Suggestions for lighter 5 strings

[Wfrance3]

My Schecter Elite 5 is a little over 8 lbs. it's a player.
I also have a VM Jag that weighs what yours does. I Have a neoprene strap that's made basically like a scuba suit. It doesn't help that much with the heavy Jag. Works great with the schecter, you hardly feel it. Even after playing a couple hours. I just got a different strap yesterday to use with the Jag that seems promising. It's a "Comfort Strapp". Yea, they spell
strap with two Ps... it looks promising. The neoprene or whatever it is looks to be good and thick. No substitute for a lighter bass, but sure was less expensive.

 

[bassadvisor]

In the high end, apart from NyC Sadowsky, you have Marleaux, which are incredible instruments. In the 1,5k range you have Marusczyzk L series. Very nice basses, chambered and around 3,5kg some of them.

 

[eJake]

Hi. I am looking for suggestions for lightweight 5 strings. I have a history of back issues, which had largely gone away while I took a bit of a break from playing for 2 years after my son was born. I have recently began playing again and have noticed the return of some pain, so I assume the bass playing it at least partly to blame.

I currently play a Squire VM Jazz V, which was fairly cheap but I quite like, it is very heavy - around 5.1kg (~11lb). I have a wide comfort strapp, but I think it might be still too heavy for me.

Playing through an Ashdown ABM head and 1x15, with a Sansamp for DI if needed. Don't use a lot of effects live, usually a bit of compressor.

Anyone have any ideas what some options to look at are? I am in Australia, and there isn't a lot of range in my home town. Don't mind pickup configurations, JJ, P/J or humbuckers. Active or passive don't really mind, as long as active has an easy access battery compartment. Would like to stick with the 5 string, as find the B useful even though I don't use it all the time.

Probably don't want to spend too much north of $1000 AUD. Just looking at something that might help prolong my playing. Thanks in advance!

I have an SX Ursa Jr 5 it was cheap and it's light. They're a pain to find strings for but I'm enjoying playing on the short scale.

 

[Zant]

Seems like ibanez Sr will be a good option. I'm not sure the budget and the wife will want me getting into sadowski territory just yet.

What are the Ibanez SR 405 and above like for a basic blues tone?

I have the sr405 it will sound good for most styles of music

 

[GroovyBaby]

Empress wood body G&L basses tend to be around 8 lbs for a 5 string. No idea how hard they are to get in Australia. I love the feel, sound, and weight of my L2500 and it's 7.8 lbs.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Maruszczyk Elwood L

 

[Iridescentone]

The weight topic comes up a lot around here. The LTD RB1005 fits the bill pretty well. Nice Korean build, USA Aguilar elecs, and virtually guaranteed to be a feather weight. Rocco Prestia insisted that they be light. Mine weighs exactly 7lbs, 10oz. That's pretty good for a fiver, and they're not expensive, especially used.

 

[Stranger Danger]

The new Stingray Special 5 strings are running about 8 lbs but they are much more than a thousand bucks

 

[Altitude]

Sadowsky is probably the lightest weight 5 sting you can find. Excellent quality.

I have a light 5-string Valenti also, though NYC Sadowskys are chambered and reliably very light.

Edit: didn't see your AU1000 budget. That's going to constrain your lightweight options considerably.

 

[FunWithBass]

The alder version of the Sire M7 would fit the wieight and budget (at least in US dollars). The ash version would be heavier. They have other basses/series as well if you are looking more for a jazz or P bass.

You might take a look at dual straps like the GruvGear DuoStrap (leather) or DuoStrap Neo (neoprene with leather). That type of strap would balance the weight on both shoulders.

 

[basst scho]

i weighed my basses recently, and my ibanez sr505 is at 3,7 or 3,9 kg. cant remember but under 4

 

[Ric5]

Hi. I am looking for suggestions for lightweight 5 strings. I have a history of back issues, which had largely gone away while I took a bit of a break from playing for 2 years after my son was born. I have recently began playing again and have noticed the return of some pain, so I assume the bass playing it at least partly to blame.

I currently play a Squire VM Jazz V, which was fairly cheap but I quite like, it is very heavy - around 5.1kg (~11lb). I have a wide comfort strapp, but I think it might be still too heavy for me.

Playing through an Ashdown ABM head and 1x15, with a Sansamp for DI if needed. Don't use a lot of effects live, usually a bit of compressor.

Anyone have any ideas what some options to look at are? I am in Australia, and there isn't a lot of range in my home town. Don't mind pickup configurations, JJ, P/J or humbuckers. Active or passive don't really mind, as long as active has an easy access battery compartment. Would like to stick with the 5 string, as find the B useful even though I don't use it all the time.

Probably don't want to spend too much north of $1000 AUD. Just looking at something that might help prolong my playing. Thanks in advance!

get a bass with a basswood body

 

[Groovegestapo]

EBMM Bongo 5 2017
EBMM SR5 Special (H or HH)
2018

 

[Sid the Kid]

The new Stingray Special 5 strings are running about 8 lbs but they are much more than a thousand bucks

I'm stalking the NBD and SR special threads. Most of the 5ers are being reported around 9#, which is light but not ridiculously so.

 

[onda'bass]

Ibanez...mines 7.2lbs

 

[roller]

Hi. I am looking for suggestions for lightweight 5 strings. I have a history of back issues, which had largely gone away while I took a bit of a break from playing for 2 years after my son was born. I have recently began playing again and have noticed the return of some pain, so I assume the bass playing it at least partly to blame.

Probably don't want to spend too much north of $1000 AUD. Just looking at something that might help prolong my playing. Thanks in advance!

Several builders offer chambered bodies that are a lot easier to get into vs. a Sadowsky. Certainly nothing against Roger's basses as they're outstanding instruments.

+1 on Valenti.

 

[IronSpatula]

I have a Japanese-made Fender MB-5 from the '90s and it's one of the lightest fives I've ever played. Lighter than any of my fours have been, in fact. Sounds good, too - they're effectively Jazz basses in a slimmer package. I paid under 300 for mine.

 

[bdplaid]

Hi. I am looking for suggestions for lightweight 5 strings. I have a history of back issues, which had largely gone away while I took a bit of a break from playing for 2 years after my son was born. I have recently began playing again and have noticed the return of some pain, so I assume the bass playing it at least partly to blame.

I currently play a Squire VM Jazz V, which was fairly cheap but I quite like, it is very heavy - around 5.1kg (~11lb). I have a wide comfort strapp, but I think it might be still too heavy for me.

Playing through an Ashdown ABM head and 1x15, with a Sansamp for DI if needed. Don't use a lot of effects live, usually a bit of compressor.

Anyone have any ideas what some options to look at are? I am in Australia, and there isn't a lot of range in my home town. Don't mind pickup configurations, JJ, P/J or humbuckers. Active or passive don't really mind, as long as active has an easy access battery compartment. Would like to stick with the 5 string, as find the B useful even though I don't use it all the time.

Probably don't want to spend too much north of $1000 AUD. Just looking at something that might help prolong my playing. Thanks in advance!

Keep trolling the Sweetwater site. Even if you don't buy, it will give you an idea which bases are lightweight.

Off the top of my head, I'd say Ibanez SR 305E. I had a Yamaha RBX 505 that was tolerable. There are some Squiers that can be lighter in weight, but the VM series is NOT one of them. And like all cheap basses, they vary from bass to bass.

 

[TNCreature]

There used to be a member here; Mark Dann in NYC. He made the lightest basses I ever picked up.

 

[7dollarbologna]