Lightweight Jazz bass

[Paul S]

I have this on my mind so will post it now, despite going on holiday Monday.

I sometimes get GAS for a Jazz bass but all those I have tried are too heavy. I just had to move on a beautiful E series MIJ Squier Jazz that sounded and played like a dream but at 10lbs was just too heavy for me.

Are there any models that are nearer 8lbs out there?

ta!

[Clarky]

Mike Lulls are under 8 pounds but cost nearer 2000 pounds! http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Mike_Lull_V4.html

[Dingus]

There are ones that are guaranteed to be light because they have specially chambered bodies - Mike Lull , Sadowcky NYC - but you are talking about big money . Unless you have that kind of a budget , your best bet is to look round and find a light one . They are definitely out there -you can find plenty of Fenders under 9 pounds - but you just have to persevere until you see the right bass at the right weight . The Fender Roadworn Jazz Basses made in Mexico tend to be on the light side and are very playable basses , by all accounts , so maybe you could look at them for a start .

Edited June 29, 2013 by Dingus

[Paul S]

Er, yes, 2 grand is more than I had in mind. Fender Roadworn maybe a good starting point. But I guess it is like everything else - I kept trying P-basses until I found one to settle on. Or two, actually. I like the idea of the Geddy Lee one but even that is a tad heavy. Question - do Aerodyne Jazz basses sound like Jazz basses? I've only ever heard two at gigs and they both had so many effects it could have been anything.

[Dingus]

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1372511203' post='2126613']
Er, yes, 2 grand is more than I had in mind. Fender Roadworn maybe a good starting point. But I guess it is like everything else - I kept trying P-basses until I found one to settle on. Or two, actually. I like the idea of the Geddy Lee one but even that is a tad heavy. Question - do Aerodyne Jazz basses sound like Jazz basses? I've only ever heard two at gigs and they both had so many effects it could have been anything.
[/quote]

They sound like a PJ , which is significantly different to a Jazz . Only the bridge pickup soloed will sound like a traditional Jazz Bass .

[stingrayPete1977]

The modded Squier Jazz I am selling is about 4.3kg, it is also awesome

[Paul S]

Dingus - thanks for that. I wondered. Stingray Pete - too heavy, sorry!

[stingrayPete1977]

Looks like chambered is your best option then

[White Cloud]

I owned a killer Lakland Skyline Daryll Jones ( amazing jazz bass) that weighed just under 8lbs...however Laklands vary greatly in weight.

[Dingus]

There are plenty of post - 2008 Fender American Standard Jazz Basses that weigh under 9 pounds , and they come up used pretty frequently at very reasonable money . What's more , they are great basses just as they are and don't require any modifications . In my experience , the sunburst ones tend to be lighter than the solid colours , very generally speaking , maybe because they save the premium wood for the more expensive transparent finishes . You get light ones in solid colours too , so don't dismiss them out of hand , either . A used Am St. from Basschat is what I would be looking for if I had a budget of about £600-700 .

Edited June 29, 2013 by Dingus

[DarkHeart]

my Paulownia Jazz weighed in at less than 8lbs when i weighed it before putting the mm pickup on it

[Paul S]

All interesting stuff - thanks guys. Keep those suggestions coming!