Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Discussion of newer designs, copies and reissue offset-waist instruments.
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Larsongs
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Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by Larsongs » Sun Jan 23, 2022 9:54 pm

I would like a light weight, great playing & sounding Fender or Squier Bass.. 6-7 lbs.. or close as possible.. Hollow, Semi Hollow, Solid or Thinline… Has to have perfect balance, NO NECK DIVE!!!!

What would you all recommend?

Under $1200.00 is ideal..

What are the best woods to look for?

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sookwinder
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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by sookwinder » Sun Jan 23, 2022 9:56 pm

Hofner Club Bass
relaxing alternative to doing actual work ...

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Telliot
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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by Telliot » Sun Jan 23, 2022 10:08 pm

sookwinder wrote:
Sun Jan 23, 2022 9:56 pm
Hofner Club Bass
8)
The cool thing about fretless is you can hit a note...and then renegotiate.

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burpgun
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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by burpgun » Mon Jan 24, 2022 6:27 am

I've got a Epiphone Jack Casady. It's big, hollow body and pretty well balanced, and is in the ballpark of a Fender sound. You can find used ones at a good price.

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marqueemoon
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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by marqueemoon » Mon Jan 24, 2022 7:24 am

That is pretty light for a bass. What scale length are you interested in?

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StreakKDP
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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by StreakKDP » Mon Jan 24, 2022 7:45 am

Going to be tough finding a Jazz under 8 pounds… most I’ve seen are between 8-10lbs. Just quickly checked a few models on Sweetwater and lightest I saw was Geddy Lee Jazz around 8.6. I’ve had a few Yamahas and Ibanez with basswood bodies that have been very light…

Others might have more insight on specific models, but I always use Sweetwaters guitar gallery as a reference… they include weights of the specific builds.
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Tooned
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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by Tooned » Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:24 pm

If you're ok with short scale there are a bunch on Sweetwater right now under 8lbs.
There are some Squier CV Mustang basses mid 7lb range and there's a Walnut Gretsch G2220 right at 7lbs.
They are cheap basses but Mike Kerr from Royal Blood has used them a lot.
A small Hofner like hollow body could possibly get you in under 7 lbs.

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JSett
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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by JSett » Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:32 pm

Sometimes I find, if the balance is right, I don't notice the weight as much. I currently have a MIJ Jaguar Bass and it's normal JB weight but the balance isn't great so feels a little heavier.

There are exceptions, obviously. My '79 Peavey T40 was balanced to perfection but totally brutalised my back... I think it was +15lbs. Sitting down with it would give you a dead leg!
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by Tooned » Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:41 pm

Looks like every Danelectro bass on Sweetwater right now is under 7 lbs and there are even a couple black longhorns under 6 lbs.. 8)

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Maker
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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by Maker » Mon Jan 24, 2022 4:07 pm

StreakKDP wrote:
Mon Jan 24, 2022 7:45 am
Going to be tough finding a Jazz under 8 pounds… most I’ve seen are between 8-10lbs. Just quickly checked a few models on Sweetwater and lightest I saw was Geddy Lee Jazz around 8.6. I’ve had a few Yamahas and Ibanez with basswood bodies that have been very light…

Others might have more insight on specific models, but I always use Sweetwaters guitar gallery as a reference… they include weights of the specific builds.
My Ibanez SDGR is between 8 and 9 lbs, so pretty close to what has been requested. I got this as a learning bass for my wife, but it has become one of my go-to instruments, as it plays so nice!

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hulakatt
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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by hulakatt » Mon Jan 24, 2022 5:06 pm

Tooned wrote:
Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:41 pm
Looks like every Danelectro bass on Sweetwater right now is under 7 lbs and there are even a couple black longhorns under 6 lbs.. 8)
Dano's always sound nice, are light and can be made to play decent but a Dano will always sound like a Dano!

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MattK
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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by MattK » Mon Jan 24, 2022 6:19 pm

Mustang Bass seems obvious -
Image

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Larsongs
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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by Larsongs » Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:31 pm

I should digress a bit…

I’ve Fender P Bass’ for many years.. My current one is an American Deluxe that’s about 20 years old, is a great Bass & still in great condition… I also have a USA Music Man which is a great Bass… I also have a Hofner Beatle Bass which I really like but the violin cut outs on the body get in the way & it isn’t comfortable to play unless I use a Pick. Which I do sometimes but I also like to use my Fingers too.

I had a serious accident in a Shelby Cobra & totaled it a few years ago… Lucky to be here.. I got banged up pretty bad but luckily nothing catastrophic.. I do get some pain in my right shoulder, back & the left side of my neck now when I play for longer periods..

That is why I would like to find something lighter. 6 to 7 1/2 lbs is my goal.. Long or Short Scale.. I’m open..

I bought the new Guild Starfire I Bass recently that was cool but it had serious Neck Dive. Playing Gigs standing up aggravated my shoulder & neck as I had to compensate for the Neck dive by lifting the Neck & pushing the Body down while playing..

I exchanged it for a new Gretsch G5442BDC Bass which is equally as nice looking, playing & sounding but has equally as bad Neck Dive..

Both weigh 7 1/2 lbs..

My 9 1/2 lb. P Bass has perfect balance & is more comfortable to play. For short periods.. Same with my Music Man..

I like the Fender Bass sound & would be my first choice if I could find something. Maybe a reissue Coronado or Starcaster? I knew I should’ve picked one up a few years ago……

I like the Contemporary CT Hofner Verythin Bass.. But, no one has one in Sunburst. Or the CT Club Bass.

I'm considering a MIK Danelectro… The Mustangs seem to be heavier.. 8 1/2 lbs. or more…

The weight, sound & playability are key factors.. If it has neck dive it’s a deal breaker.

I’d like to keep it under $1200.00… All recommendations are appreciated..

Thanks,

L

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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by Sauerkraut » Tue Jan 25, 2022 1:41 am

Maybe a Fender aerodyne JB? I have no experience with these myself, but I read they have bound basswood bodies, so they weigh just 7 pounds. They seem to go for 700ish on Reverb (new, in Europe, 1200).

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Re: Looking for a Bass & have some questions????

Post by Tooned » Tue Jan 25, 2022 2:24 am

Decent little Dano Longhorn demo for reference.
https://youtu.be/DLueqMHiPXA

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