What’s the optimum weight for a Les Paul? And is there such a thing as too heavy?

[Devin]

I've never actually weighed mine but it's definitely by far my heaviest guitar


Sounds amazing though so whateva

 

[tallcoolone]

Some of what you're hearing there is the difference between 9-hole weight relief (your '80 LPC) and the modern weight relief (your '13 Standard). The modern relief is almost like a chambered guitar, and IME it does add a resonance that can be pretty cool and it is consistently a bit different from fully solid LPs.

Recent historic reissues are completely solid and some of them get surprisingly light, under 9.5 pounds. The older Historics could be 10+ pounds more often than not.

9.5lbs is very heavy for a non Custom Historic.

https://wildwoodguitars.com/product-category/electrics/gibson-custom-shop/2020-historic-collection/

Mine:

2007 R7 Black Beauty Custom - 8.75lbs
2004 R8 - 9.25lbs
2023 R8 - 8.5lbs

 

[Matt300ZXT]

The correct answer is 4.2kg. However, as long as it's a REAL Les Paul with the proper 629mm scale length and 309mm radius.

 

[cardinal]

9.5lbs is very heavy for a non Custom Historic.

https://wildwoodguitars.com/product-category/electrics/gibson-custom-shop/2020-historic-collection/

Mine:

2007 R7 Black Beauty Custom - 8.75lbs
2004 R8 - 9.25lbs
2023 R8 - 8.5lbs

I think my recent 68RI is closer to 9 lbs. It's pretty light. But I have a M2M R8 that is right around 9.5 lbs.

My two historic LPCs from the early 2000s are 10 to 10.5 lbs.

 

[tallcoolone]

The correct answer is 4.2kg. However, as long as it's a REAL Les Paul with the proper 629mm scale length and 309mm radius.

WTF is a kg?

 

[JackBootedThug]

Try playing a 14# LP Fri and Sat nites 4 hour shows each. See how you feel Sunday morning.

You should read my book.

 

[VonBonfire]

8.69lbs is the ultimate weight for any LP or LP copy because my 59 burst weighs that much.

 

[psychodave]

The lighter the better. 9lbs and lighter....without weight relief holes.

I have a Charvel under 7lbs and it sounds massive. The body rings loud.

 

[Maguchi]

Optimum? Right around 8 1/2 lbs. unchambered solid body. I got a couple '50s Standard reissues 8.47 and 8.53 lbs. and a Custom that's 8.8 lbs. They're out there. I didn't have to look that hard to find them.