Guitar weights

[Alan17]

As an offshoot of my enquiries about the Epi Invader/Junior, LP 100 and LP Studio, there was one question that I forgot to ask .....

 

I'm of an age now where the weight of a guitar has become a significant factor. As I'm not much into extreme sustain, and because I now play mostly folk, folk rock and country, I no longer need or can comfortably use an instrument that is as solid or heavy as a flagstone.

 

That has now become my main problem with the Vintage V100MRPGM --- in all other respects it's a very good instrument (apart from the rubbishy attempt at a relic'd look). It weighs in at 8.75lbs (4kg) which isn't a lot less than a Gibson LP. But it's sheer weight now causes me a lot of problems.

 

My Epi Invader may not be the greatest guitar in the world and it's tuners were little better than wobbly dowels, but it is light, comfortable and capable of producing the types of sound that I like. I just want to upgrade to an Epi that is of better quality with a wider range of tonal choices - but not to the point of going for an out-and-out copy of a LP as I'd be back into the territory of weights exceeding 8 - 9 lbs.

 

So, the question I forgot to ask is ---- if you own an Epi LP 100 or an Epi LP Studio, can you give me an idea of their respective weights?

Dealers, the Epi website and reviewers never seem to touch on that topic.

 

Thanks.

[bigneil]

what about a semi hollow like a 335 or a dot, i think they are usually quite light. Actually, my epi G400 is a light guitar, how about one of those with a coil splitter for a wide range of sound options??

[bigneil]

I will weigh my 3 electric guitars.... and report back in Lb and Kilo. Any body else want to weigh up?

[bigneil]

I will weigh my 3 electric guitars.... and report back in Lb and Kilo. Any body else want to weigh up?

 

G400 ~ 6.8lb (3.1Kg)

Spotlight ~ 8.5lb (3.9Kg)

Ibanez SZR ~ 7.7lb (3.5Kg)

 

 

It's Amazing to think that the Ultra II is Under 3 kilo

[Alan17]

Thanks for all those responses.

 

The Ultra was on my list, but I can't see myself having the funds for quite a long time (and certainly not for the Ultra II) - but I'll certainly keep an eye open for a 2nd hand one. The chambered idea is intriguing, as is the use of a Nanomag on the II. I also like the Strat-like belly cutback.

 

Just out of curiosity --- if you have an Ultra II, how convenient do you find the positioning of the Nanomag controls on the back of the guitar? That strikes me as pretty weird.

 

For the moment, the LP 100 or LP Studio remain top of my list and are affordable for me. From what I've read in the way of reviews, and from what I've picked up on Youtube demos, the Studio certainly looks to be the better of the two. I hope to go in search of some examples to try in a couple of weeks time.

 

The weight will be one of the main deciding factors for me. If they're fairly similar, it will be probably be the Studio.

 

BUT - Pete.R referred to the Ultra II as weighling "less than 3kg". Anyone know its actual weight? I doubt I could afford it, but it DOES look tempting and would be ideal for my interest in folk, folk rock and country.

 

Hopefully one or two members out there will have those instruments and won't mind sticking them on their bathroom scales. Thanks in advance.

 

PS - for anyone who hasn't seen any demos of the Ultra - try these:

 

ULTRA II

Official Epiphone demo

 

------------------------------------------

ULTRA

User demo - also refers to the weight as 7.2 lbs (3.3Kg) which lands me back with the problem I've described.

[AlanH]

The LP Studio is almost as heavy as the standard.

 

If weight is a real issue for you I wouldn't recommend looking at a Les Paul at all. An SG will get you close to the sustain of a LP but with more 'attack' and less 'fatness'. However, you said you don't need lots of sustain either.

 

Have you considered Strat styles instead?

 

As this is a Gibson corp forum I'll put in a good word for the new Kramer Pacer Classic 2010s. I think they're conservative enough in looks to not appear out of place on any stage. More importantly for yourself the Pacer Classic is very comfortably contoured and light (even compared to a Strat); and it plays like butter out of the box:

 

 

Alan

[Notes_Norton]

The Dot is actually quite heavy for being a semi-hollow.

 

My partner has a Parker PM10 that weighs just under 7 pounds. It has coil tapping pups, sustains well for the weight, a great neck, and excellent construction.

 

My Casino weighs about 6 pounds. It doesn't have the sustain of a solid body, but the vibrating arch top adds a bit of complexity to the wonderful P90 tone.

 

Also, two solid body guitars of the same model and from the same factory might not weigh the same. The particular piece of wood contributes a lot to the weight.

