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Looking For Old School Tone In A Lightweight Package

#42
Again, I appreciate all the feedback!

As with everything else in life the best solutions to a problem are usually the simplest and most direct. Keeping an eye out for light basses on Sweetwater (or any other place that puts the weight of basses on their site) seems like a good place to start. And to get a Fender tone I’d prolly be wise to stick with Fender. Or a Fender type bass with passive pu’s.
 
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#43
Turn Em Loose said:
I just saw that.
Click to expand...
The Sweetwater site is a little strange and doesn't always show the same basses. This is the preview I see on the search results page (showing the 7lb 14oz one):
1757355143662.png


But when you go to the product page, at least at this very moment, the light one is replaced with a used one:
1757355182440.png


Also I have found that when they have a lot of stock like this, they may have others not listed. Your rep can check the weights on any stock not shown. (My rep has done this for me several times).
 
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#44
skycruiser said:
The Sweetwater site is a little strange and doesn't always show the same basses. This is the preview I see on the search results page (showing the 7lb 14oz one):
View attachment 7317580

But when you go to the product page, at least at this very moment, the light one is replaced with a used one:
View attachment 7317582

Also I have found that when they have a lot of stock like this, they may have others not listed. Your rep can check the weights on any stock not shown. (My rep has done this for me several times).
Click to expand...
These pine ones are generally pretty light but with some obvious variability

One thing that I will mention about these is that I think they would benefit from a different pickup as I’m not sure the pickup and wood combo compliment each other very well. Just my opinion though. That kind of thing is very subjective
 
#45
MIJ Traditional or Heritage Precision bass. TONS under 8lbs. As good or better than US Fender in many cases.

I use this particular seller, as he lists many with serial numbers, exact weight and real pics of the actual item: Security Measure | eBay

Keep in mind that you'll want to source some ultralight tuners, as FSOs under 8 lbs will neck dive.

Here's an example of one with exact weight and serial number: (7.8 lbs)


Orders arrive to the US in 2 days, with no fees.

I just got a Heritage 60s Precision - it's 8lbs exactly and will be installing Gotoh res-o-lights this week to bring it under 8lbs. The bass is far superior to an American Vintage II, which I've owned. It's a lot closer to my Custom Shop Precision. The build is flawless.
 
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#46
Turn Em Loose said:
Thanks! I actually own a Sandberg Ken Taylor somewhat recently and promptly sold off my other basses. 8 lbs even. It's seriously bada@@. Like....wow. It's the one and only Sandberg I've ever played. It's actually got a damn fine P bass tone. But to my ears it's more of a rock P tone. And it's wearing rounds.

I was under the impression Sandbergs were more modern sounding? Even their takes on the Fender thing?
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Put some flats on that Sandberg, that's cheaper than buying another bass.
 
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#47
If it were me..... I'd be looking for a Fender 50's Road Worn precision bass. Made in mexico, its one of their best kept secrets. This thing is outstanding in all regards (except the paint job). The neck is great, the sound is perfect and they're typically just under $1k for a nice used one like mine. Oh yeah.... 7.75 lbs
 
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#49
My Squier 70s CV P is under 8 pounds with the stock tuners, but they seem to range from 7.8 pounds to over 9. So blindly ordering one could be a challenge if you don't know whether you're getting a heavy one.

Also, for some reason the 50s and 60s CV Ps seem to run a bit heavier than the 70s.
 
#50
DrBnz said:
If it were me..... I'd be looking for a Fender 50's Road Worn precision bass. Made in mexico, its one of their best kept secrets. This thing is outstanding in all regards (except the paint job). The neck is great, the sound is perfect and they're typically just under $1k for a nice used one like mine. Oh yeah.... 7.75 lbs
Click to expand...
I assume that weight would be very rare for the model - I would estimate that less than 5% of MIM Fenders come out under 8 lbs.
 
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#53
Mike Vee said:
I assume that weight would be very rare for the model - I would estimate that less than 5% of MIM Fenders come out under 8 lbs.
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Most of the Road Worns I played were light. That particular line, the Road Worn line was very light and almost custom shop-like in there weights and feel. If you can find one it would be worth the time to try one or several.
 
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#56
Turn Em Loose said:
Long story short: I'm looking for a full 34" scale Fender(-ish) Precision or Jazz bass that's under 8 lbs.

Short story long: I've got your typical old man back and 8 lbs is as heavy as I'm willing to go. Balance is as important as weight leading me to lean towards an offset (jazz style) body. This bass will more than likely sport flats and be my old school bass. I'd like to stick with a traditional Fender-y kind of vibe though that's not set in stone. (I really dig the current Reverend offerings.) I'd like to get something I won't need to mod. Just string it up and go. Most likely I'll have to order online as the bass offerings around here are pretty slim.

Keeping it under a grand would be....well....Grand! But for the right bass $1,500. Maaaayyyybe $1,600? OK maybe $1,700. With $1,800 the max. DEFinitely no more than $2k.

Any suggestions/thoughts/general feedback are always welcome. Thanks in advance!
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For a few gigs and a few rehearsals and some practicing, I was using an import DanElectro Longhorn. Very light, decent workable tone, short scale may not be your thing BUT: this isn't so much a lightweight bass recommendation as a...cautionary tale, lightness doesn't necessarily mean you'll like it more..

While I appreciated all the Dano's positives, the extreme lightness of it was almost off-putting. Playing a 9lb Precision or Dimension just felt better in any playing situation. When it comes to feel and letting yourself go while playing using your instincts, trust your gut. That's where I found myself after spending 3-4 years of having the Dano and trying to work it in. In the end, I sold it 'cause I just wasn't going to work it that much.
 
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#57
Thanks again to all who replied. I ended up with this Bluesman Vintage Deville. Very lightweight and very resonant. No dead spots and the tone is extremely consistent over the whole range of the instrument.

Did a little research on flats and ordered Sadowsky Blue Label flats 45-105. Strung the bass up yesterday afternoon and immediately went to a gig. VERY satisfied with the bass purchase and the string choice. Still need to fiddle about more with the bass and the strings need to settle in, but I've got a good feeling about this bass.

My other bass is a Sandberg Ken Taylor and couldn't be more different than the Bluesman. But that Sandberg is one sweet ride, let me tellya. Like buttah. I'm actually thinking the Sadowsky flats would be a good match for the Sandberg, too. But that's another thread in another sub forum....
 
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