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Why is the SWD such a 'heavy' guitar?


EuroAussie

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Posted

I don't mean in tone but in actual weight?

 

My recent thread about debating the purchase of a J-45 got me thinking about weight, bracing and top vibrations of guitar.

 

Eminor7 made a great point that my 69 CW is quite heavily braced and doesn't have the same top vibration like a moderd J45 (true) and the J45 is also lighter which I like about the guitar.

 

Which made me wonder why is the SWD so darn heavy??

 

Is it the bracing, the rosewood b/s? It really is one of the heaviest dreads I've picked up, especially if you compare to the feather weight of a J-45.

 

Any ideas ??

Posted

I don't mean in tone but in actual weight?

 

My recent thread about debating the purchase of a J-45 got me thinking about weight, bracing and top vibrations of guitar.

 

Eminor7 made a great point that my 69 CW is quite heavily braced and doesn't have the same top vibration like a moderd J45 (true) and the J45 is also lighter which I like about the guitar.

 

Which made me wonder why is the SWD so darn heavy??

 

Is it the bracing, the rosewood b/s? It really is one of the heaviest dreads I've picked up, especially if you compare to the feather weight of a J-45.

 

Any ideas ??

 

No answer here, but I noticed it, too. Every week or so, I stop in at a local shop to check on the inventory (and to make sure the r/w CJ-165 is still there). Last time, I played a SWD and was kinda shocked at its heft; reminded me of the Guild D-50 I used to have. I thought maybe I only noticed it because I am so used to the weight and feel of my J-100, but in the back of my mind, I just thought "Dang, that sucker is heavy!"

 

The rosewood jumbos I've tried do not seem noticably heavier than the maples, so I'm thinking bracing? Or perhaps there's a cement neck block? [tongue]

Posted

I'm always surprised when I switch between my SWD and J-45 TV too - such a difference. Can't just be bracing can it?

Posted

Do you think the Fishman preamp and 9v battery might contribute to the weight?

 

 

My J-100xtra has a 9-volt, and several J-185s I've tried have the preamp. These, imo, aren't noticable weight factors...

Posted

The electronics add a small amount of weight, but not much. The weight comes from the rosewood. Very heavy, dense wood.My SongBird is TWICE the weight of my TV/SJ. Two different woods, two different sounds.

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