Thoughts on how to lighten the weight

[TBurst Std]

Have a Jazz bass that I’d like to shave .25 lbs from if not more. Thinking some route holes under the pick guard. As I don’t have a router, is there a feasible way to do this?

 

[Hodgo]

Have a Jazz bass that I’d like to shave .25 lbs from if not more. Thinking some route holes under the pick guard. As I don’t have a router, is there a feasible way to do this?

You can hog it out with a forstner bit very quickly.

 

[TBurst Std]

What size would you suggest?
Oh and no drill press, this would be a hand drill.

 

[mayfly]

If you're going with a hand drill use a small sized forstner, like 1/2", then use a chisel to get between the holes. A larger forstner is going to be tough to control by hand. Tape that bit so you know how far you can go

 

[TBurst Std]

TY , looks like I can get it at HOBO fright for under $10

 

[vetteman]

Look for a drill guide that will stop the bit before it aerates the back of the guitar. Even a bit of PVC pipe surrounding the bit might work if cut to the right length. There is some real danger here if you are drilling deep into the guitar body! Good luck with putting her on a diet.

 

[TBurst Std]

Actually looking at the bit, I should be good. Stop drilling once the head is at the top of the body.
Project delayed. Have some other things I need to tend to that arose.

 

[TBurst Std]

This JB is a Squire Classic Vibe. Nice playing bass. Is this a bad idea to proceed with this. Like to loose .25-.5 lbs.

 

[TBurst Std]

It is currently 8.6 lbs. Just feels heavier than that. Think I might proceed tonight or this weekend.

 

[Spud]

This JB is a Squire Classic Vibe. Nice playing bass. Is this a bad idea to proceed with this. Like to loose .25-.5 lbs.

Not sure if it's bad to do it? I had the same bass with the "Duncan Designed" pickups in it. I sold it as I wasn't playing it much. The body was pretty heavy if I recall as it was all maple. I say go for it if you will be happier playing it. It's not a irreplaceable vintage.

 

[AleForce1]

Maybe use of these Slinger Straps?

 

[Strat Avenger]

You can send it to me and you won't feel any weight at all.

 

[mayfly]

Hey Mark! Did you ever do that thing?

 

[TBurst Std]

Funny you mention that. I did it yesterday. The results:

*Keep in mind I am not using my scale I normally use to weigh guitars/basses (that is still packed up somewhere in storage).
I am using a human scale. So I am weigh myself alone, and subtract that from myself holding the guitar/bass. The scale measures to 1/10th a lb, so these I would consider ball park values.*

Originally it was 8.7-8.6 lbs (over multiple measurements).
Now it is 8.3-8.4 lbs (over multiple measurements).
So I would say I lost right around what I thought I would (not hoped), .25 lbs roughly.

Gave the neck a thorough cleaning and conditioning and it looks much better. Threw some Rotosound Swing 66s on it. Will try it out later today for some gigs next week. I may also try out a P Bass with round wounds I got a few months ago that has zero stage time yet. It weighs under 8 lbs. (Just like its identical twin I have with flat wounds that I gigged weekly for about 1.5 years recently). Currently I think the set list is leaning more to the Jazz Bass. I'll run it with both and make a call.

I think I'll be performing the same thing on my fretless Jazz Bass as well as it is on the heavier side as well. Need to order some new LaBella Black Tape Wounds before I proceed.

 

[mayfly]

Very nice! got some pics?

 

[TBurst Std]

Nothing decent. Will take one after dinner. Lighting sucks (on purpose) in my office which is also my music room.

 

[TBurst Std]

It’s nothing special. A Squire Classic Vibe late 60s JBass. As I recall: Lake Placid blue. Came with a cream guard: I put a pearloid guard on it. Has what ever the Squire substitute for RW is for the fret board. It was ashy looking. Conditioned it and looks much closer to RW. The neck is bound with pearloid blocks.

Can’t complain. I got it on a stupid deal of the day from MF for 300.

 

[TBurst Std]

Here you go. The bright spot on the left is from a flashlight.

 

[jjwu]

Alumitones and Hipshot aluminum bridge and tuners would probably shave half a pound at least. If you don't mind completely changing the tone and spending more on upgrades than the bass itself.

 

[TBurst Std]

Well looked at 50 or so Jazz Basses at under 2000$. Found 3 pine bodied ones out of those 50 that weigh less than mine does currently. They are $1850. I think I’ll sit where I am and call it a success.