The ultimate lightweight bass thread!

[bherman]

My favorite contender; I have the fretless version. At 5.5 lbs it meets your criteria. Strung mine with TI flats and it sounds great too. Available as 4, 5, and 6-string both fretted and fretless.

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[Novarocker]

Not sure if it's been listed yet and I know you said you had a Dano, but the Danoblaster my uncle has is ridiculously light and has a fantastic tone. Oh and it has a fantastic chorus built in. They run $150-200. Cheap yes, and they play great. You should be able to get a dtuner on there easy IIRC.

Danelectro Dano Blaster (Rumor) Blue Burst Sparkle

 

[japhy4529]

Ibanez SRH500 - Dragon Eye Burst Flat - 7lbs
Gibson EB 4 - Natural Satin - 7lbs.
Ibanez SR500 - Sapphire Blue Flat - 7lbs.
Schecter Stiletto Studio 4 - Honey Satin - 7lbs., 3oz
Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat Artist Series - Wine Red - 7lbs., 6oz
Ibanez SR300E SR Standard - Metallic Gray - 7lbs., 6oz
Ibanez SR650 - Antique Brown Stained - 7lbs., 6oz
Ibanez SR800AWT SR Standard - Aged Whisky Burst - 7lbs., 6oz
Lakland USA 44-64 Classic - Tobacco Sunburst, Rosewood - 7lbs., 13oz
Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass - Black - 7lbs., 13oz
Fender American Professional Precision Bass - Antique Olive with Rosewood Fingerboard - 8lbs., 6oz
Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 4 HH - Firemist Gold - 8lbs., 6oz
Ernie Ball Music Man Caprice - Black - 8lbs., 6oz

 

[moonshinegtrs]

Moonshine Custom DC bass. Medium scale, 6lbs.

Moonshine

 

[Xad]

Hey Joe. I have been on this same quest for a few years now, for similar reasons. These are some things I have found out in my search:

• Gibson SG short-scale basses are really freaking light. They're not for everybody, but the ones I've tried are super lightweight.

There are many versions. Here are a few:
Gibson.com: SG Special Bass
Gibson.com: SG Standard Bass 2015

• A Kiesel Vader could be something to consider. They are headless, which already removes weight. You can spec the lightest species of woods, and get it chambered to reduce the weight further. You can also pay an upcharge and they will find the lightest pieces of that species that they have in stock for you. They did this for a headless 8-string guitar I ordered, and it's light as a feather.

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• The ibanez mikros might not be of the level of professionalism you're looking for, and they're micro scale, but they are really great basses and ridiculously light.

4 string: Ibanez GSRM20BWNF miKro - Walnut Flat
5 string: Ibanez GSRM25BK miKro - Black

Good luck in your quest!

@Joe Nerve

I agree on the Mikros. Have back issues myself.

Walnut Mikros are lighter than the black ones (mine, at least). Walnut = 5.5lbs. Black = 6.5lbs

Love 'em both.

 

[WhenTheDrumsStops]

Light wieght? first thought it the Steinberger bass (probably a rare'ish bass by now). I have played on this bass as a temp replacement bass for a few weeks (long time ago) and it is a breeze for your shoulder, the bass weight is like 25% of a normal bass. It sounds pretty good as well, playability I cant speak that highly of, it was a quite heavy neck to play on and I had trouble finding the right position to play the bass as for balance.

 

[baileyboy]

I can't recommend a bass lighter than 6 lbs, but I can suggest doing 5 minutes of back exercises everyday. This will provide flexibility and stregthen your back muscles. I used to go to the chiropractor every couple of weeks, but now haven't been there in about 7 years. Having a lighter bass is a step in the right direction, though. Best of luck to you.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Everything I have is 8-8.5 lbs which above your stated threshold but the weight distribution is perfect on each and every one: same heft on the right flank and left shoulder.

Riis

 

[GroovyBaby]

I've got neck and shoulder issues. A thick neoprene strap helps but all 3 of my bases are now under 8.5. At one point I was playing a 12 lb 5 string fender jazz. No more. My lightest is a G&L lb100 with empress wood body. At 7.3 lbs it was slightly neck heavy. I moved the strap near the bridge up a few inches and now it is nicely balanced. As they get lighter, they get harder to balance for many basses. The empress g&l basses are pretty common now. I love my g&ls! The 2 basses in my pic are 7.3 and 8.4 lbs.

 

[guy n. cognito]

I can't recommend a bass lighter than 6 lbs, but I can suggest doing 5 minutes of back exercises everyday. This will provide flexibility and stregthen your back muscles. I used to go to the chiropractor every couple of weeks, but now haven't been there in about 7 years. Having a lighter bass is a step in the right direction, though. Best of luck to you.

Oh, the irony!

 

[Engle]

View attachment 1188213 View attachment 1188214 Another vote/verification for the Rickenbacker Cheyenne 1.
Probably THE lightest full-scale basses i've owned were the Carvin AC series. I had both a 4 string fretless,and a 5 string fretted one.
And the JC bass is NOT light.

My JC is about 8 lbs.

 

[Herrick]

Ibanez SR650 from Sweetwater. One of them is 7 pounds 6 ounces.

Ibanez SR650NTF. One is 7 pounds 6 ounces.

Ibanez SR1300E Premium. One is 7 pounds 13 ounces.

EDIT: Sorry I failed to realize JoeNerve wanted 6 pounds or less.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

You'd be hard pressed to get that light with a "regular" bass, but if you're willing to go short scale, these haven't been mentioned yet:

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$1995 (Cortobass)
7-8 lbs, some closer to 6 lbs.

 

[JES]

Kala U-bass. Motown thump for days, rubber or metal strings. Sounds huge, fun to play, and it's hilarious at gigs.

That said, QC varies so make sure you try a few out.

 

[Mike Marshall]

Have you gone to Physical Therapy? the exercises they show you can really help I have no issues since learning the right exercises. IF you must have a detuner maybe a fender mustang would be light enough

 

[pedroims]

I have seen few Warriors that are on the 7 pounds range..[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here is one 6.6 pounds !
Warrior Messenger 2016 Natural - NEW! 6.6 POUNDS!!

 

[BlueAliceOasis]

Precision Nass Lyte

 

[Hevy T]

This is the lightest bass I own about 7ish lbs, but balances beautifully. I played it at a gig 4 45 min sets with no problems at all. If I tried that with my Jazz I'd be in traction.

Beautiful bass, and really light on the back.

2017 Gibson EB
1079 can

This Epi Toby weighed maybe 6lbs, if that. Definitely the lightest bass I ever owned. It was a real player and I regret selling it. Just gut the electronics for something good like SD SBJ3's and you are good to go

 

[foolforthecity]

My son's Cliff Bordwell custom. <6 lbs, unbelievable looks, balance, weight, and tone. As I recall, he bought it a few years ago for roughly $2.5k. Get what you pay for, but totally out of my league. Not for a weekend warrior like me

 

[foolforthecity]

Light wieght? first thought it the Steinberger bass (probably a rare'ish bass by now). I have played on this bass as a temp replacement bass for a few weeks (long time ago) and it is a breeze for your shoulder, the bass weight is like 25% of a normal bass. It sounds pretty good as well, playability I cant speak that highly of, it was a quite heavy neck to play on and I had trouble finding the right position to play the bass as for balance.

Throwing the flag on this one. 25% of a 10lb bass means that Spirit would be about 2.5 lbs. Did you mean 75%?