Lightweight bass for longer sets

[Rdore2000]

I haven't played a headline set in 5 years and I find that...well, I'm 5 years older! Even my Vigiers at 8 lbs begin to make their presence felt after 2 hours. I have a 5 hour rehearsal to prepare for the set before that.

Is there a lightweight bass (maybe short scale is the way to go) that musicians here have moved to, to help prepare for longer sets with age? My current bass will do the job for now but I'm thinking more long term.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I'd be looking more closely at Ibanez multi-scale headless models. The "SMS" has a 30-32" scale and NO headstock...balance is everything. That being said, even standing for extended terms can cause back discomfort.

EHB1505SMS | EHB | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars

EHB1505SMS at Ibanez. Ibanez offers electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars, effect and pedals, amps, plus guitar accessories like tuners, straps and picks.

www.ibanez.com

Somebody needs to invent the bass hammock.

Riis

 

[sonic boogaloo]

short scale for me. i just can't cope with anything heavier.

sound great too, but i get the stigma attached to 'em.

 

[pingvuiini]

Perhaps try solid body uke basses? They are starting to become more prevalent in the market and many of them are very well made for the price (i.e. Kala and Flight). Very compact, lightweight and TONS OF FUN!!!

 

[JRA]

Is there a lightweight bass (maybe short scale is the way to go) that musicians here have moved to, to help prepare for longer sets with age?

i have eight axes and none of them break 8 lbs. --- they all have paulownia bodies and lightweight hardware (bridges can be an exception)....but it's the paulownia that does the trick for me.

all of mine have been assembled from parts, but there are a lot of manufacturers/builders who have lightweight models.

 

[selowitch]

Try a Nordstrand Acinonyx bass. Usually weighs under 8lbs. 30.7"-scale, very comfortable, sounds great.

 

[Gervais Cote]

I built myself a bass with light components and body (as per my avatar picture) and ended up with a total of 6.5 pounds allowing me to play standing for hours.

For something off the shelf, Sandberg makes some very light weight high quality basses.

 

[Phreaky Phriday]

Try a Nordstrand Acinonyx bass. Usually weighs under 8lbs. 30.7"-scale, very comfortable, sounds great.

Mine is 6.4 lbs

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

The only lighter bass I’ve played of similar quality to a Vigier is the Turner Renaissance, but that’s *a sound.*

 

[TheReceder]

Got hit with a frozen shoulder and a bulged disc this year. Opted for a short scale and a Reverend Wattplower Mk1 showed up on Craigslist. At 7.01 lbs it's perfect for me. If you opt for new, the mark 2 is beyond interesting with the extra Pups.

 

[Ostie]

I just sold my Hofner Club bass to a guy that had a parts bass Jazz that weighed 15 lbs! I told him the Hofner was almost 10 lbs lighter.

 

[Brandon Shea]

Sandberg Superlight basses live up to their name, seems like they're usually in the 6.5lb range. If you don't need something that light, check out the new Sire V6 or P6 models as well. Almost all of those seem to be well under 8lbs, even the five strings.

 

[petch]

Sandberg Superlight is indeed the ticket. Here's my Superlight TM4 (J/MM) which weighs 6.0 lbs. The people encouraging you to get a short scale for weight purposes are not necessarily on target, since my G&L Tribute Fallout shorty is the heaviest bass I own at 8 lbs, 9 ounces after a swap to Hipshot UltraLite tuners. (Originally it was 8 lbs. 14 ounces). Sandbergs are beautifully designed and built, and there is zero neck dive on this instrument. It sounds and plays fantastic.

 

[johnbegone]

Another vote for the Sandberg SL. Mine is 6.2lb. I was struggling with a pained back and the Sandberg has helped a ton. Sounds really good as well. Defies physics kind of.

 

[Ric Vice]

I built myself a bass with light components and body (as per my avatar picture) and ended up with a total of 6.5 pounds allowing me to play standing for hours.

For something off the shelf, Sandberg makes some very light weight high quality basses.

That they do, unfortunately unless you can find one used, it can take over a year to get your choice of finish and fingerboard. Used ones do come
up if you're willing to use a maple fingerboard or less popular finisn.

 

[Pocket Dave]

Waitaminute - 5 hour rehearsal?

Standing??

Hope it pays union scale

 

[alexclaber]

I just got a Reverend Fellowship and it feels very light for a full 34” scale. We’ve got a Wattplower 2 and I think that’s even lighter but it’s a full scale. If you want a P bass sound the Fellowship sounds amazing!

 

[Dabndug]

If you're ok with the idiosyncrasies, a Hofner 500/1 (Beatle bass) or 500/2 (Club) are fabulously lightweight. When I had back problems, I went to a Fender Musicmaster, which was a big improvement in weight compared to the long scale basses I was playing, to a Longhorn (better still), to a Hofner 500/1, which was perfect.

It's not a great bass for slap, and may not project the appropriate image if you're playing death metal, but it's the lightest bass I have gigged with.

 

[FilCo]

How bout my 5 string Alien Audio at 7 pounds 5 ounces:

For sale 2024 Alien Audio Constellation relic finish

I have to let some go, so up for sale is my Alien Audio Constellation. This is a 2024 build that features an ultra light and resonant Paulownia body in Inca Silver, with a heavy relic finish. The neck is Maple, and the fingerboard is an excellent piece of Kingwood that features a split of...

• FilCo (+379 /0 /-0)
• Jun 30, 2025
• Updated Oct 28, 2025
• Views: 850
• Reaction score: 3
• Comments: 2
• Category: For Sale: Bass Guitars

$3,000.00

3 watching

 

[sethlow3]

I like all of the Wattplower mentions here. Those are very cool.

Sandberg Superlight and G&L empress also get my vote. Sadly, you’d have to find a G&L used as they folded, but Sandberg SL’s are so easy to find.