The weight of a bass guitar can have a direct influence on how comfortable it is to play. Especially if you’re playing live and/or standing up, performing with a heavy instrument may easily have an impact on your shoulders and even affect your performance.
There are a few models of bass guitars that aim to solve this problem in different ways. Some of them feature a smaller size and/or a shorter scale, like the Squier by Fender Bronco Bass; Others a hollowed body, like it, is the case with the famous Hofner IGNITION Violin Bass.
Today, we are making a product roundup of 7 instruments to find the best lightweight bass guitar. We will also, at the end of this article, give you a few tips and tricks on how you as a player can make your bass feel lighter and more comfortable.
Tip: You may also like to check out to our Best Bass Guitar guide to learn about more products that could fit what you’re looking for.
Among 7 Products, We Found the Hofner IGNITION Violin Bass to be The Best Lightweight Bass Guitar
The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 was our Budget Choice
Best Lightweight Bass Guitar – In-Depth Review
Table of Contents
- Fender Aerodyne Jazz Electric Bass Guitar
- Hofner IGNITION Violin Bass
- Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar
- Traveler Guitar 4-String Bass Guitar
- Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4
- Squier by Fender Bronco Bass
- Gold Tone ME-BassFL
1. Fender Aerodyne Jazz Electric Bass Guitar
The Fender Aerodyne Jazz Electric Bass is a slightly modified version of the Jazz Bass. It weighs about 7 pounds, being significantly lighter than the 10 pounds of the traditional model. It also has a few special features regarding tone, such as a combination of the Precision and Jazz pickups for optimal versatility.
Product Specifications
- 4 Strings
- Weight: 7 Pounds
- Available in 1 Color
- 1 J Bass and 1 P Bass Pickups
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- As we mentioned, this model is significantly lighter than the traditional Jazz Bass, weighing almost 4 pounds less.
- There is a combination of the Jazz and Precision pickups in this instrument so it’s very versatile.
- Unlike the traditional Jazz Bass, the design of the Aerodyne has flat edges which may make it more comfortable to play while sitting down.
- We gotta say that the all-black color in this instrument looks amazing.
- The Aerodyne has a fast-action neck, especially good for bassists who prioritize speed and agility while playing.
Cons
- Only available in one color.
Conclusion
The Aerodyne looks beautiful. Not only that, but it has a few advantages over the traditional Jazz Bass if you favor comfort. To start off, it is significantly lighter. Plus, the design is more anatomical with its flat edges and excellent if you play while sitting down.
We also like the fact that it has both a Jazz and a Precision pickups, making it one of the most versatile bass guitars on the list. You can’t go wrong with this one, but we also recommend you try the Bronco Bass due to its short scale.
2. Hofner IGNITION Violin Bass
The Hofner IGNITION Violin Bass has a unique look that has been popularized by the one and only Paul McCartney. This instrument has a hollow body and a small size if compared to other instruments, all of which contribute to the lightweight of the Violin Bass. Plus, the tone is unique.
Product Specifications
- 4 Strings
- Weight: 5 Pounds (Approximately)
- Available in 1 Color
- 2 Hofner Staple Humbucker Pickups
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- This bass guitar is one of the most lightweight ones on the list, weighing only 5 pounds. This is due to its hollow body.
- Similarly, the hollow body, in combination with the pickups, gives this instrument a very unique and distinctive sound. It sounds very natural and acoustic.
- The looks of this bass guitar is pretty unique too.
- The flat edges design makes it very comfortable to play while sitting down.
- Sounds particularly great with flatwound strings.
Cons
- The bridge is a bit complex to adjust.
Conclusion
This is a unique instrument, not only because of its looks but also due to it being one of the most lightweight bass guitars in the market. Tone-wise, it is very focused on the bottom-end so it may not be your thing if you’re into more mid-range heavy bass sounds. Regardless, the Hofner IGNITION Violin Bass is a very versatile and comfortable bass guitar.
Tip: If you have smaller hands, it may be hard to find the perfect instrument. Our Best Bass Guitar for Small Hands article may be useful in that case.
3. Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar
At first glance, you can see that this instrument is different from most other bass guitars. The Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light is a bass guitar, as the name implies, focused on those who are frequently on the move and looking for something very compact. The design is curious, as there isn’t any headstock.
Product Specifications
- 4 Strings
- Weight: 3 Pounds
- Available in 2 Colors
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- This bass guitar only weighs 3 pounds. It also has a small size and design so you can easily take it with you when traveling.
- Comes bundled with a carrying bag.
- The lap rest is detachable and it makes the experience much more comfortable when playing while sitting down.
- Can be both used as an acoustic and an electric instrument.
- The tone is very natural, acoustic-like sounding, even when plugged in.
- The instrument fits airline overhead bins with the included carrying bag.
Cons
- None that we found.
Conclusion
This is an excellent choice for bassists on the go. Weighing only 3 pounds, it doesn’t get lighter than that when it comes to bass guitars. The Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light also has a detachable lap rest for optimal comfort when playing while sitting down.
While the instrument may not be the most versatile, especially for music genres like rock, the tone of it is quite pleasing, with a rounded bottom-end, acoustic-like, natural sound. It is definitely a model to consider if you’re into that.
4. Traveler Guitar 4-String Bass Guitar
Another model from Traveler Guitar, this one is aimed at those who desire a more electric tone, rather than acoustic. It offers some interesting features such as a built-in headphone amp with an aux-in for practicing on the go and includes a deluxe gig bag that can be fitted into airline overhead bins.
Product Specifications
- 4 Strings
- Weight: 7 Pounds
- Available in 2 Colors
- Duncan Designed MM-01 Pickups
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- This bass guitar weighs only 7 pounds.
- The Duncan Designed MM-01 pickups sound great right out of the box and won’t need any upgrades.
- The body is made out of alder, a high-quality type of wood and hard to find in that price range.
- This instrument is amazing for those who need a portable option to practice while traveling too.
- The format of the body is anatomical and very comfortable to play while sitting down.
Cons
- Some reviewers related that the tuning peg stopped functioning after a few days.
Conclusion
Like its previously reviewed acoustic counterpart, this bass from Traveler Guitar is as portable as it can get when it comes to the instrument. If you travel a lot and need an easy solution for practice that can also be used on stage, this might be it. We also like the fact that the factory pickups are very high quality and you probably won’t need to upgrade them.
5. Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4
This bass guitar from Sterling by Music Man really caught our eye as it is very well-reviewed across the internet. It isn’t as expensive as some other models but it seems to have a very good value for the price. It is also available in 8 colors and 4 and 5 strings versions, depending on your preference.
Product Specifications
- 4 Strings
- Weight: 9 Pounds
- Available in 8 Colors
- 1 Humbucker Pickup
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- While not as lightweight as some other options on the list, it is still lighter than most other models such as the Precision Bass from Fender.
- This bass guitar is available in 8 colors so there’s one for everyone. Note that some of them are only available in 4 or 5 strings versions.
- The pickup is active and has a built-in EQ with volume, treble, and bass control.
- The shape of the body is very anatomical and comfortable, especially its edges.
- You can check that it is very well-reviewed across the internet.
- Great value for the price. While there are more affordable models, the quality you get with this one is amazing.
Cons
- None that we found.
Conclusion
This is one of the bass guitars with the best value for price on the market in your opinion. The quality Sterling by Music Man put into this instrument is amazing. We also like the fact that it is available in 8 colors and 4 and 5 strings versions. It is not as lightweight if compared to others on the list, but it is still very light.
Tip: If you’re just starting out with the instrument and need a high-quality budget model, consider taking a look at our Best Bass Guitar Under 100 article.
6. Squier by Fender Bronco Bass
The Bronco Bass from Squier (the entry-level, more affordable line from Fender) has a unique smaller body and a short scale, which consequently makes it more lightweight than other models such as the Precision Bass. Not only that, but the tone in this instrument is very unique too.
