Lightweight bass for longer sets

[ValerieK]

I play a Glarry because it's 6 lbs 5 oz. It's an Ibanez SR knockoff "GIB 5 string" but with jazz single coils. I like it way more than I expected but it did need attention out of the box to the wiring and nut. I also put Gotoh GB350's on it which are nice. Hard to beat for under $300 all-in.

 

[who]

On the picture below, the strap on his left shoulder is attached to a standard button but for the strap on his right shoulder, where is the other strap attached ?

He has a flush mount Dunlop straplock on the back of that bass, see this video:

 

[sleddogn]

Woodcraft Ampmaster short scales are 6-6.5 pounds

 

[sleddogn]

We’ve got a Wattplower 2 and I think that’s even lighter but it’s a full scale.

Aren't all wattplowers 30 inch?

 

[KohanMike]

I started to play bass in mid 2014 when I was 64 because I discovered bass ukes, 21" to 24" scale. Recently I settled on only 21" violin Hofner style Chinese knockoffs. After having Eric's Guitar replace the bridge and pickup with heavier ones, they still only weigh 5.4 lbs each.

 

[selowitch]

Spector. Many are under 7lbs.

I respectfully disagree. Most Spectors I've seen are at least 9lbs.

 

[ghostdog93]

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.

I hear this. I love my Mustang, but at nearly 9.5 lbs, it's stupid heavy for its size.

 

[Yahboy]

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[HotelX]

Kelvin Daly makes lightweight and ergonomic basses that are heavily influenced by Daly’s long association with Carl Thompson. Mine weighs around 6.5 pounds

 

[rylie]

Bluesman Vintage build chambered body basses. Chambered body moves away from the traditional solid slab wood body. Result is less bass body weight. I own their Precision @ 7.5 lbs. Wouldn't trade it for a Fender.

'62 Deville IV Bass | Bluesman Vintage

'62 Deville IV Bass Guitar by Bluesman Vintage

www.bluesmanvintage.com

 

[lug]

The new Sire V6 and P6 are supposed to be very light weight.

 

[Chris Chong]

You may consider a stand.

I tried light weight basses (G&L empress jb5, Ibanez ehb1005 ehb1506) and went back to “normal weight” basses and come to value the weight in every note I played.

 

[Rdore2000]

You may consider a stand.
View attachment 7347507

I tried light weight basses (G&L empress jb5, Ibanez ehb1005 ehb1506) and went back to “normal weight” basses and come to value the weight in every note I played.

I think so too. My Vigiers are the perfect weight at 8 lbs but I feel the strain two hours in.

 

[crazycloud]

balance is everything.

This. A lightweight bass with poor ergonomics is a waste of time. As @Zooberwerx suggested, headless will help a lot, but if the aesthetics of that gives you the heebies, then smaller headstocks, especially with lightweight tuners will make a massive difference. Remember levers from school?
A 5 string will help more than most shorties because fret 5 on a 34" is closer than the nut on a 30".

I have often heard that is the "proper" technique

I've never done that. If I need to balance the bass with my right forearm, then I'm getting something else. What about when I want to play closer to the neck, slap, tap or use floating thumb? Resting on the body interferes with those and may mean I have to use my fretting hand to hold the neck up, at least to some extent. Stuff that.

 

[Rdore2000]

The rehearsal space has chairs!

 

[Gervais Cote]

He has a flush mount Dunlop straplock on the back of that bass, see this video:

Great, thanks for the info.

 

[Watchootognbout]

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

Stand Up Guitar Holder Performance Stands for Acoustic & Electric Guitars

A stand-up guitar-holder performance stand that allows you to walk up & play. Stand-up guitar-holders available for acoustic & electric.

vikingguitarstands.com

 

[Ric Vice]

View attachment 7347569

Stand Up Guitar Holder Performance Stands for Acoustic & Electric Guitars

A stand-up guitar-holder performance stand that allows you to walk up & play. Stand-up guitar-holders available for acoustic & electric.

vikingguitarstands.com

I have the Koneg and Meyer version and it’s got limitations because with the longer neck that 35” Scale 5 string basses have
the stand can’t compensate for the imbalance so it will shake, additionally it cannot get as close to your body as a strap does.

 

[TJH3113]

Danelectro Longhorn.

 

[T McClure]

Also worth considering something like Pilates classes. Strengthening core muscles goes a long way to helping with this kind of fatigue.