What is the lightest and most portable 5-string bass guitar?
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | Scale Length (inch) ⇅ | Number of Frets (piece) ⇅ | Body Material ⇅ | Neck Material ⇅ | Fingerboard Material ⇅ | Bridge Type ⇅ |
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Ibanez SR505E 5-String (SR500E Series)
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£560.31 ≈ | 34 in | 24 | Okoume | 5-piece jatoba/walnut | Rosewood | Accu-cast B505 |
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The SR505E is a lightweight, contoured 5-string bass with an okoume body, a fast 5-piece jatoba/walnut neck, Bartolini BH2 pickups and an Ibanez 3-band EQ for versatile tone shaping. Its 24-fret rosewood fingerboard, 34 in scale and Accu-cast B505 bridge make it suitable for players who want comfort, playability and punchy low-end response. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest and most portable 5-string bass question because its okoume body and slim 5-piece jatoba/walnut neck produce a lightweight instrument (guitar weight listed ~8 lb 15 oz) with a 34 in scale for familiar string tension.
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Ibanez EHB1505 5-String (EHB Series)
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£1179.66 ≈ | 864mm/34 in | 24 | Selected light weight African mahogany w/ poplar burl top | 9-piece panga panga/walnut w/ graphite reinforcement rods | Panga panga | MR5HS Monorail |
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Headless, chambered 5-string bass with a lightweight African mahogany body and poplar burl top, 9-piece panga panga/walnut neck, 24 stainless steel frets, Nordstrand Custom Big Split pickups and an active Vari-mid 3-band EQ. Its ergonomic, slanted back and detachable finger ramp suit players who want comfort and tonal versatility in a compact instrument. Suited for players who need a portable, full-range 5-string with modern active electronics. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest and most portable 5-string bass question because its chambered African mahogany body, headless design, and 9-piece panga panga/walnut neck (34 in scale) produce a lighter, compact instrument while retaining full 5-string range.
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Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Gloss Black 5-String Bass (eBay listing)
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£261.17 ≈ | 24.75 in | 22 | Eastern American hard maple | Eastern American hard maple | Black walnut | Fixed bridge |
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Compact, full-scale 5-string travel bass with a 24.75 in scale, 22 frets, neck-through eastern American hard maple construction, black walnut fingerboard, dual-rail humbucking pickup, and in-body tuning for a headstock-free short overall length. It weighs about 3 lbs and fits in airline overhead bins, making it highly portable for gigging musicians and frequent travelers. ★ Ideal forIdeal for someone seeking the lightest, most portable 5-string bass because it is full-scale (24.75 in) yet weighs about 3 lbs and has a headstock-free in-body tuning system that reduces overall length and bulk.
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Ibanez GSRM20-5 Mikro 5-String Bass
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£179.29 ≈ | 28.6 in | 22 | Poplar | Maple | Purpleheart | B10 fixed bridge |
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The Ibanez GSRM20-5 miKro is a short-scale, lightweight 5-string bass with a 28.6 in maple neck, 22 frets, poplar body and purpleheart fingerboard. It uses a B10 fixed bridge and PJ-style pickup configuration for versatile tone in a compact package, ideal for players needing easy playability or travel-friendly gear. It suits beginners and smaller players who want full-range low B on a portable instrument. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest, most portable 5-string bass search because its short 28.6 in scale, compact poplar body and 22-fret maple neck make it significantly smaller and lighter than full-scale 5-string basses.
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Sandberg Superlight TT5
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£1843.07 ≈ | 34 in | 22 | Paulownia | Norway maple | Norway maple | Sandberg Bridge 5 |
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The Sandberg Superlight TT5 is a 5-string, long-scale (34 in) bass built for extreme low weight using a paulownia body and a Norway maple neck and fingerboard. It features 22 frets, Sandberg T-style pickups and a Sandberg 2-band preamp (active/passive options) and is aimed at players who want full-size bass tone with minimum weight and good balance. It ships with a gig bag and Sandberg hardware. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest, most portable 5-string bass needs because its paulownia body and Norway maple neck reduce weight to about 3.6 kg while retaining a full 34 in scale and 22 frets.
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Sterling by Music Man SUB StingRay 5
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£321.24 ≈ | 34 in | 22 | Bayur | Hard Maple | Jatoba | Fixed Bridge |
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The SUB StingRay 5 is a 5-string solidbody bass with a lightweight bayur body, a hard maple neck, a jatoba fingerboard, and a fixed bridge. It features a 9V active preamp and humbucking pickup options for versatile modern tones, built for comfort and stage use. The instrument suits players who want a durable, affordable 5-string with classic StingRay-style electronics and feel. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest and most portable 5-string bass search because its bayur body (lightweight) combined with a 34 in scale and 22 frets keeps overall weight and size lower while retaining full 5-string range.
