Lightweight bass

The hofner icon club bass is right in your price range (especially used) I dunno if you dig the hofner bass tone, its pretty thumpy, but they're super light (significantly less than 8 lbs.) and I personally liked the one I played.

Good luck!

 

Yeah, I walked away from a Ray34 because it was heavier than my SR4 Would be a big leap in tone from a Ray34 to a Hofner Club. Yeah, look at semi-hollows.

You have a very specific need so you're probably best actually testing basses in the stores. Basses made of basswood or agathis would be lighter.

Is there a way to rig the wheelchair to bear the weight of the bass? I am thinking something like this:

 

Ibanez SR300. $300 at most internet stores. Very light weight, plays great and has excellent sound gettable out of it.

 

If you could find a used Vantage Quest bass you'd be all set. 5 lbs and being only 25" scale and a very small body should be very easy to play in a wheelchair. Would also consider a Squier Jaguar short scale for the same reason. Not as light or short as the Vantage but lighter and more maneuverable than a full size bass.
Also a bit out there, but have you ever considered a Kala bass ukulele? Either the acoustic or solid body would be very light and comfortable for your situation.

 

I have a Luna Neo short bass and it's lighter than my guitar, and it plays great

 

There is a ton of info and numerous threads posted on the Kala Ubasses here on TalkBass. Here's a like to them on the Kala website.

KALA Brand Music Company - Where Innovation meets Tradition, Passion meets Playability, & Quality meets Value

 

Yamaha used to make a very lightweight guitar and bass. They were similar color and design scheme as an Ipod. I played one and was very surprised with how well it played, would have bought it if it was left handed.

Schecter stilletos tend to run on the light side!

 

Fender Precision Lyte. Made in Japan from about 89-95. Mine weighs about 6 pounds and sounds great with the stock pick ups and pre amp.

Got it on Ebay for $295. You can find some from time to time and
prices are usually in that range.

No more back problems for me, I can gig it for hours .

 

Fender Starcaster J bass, mine is about 5 or 6 lbs

 

In that price range, about all you can do is go to local music shops and see if you can find basses you like and see what they weigh. There can be a wide range of weights from nice to boat anchors.

 

Can't get much lighter than a Hofner.

 

I would consider a Hofner Ignition, either the Beatle or Club bass. I have a Club bass and the body is the same size as a Les Paul, and the Beatle is the violin shape you are probably familiar with. The Club is about 5 lbs. They are both 30" scale and with round wound strings, you can get about any tone you are looking for. I have gigged and recorded with the club, and had no problems with feedback and it sounds great. $300 to $400.

 

Light wave Sabre bass. Tops out at 7 or 7.5, and you can get a huge variety of tones.

 

Ibanez Soundgear
Yamaha RBX4 A2 (if you can find one used, they've been discontinued)
Steinberger (if you can find a used Spirit model)

And out of your price range, but if you wanted to save up:
Birdsong

 

This may be of interest to you:

The Ergo-Vibe Bass goes CNC! - Telecaster Guitar Forum

I have no idea what this bass might cost, but specialized ergonomics might offset the weight issue.