Classic Vibe quandary

[Panamajack666]

Hi all, 

 

First post here on Bass chat, nice to meet you all! I've been a lurker for a while! 

 

I have a classic vibe jazz bass (70s) which I like but it's pretty heavy coming in at 10.5lbs. However, I love the neck on it which has some lovely Birdseye in it and it feels great. I'd argue the finish quality on the neck is better than my 1 of 46 AVRI jazz!

 

I really dislike the weight as I suffer with a bad back and it's painful after a long gig! It sounds great though...

 

Considering my options... Do I just go buy or swap for a P Bass with someone or alternatively, just find a lighter body for the Jazz? 

 

I cannot stress how much I love the neck on the jazz and I'm not bothered about stuff like resale value. I'd probably prefer a P Bass.

 

I was recently swooning over Capri orange Japanese p bass which I think someone on here owns...

 

Is there anywhere anyone can recommend that sells finished Jazz/P Bass bodies?

 

Also, show me yer classic vibe bass's whilst I'm here! 😍

[gjones]

I've bought a few bodies and necks from The Stratosphere over the last few years. You do have to pay postage and duty but the stuff I've bought has been top notch.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_dkr=1&iconV2Request=true&_blrs=recall_filtering&_ssn=thestratosphere&store_cat=0&store_name=thestratosphere&_oac=1&_nkw=jazz bass body

[jrixn1]

If you like the neck, put together a bass around it rather than get a completely different bass which might not have as nice a neck.

 

Here is my bass.  The neck is lovely to play and is from a Classic Vibe Late 60s jazz.  The body is from a Vintage Modified PJ; it's agathis and is particularly light.  With Hipshot Ultralites the complete bass is 3.1kg and balances fine.

 

[Panamajack666]

12 hours ago, jrixn1 said:

If you like the neck, put together a bass around it rather than get a completely different bass which might not have as nice a neck.

 

Here is my bass.  The neck is lovely to play and is from a Classic Vibe Late 60s jazz.  The body is from a Vintage Modified PJ; it's agathis and is particularly light.  With Hipshot Ultralites the complete bass is 3.1kg and balances fine.

 

I love the look of this! This is exactly what I need really - it's just sourcing the body that's difficult I s'pose! I like the look of the store GJones has posted but I'm not thrilled at the thought of paying import fees etc

[Geek99]

Try one with an opaque colour, possibly lighter less pretty wood 

[jrixn1]

36 minutes ago, Panamajack666 said:

it's just sourcing the body that's difficult I s'pose!

 

One approach is to buy a complete bass and then sell the neck on. Apparently the poplar-bodied Squier Sonic precisions are lightweight.  E.g. https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/497371-nbd-squier-sonic-p/ 

Or perhaps https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176592471436 which says 3.7kg.

 

Ultralites will further reduce the weight by about 150g and improve the overall balance which is important with light bodies - https://btnmusic.co.uk/products/hipshot-licensed-hb6-ultralite-bass-machine-heads?variant=47499564253508

 

[neepheid]

Has anyone asked what kind of strap is being used?  You know, before the rush to mod this, and mod that...

Edited October 14 by neepheid

[itsmedunc]

I’m another with a built P Bass. Mex body, Classic Vibe Jazz neck. Weighs in a little under 9lb. The necks are superb. 

[OliverBlackman]

Warmoth sell separate parts or can build them to your spec. They even show the weight of the bodies already in stock. Only ever heard good things from those that have bought them.

 

Also P bass bodies can be just as heavy as J bass bodies.

Edited October 14 by OliverBlackman

[Boodang]

A lightweight chambered Warmoth body would do the job or.... you could always get the body you have chambered by a local luthier. 

[Panamajack666]

1 hour ago, jrixn1 said:

 

One approach is to buy a complete bass and then sell the neck on. Apparently the poplar-bodied Squier Sonic precisions are lightweight.  E.g. https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/497371-nbd-squier-sonic-p/ 

Or perhaps https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176592471436 which says 3.7kg.

 

Ultralites will further reduce the weight by about 150g and improve the overall balance which is important with light bodies - https://btnmusic.co.uk/products/hipshot-licensed-hb6-ultralite-bass-machine-heads?variant=47499564253508

 

I quite like this idea - I didn't know that the poplar body Squiers tend to be light, some good wisdom there. It will help in trying to narrow down what to buy!

