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Need a very light bass , help

#83
Light, balanced basses I've (owned and) used that you could consider:
Peavey G bass
Dingwall ABI but ABII or ABZ should be lighter
Reverend Rumblefish; light, sounds great, non beveled corners
US Masters EP series

Balance and relaxed playing in a "neutral" position are important.
 
#84
Fender Precision Bass Deluxe Lyte!
DSCN6085.jpg


This is one of the most comfortable and best built basses for the money that I have every played. Great neck. MIJ. Only reason I sold mine is I'm not particularly fond of actives.
 
#85
I feel your pain - literally. Lumbar surgery twice, and I suspect that moving heavy cabs for many years played a part.

Anyway -

*Fender Road Worn basses run pretty light - mine is around 7.8 lbs.

*Danelectros - and if you don't like the hollow ones seek out a used Rumor. These are P clones with a sort of Mosrite-shaped body - mine about 7 lbs., and if you don't dig it at least they are generally pretty cheap, around $200 range.

*Traben - A local shop owner had me try out an Array Attack - it played great and I swear it was no more than 7 lbs. If I didn't get nauseated looking at the thing I would have jumped on it.

Otherwise, try looking at Sweetwater as they actually list specs of the specific bass shown, including the weight. This removes the weight crapshoot if ordering online.

Best of luck to you, keep playing, and I hope you start to feel better.
 
#86
dmrogers said:
Fender Precision Bass Deluxe Lyte!
DSCN6085.jpg


This is one of the most comfortable and best built basses for the money that I have every played. Great neck. MIJ. Only reason I sold mine is I'm not particularly fond of actives.
Click to expand...

Jeez that's one of the coolest fenders I've seen, and I'm not a fan of most fenders.

I'd have kept it and made it passive.

that's something to consider when looking for an instrument that fits well, feels good, easy on the back. Look for that first. If you don't like the sound, electronics are swappable. No point in passing on a bass that otherwise works for you.
 
#91
pedroims said:
I was talking with my wife and we agreed that is strange that this pain started two years after I started playing bass, first I blame the mattress, then the stress from the job but now I am considering it may be something related to the bass, I practice sitting all the time and rehersals are 3 hour on Monday and 30 minutes playing at church on Sunday, I am visiting my doctor tomorrow beause this is getting really bad, I have 2 weeks of constant pain in the middle of my back and goes all the way up my neck.
Click to expand...

Have you seen a chiropractor? You've just run off a litany of significant contributing factors for chronic back pain. Good luck and get well.
 
#92
Try doing a GFS build and find a really light neck to put on it. The body on mine is EXTREMELY light.

And I have shoulder problems. Here's a pic taken during a gig:
a1e2c520.gif


That shoulder is constantly sagging and my super heavy Schecter doesn't help that much:P one of the main reasons why I went with GFS on this build.
 
#93
If you've got some cash and are willing to look beyond convention a bit, German luthiers Basslab make hollow, lightweight, composite guitars and basses. Many of them are a bit alien looking, but their 'soul' model has a classic style and weighs about 5.5 lbs for a 5 string, and they can make pretty much whatever you want custom too, more strings, etc.

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#94
pedroims said:
Ok, My back - neck is bad, something is wrong and I need to take care of it, I dont need to stop playing but need to be careful, I need a very light bass, the lighest I can get, money is not an issue ( medication and chiropractic arent cheaper either), I found a squier jaguar that is really light and a EBMM is on its way and I know it wont be light, so what you recommend me to do: upgrade the squier with whatever pickups and preamp or sell the EBMM and start the hunting for the lighest bass in history, if so, where to look at? I remember that Sadowsky built a bass on the 7 pounds range.

Edit: my bass is on the middle, not on my knees not my chest, I practice seated everyday and rehersal is 3 hours every Monday.
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I had a Yamaha RBX170 which was very, very light. The body felt almost fake :)

However, the tone felt as flimsy. Nothing that a pickup upgrade didn't cure (a set of dimarzio modelP+modelJ gave it the needed beef and bark), so I had a very light weight bass that could cut through guitar rock.
 
#95
#1) Fender roadworn jazz basses are often in the 7-8 pound range and they sound incredible! they go for about $700-$750 or so on talk bass 2) My Ibanez SR505 is even lighter and it is a 5 string, so the 4 string is really light. You can pickup a used one for $300 for the 5 string and less for the 4 string. These would be great if you upgrade the MK1's to Bart MK5 or Delano soap bars available at Best bass gear. Ibanez has also just come out with a new prestige bass with nordstrand pickups that is the same body design, but very expensive!
 
#97
I would definitely visit your Dr or Chiro first, they may be able to diagnose/cure the problem without needing a new bass. Or, it may be a technique issue that has very little to do with the weight of the bass. (But you should probably buy a new bass anyway, just because!)
BTW - I see several suggestions for Steinbergers, I have never considered my Steinberger to be lightweight. In fact, everyone who picks mine up is shocked at how heavy it is. Compact and awesome sounding, yes! Lightweight, nope.
 
#100
Toptube said:
Jeez that's one of the coolest fenders I've seen, and I'm not a fan of most fenders.

I'd have kept it and made it passive.

that's something to consider when looking for an instrument that fits well, feels good, easy on the back. Look for that first. If you don't like the sound, electronics are swappable. No point in passing on a bass that otherwise works for you.
Click to expand...

I sold it to my dad. He loves it! I have first consideration if he ever decides to sell (which probably won't happen).

The bass I sold my dad still looks showroom new. Some of the best quality I have seen. I still miss it. But it is getting played a lot now by my dad! :-)

It is light too, but feels solid.
 

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