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Yamaha TRBX305/505 5-String (lightweight TRBX series)
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£485.60 ≈ | 34 in | 24 | Mahogany | Maple and Mahogany 5pc | Rosewood | Die-cast (high-mass) |
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Solid-mahogany bodied 5-string basses with 5-piece maple/mahogany necks, 34 in scale length, 24 frets and rosewood fingerboards; features high-mass die-cast bridges and Yamaha active/performance EQ on the 300 series. Suited for players wanting a balanced, comfortable 5-string with punchy tone and reliable hardware. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest and most portable 5-string bass search because it uses a solid mahogany body with mass-optimized 3D design and a compact 34 in scale with a narrow 43mm nut for reduced weight and easy portability.
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Ibanez EHB1005SMS Short Scale 5-String (EHB1005)
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£1045.92 ≈ | 812mm/32 in - 762mm/30 in | 24 | American Basswood | 5-piece roasted maple/walnut w/ graphite reinforcement rods | Roasted birdseye maple | MR5HS Monorail |
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Headless short-scale 5-string with multi-scale (fanned) frets, chambered American basswood body, roasted maple/walnut neck with graphite reinforcement, roasted birdseye maple fingerboard, Bartolini BH2 pickups and Vari-mid 3-band EQ; designed for lightweight comfort and modern tonal versatility. It includes the MR5HS monorail bridge with adjustable string spacing and a gig bag. Suited for players wanting a compact, ergonomic 5-string with strong low-end and active/passive tonal options. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest and most portable 5-string bass search because its chambered American basswood body, headless short-scale multi-scale design (812mm/32 in to 762mm/30 in) and MR5HS monorail bridge make it noticeably lighter and more compact than full‑scale 5-strings.
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Sandberg California TM5 SL Superlight (SL TM5)
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£1609.23 ≈ | 34 in | 22 | Paulownia | Norwegian maple | Norwegian maple | Sandberg Vintage High Mass bridge |
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The Sandberg California TM5 SL Superlight is a lightweight 5-string solid-body bass with a paulownia body, Norwegian maple neck and fingerboard, active/passive electronics and Delano pickups. It prioritizes portability and balance while offering versatile tones and a Vintage High Mass bridge, supplied with a gig bag and lightweight hardware. It's built in Germany and aimed at players who want a full-scale 5-string with minimal weight. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest, most portable 5-string because its paulownia body and lightweight hardware produce a full-scale 34 in, 5-string bass at very low weight (Superlight series).
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Sandberg California TM-5 SuperLight
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£2165.82 ≈ | 34 in | 22 | Paulownia | Norway maple | Pau ferro | Sandberg Standard Fixed Bridge |
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The Sandberg California TM-5 SuperLight is a lightweight 5-string bass with a paulownia body, Norway maple neck, and Pau Ferro fingerboard, built for comfort and balance. It features Sandberg Blacklabel pickups with a 2-band active/passive preamp and a fixed Sandberg bridge, making it versatile for modern and vintage tones. Approximate weight is about 3.6 kg for the 5-string SuperLight model, improving playability on long gigs. ★ Ideal forIdeal for players seeking the lightest, most portable 5-string because its paulownia body and Norway maple neck reduce weight to about 3.6 kg while retaining a 34 in scale and full 22-fret range.
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Sandberg California TT-5 SuperLight
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£1442.63 ≈ | 34 in | 22 | Paulownia | Maple | Maple | Hard Tail |
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A very lightweight 5-string bass built with a paulownia body, maple neck and maple fingerboard, active/passive electronics and Sandberg Black Label single-coil pickups. It balances well and includes a gig bag, suiting players who need professional tone with minimal weight. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest and most portable 5-string bass search because it uses a paulownia body and lightweight hardware to achieve a 6-6.2 lb instrument and a standard 34 in scale.
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Spector Euro4LX 5-String (lightweight options)
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£2241.26 ≈ | 35 in | 24 | European Alder with Figured Maple top | 3-piece North American Maple | Rosewood | Lightweight aluminum bridge |
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The Spector Euro 5 LX is a premium 5-string bass with a 35 in scale, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard, carved European alder body with a figured maple top, and active EMG pickups with the Spector Legacy preamp. It uses a lightweight aluminum bridge and a 3-piece maple neck for sustain and stability, aimed at players who want modern tone and playability in a compact body. Lightweight construction choices make it easier to carry without sacrificing professional features. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest and most portable 5-string because it has a carved European alder body with a figured maple top, a 3-piece North American maple neck and a lightweight aluminum bridge, and a 35 in scale that balances string tension with a compact body.