[Panamajack666]

1 hour ago, neepheid said:

Has anyone asked what kind of strap is being used?  You know, before the rush to mod this, and mod that...

Yeah, it's a fair point. I've come from a guitar background so was using thin vintage style guitar straps. However, they obviously proved to be an issue fairly quickly so I've gone to a wideish suede strap which has helped massively...

 

However, even with that, my back was killing me after a 2+ hour gig the other week which has prompted me to seek alternatives.

 

I don't have the same issues with my full fat American Jazz Bass

[Panamajack666]

55 minutes ago, OliverBlackman said:

Warmoth sell separate parts or can build them to your spec. They even show the weight of the bodies already in stock. Only ever heard good things from those that have bought them.

 

Also P bass bodies can be just as heavy as J bass bodies.

This is another great point - I've had Warmoth guitars before. I didn't realise they listed the weight on the website!

 

Yeah, I understand Jazz and P bodies will be similar generally. There are boat anchors in both variants!

[Norris]

44 minutes ago, Panamajack666 said:

... so I've gone to a wideish suede strap which has helped massively...

 

However, even with that, my back was killing me after a 2+ hour gig the other week...

You'll probably get a lot of strap suggestions as well as for bodies, donor bass models, etc. I'll just say that I have used a "Comfort Strapp" for decades with many basses of various weights and have never had any back issues. They are made of elastic and thick neoprene and I wouldn't use anything else. You'll probably want the XL size though, and I don't wear mine very low.

 

Excellent call by @neepheid and a very cheap option to explore 👍

[Geek99]

2 hours ago, neepheid said:

Has anyone asked what kind of strap is being used?  You know, before the rush to mod this, and mod that...

Yes, try one knitted by pixies from

purest spider web, with buckles and fittings made from fairy-silver. Or one with a fender badge on it, which is much the same thing 

[neepheid]

3 minutes ago, Geek99 said:

Yes, try one knitted by pixies from

purest spider web, with buckles and fittings made from fairy-silver. Or one with a fender badge on it, which is much the same thing 

 

Now now, dinna be flippant, we are actually trying to help here...

 

[Geek99]

Flippant? Moi?

perish the thought .. 

[StingRayBoy42]

4 hours ago, Panamajack666 said:

Yeah, it's a fair point. I've come from a guitar background so was using thin vintage style guitar straps. However, they obviously proved to be an issue fairly quickly so I've gone to a wideish suede strap which has helped massively...

 

However, even with that, my back was killing me after a 2+ hour gig the other week which has prompted me to seek alternatives.

 

I don't have the same issues with my full fat American Jazz Bass

I use Mono Betty straps and thoroughly reccomend them.

Edited October 14 by StingRayBoy42

[Geek99]

4 hours ago, Panamajack666 said:

Yeah, it's a fair point. I've come from a guitar background so was using thin vintage style guitar straps.

Witch ! Fetch the kindling 

[Marc S]

I had 2 Classic Vibe P basses. And both were absolutely lovely basses. The necks on both were really really nice, particularly on the earliest model (China made) pale blue P.

 

I think the approach of keeping the neck you like, and finding a lightweight body to use it with, is a good solution.

 

If you have a P and a J body, from the same factory, made of the same wood, usually the J body would be slightly heavier, due to its size & shape. Sorry if this sounds obvious.... If you like a hint of J sound, then you could seek out a Squier PJ body. Perhaps even adapt that to take 2x J pickups, if that's your thing? EDIT: There is a PJ model in the Indonesian "Vintage Modified" series.

 

I've owned a couple of Jazz basses, the lightest being a lovely Roadworn series. I'm sure I once spotted lightweight bass bodies on eBay? But you could look at the suggestion above, and enquire about chambering the one you have.

 

Let us know how you get on.

Edited October 14 by Marc S

[Panamajack666]

Thread update!

 

I've just taken delivery of a replacement bass for my heavy Jazz bass... I decided to go for a P Bass Squier Classic Vibe in Antiqua Burst!

 

First point of order... I ordered from GAK. They forgot about my order and it was only when I prompted them with a "where's my order?" message that they prompted their warehouse to send my bass. They also were unable to weigh the bass for me ahead of purchase so I had to take a risk.

