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Lightweight bass choice (<780$)

#41
What brands of basses can you find in Russia? Are they typically more expensive than US prices?

The Ibanez SR basses are an excellent value but don't have a 'traditional' look. My SR500 and SR600 were both 3.25kg with very high quality, sound and playability costing $300 and 400 used. Here is a new SR650 in the US with nordstrand pickups for $699 that weighs 3.25kg:

Ibanez SR650NTF - Natural Flat

Very pretty, I think.


211P02I160507570-front-large.jpg


My atk800e is just under 4kg and, if you can find used, a fender precision lyte is well under.
 
#42
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.
Click to expand...

Beat me to it. Great for blues and soul as the OP mentions and easily had in the under $780 price (even new - I love the "dead on '58" Longhorn I bought through Thomann in Germany - should be no problem shipping to Russia). I'm not sure on the weight with the new Dano - the Mosrite inspired one - but believe it's a solidbody so probably heavier than the traditional models.

The Reverend is a great suggestion and admittedly more versatile and modern; the Rumblefish being a more contemporary take on the Danos with similar construction though done to a much higher standard. Not sure that one could be had within the budget though.
 
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#43
Just 2 other things to consider... might be the ones I chose, but any Ibanez I ever owned (including a semi hollow bodied that I still own), was seriously lacking in those deep, dark, cutting frequencies. They didn't compare with my other basses and I therefore either never gigged them (after trying them at a few rehearsals), or gigged them once and that was it.

Something tells me the same would be true for a Hofner, though I've never played one of those in a band mix. Played them a lot at NAMM though and thought they were thin sounding and toy like. Not a blues rock bass IMO, but I was wrong about Ruckenbackers my whole life, so who know :).
 
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#44
nutdog said:
What brands of basses can you find in Russia? Are they typically more expensive than US prices?

The Ibanez SR basses are an excellent value but don't have a 'traditional' look. My SR500 and SR600 were both 3.25kg with very high quality, sound and playability costing $300 and 400 used. Here is a new SR650 in the US with nordstrand pickups for $699 that weighs 3.25kg:

Ibanez SR650NTF - Natural Flat

Very pretty, I think.


View attachment 1001560
Click to expand...

Yup they're nice and light. I have two of the 5-string versions. One of them is 7.14 pounds/3.24 kilograms and the other one feels around the same.
 
#46
My lightest bass was a 70s Guild mahogany bass.
My squire P bass was also really light.
I have both some fretwork and a nice setup and both were usable, giggable basses

Often the cheaper basses are made with cheap/light body woods. Start with a light frame, get the fretwork in order, drop in some decent hardware and pickups and you are good to go!
 
#47
If you can find one, an old Spector NS-2A or NS-2B would be a good fit. You can find them for around $400-500 US. I've seen a NS-2B go for $300. The ones with Crown inlays are rare and fetch around $700-750. My NS-2A weighs 3.8kg, and I've played one even lighter.
 
#53
I recently bought an Ibanez SR 400CW. It's under 7 lbs. I can get a P-like sound from it.

Then I built a bass that's 6.5 lbs with a Mighty Mite neck and a Warmoth Dinky P body. Love them both.

If you look into an Ibby, be sure to get one of the most recent ones, the older ones are as heavy as many other basses. And do look to Sweetwater for weight comparisons.
 
#55
I have a fender zone p/j. it was made in japan. full scale, I hate short scale basses. Its silly light. I dont know how many pounds, but its light. I was very skeptical when I first got it. It seemed like as light as it is, that it wouldnt be beefy enough, (i know, its just in my head, but it always feels like light basses are weak and not burly) but it has great range and tone. been happy with it, its my main bass, all my others are heavy, spectors, deans, fenders, etc. They quit making them years ago, but you can find them on fleabay for around 500 to 600 usd. Ive worked construction with 25 pounds of tools on my belt for 31 years, I dont even notice a bass most of the time.
 

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