American Pro II Tele Weight

[manbearpig]

I’ve been lurking on a number of shops’ websites looking at American Pro II teles for a few weeks. They seem very consistent in weight, with almost all alder-bodied ones weighing between 7.5lbs and 8lbs. Occasionally I see one a little heavier. There is one that has caught my eye and my only hang-up is that it is on the high side at 8.2lbs. Would this give you hesitation or am I overthinking it? What would you expect to be the effect of the extra weight on the tone? Is it significant?

 

[yettoblaster]

Mine’s on the heftier side, but sounds fine.
Most of my Tele’s over the decades have been medium wgt.

I’ll admit I had a CS Nocaster (avatar pic) that was significantly lighter that sounded the best, but I paid a tidy $um for that one.

The rest of my stable ever only needed an amp knob adjustment.

Generally I like Nocaster pickups.

One Tele I had came with Texas Twisters: piercingly bright sound! Wincing out to the tenth row could be seen.

Generally maple/ash, but the present AmProII is rosewood/ alder. Sounds fine!

 

[Hibernian]

I love my pine Pro II, weighs less than 7lbs, a great player. But l love lighter guitars.

 

[Blues Twanger]

I tend to like guitars before I weigh them and T-types that I've liked best have ended up from about 7.5 to 8.25 lbs.

 

[ponycar]

I'm on the must be light team, so no help here. My heaviest solid body is a 6 lbs.15 oz. Stratocaster. My "heavy" Telecaster is 6 lbs. 12 oz.

 

[relativegain]

It’s an understatement to say it is easy to overthink this. In my opinion the fact that you have the question lingering in your mind is going to make you second guess that guitar no matter how it sounds. Because we are all crazy that’s why we’re here. I would just think about do I want to have to flip this guitar if it bothers me too much because there’s a good chance. My 2 cents

 

[barrymw]

I don’t think the extra weight will affect the tone, so if that’s your concern I wouldn’t worry at all. Now If you’re quest the weight because you don’t want a heavy guitar hanging around your shoulders, then I agree that you probably shouldn’t buy it, get a lighter one. I have a roasted pine Am Pro II that weighs in at 6 lbs 14 oz. Love it.

 

[Fenderdad1950]

Gotta attach a pic of the one you have been eying.

 

[Dan German]

Effect on the tone? None. Or at least none that overrides the effect of ten other factors on the tone.

Effect on your shoulder? Minimal, unless you play marathon sessions.

8.2 pounds is only .3 pounds more than my #1 (Logan T-style), and exactly the same as my #2 (Mustang-ish). Don’t sweat it, it’s not like it’s an LP or something.

 

[Twofingerlou]

I got one a few weeks ago, it’s about eight pounds and two ounces. Sounds great and feels great. I’m no guitar guru, just like playing around with them.

I can’t imagine a handful of ounces effect much imo regarding sound. It’s a guitar, we aren’t drag racing here where weight matters.

 

[sonny wolf]

If you are ok with 8LBS then 8.2LBS won't be even noticeable really...that is not too heavy for a Fender.A lot of early 1950s Teles sometimes went past 8LBS and those guitars are among the most desirable vintage guitars ever.If the guitar plays and sounds great then that should be the only thing that matters.

 

[ponycar]

Keith Richard's likes his Telecasters to be around 8 lbs.

 

[viking]

8 pounds would be about max for me with a Telecaster. I can play it if its heavier, no biggie....But , I just know with all the others at max 7.5 pounds , I just go for the lighter ones ..everytime !

 

[pope858]

I don't play out these days, but coming from a acoustic guitar background primarily, the weight of my electrics is always a consideration! My AM Pro II Tele comes in at 7.83 lbs. Heavier than my Strat, but still comfortable in most situations. I briefly had one of the MIM 75th Anniversary Tele's at 8.2 lbs. and while ok, it felt noticeably heavy to me! My Logan Thinline T-style weighs in at 6.5 lbs. and is especially comfortable standing or sitting. At my age, I don't need extra weight around my neck/shoulders or on my lap.

 

[MilwMark]

I prefer lighter weight guitars. Not for tone. For weight. My roster is modest(ish):

- 2 Gibson LPs
- One 70's Washburn '335 style (Avatar)
- One 80s SG with Vibrola

The Washburn is the "heavy" one at 7lb 9oz. The 2 LPs are right around 7lb 4-5oz. SG is right around 7lb. I have a Goldilocks weight range for sure. They hang best on the strap and are most comfortable for me at 7-7.5lb.

As @relativegain notes you are already thinking about it so chance are you will not be happy. Wait for one around 7.5lb. The alder/ash ones can be found in that range. You can reduce a couple oz further (and have it hang better) by going vintage staggered tuners if you like.