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Warwick RockBass Corvette 5-String Lightweight
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£746.34 ≈ | 34 in | 24 | Alder | Maple (4-piece laminated) | Wenge | 2-piece Warwick 3D bridge |
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The RockBass Corvette 5-String Lightweight is a long-scale 5-string bass with a lightweight alder body, 4-piece laminated maple neck, wenge fingerboard, active electronics, and a compact 2-piece Warwick 3D bridge. It offers 24 jumbo frets and touring-friendly weight around 3.8 kg, making it playable, punchy, and comfortable for extended sessions. Suited for players wanting Warwick tone and build in a lighter, road-worthy instrument. ★ Ideal forIdeal for someone seeking the lightest, most portable 5-string bass because it uses a lightweight alder body and weighs approximately 3.8 kg (8.4 lbs), significantly lower than typical 5-string basses.
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Dingwall Combustion Shield 5 (multi-scale lightweight construction)
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£2461.66 ≈ | 34-37 in | 24 | Swamp Ash | 5-piece Maple bolt-on | Pau Ferro | Dingwall 'Minimalist' one-piece bridge |
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The Combustion Shield 5 is a compact multi-scale 5-string bass with a lightweight swamp ash body, five-piece maple neck and Pau Ferro fanned-fret fingerboard delivering a 34-37 in scale spread. It features Dingwall FD3n pickups, an EMG/EMG-style active preamp and a minimalist individual-string bridge for clarity, balance and stage-ready performance. ★ Ideal forIdeal for players seeking the lightest, most portable 5-string because its compact swamp ash body, lightweight Hipshot hardware and multi-scale 34-37 in design reduce weight while keeping full-range string tension.
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Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay5 HH (lightweight aluminum hardware versions)
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£2203.17 ≈ | 34 in | 22 | Select hardwoods | Select roasted maple | Maple, Rosewood, or Ebony | Vintage Music Man top-loaded steel bridge plate with stainless steel saddles |
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The StingRay5 Special HH is a modern 5-string StingRay with lightweight aluminum hardware, select hardwood body, roasted maple neck and choice of maple, rosewood or ebony fingerboard, plus dual neodymium humbuckers and a 3-band active 18V preamp. It offers a balanced, high-output tone with comfortable contours and a sculpted neck joint for access to 22 frets, aimed at professional players seeking reliability and versatility. Lightweight hardware and select tonewoods reduce overall weight while r ★ Ideal forIdeal for someone wanting the lightest, most portable 5-string because it uses lightweight aluminum hardware and select hardwoods combined with a roasted maple neck and lightweight tuning machines, keeping the full-scale (34 in) 5-string at reduced overall weight.
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Hofner Shorty 5-String Travel Bass
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£201.71 ≈ | 34 in | 20 | Poplar | Maple | Indian Laurel | 5-Saddle Standard |
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A thin, lightweight 5-string Jazz Bass with a slim C-shaped maple neck, Indian laurel fingerboard, and two Squier single-coil Jazz Bass pickups; designed for comfortable playability and versatile tones. It features a bolt-on maple neck, glossy poplar body, and a 5-saddle standard bridge, making it an affordable, road-ready option for beginners and gigging players. ★ Ideal forIdeal for someone wanting the lightest, most portable 5-string bass because it has a thin, lightweight poplar body and a 34 in scale length reducing overall weight and bulk.
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Ibanez EHB1505
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£1195.34 ≈ | 864mm / 34 in | 24 | Selected light weight African mahogany w/ poplar burl top | 9-piece panga panga/walnut w/ graphite reinforcement rods | Panga panga | MR5HS Monorail |
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The Ibanez EHB1505 is a headless, chambered 5-string bass with a lightweight African mahogany body and poplar burl top, a 9-piece panga panga/walnut neck with graphite reinforcement, Panga Panga fingerboard, Nordstrand Custom Big Split pickups and a Vari-Mid 3-band EQ. Its ergonomic, slanted back and detachable finger ramp make it comfortable for long sessions and versatile for many styles. Suited to players wanting modern tones and a portable, well-balanced instrument. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest and most portable 5-string bass search because its headless design, chambered lightweight African mahogany body, and 9-piece panga panga/walnut neck produce a compact, low-weight instrument while retaining a 34 in scale and 24 frets for full-range playability.
