Lightweight needed...

I am a tele enjoyer, but, I am looking for a lightweight guitar. After some surgeries, I cant hold the heaver guitar as long. Any suggestions? I am a firm believer (and this may fluster a few) that one can play pretty much any kind of music on anything. So, weight is my focus. I have considered a Gretsch 5120, or a PRS Semi hollow, but I have to admit, they are both a bit pale compared to my tele.

Suggestions? I have about a $500-800 budget.

How much do you want it to weigh? My Pine Tele weighs 6.8lbs.

I haven't had surgery, but I have bursitis, and I have a problem with heavy guitars too. Have you considered a thinline? Some of the Squier versions might be worth looking into. Or if you want to save some money, try Rondo Music.

Bill

I'd think going for a really light body will make for a neck heavy tele which may not help things. I'm playing Melody Makers right now for the same reason....Getting old is a drag.

A chambered pine body or a super light weight chambered ash body would fulfill your needs just fine. Plus you get to keep playing a tele.

I'd think going for a really light body will make for a neck heavy tele which may not help things.

Actually, I've found you need to go below 6 pounds before you even get a hint of neck heavy, especially if you are using lightweight vintage tuners.

I have 2 below 6 pounds, one with a lightweight neck, the other with a chambered neck to keep perfect balance. (neither of these would fit in your price range I'm afraid).

Any 6.5 pound tele will have good balance and if you have a big enough guitar shop in your area, you'll definitely find one in that weight. I tried a road worn last week that met your criteria and several MIM 50s reissues in the past have as well (bonus is that they're great guitars).

Good luck finding a lightweight. After 2 back surgeries,these are the only ones I play standing up. :wink:

My 69RI ash body Thinline weighs 2.6 kg. I have another 69RI Thinline with a mahogany body that weighs a bit more, almost 3 kg. Considering a pickup swap might be necessary (I did that to both of my thinlines and I've never regretted it), the final price is a bit over your budget, but you'll have a damn fine instrument that will fullfill all your needs. Look at the 72RI too.

Some of the new thinlines are actually just as heavy as a regular tele.

I have a Parker Fly and it is amazingly light - nothing really comes close that that. I have a Parker NiteFly Alder as well and it is more conventional and pretty light as well.

I've built a few strat/tele guitars using 'swamp' ash bodies form Warmoth - those were very light as well. No problems being neck heavy.

Find a USA Reverend.........

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i32/jsh1970/Picture173.jpg


or http://guitarmill.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=86&zenid=1e1cea9647489ff0d7a371b7a47a8f36

Simply order up from Mario......and use your tele as a donor.

Find a USA Reverend.........

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i32/jsh1970/Picture173.jpg


or http://guitarmill.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=86&zenid=1e1cea9647489ff0d7a371b7a47a8f36

Simply order up from Mario......and use your tele as a donor.

I died a little inside looking at that guitar.

I sent the OP a PM suggesting the same thing about using an existing tele as a donor for a new chambered body.
Have you had good luck with GuitarMill? I have never used their services.

Cole,The only knock I can say about Mario is turn around time......until "MY stuff" is presentable.......I use them as long as I get good price on muti-orders.....I had one problem and one LOoonnnng turn around time.......He comp'd very fairly on my last order........I've only used pine(7 bodies) and one 2 piece ash body......nice stuff.....all guitars were easily under 6.5 pounds...........

Also,Jaydawg offers up nice wood from time to time.......great stuff......I'm about still a ways away from really doing my own stuff.......I have no problems using either until my stuff is up to snuff.

I'd think going for a really light body will make for a neck heavy tele which may not help things.
I'm thinking really light...like Pawlonia wood light....would make it neck heavy. Haven't a few thinline guys commented on the neck heaviness or am I imagining that? Maybe it was with Fat necks... I don't think it was a dream :-).

What about a Casino or something similar...? Hollow body, a nice set of P90's... Sweet.

How much do you want it to weigh? My Pine Tele weighs 6.8lbs.

Pre bigsby my pine esquire was 6.5. Haven't weighed it with the wang bar

Who is this Cole guy? ;)

Some pretty good ideas indeed! I am playing a Peavey Generation triple/single. I replaced all the pickups with Seymour vintages, so the sound is excellent, it plays fantastic, but is heavy. Hmmmm...perhaps a semi hollow. I would LOVE to build something my own, but dont think my budget would handle that. Excellent ideas guys thank you!!!!

GFS (store.guitarfetish.com) has some kits with paulownia(super lightweight hardwood) bodies. The tele kit's $90, comes with everything but paint. worth a shot and you could probably recoup any costs selling the body and neck elsewhere if it's unsatisfactory.

Who is this Cole guy? ;)

COLT !!!!!


Man,I'm sorry.....COLT,forgive me. :oops:

Don't think anyone has mentioned a 3" wide Strap...can make Heavy Guitars feel much lighter...just a thought ?

I just finished a tele partscaster build (warmoth/callaham). Final weight 5lb 12oz (5.75lbs) You can see some details here:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home...ster-pics.html