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Lightweight bass choice (<780$)

#21
I have an early 90's Jackson Concert EX.

Very much out of style, but easy to find and usually very light... and DIRT cheap.

Mine is barely over seven pounds. I spent $170 USD on it. Bought it because I wanted a cheap bass for fly dates and overseas runs, but still wanted a high quality instrument.

It has a P/j setup, great hardware, and that great MIJ build quality. Plays like a million bucks and makes just about any sound I ask it to. And if anything happened to it, I could get another one for $200 or less.

Looks pretty outdated, but it sure works well. I love my MIA Fender basses, and use them most of the time. But for fly dates, or anything that might be sketchy, the Jackson gets the gig.

Also makes a dandy studio piece. It's amazing how great everybody thinks it sounds when they can't see it. Ha!
 
#22
Not sure why new is not an option, but...

Regarding weight, nothing is lighter than a Dan Electro. And they just came out with a new one that looks pretty cool. Don't know if you every played a Dano, but they're incredibly underrated IMO. They're necks are a little flimsy, but they have tons of bottom and are perfect (again IMO) for a blues type thing. I don't know the actual weight of mine, but I don't even feel it hanging around my neck. Feels like 5 lbs.
 
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#25
Oh yeah... I'll add that my 2013 Gibson EB is a featherweight, that can do anything my jazz bass can, plus a whole lot more. Was my number one player for a while. My other number ones over the years have been, in this order: Bongo, Stingray, Big Al, Jazz, Rickenbacker- just so ya know where I'm coming from.
 
#28
Joe Nerve said:
Not sure why new is not an option, but...

Regarding weight, nothing is lighter than a Dan Electro. And they just came out with a new one that looks pretty cool. Don't know if you every played a Dano, but they're incredibly underrated IMO. They're necks are a little flimsy, but they have tons of bottom and are perfect (again IMO) for a blues type thing. I don't know the actual weight of mine, but I don't even feel it hanging around my neck. Feels like 5 lbs.
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I can attest to the Danelectro. I have not played one, but a local musician with a bad back has a '59DC Long Scale (I think, or something like it) and it sounds really good.
 
#30
alack said:
I played a Reverend the other day. It was the Me'shell signature. What first impressed me was the weight. Of course I didn't have a scale, but this instrument was light, light, light. And a very solid P sound when plugged in.
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I have 3 of the Reverand Rumblefish R5Ls, and they're very lightweight for rather large basses (35" scale) - sound and look huge though.

Edit: Danos too - I think of the Reverends as "Danos on steroids" - very similar vibes.
 
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#32
ValeriusCrow said:
Hello guys, having some troubles w/ my back so gotta buy second instrument for live gigs.

I really (REALLY) like my Sandberg but it's pretty heavy, so may you give me some ideas about basses in the same price range as my VM4?
Preferably P or J-style basses but it doesn't matter that much. Playing mostly blues, soul and blues rock this days.

Weight: <4 kg
Budget: <780$ (new bass not an option)

Thanks!
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Is building/modding an option? I was having shoulder issues last year, so I built a J with a guitarfetish body, a refinished Squier J neck and ultralight tuners. The body is so light I had to put a badass on it!
 
#33
Another vote for Ibanez SR if you want a traditional looking bass. Otherwise, a Steinberg would be a good option.
Hollow bodies look great and feel great, but I wouldn't want one for blues. Semi-hollow is a little better like the Fender Coronado reissue.
 
#36
ValeriusCrow said:
Hello guys, having some troubles w/ my back so gotta buy second instrument for live gigs.

I really (REALLY) like my Sandberg but it's pretty heavy, so may you give me some ideas about basses in the same price range as my VM4?
Preferably P or J-style basses but it doesn't matter that much. Playing mostly blues, soul and blues rock this days.

Weight: <4 kg
Budget: <780$ (new bass not an option)

Thanks!
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Find yourself a used Fender Precision Lyte. Fantastic basses, they will almost certainly be < 3.5 kg, and for your budget you could probably grab two.

Here's one to help you start your search!

Fender Precision Bass Lyte 1994-1995 Sunburst
 
#38
There are some light basses out there - I got an 8 lb (3.6kg) MIA Pbass at Sweetwater. They publish the weight and so does Willcutt Guitars, Bass Central, Chicago Music, sometimes Music Zoo. I'm sure there are others, but its nice to see what they weigh. I'm stunned how heavy and how much variation there is with certain models. If you can afford it, Sadowsky does chambered bodies on their NYC series and you could always do a parts bass at Warmoth who sell chambered bodies and Lakland USA has some light basses and even some of their Skylines are under 4kg.
 

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