Virgin Dog Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 I'm playing more and more gigs that run over two hours. As much as I love my Thunderbird, it kills my shoulder by the end of the night. Can anyone recommend a hollowbody or otherwise light 5-string? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Gollihur Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 http://www.eclecticbass.com/spectorcore300.jpgMy Spector Spectorcore fiver is quite light and a decent playing bass, tho I don't see any details in your profile to know if its feature set would jive with your needs. 1000 Upright Bass Links, Luthier Directory, Teacher Directory - http://www.gollihurmusic.com/links.cfm [highlight] - Life is too short for bad tone - [/highlight] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicklab Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 The easiest fix for this is for you to get a better strap. Go a bit wider, and with some padding. It's always easier to get a strap that might cost you anywhere from $30 - $75. Finding a bass that works in your hands is a little more difficult. Hollowbody 5 strings aren't exactly a huge part of the 5 string bass market. But there are some boutique bass builders that are chambering the bodies of their basses in order to make them a bit lighter. The thing is, they don't exactly come cheap. Obligatory Social Media Link "My concern is, and I have to, uh, check with my accountant, that this might bump me into a higher, uh, tax..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 The easiest fix for this is .... A stool. Just half kidding. A wide strap is a good place to start, but the strap only helps if it's your shoulder that hurts. Don't bother with that funny dual strap gizmo; it hangs the bass too far to the left making it a silly long stretch to that first fret. Me? I have to sit down; no two ways about it. We'll see what happens in the spring after the replacement parts come in.... Things are just the way they are, and they're only going to get worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wraub Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 First thought is Rob Allen basses. http://www.roballenguitars.com/ Peace, wraub I'm a lot more like I am now than I was when I got here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groove Mama Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 The easiest fix for this is for you to get a better strap. Go a bit wider, and with some padding. Right on. The Comfort Strapp made all the difference for me. Queen of the Quarter Note "Think like a drummer, not like a singer, and play much less." -- Michele C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberto Rigoni Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 the lightest bass I've ever tried is the Dingwall ABZ 5. Swamp ash body and maple neck. I really love it. Also Elrick basses are very light Alberto Rigoni - bass player & composer http://www.albertorigoni.net http://www.ladyandthebass.com http://www.twinspirits.net http://www.kimbingham.com http://www.vivaldimetalproject.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 based on the general lack of a top horn on the thunderbird, perhaps a more ergonomic bass is more in order than a specifically lighter weight bass. peavey cirrus or similarly horned? http://www.imusician.co.uk/acatalog/00069929.jpg notice how the horn extends to nearly the 12th fret. perhaps something like this is what you should be looking for. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 What about an Ibanez? They are relatively inexpensive and have small bodies. This one is only $349.99. And it's blue. http://www.sweetwater.com/images/guitars/SR305MSLB/211P01101215605/211P01101215605-front-m.jpg Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virgin Dog Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 Excellent suggestions all! I've got a wide, padded strap already, so I figure the next thing to try is a lighter bass. Or start playing more reasonable gigs! The Rob Allen basses look interesting.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Perhaps something from the Daisy Rock collection : http://www.activebass.com/images/store/small/DR_14-6121L.gif "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russkull Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Perhaps something from the Daisy Rock collection : Wow, strong contender! But it's only a four string, so I think it won't make his list.... "Of all the world's bassists, I'm one of them!" - Lug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azucar4u Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 No pain no Gain!! start doing weights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Perhaps something from the Daisy Rock collection : http://www.activebass.com/images/store/small/DR_14-6121L.gif I dunno. The short horn would make for some nasty neck dive. Yes. I know. Short Horn. Good name for a band. Things are just the way they are, and they're only going to get worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Excellent suggestions all! I've got a wide, padded strap already, so I figure the next thing to try is a lighter bass. Or start playing more reasonable gigs! The Rob Allen basses look interesting.... They are pretty amazing. I have a short scale Mouse and it sounds very much like a mic'ed up upright. More than my EUB did actually. They have a great sound. I know guys use them in all genres, but I don't know that I would choose to do that. It nails the upright thing do jazz that's for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virgin Dog Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 Exactly. And if I were going to go Daisy Rock, I'd get the butterfly. http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/1/1/5/271115.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danzilla Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 My Lakland Darryl Jones model 5-string is quite light, especially in comparison to the Les Paul 5. Virgin Dog, if you were closer, I'd trade you, as I've always wanted a 5 string Thunderbird. "Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) NEW band Old band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassin bill Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 callowhill made someone a 5.2 lb 30" scale 5 string out of torrified wood. you could contact them. they are in Pa. kala ubass 5 string is the lightest you will get anywhere but it's a whole different ball game. i have one and it's usable. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassin bill Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 i got a couple of lightweight cheap straps at sam ash. the are kind of like leather on the top and bottom but inside is rolled padding. i think they were about $20 each and are my new favorite strap. really soft and very supportive. kind of like an old girlfriend... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 bassin' bill, that's really good if you can get old girlfriends to support you! LOL I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Just happened to find out this: http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2009/03/31/new-f-light-bass-from-rees/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassteamer Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 How about a Fender Aerodyne P+J? They're lightweight, classy looking, and 5 strings are available, but rare. There's 1 on eBay right now (out of Japan). Other than that, for the money, I'd go with an Ibanez SR series model... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassteamer Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 P.S. I have a Rob Allen Mouse (30" 4 string fretless)and I love it! Excellent quality, and really light..like 6 or 7 pounds. The only bass I've played that was lighter was a German Hofner 500/1, and it had crazy neck dive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virgin Dog Posted October 23, 2011 Author Share Posted October 23, 2011 How about a Fender Aerodyne P+J? They're lightweight, classy looking, and 5 strings are available, but rare. There's 1 on eBay right now (out of Japan). Other than that, for the money, I'd go with an Ibanez SR series model... The Aerodyne is a great idea. I didn't know they made a 5-string. Thanks for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virgin Dog Posted October 23, 2011 Author Share Posted October 23, 2011 Virgin Dog, if you were closer, I'd trade you, as I've always wanted a 5 string Thunderbird. I had heard that Gibson stopped making the 5-string, so I bought a second one. It was even better than the first. Just this week, I ran into a a Gibson employee who said that they're still making the 5. It's nowhere to be seen on their web site though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicklab Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Weird. I saw it the Thunderbird 5 string (Studio) on at least one online dealer's site. Obligatory Social Media Link "My concern is, and I have to, uh, check with my accountant, that this might bump me into a higher, uh, tax..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 based on the general lack of a top horn on the thunderbird, perhaps a more ergonomic bass is more in order than a specifically lighter weight bass. peavey cirrus or similarly horned? http://www.imusician.co.uk/acatalog/00069929.jpg notice how the horn extends to nearly the 12th fret. perhaps something like this is what you should be looking for. I thought this was a valuable bit of advice that seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle. A bass with a longer top horn, as robb. suggests, might offer similar benefits to a lights instrument. Peace. --SW spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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