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

 

[Shreddy Mercury]

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.

 

[Anje]

As long as the weight isn't too "crazy" so that it becomes to be a physical challenge to play standing up for a full set, I'm all good.
10lbs range is still fine to me for instance.
On the other hand, I had a '72 Deluxe years ago that was much heavier than that; I don't recall the exact weight but it probably was at least in the 12-13lbs range, this one felt beyond the "limit". Especially when having to move it around in its flight case. It was still fine when playing sitting in the studio though, and it sounded fantastic.

 

[JTyson]

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.

The red one?
That thing is massive

 

[DredFryer]

My ideal weight is ~8.5lbs more or less. If a LP goes below the 8lbs range it starts to sound a bit thin, greater than 9.5lbs it starts to get a bit uncomfortable for me, tonally still sounds great. I had a R8 that I had redone by historic makeovers a little while ago that was about 7.8lbs, TBH, I should've sent one of my heavier LP's, that lightweight R8 ended up sounding so tiny. Ended up selling it.

 

[Markedman]

Great tone is heavy.

My 1981 LP is 10.4 pounds of glorious tone. A light LP doesn't cut it for me. A light LP feels like cheapness IMO.

A wide, padded strap is the key to not minding the weight.

Guitar Gang by John Bazzano, on Flickr

 

[shar-vell Dan]

Saying a LP is too heavy is like saying a Ferrari is too fast.

 

[paulyc]

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.

There was weight relief in ‘80 ??? I thought that shit started with Henry…n 87

 

[Detroit1973]

My favorite LP is just over 9 pounds.

 

[cardinal]

There was weight relief in ‘80 ??? I thought that shit started with Henry…n 87

Oh you're right; they didn't start 9-hole relief until '83 I think. I wasn't paying enough attention. Sorry.

 

[shar-vell Dan]

I don't notice feel wise the difference between 9.5lb & 10.5lb to be honest.
Makes 6 & 7lb guitars feel like toys.

 

[rsm]

 

[tallcoolone]

A light LP doesn't cut it for me

Saying a LP is too heavy is like saying a Ferrari is too fast.

How long are your live sets?

 

[Greazygeo]

Amen—willing to bet none of the “heavier the better”guys are doing this. Some people sit and play a couple hours a week, others stand and play 10 or more hours a week. Big, big difference.

I just missed out on the days when bands played Wed-Sun gigs at the same place. We had some Thursday-Saturday gigs but most were Fri-Sat. Tried to switch up and play a lighter guitar every other set, but I would get to used to the LP and just stay with it…ugh. Shoulder is much happier with the lighter guitars. The 14# is back with my friend I got it from many years ago. He loves it.