Conundrum: Perfect neck but heavy(ish) guitar
- Thread starter Catsandstrats
- Start date
gitold
Poster Extraordinaire
Try out different size straps. Wide suede straps can make a heavy guitar more comfy for sure.
TeleBackelaer
Tele-Meister
Weird isn't it? For ages I was absolutely, 100% sure my main tele was heavier than my strat. Then finally I decided to weigh 'em: turns out they weigh exactly the same. Numbers don't lie, but my tele still feels heavier than the strat
Anyway, if you love the way it sounds, I'd definitely keep it as is. And yeah, 7.6 isn't all that heavy imo. I think chances are you'll get used to it.
Catsandstrats
TDPRI Member
It is weird! My favorite Strat is right under 8lbs (listed as 8lbs from the retailer, 7lb 15oz on my kitchen scale) and I was convinced this Tele was at least as much or a bit heavier. Totally strange. The best I can think is that the weight distribution is different between the body shapes and the location of the tremolo block.Weird isn't it? For ages I was absolutely, 100% sure my main tele was heavier than my strat. Then finally I decided to weigh 'em: turns out they weigh exactly the same. Numbers don't lie, but my tele still feels heavier than the strat
Anyway, if you love the way it sounds, I'd definitely keep it as is. And yeah, 7.6 isn't all that heavy imo. I think chances are you'll get used to it.
archetype
Fiend of Leo's
I showed up here to say this.
2HBStrat
Friend of Leo's
I would probably keep the guitar as is but in the meantime start looking for another guitar, similar to it with a neck I liked just as much, to trade it for. If it wasn't a Custom Shop Fender I would probably try to trade bodies.
jchabalk
Tele-Holic
I had a similar problem with the balance of my tele (partscaster). Here are some observations i made while building up another which my be useful to this discussion (link).
The key thing is the balance was the primary issue rather than the overall weight - and neck dive is a bummer. There's a neck:body ratio which seems to help a lot (as a target).
www.tdpri.com
The key thing is the balance was the primary issue rather than the overall weight - and neck dive is a bummer. There's a neck:body ratio which seems to help a lot (as a target).
Balanced Telecaster Build (Blackguard Style)
I put together a parts telecaster in 2019. It was my first build (assembly is probably the right term, right?) and while it turned out pretty good i never really liked it. I'd selected a bunch of nice parts and my body and neck were high-quality. It ended up being a pretty light build coming in...
Rockinvet
Friend of Leo's
I would keep it. For me it’s the neck that makes the guitar, pickups second, weight 3rd. YMMV
Body weights are easy to find. Perfect necks are not. If I could have one or the other the neck would trump the body every single time. I'd play, (and never trade in), a guitar with a perfect neck for long and long. No matter the other issues .... perfect necks are #1 in my book. Unless you can find a lighter bodied guitar with a neck that equals or exceeds what you already own I wouldn't consider a replacement purchase. I'm 68. Weight is an issue. I'd bow my back if that's what it took to own the perfect neck.
Catsandstrats
TDPRI Member
Off-topic from the weight question but man, I love that ”tru-grain” finish on your Tele. I’ve been dreaming of assembling a Tele or Strat from Guitar Mill parts and this isn’t helpingI had a similar problem with the balance of my tele (partscaster). Here are some observations i made while building up another which my be useful to this discussion (link).
The key thing is the balance was the primary issue rather than the overall weight - and neck dive is a bummer. There's a neck:body ratio which seems to help a lot (as a target).
Balanced Telecaster Build (Blackguard Style)
I put together a parts telecaster in 2019. It was my first build (assembly is probably the right term, right?) and while it turned out pretty good i never really liked it. I'd selected a bunch of nice parts and my body and neck were high-quality. It ended up being a pretty light build coming in...
I usually buy guitars in the 7.5 or 7.6 pound range. I have an Esquire that's 6 pounds and like 14 ounces or so. My latest buy is 7.9 pounds so the heaviest I own currently. I don't think about it when I pick it up, but if I play it right after another I feel it. Not a problem honestly and I guess I'll live by: As long as it's under eight it's great!
TokyoPortrait
Friend of Leo's
Hi.
Dunno. You’re already thinking of selling it. If you’re not happy, you’re not happy.
Flip side, give it some time, try different strap positions and / or straps, etc, and it may turn into a non issue.
You have other Teles, I think. You could try swapping the necks, and see how things feel? Not sure how that would help, but if your other one ‘feels’ lighter, you may end up happy.
Yeah, pretty sure this is a thing. I was the same with my two Teles. Then I weighed them. Both exactly 3.4 kg (aka 7.49 lb).
Pax/
Dean
Dunno. You’re already thinking of selling it. If you’re not happy, you’re not happy.
Flip side, give it some time, try different strap positions and / or straps, etc, and it may turn into a non issue.
You have other Teles, I think. You could try swapping the necks, and see how things feel? Not sure how that would help, but if your other one ‘feels’ lighter, you may end up happy.
Yeah, pretty sure this is a thing. I was the same with my two Teles. Then I weighed them. Both exactly 3.4 kg (aka 7.49 lb).
Pax/
Dean
Matthias
Friend of Leo's
You might need to audition a few to get under 7.6lb and it might be hard to find the body you want at the right weight if you replace that. Get a 2.5” or even 3” strap and avoid the webbing ones. It makes a huge difference.
KeithDavies 100
Tele-Holic
I was going to suggest a wider, or more padded, strap, but several others got there before me.
I'm also with some others though that suggest that if it's already entering your head to sell it, then perhaps that's the way to go. My own experience that when that thought enters my head, it's almost always just a matter of time, as I struggle with the idea. (That said, my main guitar of the last 35 years now almost got traded in about 6 months after I bought it, so you never know!)
I'm also with some others though that suggest that if it's already entering your head to sell it, then perhaps that's the way to go. My own experience that when that thought enters my head, it's almost always just a matter of time, as I struggle with the idea. (That said, my main guitar of the last 35 years now almost got traded in about 6 months after I bought it, so you never know!)
Blues Twanger
Tele-Afflicted
You might never find another with a neck that feels like that one. A good guitar is more than it's specs. For me the neck feel is usually the most important attribute, I own guitars I would've otherwise passed on just looking at specs because of how the neck feels. I've sold amazing guitars that ticked all the other boxes because the necks were not what I wanted.
