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Looking for a good quality lightweight bass

#5
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#8
The Lakland 44-02 I had was easily the lightest bass I've ever owned. Approx 7.5lbs +/-. For real. It was crazy light!

The quality of Lakland Skyline series speaks for itself, if your budget allows for one. Although I've seen them used for really cheap. I sold mine here for $700ish, last year.
 
#10
MTD Kingston-s are very light. They have some of the lightest 5/6 string 19mm spaced basses.

Ibanez Soundgears are also a good bet. Hollow body basses are also good. Lakland, Epiphone, Godin, or even some of the SX's have good hollow bodies.

What kind of strap do you use? Usually a wider strap made of leather (or others, but I forgot) will work nicely to support the mass of the bass.
 
#13
Does it have to be a 34" scale? There are many lightweight 30" basses--Hofner, Eastwood semihollows, Cort Action Junior ...

In 34" there's the Fender Aerodyne Jazz and the Lace Helix basses. Some of these claim to be typically <8 lbs. Check out the user reviews on the Aerodyne. You don't often see 55 reviews average a full 5 stars.

Balance and contouring are also important to avoid back pain, and make sure you have a good, wide, grippy strap.
 
#15
Mike151 said:
Price is not an issue. Pain is. ;)
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I feel your pain. I've got degenerative disc disease and scoliosis so I know back pain. If price it not an object I'd go with one of the chambered NYC Sadowsky's. 6.5-8 lbs. in general and can be made to your specs. I absolutely love my Metro and the only way it could be more perfect would be if it were about a lb. or so lighter. If I had the cash, I'd buy a lightweight NYC in a heartbeat.
 
#16
Mike151 said:
Yeah, I spent years hanging sheetrock. I work a desk job now. 3 back surgeries. Not going to get another one but I have a bulging disk and moderate degenerative disk dehydration.
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Ouch. I'm guessing lumbar surgeries? I'm sure you've already been through all this, but (assuming it's lumbar spine) consistent stretching of the hamstrings, hip flexors, and internal/external rotators of the hips as well as core (not abdominal) strengthening/stabilizing designed to protect against sheer and torque are crucial. Additionally, good movement patterns and posture will help.

That said, basses that have better weight distribution will probably help as much if not more than a bass that is simply light weight. Typically back pain while playing is the result of bad posture, loss of endurance in postural muscles (common with injuries/surgeries), or both. You could look into a Y strap (hangs over both shoulders). I'll second the suggestion of a headless bass if the looks aren't an issue -- clips I've heard of the Zon Vinny are phenomenal. The Cort Curbow is cheap, sounds decent, weighs almost nothing, has a long upper horn, and a tiny headstock.
 
#17
I just decided to throw my fender on a postage scale at work and it weighs exactly 9Lbs.
Ya think 3LBS would really make that much difference? I sounds like it wouldn't but I sat in with a band a couple months ago and that bass player was playing a fender lyte. I swear it felt like nothing around my neck. I kept lifting it up and looking at it in amazement. So yes or no. 3LBs make a difference?
 

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