• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Lightweight short scale bass

#21
mongo2 said:
Hofner Ignition Club Bass.

Mine is 4.5 lbs and I find the narrow neck to be very easy to play.
Click to expand...
This is about the lightest you’ll find, but very different tone from PJ. Squier VM Jag SS or Ibanez TMB30 are both PJ, but both are heavier than the Club. Around 8.5 lbs.

I have all three, plus a Epiphone EB-0 ss, which I love. Classic 1960s humbucker tone, but also around 8.5 lbs.

Ibanez Mikro is 28.5” scale. Not sure about the weight, but light.
 
#22
Ostie said:
This is about the lightest you’ll find, but very different tone from PJ. Squier VM Jag SS or Ibanez TMB30 are both PJ, but both are heavier than the Club. Around 8.5 lbs.

I have all three, plus a Epiphone EB-0 ss, which I love. Classic 1960s humbucker tone, but also around 8.5 lbs.

Ibanez Mikro is 28.5” scale. Not sure about the weight, but light.
Click to expand...

Besides the Hofner Ignition Club, I also have the Squier and Mustang PJs as well as the Epiphone EBO and Mikro and a few DIY shortscales. I find my tone of my Hofner to be perfectly adequate for any situation where I'd use a PJ. A bit of tweaking at the amp is all that's required for me to get them in the same neighborhood. Having my own medically related issues I was addressing the weight and ease of playability issues based on my experience since the pickup configuration doesn't matter if the bass won't be played because the weight and playability aren't workable.

My Mikro weighs about 6.5 lbs, my EBO is just under 8 lbs.
 
#23
S.F.Sorrow said:
Lots of cool suggestions but most of them aren't anywhere near a jazz or P/J.

The P/J mustang is probably the best suggestion so far IMO and I can't think of anything better that's P/J + shortscale.

If P/J isn't an absolute necessity I would look for a used 60s Hagstrom HB II in good condition. I often see them on ebay at reasonable prices. They are lighter than most hollowbodies, very thin body, extremely slim short scale neck, very comfortable and easy on both hands, responds really well to a light touch, no need to dig in hard for a powerful tone. I honestly can't think of a better bass for someone with artrithis. But it doesn't sound like a J. More in the direction of a P-sound, fat but sits nicely in the mix.

The only downside is that they are starting to get a bit old by now and the switches have a tendency to crap out. But the neck is impressively stable. Hagstrom used a very unique truss rod system at the time and it seems to be working great. I've owned one of these basses for around 20 years and I've never even once had to adjust the truss rod. I've got flats on mine and that insanely slim neck hasn't moved at all over all these years. I have the action set REALLY low with no buzz anywhere. Great craftmanship in these old Swedish Hagstroms.

They originally came with a non-adjustable wooden bridge so intonation may be an issue but the currently available Guild Starfire Bridge is more or less a drop in replacement that fixes this.

I read somewhere that this was the bass Jimi Hendrix used in the studio. Makes sense because it's so easy on the hands that someone used to guitar should be able to instantly adapt.
Click to expand...

I love my HBII. It was in disarray when I bought it, pickguard made of paint sticks, hot glue and Bondo (seriously) with a p90 jammed in the neck position.

My understanding is that the pickups in those basses are the second iteration of the original darkstars from hagstrom. I still have the one original pickup from the bridge position and can confirm that it sounds absolutely killer. The p90 honestly didn't sound that bad either, but I'm not a traditionalist. I took them both out, along with all the guts, and replaced it with a newer Guild BS and a precision bass wiring harness.

I'd also +1 the Dano longhorn or any number of other Dano/cheapie plywood basses.

My 32" Kent pbass weighs in at just barely 5lbs. Guitar players love it, stick players love it (or love the way I set it up lol) and I can (but never do) wear it for extended periods with minimal strain or pressure.

With your budget you could get yourself a MIJ medium or short scale at a decent weight from the used market.

Or a Jerry Jones Longhorn. There's one in my area with a LOT* of wear going for ≈1k USD.

*pic for giggles
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0012__17963.1538080330.jpg
    DSC_0012__17963.1538080330.jpg
    43.1 KB · Views: 37
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker
#24
I've recommended these more times than I can count, usually in 'hollowbody' and/or 'short scale' threads.
Not sure of the weight but they're super comfortable, easy to play all over the neck and sound fantastic. Not a PJ configuration, though.

