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Lightweight alternative for Fender Precision Ultra

gil_mor

gil_mor

Apr 24, 2006
406
151
Talent, OR
www.myspace.com
#1
Hi folks,
I've been suffering from the "too-much-money-in-the-bank-account" syndrome and decided to fix it with a Fender precision ultra.
I just got it, and while trying it in my studio, it felt heavy.
My trusty upgraded Squire weighs 8 lb 12 oz, the Fender is 9 lb 14 oz. I think that might just be too much for me, because my Squire has been giving me slight back pain after a long sets.

I'm using 3" Planet Wave strap so I don't think a different strap will fix the issue. The gym might.

So, I guess I'm in the market for a PJ under 8.5 lb and under $2,500.

Soundwise, my Squire has DiMarzio DP126 model P+J, so somewhat aggressive sounding. Both pickups, tone full open. Playing funk, rock, jam, nothing too fancy.

Any recommendations?
Thanks!
 
#6
Killing Floor said:
That’s heavy. Look at Kiesel.

Or if you want a more known brand look at G&L for one of the paulownia body models (also called empress wood). Leo did a pretty great job with G&L.
Click to expand...

Never heard of Kiesel, I'll have to look them up.
I was considering G&L. I'll look into that too. Thanks!
Nebadon2000 said:
My Ultra Precision is 8lb 9oz didn't know they got that heavy.
I am Sure you will get plenty of suggestions

Most Sadowsky Metroline Basses are 8lb + or - a few ounces; could ask weight on this one

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Interesting! I guess I got the heavy one. That's a big difference!

I never really considered Sadwosky. They always sounded "hi-fi" and not very "meat and potatoes" if that makes sense. Am I (quite possibly) uninformed?
I used to have a Peavey Cirrus. Absolutely beautiful bass, but the sound wasn't "me". Too hi-fi?

ADHD librarian said:
I've only ever played on in the store, but a Sandberg superlight was (as its name states) super light.
The lightness comes from the paulownia body (known as Empress if you're ordering it on a G&L bass)
Click to expand...

Now that's interesting! Super light weight. I'll look into that. Thanks!
 
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#7
gil_mor said:
I never really considered Sadwosky. They always sounded "hi-fi" and not very "meat and potatoes" if that makes sense. Am I (quite possibly) uninformed?
I used to have a Peavey Cirrus. Absolutely beautiful bass, but the sound wasn't "me". Too hi-fi?
Click to expand...

If your looking Exclusively Vintage; Fenders new AV II Series 54P or 60 but don't know their weights and not P/J

Bluesman [Eldorado] may be worth a look.
 
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#8
gil_mor said:
Hi folks,
I've been suffering from the "too-much-money-in-the-bank-account" syndrome and decided to fix it with a Fender precision ultra.
I just got it, and while trying it in my studio, it felt heavy.
My trusty upgraded Squire weighs 8 lb 12 oz, the Fender is 9 lb 14 oz. I think that might just be too much for me, because my Squire has been giving me slight back pain after a long sets.

I'm using 3" Planet Wave strap so I don't think a different strap will fix the issue. The gym might.

So, I guess I'm in the market for a PJ under 8.5 lb and under $2,500.

Soundwise, my Squire has DiMarzio DP126 model P+J, so somewhat aggressive sounding. Both pickups, tone full open. Playing funk, rock, jam, nothing too fancy.

Any recommendations?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Have you try Neotech Mega bass strap ?

My heaviest Bacchus J weight 4.25kg and my current mod Squier VM PJ weight 4.18kg. With Mega strap on them, fell no notable weight different compare to 3.7kg Vintera 50s P and 3.85kg Hybrid Squier MFP .
 
#9
You must have gotten the short end of the stick, so to speak. I thought Fender American basses were getting consistently lighter since the release of the Pro IIs. Even my 2016 American Elite Precision is only 8.75lbs. My 2021 Pro II P-Bass is only 8lbs 2.5oz..

You ask for a recommendation... return it, sell it, then be more selective when shopping for your bass. You like the Ultra? Great bass. Just don't buy the first one you locate. If weight is an issue, like in the top 2 or 3 for me, be patient and find that light one. It's out there.
 
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#10
It's a shame the Fender Traditional series (MIJ) with basswood bodies aren't PJ because those are the lightest Fenders I've ever played.

Maybe a Warmoth with a basswood body? Combined with lightweight tuners that would probably be as light as you can possibly get for a Fender-style PJ. If you contact Warmoth I'm sure they can even find a particularly light piece of basswood for you. Just don't go TOO light. I've got a Fender Traditional P-bass that has severe neck dive due to the EXTREMELY light basswood body. You probably don't want that...

This will be well below your max budget but a properly assembled Warmoth (including fret levelling and filing the nut slots to perfection), using good quality hardware/electronics will easily be as good as ANY Fender production model, if not better. You could even pay a luthier to assemble it and still be way below your max budget.

Some people seem to hate basswood. It does dent a bit easier than harder woods of course but if you take reasonably good care of your instruments it shouldn't be an issue.
 
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#11
gil_mor said:
Hi folks,
I've been suffering from the "too-much-money-in-the-bank-account" syndrome and decided to fix it with a Fender precision ultra.
I just got it, and while trying it in my studio, it felt heavy.
My trusty upgraded Squire weighs 8 lb 12 oz, the Fender is 9 lb 14 oz. I think that might just be too much for me, because my Squire has been giving me slight back pain after a long sets.

I'm using 3" Planet Wave strap so I don't think a different strap will fix the issue. The gym might.

So, I guess I'm in the market for a PJ under 8.5 lb and under $2,500.

Soundwise, my Squire has DiMarzio DP126 model P+J, so somewhat aggressive sounding. Both pickups, tone full open. Playing funk, rock, jam, nothing too fancy.

Any recommendations?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
I always found it hilarious when guys thought they needed to go to a gym and bulk up just to play a bass that was too heavy in the first place.

Anyway, Sandberg make basses fairly consistently in the 8 lb range and they play and sound awesome. If you really want to go lightweight, get a SuperLight Sandberg. I have two, and they sound awesome.
 
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#14
bdplaid said:
I always found it hilarious when guys thought they needed to go to a gym and bulk up just to play a bass that was too heavy in the first place.

Anyway, Sandberg make basses fairly consistently in the 8 lb range and they play and sound awesome. If you really want to go lightweight, get a SuperLight Sandberg. I have two, and they sound awesome.
Click to expand...

Sandbergs are amazing basses, no question about that! However, whenever someone is coming from a Fender I always recommend trying before buying with Sandberg. They have a quite different tone and "feel" than Fenders, much brighter and "faster" dynamics. Lots of people love Sandbergs of course, and they are absolutely SUPERB instruments, just don't expect it to sound or feel like a Fender.

I've never been able to really bond with mine (California VS), although I got it custom made, passive, to the most vintage, Precision-like specs you can possibly get from Sandberg. It's definitely a higher quality instrument than Fenders in every possible way. It's just not quite what I expected or wanted. It sounds great when playing alone but compared to a Fender P-bass I always find it lacking a bit in lower mids "heft" when playing with a band. It doesn't "sit" in the mix like a Fender P. Which can be good or bad, depending on what you want.
 
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#16
This weighs less than 7 pounds:
20221027_114316.jpg
 
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