• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Super lightweight 5 or 6 string recommendations?

derrenleepoole

derrenleepoole

Feb 8, 2006
818
14
53
Blackburn Lancashire
#1
Thinking about getting a 5 or 6 string again. Thing is, I have a back problem. A bad one. My current bass is a P-bass Lyte which is perfect for what I need. I've thought about an Aerodyne J and stringing it up BEAD, but I'm not totally swung with that idea. But maybe someone could convince me otherwise.

Anyone with suggestions on a reasonably good, but very lightweight 5 or 6 stringer that's easy on the back. No boutique suggestions please. Something that might easily be found on eBay second hand would be ideal.

Cheers.
 
#2
Any other preferences? 34"- or 35"-scale? Regular or narrow spacing?

There a few mid-price, light 5- and 6-strings out there.

Two that come to mind are MTD Kingston, Heir and Z series, and Ibanez SR500 series (505, 506).

Both lightweight, but the dimensions are quite different.
 
#4
This may teeter on the edge on boutique, but I had a Dingwall AB-I V. It was the lightest bass I've every played, shockingly so. They are about $1300-1500 used, which is similar to the price of a new Musicman so maybe they are just barely in the non-boutique range? Best bass I've ever played in any case.
 
#8
G said:
S K J O L D!

Link Removed

My bubinga 6 weighs less than 8 pounds. Plays like a dream, sounds like heaven.
Click to expand...

Huge +1!! An ash bodied Skjold will weigh next to nothing. You'll forget you have it strapped on if you're not paying close attention.
And don't even get me started about the tone...amazing.
 
#12
Well, I finally got around to making a post here. I bought a Helms bass off a Talkbass guy: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=322136&highlight=jj+helms

I must say that he did not lie in any respect, I LURVE this bass:hyper: Although I have been away from the bass scene for years I am the former owner of 3 Alembic series one basses and many others, including an early Jazz bass - so I know what a good bass sounds/plays/feels like.

To respond to the poster's question - this bass is very light and very compact - but balances well. It's body is made from Poplar - a very light hardwood. Had someone told me that Poplar was a good (great?) tone wood before I bought this bass - I would have thought they were pulling my leg. However, Mr Helms obviously knows what he is doing - this bass is LIVE. Not a dead clunky sounding plank like so many store bought basses - including my old frankenstein Fender Japan Jazz bass I bought for DAW recording.

Mike
 
#13
Double Agent said:
This may teeter on the edge on boutique, but I had a Dingwall AB-I V. It was the lightest bass I've every played, shockingly so. They are about $1300-1500 used, which is similar to the price of a new Musicman so maybe they are just barely in the non-boutique range? Best bass I've ever played in any case.
Click to expand...

I would have to double that suggestion. The Kingson Heir is also very light.
 
#15
I ignore if money's an issue here ($2,500 and up), but basslab will build you custom orders, weighing betw. 5 and 8 lbs. Not everyone's cup of tea, with the modern designs, materials and all, but all is customizable.
I'd have one if I had enough money, that's for sure
 
#17
BuffaloBass said:
I just bought a backup 5'er here, a Kingston MTD. While I;m not enamored with the sound yet, it is a light devil and has a GREAT feeling neck. If I cant get the pup right, its getting a DarkStar.

Awesome slap bass if it matters, very uncluttered near the fretboard. THis is the one pup version.
Click to expand...

I've got a Kingston that is strung EADGC and it is pretty light. Also I have an American 535 with a poplar body that is just as light if not lighter. I would say the Kingston is a good bet. Mine has an upgrade with a Bart pre amp and that goes a long way to improving the sound.
 
#18
For a very lightweight 5-string, you could consider the Parker Fly basses. They are lightweight and very responsive.

Matt Pulcinella builds an extremely nice 5- and 6-string, and his basses are very comfortable on the back. They're good looking, too, and balance perfectly!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back