Ultralight basses
My ultralight bass concept is an instrument designed to be as light as possible, yet still balanced and ergonomic. I believe the only reason instruments are as heavy as they are is because tradition dictates this. I have developed a bass instrument that is significantly lighter than the rest of the bass market. The weight of the Nylon string version is around 2.0-2.1kgs and the weight for both nylon string models shown in the photographs is 2.1kgs. The weight of the steel string version shown in the photographs is 2.3kgs. All of these are well below the weight of an average bass which is typically around 3.5-3.8kgs
Construction
The Ultralight basses are constructed with a solid spruce core at the heart of its design with the spruce being sandwiched by hardwood. The neck will usually be constructed from 3 pieces of Swiss maple to ensure stability and lightness.
Electronics
The nylon string basses will be using RMC piezo pickups. The piezos will be run through a Richter Electronics preamp allowing individual string volumes to be adjusted.
(for steel string electronics see below)
Strings
The instrument design is based around the utilisation of nylon strings. These are Classical bass strings. These strings offer lower tension which allows less pressure in the fingers along with a bigger dynamic range than steel strings. The preferred string for this concept is the Savarez 6CB640R set and is readily available.
The concept is designed around a 5 string E-C tuning but a 4 string E-G model is also an option.
Unfortunately there is no available nylon string designed to be tuned to a low B so a 5 string tuned B-G is not an option I can offer.
The Steel String version uses standard steel electric bass strings, also short scale, so a 4 string version would be strung E-G and a 5 string E-C
Scale length
These ultralight basses will be utilising a 30" (762mm) scale. This is what is classed as a 'Short scale' bass.
Fretted vs Fretless
Both fretted and fretless options are available. The instrument thrives in both configurations offering 2 unique feels.
Tuners
The nylon strings require classical tuners. I have discovered the Schertler tuners work perfectly in my concept for their light weight and tuning accuracy.
The future steel string model will be utilising Gotoh Resolite tuners as these are very light and offer stable and accurate tuning even on short scale instruments.
Weight
The Ultralight basses are extremely light. The nylon string model is around 2.1kgs and the upcoming steel string model should be around 2.5kgs.
Ergonomics
The basses have plenty of ergonomic features for your comfort of play. From having a flatter neck profile which reduces squeezing pressure in the left hand, to a belly carve, to an angled leg rest should you want to play in classical position, to an all access joint at the neck heel allowing a comfortable hand position up to the very last fret. All this plus the extremely light weight which makes handling on the instrument very easy.
Steel Strings
The steel string version of the Ultralight bass weighs around 2.3kgs depending on specification.
Steel String Electronics
My preferred specification for this instrument is with a Delano Soapbar pickup and Piezo bridge combination. The controls knobs being a master volume and a piezo / magnetic blend knob along with a hum bucker / split toggle switch