Product Specifications
- 4 Strings
- Weight: 9 Pounds
- Available in 2 Colors
- 1 Single-Coil Pickup
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- The small size of the body and the short scale make it not only lightweight but very comfortable to play, especially if you have small hands.
- Similarly, the C-shaped slim profile neck is very pleasant to hold as well.
- The Bronco Bass single-coil pickups give this instrument a unique tone. It has a lot of bite on the midrange and the highs. This is especially good if you’re playing music genres like rock.
- Very affordable price.
Cons
- Only one pickup.
Conclusion
The Squier by Fender Bronco Bass is a great budget option for lightweight bass guitar. It has a lot of features that prioritize the comfort of the player, such as the small body and the C-shaped slim profile neck. The sound and tone of it are also very unique and great for those who play genres such as rock.
7. Gold Tone ME-BassFL
Our last model on the list, the Gold Tone ME-BassFL, is an unusual one. As you can see at first glance, it is not a traditional bass guitar but rather a ukulele bass. It uses different strings from conventional models and has a reduced size mahogany wood body, which makes it very portable.
Product Specifications
- Fretless Bass
- 4 Strings
- Weight: 6 Pounds
- Available in 1 Colors
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- The sound of the Gold Tone ME-BassFL is completely unique. It has a pleasant and very round bottom-end. While it may not be the best thing if you’re into genres like rock n roll, you will certainly be pleased if mellow tones are your thing.
- The body is entirely made out of mahogany, a very high-quality type of wood.
- This is a fretless bass, meaning it doesn’t have any frets across the fretboard. While it is harder to play than more traditional models, it gives you a unique smooth sound.
- Built-in electric tuner and volume and EQ controls.
- Can be easily used as a travel bass guitar for practicing abroad.
Cons
- Not as versatile as other options on the list.
Conclusion
As we said, the Gold Tone ME-BassFL is a unique bass guitar. If you’re into the mellower tones produced by this ukulele bass and like fretless instruments, then this is a great option for you. Not to say that it is extremely portable and can easily be brought with you while traveling. If you’re after versatility though, we suggest you opt for other models on the list.
FAQs
What is the Difference Between a Fretted and a Fretless Bass Guitar?
Fretless bass, as the name implies, doesn’t have any frets across its fretboard. The absence of the metal bumps will give you a smoother sound especially when doing slides. Keep in mind though that it is harder to play.
How Can I Make my Bass Guitar Feel Lighter/More Comfortable?
Next, you can swap the body of your bass guitar for a completely new one. This requires the work from a qualified luthier and is considerably more expensive so consider if it isn’t better to buy another instrument altogether.
Conclusion
As you could see in the article, there are a lot of options for the best lightweight bass guitars on the market. The best choice will highly depend on, of course, how light you want your instrument to be (some are lighter than others) and what tone you’re after. The Fender Aerodyne, for example, has a completely different sound from the Gold Tone ME-BassFL.
With that being said, we chose the Hofner IGNITION Violin Bass as our top pick and the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 as our budget choice. Keep reading to learn more about our picks.
Hofner IGNITION Violin Bass – Overall Best
This bass guitar is simply iconic. There isn’t any other instrument like it: it has a unique look and a very pleasant tone due to its hollowed body and exclusive pickups. If you’re after a lightweight bass guitar and like the tone of the Hofner IGNITION Violin Bass, there is no better choice.
Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 – Best Budget
While there are more affordable options, we chose the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 as our budget pick because there aren’t many other bass guitars in the market that give out a value for the price as good as this one. The quality of the Ray4 is extremely great.
How to Buy
If you did your research and became interested in any of the bass guitars reviewed in our guide, you can find the link to their product page at their respective titles on the list. If possible, we suggest that you try them out in a physical store.We hope that this article was helpful. If you have any input on the subject or suggestions on how we could improve our guides and our website, please feel free to contact us!
Ian Sniesko is an experienced music producer and musician who loves to share his knowledge about the best audio equipment for making and enjoying great music. For the past 6 years, Ian has written extensively about the audio equipment industry and has contributed to many of the top music magazines.