Someone to build me a lightweight custom body for a Musicman?

[d_g]

Hi all

 

I’m vaguely toying with the idea of getting a luthier to build me a lightweight replacement body for my Stingray 5 Classic - I love the bass but it’s incredibly heavy so am contemplating whether it’s possible to have a body build to get me closer into the 3.5-4kg region.

 

I’m sure that there are lots of luthiers that would do this so interested to hear recommendations, I am intending to speak to John Shuker but wondered whether there are any others I should look into.

 

thanks in advance 

[itu]

Consider scaling the body to 95 % or so a bit like Rhonda Smith. You can't see it, but it's there. If there are any ergonomic issues, this is the place to act.

[Happy Jack]

Paging @Andyjr1515

 

Andy built me an uber-lightweight 5-string active bass using Paulownia wood - essentially it's fancy balsa wood. 🤣

 

His craftsmanship is very well-established here on Basschat. 

[JPJ]

Calling @Andyjr1515 the king of the lightweight bass

[d_g]

49 minutes ago, JPJ said:

Calling @Andyjr1515 the king of the lightweight bass

@Happy Jack thanks both for this - I e never come across @Andyjr1515 - any links to builds or more info?

 

Thanks!

[Happy Jack]

1 hour ago, d_g said:

@Happy Jack thanks both for this - I e never come across @Andyjr1515 - any links to builds or more info?

 

Thanks!

 

 

[Matt P]

@Andyjr1515 also built me a wonderful lightweight 5 string singlecut, Thread Here 

And made a custom replacement body for a Fender rascal as well Thread Here

 

If you take a look in the Build diaries thread and sort by most viewed then most of Andy's wonderful creations appear in the first 2 pages!

 

Matt

[Andyjr1515]

Many thanks to @JPJ @Happy Jack and @Matt P for your endorsements    Count me as truly flattered 

 

However, with both bass/guitar and general life commitments, I'm not able to take on any new 'larger' projects at the moment.  I've pm'd @d_g to that effect and given him a couple of names (including the one he mentions in his first post) who I regard as "true builders' builders" to try.  I will follow the thread - sounds an exciting project

 

Edited June 5, 2024 by Andyjr1515

[Beedster]

On 03/06/2024 at 15:42, d_g said:

Hi all

 

I’m vaguely toying with the idea of getting a luthier to build me a lightweight replacement body for my Stingray 5 Classic - I love the bass but it’s incredibly heavy so am contemplating whether it’s possible to have a body build to get me closer into the 3.5-4kg region.

 

I’m sure that there are lots of luthiers that would do this so interested to hear recommendations, I am intending to speak to John Shuker but wondered whether there are any others I should look into.

 

thanks in advance 

I reckon you're going down a rabbit hole here Dan, you might spend a lot of money and wait a long time and still find it doesn't feel right (neck dive, different feel/sound etc). I injured my back a few years back lifting timber and had to wear a lumbar brace for a gig, amazing how it reduced the perceived weight of the basses (one of which was a lump). I wouldn't choose to do it all the time but it made me realise that there's a lot more to the perceived weight of the bass than the actual weight of the bass (my physio said the brace also altered my posture for the better which would have made a difference also). Have you tried alternatives, wider/heavier strap etc? 

[d_g]

Thanks @Andyjr1515

 

@Beedster thanks for that - I’m aware of all of that, at the ‘exploring options’ phase at the moment so just getting an idea of what might or might not be possible! 
 

I do use wide straps etc etc, thanks! 

[NancyJohnson]

On 03/06/2024 at 15:42, d_g said:

Hi all

 

I’m vaguely toying with the idea of getting a luthier to build me a lightweight replacement body for my Stingray 5 Classic - I love the bass but it’s incredibly heavy so am contemplating whether it’s possible to have a body build to get me closer into the 3.5-4kg region.

 

I’m sure that there are lots of luthiers that would do this so interested to hear recommendations, I am intending to speak to John Shuker but wondered whether there are any others I should look into.

 

thanks in advance 

 

I realise that this might counter a couple of posts above, but - assuming you want to retain a similar body shape - why not just source a Sterling/Sub and get a carpenter to hull out the body?  You could feasibly sell on the neck/hardware for a few ££.