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If you want a 4 string P bass then you can get a Mex or CIJ bass in the £500 range that will be a fair bit lighter, if you upgrade the tuners to Gotoh GB640 then even more so.
Watch, I'll go home and find a massive dent now.
I don't mind buying used and would prefer a 5 string because it means that I don't have to drop D for songs from The Wall.
It's hard to go wrong with a P bass and it shouldn't be too hard to find one of reasonable weight
The Fender RW signature P Bass amounts to a Fifties-style Classic series model with a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pickup, random, assorted hardware finishes and the all-important flat wound strings.
A pre-owned Fender MIM P Bass in the tasteful black plus a few choice modifications would do the job. Try several until you find one that is acceptably light.
If you are not a brand name snob, a Squier VM or CV Precision Bass with either a Duncan QP or the EMG GZR pickup would deliver.
Just concerned it would be too big a drop in quality, but this was years ago. They've probably improved now.
http://www.rotosound.com/jazz-bass-77/
A 4-string with the bottom string tuned down to D sounds much better. Have a look at a Mexican Fender P-Bass, but be prepared to shop around - a friend of mine bought one, which was a total dog… luckily he was able to send it back. He then went and found another one - identical spec - in a shop which is quite seriously the best modern P-Bass I've ever played.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I was lucky with mine - it was pretty lightas they go - then I put Hipshot Ultralight tuners on it. That actually knocked off half a pound.
Then I put in EMGs - which sound great but without thinking about it... an EMG soapbar pickup (40DC) actually weighs over 300g. So a pair adds almost a pound and a half back on!
It is currently undergoing surgery to remove the EMGs and install an Aguillar P pickup which weighs sod all.
It should end up weighing about 8.5lb if I've done my sums right
Anyway - as ICBM said, most cheap 5 strings have a shite low B, and the ones that don't tend to be heavy.
The Ibanez SR1205 or 1305 is probably the best (and dirt cheap used) but the low B still won't sound like a Ray low B.
HOWEVER... if you fancy trying a 4 string tuned drop D or putting a D tuner on, then have a look at this
http://basschat.co.uk/topic/307474-ft-marleaux-consat-4-strings-for-stingray-5/page__hl__dibetou__fromsearch__1
Marleaux are may favourite basses in the universe. As well built as Fodera (but without prices needed to cover New York rent) and beautifully sounding.Not clanky like a Ray - just a lovely piano tone
The model in the advert was part of a special run of super light weight ones made with Dibetou (African Walnut), so it's plain and classy and only weighs a smidge over 7 lb.
(Top tip - if it comes with Marleaux strings. Take them off and melt them. They are shite. I have no idea who makes them for Marleaux but they should be ashamed. Put D'Addario Nickels on it instead)
https://soundcertified.com/speaker-ohms-calculator/
I've always wanted a Warwick thumb 5 bolt on. I bet they're heavy aren't they?
Warwicks are heavy. As heavy as a fat bloke who has eaten 3 fat blokes.
https://soundcertified.com/speaker-ohms-calculator/
This video is for the later Korean-made Pro Series version but it gives the general idea.
Some of them are shocking.
If the OP likes the Ray neck - then the Fender will be a surprise. It's a lot wider at the nut. I'd love a good 5 string Fender P, but it's far too wide for me
Fender 5 is 47.8mm and the Ray is only 44.5mm.
Makes a massive difference. The Fender isn't a thin neck either.
https://soundcertified.com/speaker-ohms-calculator/
My Jazz 4 string is 2mm at the 17th fret, low B string (I drop tune)
Halfway down - HOW DO I SET UP MY BASS
https://www.music-man.com/faq
https://soundcertified.com/speaker-ohms-calculator/
It might just be that because the strings are so thick it appears high.