Bass for bad back

[Stealth]

So after 40 years of toting mainly a 70s P bass the weight of an anvil tha old back is crying woah. Painkillers just about do it but that’s not ideal. The problem is lower back pain and unfixable so I need I lighter bass.

I play rock and heavier covers 2 hour sets so a semi isn’t really the “thing” presently I use a lovely heavy Lakland PJ and a PRS Kestrel (bit lighter) 

Any ideas out there?

 

 

 

 

[TheGreek]

Get @Andyjr1515 to build you a chambered bass of any design/ hardware that you want.

You'll get a custom bass for less than a new Fender/Musicman/etc.

[bassfan]

AIR have very lightweight bass to go with their AIR guitar....

 

 

 

I’ll  get my coat.... 

Edited April 23, 2021 by bassfan

[hooky_lowdown]

There's a few threads about lightweight basses on here, do a search, plenty of options available.

[dudewheresmybass]

My bc rich mockingbird plus is incredibly light. 
seriously feather weight. 

[Lfalex v1.1]

My most recent acquisition is super-light.

Ibanez EDA.

My Status Streamline was also featherweight,  but had issues and was almost uncontrollably light. 

The Status seemed to lack something. The Ibanez does not.

Edited April 23, 2021 by Lfalex v1.1

[ezbass]

Maruszczyk Elwood or Jake L, around the 3.25kg mark.

[Lozz196]

47 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

Get @Andyjr1515 to build you a chambered bass of any design/ hardware that you want.

You'll get a custom bass for less than a new Fender/Musicman/etc.

Got to be this hasn’t it?

[chris_b]

 

57 minutes ago, Stealth said:

The problem is lower back pain and unfixable so I need I lighter bass.

For me light is anything under 9lbs. How light are you looking for?

[Reggaebass]

Steinberger basses are fairly light, I think they are around the 7.5 lb weight 

Edited April 23, 2021 by Reggaebass

[Happy Jack]

1 hour ago, Stealth said:

The problem is lower back pain and unfixable ...

 

There'll be no shortage of people recommending basses for you. Without knowing your target weight and of course your budget, I can't make any helpful suggestions so I'll ask instead, why "unfixable"?

Are you talking slipped disks and crushed vertebrae here?

 

[bassfan]

In all seriousness my Status S2 in very light compared to my jazzes. 

Edited April 23, 2021 by bassfan

[pineweasel]

Sandberg California TM4 Superlight, under 7lbs, great playability and sounds. 

Edited April 23, 2021 by pineweasel

[DubDelay]

I have an early 90s Mij Ibanez Sr800 that is very light.  Has active pickups and preamp though so they might not be your cup if tea.

[Grahambythesea]

A proper semi can be light, like Jack Cassidy, though not all. Some with centre blocks weigh as much as a solid.  My 2013 Gibson EB is only 3.5kg, not bad for a 5 string. I believe the more recent models (the ones with longer horns) are also very light. Any of the chambered bodied basses e.g. Maruszczyk are light too.

[Stealth]

The Lakland is 5.2kg PRS 4.3kg budget well depends really on who tells my wife !

Up to round -£1500

[stewblack]

2 hours ago, ezbass said:

Maruszczyk Elwood or Jake L, around the 3.25kg mark.

Yep. 

[Hellzero]

2 hours ago, Happy Jack said:

There'll be no shortage of people recommending basses for you. Without knowing your target weight and of course your budget, I can't make any helpful suggestions so I'll ask instead, why "unfixable"?

Are you talking slipped disks and crushed vertebrae here?

 

Totally agree with you Jack.

I have a severe back injury too.

Weight is a thing, but ergonomics is another often forgotten.

[TheLowDown]

Some Glarry and Gear4music are around 7lb for a 4 string

[NickD]

My Elwood L5 is alder and maple according to the spec sheet, but wearing it I'd swear it's balsa wood, feathers and helium.

[Killed_by_Death]

 

Get read to step away from traditional if you're serious about extra low-Mass instruments.

My EHB1500 is just over 3,000 Grams:

If you can handle the sound of a Hofner, they're probably half that:

 

[Tdw]

You could maybe get a 2nd hand status stealth with your budget and it would match your username too.

[Guest]

I’ll second the Ibanez EHB basses. Yamaha is another good option for light weight, good sounding basses. That pretty much covers the 5-strings.  I also have a couple very light weight Fenders. It took many weeks to find the right basses. All of those weigh under 8lbs with the EHB and my Sandblasted Jazz at or below 7lbs. 

[Woodinblack]

Depends on what you are looking for, My Ibanez EHB is the lightest of all of the basses (and probably the best), but the look is unconventional and if you are a P or J bass man, you might find it too far. I also have an Elwood L which obviously looks more conventional and is lighter than usual basses of its type with the chambering (and ultralight everything).

[Doddy]

Unless you really want a new bass, have you looked at strap options?  The Levys 3 1/2"- 4" straps take a weight and make my 9lb 10 bass feel way lighter. The Gruv Gear DuoStrap distributes the weight over both shoulders, and makes a huge difference if you're playing long sets. Alternatively, you could go all Anthony Jackson and play sitting down.