Ajoten

I need a little practice amp to take the place of my acoustic bass - so doesn't need to be any louder really, playing-along-with-the-stereo volume. It needs to be small so I can whip it out from behind the sofa kinda thing. Are these Blackstar Fly or Eden Micro Tour amps worth considering or are they just gimmicky daft?

In case anyone stumbles over this thread in the search for featherweight basses: As a little follow-up, over the w/e I tried a few new and used basses vaguely around the same price and found: a thru-neck Peavey Cirrus 4 that was really good and really light (v tempted), a pointy Jackson that was light (and v tempted for 80s nostaglia reasons), Ibanez SR600 (obviously v v light and I was surprised how acceptable I found the narrow skinny neck), a Yamaha RBX that wasn't quite in the same league in terms of weight and playability, a Cort thingy that felt good but a bit lacking in character/appeal, and a Gibson EB4 which was loads lighter than I was expecting and said "Gibson" on it hurrah, but the design and build quality wasn't up to ANY of the others. I don't know if it's because I'm so used to playing 13lbs of bass, but all would have done the job tbh, and it is great how you can get such a choice of fab basses for that kind of money. But even though I was prepared to spend a tad more, I walked out with an SR505. The ONLY drawback with it is the dodgy colour, but I went with it anyway. The 5 because wanted the extra neck substance and was still 1lb lighter (in more ways than 1) than the 1-string-fewer-and-identical-hardware SR600. FWIW the 2nd choice would have been the Peavey. So thanks to everyone who chipped in here, it meant I took seriously some options I'd never have thought of otherwise. And the bonkers weight and quality of the Ibanezes is exactly as everyone says, so I didn't feel there was any compromise.

Thanks for you comments, everyone. Heavy bass is sold and search for new lightster has begun. @Dan Dare, I did like my bass, but it wasn't just playing it but carting it about that had started to do my head in.

I reckon your Nanyo 5er is a lot lighter than you estimate. Still for sale?

Physio ongoing and awaiting MRI scan. Irrespective of whether bass is the cause or not, it's not helping and I've started to dread just carting the thing about. And who knows exactly how body parts interact with each other and how one part adjusts given strain in another, with neck turned to look at fretting hand at same time etc. 2-shoulder strap is a good thought in that respect.

Thanks everyone for the excellent suggestions. The non-light bass now for sale, replacement choice depends on proceeds of course...

Further investigation suggests Traben can be light (if paulownia wood). Any experience of those?

Flimsy, that's how it will feel

Well given my budget is whatever I can sell my P for, sadly I don't think I can act on that recommendation!

I get VERY confused with these SR things as there seem to be millions of different models. How does it work, higher the number the higher the spec? And/or any giveaways in the model code as to the lighter versions?

My mate John, as it happens. But I too struggle with the Mick McCarthy thing (that his name?). It's the robustness that bothers me most however.

I know what you mean re strap and neck dive, I was just wondering if a lighter body makes it a tad harder to control. The other one on the radar is the Yamaha RBX A2 btw. Spose I need to buckle down and sell the thing. This thread isn't helping with that!

Can't really grumble about its balance. FYI Mike Dirnt MIM Precision. Probably the nicest bass I've ever played tbh. Will have to play it sat down for a few weeks and see if things improve. Not very rock n roll.

Recently I have been suffering from painful tendons in right shoulder and elbow - Dr reckons rotator cuff thing. My bass weighs 13lbs. Is that particularly heavy? And even then, given the weight is supported by wide strap on the painless shoulder, it might have nowt to do with it. Any road up, I am musing on getting something nice and light - that won't neck dive. I'd expect Steinbergery things to fit the bill, but what else should be on the shortlist? Apparently Danelectros are light, but it might be that the lighter the body the divier the neck. Andrew

I have Silver Slaps on. The thing only cost me £350, I bet proper luthier work be a healthy %age of that. I was wondering if cutting/filing down the notches c. 1cm be worth a pop (and more commensurate with its value). (I understand how personal, and instrument-specific, setups can be, but I'm still surprised there appears to be NO used bridge market. Or market for different height new bridges.)

Definitive or not, it sounds like mine is horribly wrong. Which is good in a way, I thought it was just me being rubbish.

Never having played a DB until I got one a few months ago, I have no concept of what range is considered "normal" action (do we say "action" in bass viol world?). I was reading elsewhere someone set theirs up so at "12th fret" spot it 5mm. Mine is 15mm... 21mm at the end of fingerboard. Do I just have to man up, or do I take a hacksaw to the bridge? (Any DB forummers in the Chilterns btw?)

I'd be foolish not to give that a go really.

Rather than start new thread I'm going to chip in here. I currently have no need to amp my bass but would like to experiment anyway. In a very very cheap way. Has anyone had any success with a £10 transducer or tie clip mic thing?