Jazzbass, under £400...the hard bit - under 8.5lbs!

[Raslee]

So, i'm in the market for a 4 stringer jazz bass - budget is £400 tops, but quite happy for a £150 Harley Benton if it fits the bill.  I've scoured the For Sale section for a while now, however sadly pretty much everything is coming in over my weight limit - i have the glass back syndrome  and have been used to gigging basses under 8lbs, even including my 5 string. I've already got a Sire Jazz and switched the V7 body for a V3 to make it lighter...it's still heavy! I'm open to active or passive...key requirements = awesome for the money + lightweight - GO!

 

Any suggestions for a guaranteed lightweight jazz bass.???....already have decent straps and a disastrous history with a router

 

Cheers all.

Edited February 17, 2023 by Raslee

[Lw.]

Always difficult on weight at that price point because the manufacturer's either go down the bolsa wood route or some kind of ash that has its own gravitational pull and you never know which way they've gone until it arrives! 

 

You could try calling/going through the peach guitars website - they often take photos of the weight of their stock so you're not buying blind. 

 

I'm not really across lbs but this one looks close on weight & price. These 40th anniversary ones are apparently pretty good - I fancy one myself but I've already got a jazz on order from somewhere else! 

 

https://www.peachguitars.com/squier-vintage-edition-40th-anniversary-jazz-bass-maple-satin-seafoam-green.htm

[Raslee]

Many thanks - never heard of Peach Guitars. Those Squiers sure look nice, I think I’ll give them a call.

[Sibob]

Similar to LW’s point, off-the-shelf zat that price will probably also been a lot of variation in weights even if they’re the same body wood, so not many manufacturers will advertise the weight. Best thing is to try a bunch at Peach, GuitarGuitar, Bass Direct, Bass Gallery etc 
 

Si

[BlueMoon]

Secondhand Fender Aerodyne Jazz?  Made of basswood, so very light. Most are PJ configuration though.

 

Just a thought.

[Aidan63]

I have a nos Squier VM77 bas that I am pretty sure is 8.5lb but I am still recovering from Covid and not able to lay my hands on it and weigh it today, one of these....

 

image link

[TheGreek]

Many years ago I had a Fender AE - hollow body P basically. Not sure if Fender ever made a Jazz version but if your budget was bigger it wouldn't be beyond @Andyjr1515.

 

 

Alternatively you could get a Jazz body and have it chambered.

Edited February 18, 2023 by TheGreek

[Raslee]

Cheers all - I pulled the trigger earlier today on one of those Sadowsky express budget ones. Typically above my budget so hoping it turns out ok and isn’t reminiscent of their first dodgy batch. 

[Raslee]

I got lucky - under 8lbs! Thanks GuitarGuitar - fast delivery and a decent bass too…back of the net 😁

Edited February 20, 2023 by Raslee

[jassbass]

I tried a metro express, i liked it.Was surprised after the early not so good reviews. 

[Guest]

Sire Marcus Miller V5.

 

Fantastic feel and tone, lovely quality, bang on budget, 8.8lbs according the the review I was reading recently. Certainly my P5 is none too weighty.

 

 

Edited February 21, 2023 by Bassfinger
Embarassing typo