How Heavy is too Heavy?

[TelePeter]

I just got a nice FSR Tele and it plays like a dream and sounds great. The only downside is that it's a little over 9lbs! This is one of the nicer Telecasters I've ever played but I'm not sure if I'd want to play it for a long gig. From other posts here, there's not too much you can do to lighten the guitar although I've thought about routing some space underneath the pickguard. So my question to you is "how heavy is too heavy even if it's otherwise a fantastic guitar?".

 

[Turtleface]

Pretty subjective on weight. If it's not comfortable for you, it's too heavy. Alternatively, one could theoretically hit the gym or gig with it regularly and eventually get used to the weight. A nice big strap will help distribute the weight across more of your shoulder/back, making it seem less heavy. I'd say 9 lbs is probably on the heavy side of Tele's though.

 

[javabirds]

Seems like if you dig the guitar, the weight is just the price of admission.

 

[mijstrat72]

I don't like guitars that weigh more then 8 lbs.

 

[Mrsamlki]

I looooove heavy guitars lol I'm kinda weird like that. I've got a nice heavy epi lp standard, and an only slightly lighter knockoff tele, and I love em both, light guitars just feel like a toy to me when I play standing. Although I was playing at church Wednesday and for the first time it felt just a bit heavy.

 

[TelePeter]

I usually use a thin strap but now I'm in the market for a padded strap like the one I use for my Fender Jazz bass. I just now weighed my bass and it's the same weight as my Tele.

Pretty subjective on weight. If it's not comfortable for you, it's too heavy. Alternatively, one could theoretically hit the gym or gig with it regularly and eventually get used to the weight. A nice big strap will help distribute the weight across more of your shoulder/back, making it seem less heavy. I'd say 9 lbs is probably on the heavy side of Tele's though.

 

[Mrsamlki]

In other words, it's never too heavy...well maybe 15 pounds would be a little much

 

[TelePeter]

Seems like if you dig the guitar, the weight is just the price of admission.

I'm just waiting for someone to say "Man Up!". I'm young enough to handle the weight but old enough to know that it might make my shoulder sore enough that I'm might not play it as much.

 

[TelePeter]

I looooove heavy guitars lol I'm kinda weird like that. I've got a nice heavy epi lp standard, and an only slightly lighter knockoff tele, and I love em both, light guitars just feel like a toy to me when I play standing. Although I was playing at church Wednesday and for the first time it felt just a bit heavy.

I was just at Guitar Center today and there wasn't a single Les Paul that I played that was as heavy as my Tele! Maybe if I get used to my Tele, when I get a Les Paul, it'll feel like nothing!

 

[still_fiddlin]

My bass player buddy has been pulling my chain for almost a year about the LP I got - "Doesn't the weight get to you?" etc. So, I go visit in October for a jam, and don't take a guitar because he says, "You can use one of my Tele's." I pick up one, and look at him. "You must be kidding about my LP, right? because this weighs a TON." I swear, it must be a 9 pounder, at least. The other, probably 7lb dripping wet. Whatever. He thinks they're not that different. (I guess this is what bass playing for 40 years, give or take, will do to you....) In any case, they both sound great. (He's a heckuva guitar player, too.) If I was picking, I'd get the lighter one (already have one boat anchor), but, long story short, it's really not a big deal unless it bothers you.

 

[viking]

If only playing one guitar I dont really think too much about it. I guess I just feel the difference when swapping between mine.

My heaviest Tele weighs a tad over 9 pounds , and it doesnt really bother me if I just pick it up and play ,or bring it with me.

However , Ive got one that is identical , but its about 8 pounds. I play that one much more than the other so maybe it does make a difference !

 

[LGOberean]

I just got a nice FSR Tele and it plays like a dream and sounds great. The only downside is that it's a little over 9lbs! This is one of the nicer Telecasters I've ever played but I'm not sure if I'd want to play it for a long gig. From other posts here, there's not too much you can do to lighten the guitar although I've thought about routing some space underneath the pickguard. So my question to you is "how heavy is too heavy even if it's otherwise a fantastic guitar?".

I'm not familiar with these. Is the body Northern Ash, not "Swamp Ash"? I think the general tendency is for Norther Ash to be heavier.

I have a Logan Custom BSB Blackguard, with a Swamp Ash body. I haven't weighed her, but she's probably around 7lbs. Almost as light as my Logan Custom "Logo" Thinline, which weighs 6 lb.12 oz.