 

First world problems but I do think the best way to test a retailer is buy a cheap guitar and see how they handle the order. GAK now fall into box shifter category for me... Very different from my experience with Guitar Village recently who weighed every single model they had in of a £250 guitar prior to me ordering to ensure I'd be happy!

 

I am a picky bastard when it comes to weights but generally don't get hung up on other stuff as everything else can be fixed!

 

I don't want to judge GAK too harshly though, I'd still order from them, just a bit disappointing the order didn't arrive when their website said it would! They were quick to deal with it when I chased them!

 

On to the bass itself... Poplar body. I read plenty of tonewood debates prior to ordering. Generally negative views of poplar (cheap, not as good as ash/alder, budget wood like basswood, generally quite light weight,etc). Generally, I couldn't care less about all that stuff. Most of it doesn't matter in my opinion (controversial!)

 

Thankfully this model weighs in at 8.5lb! I'm happy with that! The classic vibe Jazz I had comes in at nearly 11lbs!

 

It feels great. Now strung with some GHS flatwounds. 

 

No build quality issues at all. Very impressed for £389! 

 

Personally I love the colour... Definitely marmite though! My other P Bass is purple sparkle... I feel like that sets an expectation rocking up to a gig with that! 😂 Nobody expects to be amazed by my bass playing when I rock up with something that looks like yer nans living room sofa! 😂

 

All in all, very happy with the purchase! I'll do a video in due course! 

[Panamajack666]

Antigua pics!

[diskwave]

For what its worth I had an early Mex RW jazz bass. Im not a jazz bass fan but it was a stunning instrument. 8IIbs on the dot and felt kinda thin and super balanced. If you ever find one, at least take a look, great instrument.

[miles'tone]

Congrats mate, Looks ace! That finish looks superb 👌

Nothing wrong with poplar btw. I used to have an American Ernie Ball Stingray that had a poplar body. That bass killed!

Happy NBD 🙂

[EJWW]

14 hours ago, Panamajack666 said:

Thread update!

 

I've just taken delivery of a replacement bass for my heavy Jazz bass... I decided to go for a P Bass Squier Classic Vibe in Antiqua Burst!

 

First point of order... I ordered from GAK. They forgot about my order and it was only when I prompted them with a "where's my order?" message that they prompted their warehouse to send my bass. They also were unable to weigh the bass for me ahead of purchase so I had to take a risk.

 

First world problems but I do think the best way to test a retailer is buy a cheap guitar and see how they handle the order. GAK now fall into box shifter category for me... Very different from my experience with Guitar Village recently who weighed every single model they had in of a £250 guitar prior to me ordering to ensure I'd be happy!

 

I am a picky bastard when it comes to weights but generally don't get hung up on other stuff as everything else can be fixed!

 

I don't want to judge GAK too harshly though, I'd still order from them, just a bit disappointing the order didn't arrive when their website said it would! They were quick to deal with it when I chased them!

 

On to the bass itself... Poplar body. I read plenty of tonewood debates prior to ordering. Generally negative views of poplar (cheap, not as good as ash/alder, budget wood like basswood, generally quite light weight,etc). Generally, I couldn't care less about all that stuff. Most of it doesn't matter in my opinion (controversial!)

 

Thankfully this model weighs in at 8.5lb! I'm happy with that! The classic vibe Jazz I had comes in at nearly 11lbs!

 

It feels great. Now strung with some GHS flatwounds. 

 

No build quality issues at all. Very impressed for £389! 

 

Personally I love the colour... Definitely marmite though! My other P Bass is purple sparkle... I feel like that sets an expectation rocking up to a gig with that! 😂 Nobody expects to be amazed by my bass playing when I rock up with something that looks like yer nans living room sofa! 😂

 

All in all, very happy with the purchase! I'll do a video in due course! 

Excellent!

That body wood issue is a load of bo11ox IMHO, and with classic Fender type instruments should be ignored. 

I love the Antigua finish. 

You simply cannot go wrong with a P bass. Ok it doesn't have the tonal options of 2 pickup instruments but they are usually a nice weight of 4kg or less, reassuringly substantial and comfortable neck, and a provide a standard sound that will serve you well in so many genres.

Those GHS flats will provide you with a luscious, classic fat bass tone but if you want to switch back to rounds it's no biggie.

I've just switched from rounds back to an old set of flats again on my CV P bass (poplar body) and it's a pleasure to play.