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My Bass Is Too Heavy Now

#41
If you like the Warwick sound, then you might want to consider a custom build utilizing the Warwick electronics in a chambered piece.

Though chambering a body produces a different sound, given the tenuous nature of your back and shoulders this might be one of the only options you have. In terms of builders that chamber, I like Manne. www.manne.com.
 
#42
Find a used, old style Reverend. The bodies are phenolic with a single piece of mahagony to brace the neck and bridge. I can't imagine a lighter design that uses wood for the neck. Quality of tone is top notch. I play an XL ("J") model regularly. After wearing my Warmoth P for a while, the Rev feels like I'm holding a feather.
For reference:
http://www.revfan.com/reverend-bass.html

Carbon fiber neck Modulus might be another option.
 
#44
jlepre said:
Where's the knobs?
Click to expand...
They're in the usual place, they're just hard to see in the photo (black knobs on black PG).

Back on topic: I have a Mike Lull M5 that weighs 8.8 pounds, and that's a 35" scale 5-string. I would think a 4 string would be even lighter. With that said, I think the first thing I would look at would be playing position - maybe wearing the bass higher or lower or something would produce less nerve pressure. Maybe even take your bass with you to an orthopedist or sports doc to get their suggestions?

Good luck!
 
#45
Man I hate to say it but welcome to the club. I have been dealing with similar problems for the past three years or so. I have probs with both left and right sides and this has drastically cut my activity gig wise. If I move the wriong way, or sit the wrong way or too long things start going numb. All I can say is maybe try physical therapy, stretch, heat, massages, chiropractor etc. The thing is to stay active as much as you can. When I'm home I almost never stand and play anymore. When I play a gig the last set is nothing but guts and glory on my part.
 
#46
OP, I really feel for you. Last year I had a herniated disc which then ruptured. After surgery to fix everything up I'm finally getting back into the swing of things now. I still have severe nerve damage down my leg, but my back is getting stronger.

I had to sell my Stingray before I started playing again. It was just too heavy and if I wanted to perform live again, and not risk more injury, I needed a lighter bass. I'm still using a 9lb Jazz, but that 1 or 1.5lbs lighter it is, really helps.

At any rate, good luck to you, I know how hard it can be!
 
#49
Hey check out Martin Keith Basses and Veillette basses. Martin is on TB and he said he is doing some really nice lightweight basses. His basses are pro quality made to your specs. As mentioned, Sadowsky has chambered jazz bodies, and Cliff Bordwell has chambered body options as well. I have a birdsong that I love with great tone, but he only makes them passive, don't know if that is a deal breaker for you.
 
#51
The dude from Trey Anistasio's band has a bad back and he uses a stand.

5465993574_35fbae81e0_o1.jpg
 
#54
There are a couple of choices of light-weighted bass guitars that has amazing sound quality and they're more affordable too. here are some of my recommendations if you play hard rock and heavy metal music.

Peavey millennium bxp
Schecter raiden
Dean edge
Ibanez soundgear
Fernandes gravity 4X/5X
Fernandes tremor 4X/5X
Yamaha bb

If you don't mind fairly weighted basses, I also would recommend schecter stiletto basses.
 
#55
Anything chambered. Sadowsky, Warmoth...another vote for the Gruvgear duostrap. This makes you wear the bass like a backpack. Takes some getting used to, but it makes the bass feel lighter. In my experience, anything is lighter than the Warwicks I have played.
 
#56
I got herniated discs in lower back and rotator cuff injury in left shoulder. I recently sold my Ric 4003 because it was too heavy, but my Epi Thunderbird which weighs about the same doesn't bother me. I think its the way the weight is distributed on the bass. The Ric felt heavier, like all the weight was in the body but the Epi feels like the weight is distributed from body of bass through neck. Works ok for me!
 
#57
I was a Warwick fan too (had 2 german Warwicks, they're not so expensive here though) and now i'm a "classic passive Fender sound" convert.
In case you decide to go for that route too, check out for some Fender Road Worn. The P has not a unique tone at all (I'd say the opposite) but it just works.

If you want something REALLY unique instead, check out this italian luthier:
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Top notch quality and the Scorcio Superleggero weighs in at 2,7kg/6lbs. And that's the 5 string version with active electronics.
 
#58
Lower back injury two years ago myself, so I wish everyone the best.
I was very hesitant on replying to this thread because each of us has his own levels of pain and pain tolerance, and I am not a doctor so my advice must be filtered through your own physician.
I have struggled with bass weight issues and the ability to stand during a performance. The old T40 is an impossibility. I now only play my precision, jazz, and 4001. Although this past weekend I used my Gibson EB-1 and was able to stand for the entire 2 hour gig.
I have also started using a drug called Neuroton. Talk to your doctor about it. It dulls pain at the nerve endings as opposed to Hydrocodone ( I was taking 2 every six hours) which works on the brains ability to receive pain, and is highly addictive. Also losing weight takes strain of off the back itself.
Please, I emphasize, talk to your Doctor, and I wish everyone of us in the bass playing community the best.
 
#59
I found the Slinger Waist Strap. slingerstraps.com
Click to expand...
A good idea. Another one is a simple, 4" wide strap (Italias are cheap and you can't a avoid a 2'fer deal, making them cost about $35 each). I have back, neck and shoulder problems, but my basses never seem to bother them (all my basses weigh between 9 - 11 lb). I did finally notice that one bass I don't often play and that had a regular, narrow strap was killing me and I was getting all kinds of symptoms after just an hour playing standing up. I guess I hadn't realized how much the wide strap was helping me.

Not saying it's going to be good for all problems, but even if the OP lightened up his bass load, think how much better it could work if also the remaining weight were carried in the best possible way. Spreading, relocating and stabilizing the weight can definitely help alleviate problems for some people (like me and several other sufferers who've tried it).
 

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