OTOH, my Logan Custom with the solid mahogany body weighs 9 lbs. 2 oz. I play standing up when I perform, so I play standing up at home most of the time as well. I've had my mahogany slung around my neck for an hour or so at a time, and don't really notice the weight while I'm playing.

I will admit that at times when my back has given me trouble, I have opted for the Thinline or the BSB. So weight matters to me when I'm dealing with back problems already.

Aside from that, I don't choose which Tele I play based on weight. I have different pups/different pickup configurations in each of my Teles, so I choose what to play based on what sound I'm looking for.

 

[tele-bastard]

I am going to guess that it is a BSB FSR. I have two of them. I love the way they sound. Best out of my herd. They are heavy.. but I am a little guy and do not have much trouble with them. I good leather strap will help with this. If you have a back up tele... alternate during the show. These are sweet... you will regret if you get rid of it.

 

[TelePeter]

My bass player buddy has been pulling my chain for almost a year about the LP I got - "Doesn't the weight get to you?" etc. So, I go visit in October for a jam, and don't take a guitar because he says, "You can use one of my Tele's." I pick up one, and look at him. "You must be kidding about my LP, right? because this weighs a TON." I swear, it must be a 9 pounder, at least. The other, probably 7lb dripping wet. Whatever. He thinks they're not that different. (I guess this is what bass playing for 40 years, give or take, will do to you....) In any case, they both sound great. (He's a heckuva guitar player, too.) If I was picking, I'd get the lighter one (already have one boat anchor), but, long story short, it's really not a big deal unless it bothers you.

Ha, I think this is a great example of the myth that all Les Pauls weigh a ton. The new ones are chambered but like I said, my Tele is heavier than any LP I've ever come across. I'm hoping that a new wider strap will make my Tele manageable but I won't know until I play a gig that's around 2 hours.

 

[TelePeter]

If only playing one guitar I dont really think too much about it. I guess I just feel the difference when swapping between mine.

My heaviest Tele weighs a tad over 9 pounds , and it doesnt really bother me if I just pick it up and play ,or bring it with me.

However , Ive got one that is identical , but its about 8 pounds. I play that one much more than the other so maybe it does make a difference !

I never thought that a pound or two would make a difference to me but apparently it does. If I can shave just one pound off this beast I think I'd be happy but taking a router to a finished body just doesn't seem right.

 

[ac15]

My heaviest guitar is my Les Paul, which is not chambered and weighs 9 lbs.

I have no problem with it, even if I'm standing with that guitar for a few hours. No big deal.

I don't really understand how it can be a big deal for any grown ass man, unless they have back problems, in which case a 7lb guitar would probably be uncomfortable too.

 

[TelePeter]

I'm not familiar with these. Is the body Northern Ash, not "Swamp Ash"? I think the general tendency is for Norther Ash to be heavier.

I will admit that at times when my back has given me trouble, I have opted for the Thinline or the BSB. So weight matters to me when I'm dealing with back problems already.

Not sure if it's Northern Ash but from what I've heard, it might be. This is one of the FSR models so there isn't any information about them given on the Fender site.
I will occasionally have lower back problems so maybe I'm worrying about this in advance of having to play a gig with a bad back.

 

[x2plex]

A couple pounds makes quite a difference, especially for an old guy with back trouble. Out of curiosity, I weighed my guitars for comparison. My strat and deluxe tele are the lightest at about 8 lbs. My LP traditional is weight-relieved to 9.1 and my Godin Icon is 9.0 lbs (chambered!). All of them feel light compared to my Fender Jazz V bass at 10.4 lbs. Of course, the prize always goes to the amps... a tweed twin at 51 and a Hiwatt half-stack with its own gravitational field.

 

[OtherTom]

I have 1 poplar @ 7.4 lbs, one ash @ 8.0, and the odd one is a PINE bsb @ 8.6 lbs. Must be some dense pine.

9 pounds is just a cheeseburger above that...doesn't seem bad at all. I tend to favor heavy guitars.
I guess at around 12 to 15 pounds I'd say Dang...that's a heavy guitar.

Be thankful you didn't take up the accordion.

 

[Gary in Boston]

A friend of mine owned a mid 70's Les Paul the weighed 12 lbs!

Gary