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Lightweight Bass

S

sheepgotoheaven

Nov 11, 2007
68
0
Berkeley, CA
#1
After searching around the forums, I couldn't find a thread that would answer my question. I've broken my left collar bone twice, so weight is an important factor for me when purchasing a bass. I was wanting to know if anyone had any suggestions for a lightweight, relatively inexpensive, sweet sounding bass, let me know. Thanks,

SGTH

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#2
You may want to look into basses made out of basswood. I know some folks don't like 'em, but to my ears they are very light and very resonant. A majority of my basses are MIJ/CIJ Fender's and most of them are basswood. Warning though; because basswood has almost no grain see through finish don't look particularly good.
 
#10
My first five string was an Ibanez SR805. Basswood body. Light as a feather but more importantly it sounded great! That was a hell of a bass for the money. Used it would be almost free. Solid B, no quibbles. The basswood instruments tend to sound darker than instruments made of denser, harder wood, but it sounded just right live and on tape to my ears.
 
#14
I have back problems so I have several light basses.

Fender Zone - a P/J with three band active preamp. Nice and just over 7 lbs.

Peavey G - Basswood body and graphite neck. Very nice, well balanced and light. You can find these used for $300 - 400, a real bargain. My #1 bass.

Fender P-Lyte - an earlier version of the Zone. Also P/J with active preamp. I don't have mine anymore, but very light.

Danelectro - Hollow and very light. They have several models but all are light.

Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat - about 6 1/2 lbs.

Yamaha BBG4S - about 7 lbs. and sounds great.

I also have a Lakland Skyline JO4 and an SX SPB-62 that are both light, but those models do vary some in weight so try them out first - some are heavier.
 
#15
Yamaha makes an RBX bass specifically to be light. A lot of the recommendations in threads like these are for basses that can be light, but aren't designed just to be light.

I haven't played one, but I bet it sounds like a really good J Bass (it has Japan custon shop pickups).

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#16
jasper383 said:
Yamaha makes an RBX bass specifically to be light. A lot of the recommendations in threads like these are for basses that can be light, but aren't designed just to be light.

I haven't played one, but I bet it sounds like a really good J Bass (it has Japan custon shop pickups).

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Click to expand...


I played one and was very impressed. Excellent Jazz tone, with good depth and excellent articulation. I want one :D
 
#18
I have nerve damage in my left shoulder - different problem than you have, but the need to keep weight off the shoulder has put me in the same position.

Rather than look for a light bass, I decided that I would keep using my '88 Tobias 5 string (which I love) and play it on a stand using an MBrace . I use a mic stand made by Hercules called a Transformer, which is very sturdy and gives a lot of flexibility.

I play a lot of upright bass, so it was not completely foreign for me to stand in one spot and play - if that is out of the question in your case, please disregard this suggestion - but if you are willing to try this alternate method, you can play the bass of your choice with no weight at all on your shoulder!

Best of luck!
 

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