Weight-lifting? No, thank you.

[FrankAtari]

 

Hi everybody,

I have made my mind up and I want to get a new guitar. The most important quality, for me, at this stage, is the weight, because I have learnt from experience that practicing hurts my shoulders due to the weight of the guitar etc. I like headless guitars, but I can't buy yet into the proprietary hardware they use.

 

Ideally I am oriented towards a super light strat, that doesn't break the bank. Any suggestions? Is there any wood that is noticeably lighter than the others? They say American Basswood is light, is that true?

 

 

FYI

HB Travel St -------------------- 2.2 kg - 4.8 pounds

Ibanez Quest ------------------- 2.4 kg - 5.2 pounds

Brad Paisley Telecaster --------- 2.8 kg - 6.1 pounds

...

 

 

Some links...

 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_st_travel_candy_apple_red.htm

 

https://www.thomann.de/intl/harley_benton_st_62dlx_vw_vintage_series.htm?shp=eyJjb3VudHJ5IjoibXQiLCJjdXJyZW5jeSI6MiwibGFuZ3VhZ2UiOjJ9&reload=1

 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_brad_paisley_road_worn_tele.htm

 

 

[ezbass]

I’m also guided by weight these days, especially for basses. I think, on the whole, basswood is generally light, but each instrument differs somewhat. Something that is important regarding weight, is balance. I had a Stingray that was a hefty lump, but on the strap the balance was spot on and made it feel lighter and then there’s strap width to consider, which also helps. Anything chambered is going to lighter than it’s all solid equivalent and totally hollow lighter still of course. My Casino Coupé is stupid light, but obviously not a Strat.

[Marvin_]

I absolutely agree that the weight is much more important to ergonomics than many seem to think, but I'd agree with ezbass that balance matters a huge amount too. I built a headless bass from a 'Samba' wood body and cherry neck. The body is incredibly light and the neck heavy. The strap buttons are not placed quite right and it neck dives really badly. That makes it feel heavy, even though it weighs an absurdly light 2.6kg - which in bass terms is nothing at all.

 

Also, the weight can differ substantially from instrument to instrument as the wood varies considerably - being a natural material. Take a look at Peach Guitars - any guitar over a certain value (about £500 from memory) will be individually photographed and weighed. You can see as much as a 1kg variance between two otherwise identical guitars.

 

I'd be tempted to take the plunge into headless if you can stretch the budget. My strandberg is 2.3kg for example. It feels like it weighs nothing because the balance is so good. It will probably be about the lightest wooden guitar around, and they do a strat-style variant in SSS or HSS with a vibrato. The Ibanez Quest you mention would also be a great entry at rather less money, though still possibly more than you want to spend. I'd not worry that the hardware is proprietary as pretty much all the headless guitars I'm aware of (save for the 'copy brands') have excellent quality hardware. Strandberg's hardware is fantastic, and if the Ibanez EHB bass series is anything to go by, the Quest hardware will also be brilliant. Certainly no upgrade need.

[FrankAtari]

Hi guys,

thanks a lot for your answers, they were very useful indeed. Given budget restrictions and the fact I am kind of craving a Strat I am leaning towards...

 

Harley Benton ST62dlx - which should be 3.5 kg

https://www.thomann.de/intl/harley_benton_st_62dlx_vw_vintage_series.htm

and then being as foolish as I am I will change the pickups and install Fender 50s custom shop pre-wired

 

Any comment on HB? Does it make sense to you guys?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bob Strummer]

Hi (first post),

I've been a Strat fanatic for years and my guitar collection was entirely Fender Strats with a Tele and a Jazz Bass. Out of an itch for a 24" scale guitar, I bought a MIM Duo Sonic this year. The short scale took some getting used to initially but the weight of the thing makes me smile every time I pick it up. It has a thinner body (they used to be classed as student guitars) and the difference in weight that makes is a blessing for me. I've read people saying they're like toys but I can't agree with that.  I don't get that eventual dull neck ache with it and that's a big bonus. It gets picked out of the rack more often than any other guitar these days. 

 

[FrankAtari]

10 hours ago, Bob Strummer said:

Hi (first post),

I've been a Strat fanatic for years and my guitar collection was entirely Fender Strats with a Tele and a Jazz Bass. Out of an itch for a 24" scale guitar, I bought a MIM Duo Sonic this year. The short scale took some getting used to initially but the weight of the thing makes me smile every time I pick it up. It has a thinner body (they used to be classed as student guitars) and the difference in weight that makes is a blessing for me. I've read people saying they're like toys but I can't agree with that.  I don't get that eventual dull neck ache with it and that's a big bonus. It gets picked out of the rack more often than any other guitar these days. 

 

 

Hi Bob,

welcome to the forum and tanks for honoring me with your first post. I have actually bought the Harley Benton ST 62 and it is 3.05 exactly (at least mine). This weight is good enough for me compared to what I was used to, but it made me realise even more how the weight of an instrument may affect playability. For the time being I'm happy with my Strat, which I love as you love yours, but at the same time I kind of set my heart on something even lighter, eg Fender Acoustasonic? Or something like that. 

 

 

[Skinnyman]

I had a Strat which I considered too heavy. 
 

I fixed this by buying (and subsequently selling) a Les Paul Traditional which is like a Standard Les Paul but without the chambers. Having played one set with this boat anchor round my neck, I found the Strat to be as light as a feather. 
 

 

On a more serious note, I concur with the comments above about balance and the importance of a good, wide strap.  
 

A light guitar and a decent strap are things of joy. If it also sounds decent and plays well, that’s a bonus

 

 

How’s the HB, Frank? I’ve heard nothing but good reports about them….

Edited December 14, 2022 by Skinnyman

[Bob Strummer]

Thank you @FrankAtari and you are welcome. Hope you enjoy your Strat and don't worry if you're forever raising & lowering saddles & adjusting the relief every time the weather changes - everyone does 

@Skinnyman.. I cured the lure of the Les Paul boat anchor since I baby-sat one for a friend when they went on holiday. I'm too lazy to be hoisting those things around  

[FrankAtari]

On 14/12/2022 at 10:18, Skinnyman said:

How’s the HB, Frank? I’ve heard nothing but good reports about them….

 

 

It is a very good instrument and I bought one of the basic models for 120 pounds (or something like that). Hardware could be better and the electronics need replacing. I wrote a quick review about my experience and you may want to take a look at it.

 

[Dad3353]

1 minute ago, FrankAtari said:

... 120 pounds ...

 

Isn't that a little on the heavy side..? 

 

...