StingRay "Lite"?

[BassPooch]

Hey MM Groovers,

I'm having shoulder problems due to 10 lb MM bass. Is there a StingRay "Lite" version for us aging boomers? Are ash bodies lighter? Are certain woods used for Rays that are destined for transparent finishers vs. opaque coatings?

I know the collective wisdom of this forum will come through with answers for this Rockin' AARP member.

 

[82Daion]

The closest thing would be a Sterling.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Sterlings are the lightest of the MM line as far as basses go. Try one out.

 

[58super]

I find Bongos to be lighter that Stingrays plus the single H Bongo has some killer tones.

 

[phatduckk]

there are lighter StingRays too - if you look around youll find em in the 8.5ish range

 

[Mobay45]

My Buttercream Bongo HH 5er weighs in at 11 lbs. 10 ozs..

You just need to check each individual bass to find the right one for you.

 

[kaaikop]

What he said... check em out individually...

I always bring my bongo 4 and a Ray to a gig. When my neck needs a break, I grab the bongo... and kick some a$$

 

[muggsy]

Check out the Sterling. I have a Sterling, a Stingray and a Bongo and the Sterling is by far the lightest of the three. YMMV, of course, but generally Sterlings will be lighter than other MMs.

 

[Jason Hebert]

Vote for a Sterling, but all basses will vary.. Every piece of wood is a little different.

 

[GassieBall]

Not that I would ever get one (or afford one), but I picked up this guy's Elrick the other day and it felt like it was 5 pounds or something. I said "nice" and went back to the EBMM! He told me what type of wood, but it sounded so exotic that it now escapes me.

 

[bdgotoh]

I agree with the folks that said it depends. I'm a longtime searcher for light basses and the Sterling seems to be the most reliable, all of those I've weighed have been between 8.7 and 9.5 lbs, most were 9-9.2. Stingrays vary widely from 7.9 to 11 lbs, and the light ones under 9 lbs are pretty rare. The 5 Bongos I've had have been similar to my Sterlings: 8.6 to 9.5 lbs.

So unfortunately you'll have to do what I do and pester people endlessly for reasonably accurate weights.

It's too bad you didn't post this a few weeks back, I just sold a sweet 8.8 lb Stingray.

 

[Lazybite]

go for the sterling. not only light but the quickest fretboard known to man and awersome tone.

 

[PzoLover]

... I'm having shoulder problems due to 10 lb MM bass.

After an injury, I learned a bit about body awareness from a 'retired' ballet dancer, and a physiotherapist.

The better I position the strap to balance and carry the instrument weight more on the back than the shoulder, the lighter the bass feels.

When the strap is set wrong, even a lighter bass seems to get heavy fast.

 

[tkarter]

After an injury, I learned a bit about body awareness from a 'retired' ballet dancer, and a physiotherapist.

The better I position the strap to balance and carry the instrument weight more on the back than the shoulder, the lighter the bass feels.

When the strap is set wrong, even a lighter bass seems to get heavy fast.

That is the almost unexplainable truth.

I am getting old fast. I think I am going the "Wheaties" route. Old and healthy is much better than old and just hanging on.

IMHO

tk

 

[nashman]

Your strap makes a big difference ... both the type and the way it is adjusted. You might want to try distributing the weight before you change basses. Here's an example of something you might want to consider .... http://www.idare2.com/guitar.html

 

[GassieBall]

Oh yeah, what he said. I got one of those wide foam padded straps, all black and not too cheesy, and it really helps.

http://www.comfortstrapp.com/products.htm

 

[punkrock]

My neighbor and myself have the same exact model stingray (color and even pickgaurd). His is a couple years older than mine. Side by side his is quite a bit lighter than mine. I would try out a few and you may come across one like this.

 

[azzy_wazzy]

Oh yeah, what he said. I got one of those wide foam padded straps, all black and not too cheesy, and it really helps.

http://www.comfortstrapp.com/products.htm

+1 - I love my comfort strap - really helps with the weight and you wouldn't think my Sterling was heavier than my old Shine bass at all!

 

[Musicman Nut]

Not that I would ever get one (or afford one), but I picked up this guy's Elrick the other day and it felt like it was 5 pounds or something. I said "nice" and went back to the EBMM! He told me what type of wood, but it sounded so exotic that it now escapes me.

I've owned many Fender Basses and most 6 to 8 Pounds, And I'm a Firm believer That the right SWAMP ASH can still be found but it is very hard to get. I do have some sickley amazing light Ernie Ball Music mans but I have to hunt them down, it's a Job but i find them.

 

[BassPooch]

The Collective Wisdom Comes Through!

Thanks everyone for your wisdom and insights. I have long fingers and the 1.5 neck width of a Sterling is too narrow for me. I'll look for a Ray made of Ash, maybe this will help. The DARE strap looks interesting. I currently use a 4" wide Neotech strap that helps some. You guys and gals Rock!