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Ibanez EHB1505 5-String EHB Bass (short scale)
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£1178.29 ≈ | 34 in | 24 | Selected light weight African mahogany | 9-piece Panga Panga/Walnut w/ graphite reinforcement rods | Panga panga | MR5HS Monorail |
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Headless, chambered-body 5-string bass with a lightweight African mahogany body, poplar burl top, 9-piece panga panga/walnut neck, Panga panga fingerboard, 24 stainless-steel frets and MR5HS monorail bridge. It includes Nordstrand Big Split pickups, a Vari-mid 3-band EQ with bypass, ergonomic contours and a gig bag. Suited for players who want a compact, modern, travel-friendly 5-string with versatile electronics. ★ Ideal forGood for the lightest and most portable 5-string bass search because its headless design, chambered selected light weight African mahogany body and 34 in scale reduce weight and size while retaining full 5-string range.
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Ibanez EHB1505FM (5-String Electric Bass)
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£970.47 ≈ | 34 in | 24 | Selected light weight African mahogany | 9-piece panga panga/walnut | Panga panga | MR5HS |
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The Strandberg Boden 5 is a lightweight, headless multi-scale bass with a contoured American basswood body, roasted maple EndurNeck reinforced with carbon fiber, and Fishman Fluence soapbar pickups plus active 2-band electronics. Its ergonomic body, multi-scale neck (30-35 in), and proprietary Strandberg hardware deliver great balance, low weight, and versatile tones for modern players. It includes a gig bag and is built for comfort during long gigs or travel. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest, most portable 5-string bass needs because its headless design, lightweight American basswood body, and multi-scale 30-35 in neck minimize weight and overall length. |
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Ibanez SRMD205 Micro 5-String
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£283.56 ≈ | 812mm/ 32 in | 22 | Poplar | Maple | Maple | B15W |
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Short-scale (32 in) 5-string bass with a lightweight poplar body, bolt-on maple neck and 22-fret maple fingerboard; fitted with Ibanez Dynamix PJ passive pickups and a B15W bridge. Designed for players wanting a compact, comfortable 5-string with the tonal versatility of PJ pickups and a two-band EQ. Suits beginners and traveling musicians seeking easier playability than full-scale basses. ★ Ideal forIdeal for someone seeking the lightest and most portable 5-string bass because its 32 in scale, poplar body and compact Soundgear Mezzo design make it substantially smaller and lighter than full-scale 5-strings.
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Kala U-Bass 5-String Acoustic Electric
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£335.06 ≈ | 23.5 in | 22 | Okoume | Maple | Laurel | Top Loaded 5-Saddle |
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Short-scale 5-string solid-body U•BASS with an okoume body, maple neck, laurel fingerboard, passive humbucker pickup and a top-loaded 5-saddle bridge; compact, lightweight and travel-friendly while delivering full low-end for a five-string. It includes a gig bag and is aimed at players who want a portable bass with a true low B string and comfortable short-scale playability. ★ Ideal forIdeal for someone seeking the lightest, most portable 5-string bass because its 23.5 in scale, solid okoume body and compact dimensions make it significantly smaller and lighter than full-scale 5-string basses.
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Music Man StingRay 5 HH (Lightweight aluminum hardware versions)
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£2200.62 ≈ | 34 in | 22 | Select Hardwood | Roasted maple | Maple | Top loaded chrome plated steel bridge plate with steel saddles |
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The Strandberg Boden 5 is a lightweight, headless multi-scale bass with a contoured American basswood body, roasted maple EndurNeck reinforced with carbon fiber, and Fishman Fluence soapbar pickups plus active 2-band electronics. Its ergonomic body, multi-scale neck (30-35 in), and proprietary Strandberg hardware deliver great balance, low weight, and versatile tones for modern players. It includes a gig bag and is built for comfort during long gigs or travel. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest, most portable 5-string bass needs because its headless design, lightweight American basswood body, and multi-scale 30-35 in neck minimize weight and overall length.
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Sandberg TM5 SuperLight 5-String
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£1464.10 ≈ | 34 in | 22 | Paulownia | Norwegian maple | Maple | Hard tail |
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Short-scale (32 in) 5-string bass with a lightweight poplar body, bolt-on maple neck and 22-fret maple fingerboard; fitted with Ibanez Dynamix PJ passive pickups and a B15W bridge. Designed for players wanting a compact, comfortable 5-string with the tonal versatility of PJ pickups and a two-band EQ. Suits beginners and traveling musicians seeking easier playability than full-scale basses. ★ Ideal forIdeal for someone seeking the lightest and most portable 5-string bass because its 32 in scale, poplar body and compact Soundgear Mezzo design make it substantially smaller and lighter than full-scale 5-strings. |
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Squier by Fender Affinity Series Jazz Bass V (lightweight maple option)
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£388.48 ≈ | 34 in | 20 | Poplar | Maple | Indian Laurel | 5-Saddle Standard |
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A thin, lightweight 5-string Jazz Bass with a slim C-shaped maple neck, Indian laurel fingerboard, and two Squier single-coil Jazz Bass pickups; designed for comfortable playability and versatile tones. It features a bolt-on maple neck, glossy poplar body, and a 5-saddle standard bridge, making it an affordable, road-ready option for beginners and gigging players. ★ Ideal forIdeal for someone wanting the lightest, most portable 5-string bass because it has a thin, lightweight poplar body and a 34 in scale length reducing overall weight and bulk.