Invalid Link Removed
 
  • Like
Reactions: walking Bass
#25
bassfran said:
I've recommended these more times than I can count, usually in 'hollowbody' and/or 'short scale' threads.
Not sure of the weight but they're super comfortable, easy to play all over the neck and sound fantastic. Not a PJ configuration, though.

Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...
I played the HB-30 recently and it's a real winner. The fit, finish, comfort, neck and tone were all first class. If I hadn't wanted the MIA Mustang, this was my choice. I still have interest, just not current money.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassfran
#26
funkinbottom said:
Have you looked at Marusczcyk? Many options including 30", 32" scale, color, pickups/electronics. They're pretty much in you budget range, plus/minus, depending what features you desire. Check out their configurator. Here's the link

Link Removed
Click to expand...

I'll second that. My #1 bass is a Maruszczcyk Jake. &.5 pounds with the swamp ash body. Mine is a bit over your budget, but it has some upgrades. You could custom design one for $1500 to meet your needs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ET42 and funkinbottom
#27
I’m all about the Reverend Wattplower. Barely breaks 6lbs. Incredibly fast neck, pretty hot P blade pickups, and stylish as all get out. I have the original “burnt orange,” have been drooling over the new blue finish.
 
#31
gln1955 said:
I'll second that. My #1 bass is a Maruszczcyk Jake. &.5 pounds with the swamp ash body. Mine is a bit over your budget, but it has some upgrades. You could custom design one for $1500 to meet your needs.
Click to expand...

I don't own one yet, but I'm saving and deciding which basses to sell to purchase one soon. I think I'm going with the Elwood L, though the Mensinger Cazpar is kinda calling out to me also.

What scale did you go with?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bigal1369
#32
This thread is yet another opportunity to express how much I love my Squier SS VM Jag. Last night I tried it with both pickups full up as opposed to the P pickup soloed (which is usually my preference). The tone and playability of that bass is amazing and my torn left shoulder really loves it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Toddcaster64 and pudge
#33
The Mustang P/J and Hollowbody Hofners are givens, also the SSJag (a fantastic bargain) I have them all.

Also - You might consider a sub-short scale such as the Ibanez miKro in 4 and 5 string versions (These are great!), and the P and J style basses at smallguitars.com - good quality and pricing and very light. I have a tiny P from Samick that sounds wonderful and is so easy to play.
 
#34
Warmoth SS series. Look like full size P or J. Take full size P or J hardware and electronics so you can configure to taste with the myriad of off-the-shelf components that are available. Amazing options available including chambered body to really lighten it up. 30" or 32" necks available that interchange with the SS bodies.
 
#36
Eastwood has some neat short scales. Can’t say anything about first hand experience, but if you want a visually striking bass, they’ve got’m. Personally I have a Bronco bass modded with a 51 style scpb pickup and nylon tape wounds. It’s a fantastic, thumpy little thing. I had been on the quest for a really good short scale last summer; tried a Gibson ‘14 SG Bass, a Fender PJ Mustang, an Epiphone 5120, and tested several more in store, and none of them were keepers. The Bronco does anything they do just as well, for a fraction of the cost, and you can mod away! The neck is stupid comfortable, like a slightly narrower p bass. I ultimately just altered my technique so my wrists aren’t as stressed making big stretches and I keep rocking the full scale, but sounds like your adversity can’t be resolved with technique changes :/
Hope you find a bass that fits your needs!
 
  • Like
Reactions: MonsterRain
#38
GIBrat51 said:
View attachment 3342036 Well, not exactly P/Jazz Bass shaped, but - Danelectro Longhorn. This one lives very comfortably in an Epiphone ES-335 guitar case - which will give you a good idea of it's size and shape. My Longhorn weighs 5.13 lbs.; which, believe it or not, is slightly less than either of the violin basses in the background...:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
+1
and soumds great!
 
#40
deste said:
+1
and soumds great!
Click to expand...
Well, it will when I get the nasty D'Addario rounds off it, anyway...:rolleyes:
Actually, it does sound pretty good as is. But, I don't care much for round wound strings in general, and something D'Addario uses in their finishing process makes my fingers itch like crazy. It takes dangerous chemicals and a lot of work to make them playable. Frankly, the results haven't been worth the effort - so I don't use their strings. My Longhorn will probably get a set of La Bella Dano Flats; then we'll both be happy....:whistle:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back