RW Jazz that wasn't much heavier. I don't know what they do to the wood if anything. Also, my 2015 American Standard comes in at 8.2 lbs.
 
#18
I agree with all of the other contributors in that basses vary quite a bit because of the wood.

With that said, I never understood the desire for a very light bass. I "retired" from playing in 1983 -- started playing in bands and doing gigs in 1968. From 1972 until 1983, I played at least 200 dates a year and usually around 250. Back then, that was full-time club playing -- 5 nights a week from 9:00 - 2:00. I got my Jazz bass in 1975 -- still have it -- and it is VERY heavy. I never cared about the weight -- just the sound and the feel of it.

I know I am in the minority, but the weight of a bass just never mattered to me.
 
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#19
12BitSlab said:
I agree with all of the other contributors in that basses vary quite a bit because of the wood.

With that said, I never understood the desire for a very light bass. I "retired" from playing in 1983 -- started playing in bands and doing gigs in 1968. From 1972 until 1983, I played at least 200 dates a year and usually around 250. Back then, that was full-time club playing -- 5 nights a week from 9:00 - 2:00. I got my Jazz bass in 1975 -- still have it -- and it is VERY heavy. I never cared about the weight -- just the sound and the feel of it.

I know I am in the minority, but the weight of a bass just never mattered to me.
Click to expand...

I will have to agree for the most part. My number 1 is 11.5lbs and the only time I even think about the weight is during a marathon 5 hour rehearsal. I am sure a wider strap would fix that. However, some have injuries or other circumstances where a lighter bass could be more comfortable for longer gigs or extended rehearsals.
 
#20
DD, I do understand that weight is an important issue for some. Given that I am not as young as I used to be, I deal with psoriatic arthritis in both knees. I used to have it in both hands as well, but I have been taking an experimental drug for almost two years that has helped my hands immensely.

Weight is now and issue with amps. I can no longer move/lug/carry my 1974 Kustom 250 with a 215 bottom. It has been relegated to the basement where it will probably live until I am 6 feet under and my children put it up on eBay.
 
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