Seeking a very LIGHT weight, short-scale, 5-string.. Recs?

[JamieJbass]

Hi bass friends! Does anyone know of a company making exceptionally LIGHT weight bass guitars, that might offer a short-scale 5-string? Or a company that could custom make such a thing? I am a short/small person, and am dealing with a shoulder injury made worse by the weight of my bass, so I'm looking to downsize to a smaller / shorter scale and significantly LIGHTER bass, but am not willing to give up my 5th string... Would love to hear any recommendations anyone has??

 

[Stumbo]

Check out the 4-5 lb. California U•BASS® – Kala Brand Music Co.

 

[garp]

Ibanez miKro GSRM25. Scale is 28.6". It's not exceptionally light at around 8 pounds, but depending on what bass you'd be transitioning from, it could provide some relief. Some additional discussion on the miKro here and here. Good luck with your search.

 

[spade2you]

How short? I'm 5'5" on a good day and spent many years playing 35" scale 6 string basses. I have to be dead-on with ergonomic technique or I couldn't play them.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Not sure on the weight but I just found out about these.

 

[Sid the Kid]

Kiesel makes their Vader bass in short scale. It is headless so your left shoulder won’t have to support the weight of a headstock and the tuners are the bridge so no awkward reach to tune. With proper wood selection and/or a call to the shop they can probably make you one around or under 7#.

 

[Yogi Bear]

Birdsong

 

[lucas303]

Mensinger Cazpar passive five-string is just over 7 lbs.

 

[Jim Ingraham]

Rob Allen Mouse..should come in at about 6lbs...pricey though

 

[TrustRod]

Ibanez miKro GSRM25. Scale is 28.6". It's not exceptionally light at around 8 pounds

I have the same scale 5 string (28.6") in the ESP B5-JR but mine weighs 6 pounds 2 ounces.

I'm surprised your Mikro is that heavy, my friend has the 4 string version and it's a feather.

 

[skycruiser]

Acoustic short-scale (25.5") 5-string at 5.5lbs

Magma Strings

 

[mobeme23]

+1 on the Serek recommendation.
i don't have a 5'er (yet), but my Midwestern 2 is lightweight and very playable.

here is a solid review: Serek Midwestern II 5

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Rob Allen makes an interesting Short Scale either Fretted or Fret-less. & 6 Lbs.
Mouse 30-5 gallery — Rob Allen

 

[salcott]

I have a 4 string Serek Midwestern 2 and would have no hesitation in recommending Jake's work.

 

[Inara]

Kiesel makes their Vader bass in short scale. It is headless so your left shoulder won’t have to support the weight of a headstock and the tuners are the bridge so no awkward reach to tune. With proper wood selection and/or a call to the shop they can probably make you one around or under 7#.

This was my first thought as well, and also they offer a chambered body option on the Vader

 

[Cutter8]

MUCKELROY!!!

Muckelroys are as good as any basses made, and Brady is a great guy who is a pleasure to deal with. The three basses below are all 32” scale 5-strings. The HMC5 on the right, which is my all time #1 bass, weighs just under 6.5lbs! The fretless HMC5 on the left came in a little under 7.5lbs, (due largely to having a Dymondwood fingerboard), and the Charger model in the middle weighed in a little over 7.5lbs (but that has a slightly larger body size than the HMC’s).

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

Hi bass friends! Does anyone know of a company making exceptionally LIGHT weight bass guitars, that might offer a short-scale 5-string? Or a company that could custom make such a thing? I am a short/small person, and am dealing with a shoulder injury made worse by the weight of my bass, so I'm looking to downsize to a smaller / shorter scale and significantly LIGHTER bass, but am not willing to give up my 5th string... Would love to hear any recommendations anyone has??

Kiesel will build you a 30” Vader 5 string bass to spec, and you can choose light woods and chambering to really reduce the weight.

The Ibanez GSRM25 mikro short scale 5 string is a beast, at $200.

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

MUCKELROY!!!

Muckelroys are as good as any basses made, and Brady is a great guy who is a pleasure to deal with. The three basses below are all 32” scale 5-strings. The HMC5 on the right, which is my all time #1 bass, weighs just under 6.5lbs! The fretless HMC5 on the left came in a little under 7.5lbs, (due largely to having a Dymondwood fingerboard), and the Charger model in the middle weighed in a little over 7.5lbs (but that has a slightly larger body size than the HMC’s).

View attachment 3494980
View attachment 3494979

Wow those are beautiful!

I was going to mention Brady as well. He made me a 30” 4 string that weighs a little over 5 lbs. It was originally going to be a five string short scale, so I know he’d do one of those.

 

[Cutter8]

Wow those are beautiful!

I was going to mention Brady as well. He made me a 30” 4 string that weighs a little over 5 lbs. It was originally going to be a five string short scale, so I know he’d do one of those.View attachment 3495041View attachment 3495042

Beautiful bass!

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

Beautiful bass!

thank you!