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Steinberger Spirit 5-String Headless Bass
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£395.21 ≈ | 34 in | 24 | Maple | 3-piece hard maple | Rosewood | Patented Steinberger Bass Bridge with direct-pull 40:1 fine tuners |
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The Steinberger Spirit XT-25 is a compact headless 5-string bass with a 34 in scale, 24 frets, through-neck construction, dual humbucking pickups, and Steinberger's patented direct-pull bass bridge and double-ball tuning system. Its short overall length and gig bag make it highly portable while retaining full-scale playability and solid tone, suited for travel and tight stage spaces. It includes a folding leg rest for seated comfort. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest and most portable 5-string bass search because its 38.5 in overall length, headless design, and gig bag make it significantly more compact and travel-friendly while keeping a full 34 in scale and 5-string range.
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Strandberg Boden 5-String (Headless lightweight model)
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£1861.83 ≈ | 30-35 in | 24 | American Basswood | Roasted Maple with carbon fiber reinforcement | Roasted Maple | Strandberg Bass Tuner Assembly & String Locks |
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The Strandberg Boden 5 is a lightweight, headless multi-scale bass with a contoured American basswood body, roasted maple EndurNeck reinforced with carbon fiber, and Fishman Fluence soapbar pickups plus active 2-band electronics. Its ergonomic body, multi-scale neck (30-35 in), and proprietary Strandberg hardware deliver great balance, low weight, and versatile tones for modern players. It includes a gig bag and is built for comfort during long gigs or travel. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest, most portable 5-string bass needs because its headless design, lightweight American basswood body, and multi-scale 30-35 in neck minimize weight and overall length.
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Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light 5-String Bass ULB5 BKGMP
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£60874.42 ≈ | 30 in | 22 | Eastern American hard maple | Eastern American hard maple | Maple | Under-saddle piezo |
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A very compact, headless 5-string travel bass weighing 3 lbs 15 oz with a 30 in short scale, neck-through maple construction, and an under-saddle piezo pickup; includes removable lap rest and gig bag. It's aimed at players who need an extremely lightweight, portable bass for travel, practice, or compact storage. Ideal for acoustic or amplified practice with standard 1/4 in output and passive electronics. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest, most portable 5-string bass need because it weighs 3 lbs 15 oz, measures 33.75 in overall, and has a 30 in scale making it far smaller and lighter than full-size 5-string basses.
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Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light 5-String Bass w/Gig Bag
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£298.83 ≈ | 30 in | 22 | Eastern American hard maple | Eastern American hard maple | Maple | Under-saddle piezo (fixed) |
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A ultra-compact short-scale 5-string travel bass weighing under 4 lbs with a 30 in scale, neck-through eastern American hard maple construction, and an under-saddle piezo pickup; it includes a removable lap rest and gig bag for easy transport. Suited for players who need a very lightweight, portable bass for practice, travel, or compact setups. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest, most portable 5-string bass search because it weighs 3 lbs 15 oz, measures about 33.75 in overall with a 30 in scale, and includes a gig bag and removable lap rest for travel convenience. |
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Warwick Thumb BO 5-String (Lightweight/bo variant)
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£3201.31 ≈ | 34 in | 24 | Ovangkol | Ovangkol | Wenge | 2-piece Warwick bridge |
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The Strandberg Boden 5 is a lightweight, headless multi-scale bass with a contoured American basswood body, roasted maple EndurNeck reinforced with carbon fiber, and Fishman Fluence soapbar pickups plus active 2-band electronics. Its ergonomic body, multi-scale neck (30-35 in), and proprietary Strandberg hardware deliver great balance, low weight, and versatile tones for modern players. It includes a gig bag and is built for comfort during long gigs or travel. ★ Ideal forIdeal for the lightest, most portable 5-string bass needs because its headless design, lightweight American basswood body, and multi-scale 30-35 in neck minimize weight and overall length.
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