 

Personally, I prefer a lighter guitar.

 

Have you thought about an SG?

 

Insights and incites by Notes ♫

[Alan17]

Thanks again for all the responses.

These have led me to an interesting day today bouncing between guitar shops - very enjoyable.

 

By visiting the shops to see what they stocked, I was able to put together a fairly comprehensive selection. It was just a case of comparing different guitars tried in different shops. But I think the experience (combined with responses in this thread) have brought me closer to a decision .... even though it will mean I'll need to wait awhile and save up a bit extra.

 

I was able to try the following ...

 

Epi LP Special II .... I liked this. It suited my style but the hardware didn't seem too great, especially the GBE tuners which struck me as being a bit 'fuzzy' (ie: imprecise) and even during my short test, the B string went flat.

 

Second hand Epi LP 100 .... I liked this as well. The tuners seemed reasonable but one pickup seemed to be a tad insecure. Not loose, but definitely not firmly in place. I thuink the instrument was about 9 months old.

 

Epi Ebony Studio .... REALLY liked this but the weight would probably be a problem. Very nice guitar though. At £275 it would just about be within reach (I've seen it cheaper online), so it's still on my list .... JUST.

 

None of the shops had an Epi SG that I could try, but I recall trying a Vintage SG-style some time ago. That was OK.

 

It was at that point that one shopowner said, "Have you considered this ....".

I could see that he was holding a Gibson and at first I thought it was a Junior, but it wasn't. It turned out to be a Gibson Melody Maker which I'd not encountered before. At £350 it's outside the budget I'd set (but still at least £200 less than a Junior), but after trying it, I think it will be worth the wait. Even with just the one pickup, Volume and Tone, the range of sounds was very impressive. The weight was fine and it was really comfortable to play both standing or sitting.

 

So that, I think brings my search to an end. The Studio is still in there, but I think its weight will be a deciding factor. However, it was a really nice guitar.

 

All I need now is some patience.

[bigneil]

the melody maker maker has a very short scale length 22.75 i think/?

[Alan17]

the melody maker maker has a very short scale length 22.75 i think/?

Since coming home, I did some Googling and found that the MM is sold as a full size guitar but also in a 3/4 size.

Also found that there used to be a dual pickup version (still with just the two main controls). I think that version has been discontinued - not sure but it looks like it.

 

I'll try to find time next weekend to go and try the MM and the Epi Studio again.

Maybe my wife would like to go and look at a few shoe shops and I could go elsewhere to save being bored ?????

 

I'll also have a good search through the Gibson part of this forum for any comments about the MM.

[bigneil]

sorry, it is indeed 24.75, but as les paul said it also came as a 3/4 size.

[brianh]

Alan, as an inveterate LP Junior afficionado, I've been interested in Melody Makers for some time. Problem I've found with them is the neck. The fret work on those guitars always seems to be lacking - sharp ends and little or no beveling. Dissappointing on an American made guitar, but thye are the least expensive Gibson after all. A good fret dressing is around $100, so significant additional cost. Not slagging Gibson here, just wanted to point it out for closer inspection next time you have one in your hands.

 

BTW, if you can find an Epiphone LP Junior '57 Reissue, give it a whirl. Single P90, lightweight solid mahogany body, Grover tuners stock, great finish, neck, nut, and excellent fretwork. They are discontinued, but I found one on eBay for $300 USD, and it's a keeper.

 

Cheers, Brian

[Alan17]

Alan, as an inveterate LP Junior afficionado, I've been interested in Melody Makers for some time. Problem I've found with them is the neck. The fret work on those guitars always seems to be lacking - sharp ends and little or no beveling. Dissappointing on an American made guitar, but thye are the least expensive Gibson after all. A good fret dressing is around $100, so significant additional cost. Not slagging Gibson here, just wanted to point it out for closer inspection next time you have one in your hands ....

 

Cheers, Brian

 

The Melody Maker I tried seemed fine - but thanks for the tips. It's a bit worrying if Gibson are releasing instruments with those kinds of fault. It won't be a problem if I am able to visit a shop to try-before-I-buy, but the shop I visited only had that one in stock and that was only because someone had ordered it in. If I end up having to buy online, I'll make sure I ask them to check the guitar before sending --- that's assuming I go for a Melody Maker rather than the Epi Studio. I'm hoping I can try both again next weekend, but if the person who has ordered in the MM has collected it by then, I may be out of luck, unless I can find one elsewhere in another shop.

 

Thanks again for the tips - useful and worrying. I think I'll pop a query into the Gibson part of the forum to see if anyone else has had a similar experience.