Lightest electric guitar?
- Thread starter Deaf Eddie
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Holy smokes
Friend of Leo's
She has a nice Taylor with a pickup, but she wants something SUPER easy to play, and she thought she'd try an electric for its lower string tension. Arthritic hands, but she's not a quitter.
We tried my SG - too heavy. Tried my Guild Starfire SC and a Bullet Tele, still too heavy. I thought the Affinity might be a tad lighter, but I don't have one to try. I sent her home with a loaner - one of those $99 Chinese Strat copies I was using as a test mule. Worst guitar I own, but it was the lightest on the rack. Still hoping someone has a better idea.
Oh yeah, price is a consideration...
We tried my SG - too heavy. Tried my Guild Starfire SC and a Bullet Tele, still too heavy. I thought the Affinity might be a tad lighter, but I don't have one to try. I sent her home with a loaner - one of those $99 Chinese Strat copies I was using as a test mule. Worst guitar I own, but it was the lightest on the rack. Still hoping someone has a better idea.
Oh yeah, price is a consideration...
Gardo
Friend of Leo's
I don’t know the weight but one thing I didn’t like about the Ibanez AF 55 was it just felt too light . it just felt like nothing in my hands. Eventually I did buy an AF 75.
"... Ibanez AF 55..."
Tried my AF75 - too big for her.
I like the Acoustisonic suggestion - cheapest I could find one was $575.
That might be a bit too steep for her.
This does seem to be turning into a wild goose chase...
Tried my AF75 - too big for her.
I like the Acoustisonic suggestion - cheapest I could find one was $575.
That might be a bit too steep for her.
This does seem to be turning into a wild goose chase...
I have 4 Danelectros, U1, U2, U3, Innuendo...none are anywhere as light as a Paisley Paulowina.
My Epiphone Les Paul Florentine weighs less than 6.5 pounds.
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Knows3Chords
Poster Extraordinaire
Squier Mustang.
www.sweetwater.com
Squier Sonic Mustang HH Solidbody Electric Guitar - California Blue
Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Laurel Fingerboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - California Blue
www.sweetwater.com 
PRS Vela semi hollow, 6 lb 5 oz. I have one and it is a very, very comfortable guitar with no neck dive. Feels nearly weightless and plays and sounds great.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...s2-vela-semi-hollow-electric-guitar-mahi-blue
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...s2-vela-semi-hollow-electric-guitar-mahi-blue
jvin248
Doctor of Teleocity
.
Teisco Tulip 5.5 lbs
Epiphone Special Junior (clipped ear version) 6.5 lbs
Les Paul played sitting down a lot in studios so the hefty Gibson LP was not a problem. Depends how she plays.
Focus on low priced guitars, check fret playability (get a good fret job). Remove parts not needed like trem (block and pull springs etc), pull all but one pickup and switching etc. replace metal covers, like a Tele control plate, with plastic.
.
Teisco Tulip 5.5 lbs
Epiphone Special Junior (clipped ear version) 6.5 lbs
Les Paul played sitting down a lot in studios so the hefty Gibson LP was not a problem. Depends how she plays.
Focus on low priced guitars, check fret playability (get a good fret job). Remove parts not needed like trem (block and pull springs etc), pull all but one pickup and switching etc. replace metal covers, like a Tele control plate, with plastic.
.
bendercaster
Friend of Leo's
My SG and Thinline telecaster are the two lightest electric guitars I have.
Edit: I forgot about the Paulownia parts caster I have. If you can find a Paulownia guitar, they are super light. My SG is about 6lbs, the Paulownia is just under that, and my Squier Thinline is even lighter.
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Honestly, a Casino (or another archtop acoustic) is perfect for her. They play like an electric, but are hollowbody acoustics.
The only limitation with Casinos is cranking them with distortion, where they tend to feedback. That said, I have gigged mine with a blues band a few times and it was very manageable, so a little dirt and volume can be done with no issues.
6-Pack Rule.
The lightest to the heaviest electric guitars all weigh the same as a 6-pack of some beer, 12oz to a pint, aluminum or glass, either way any guitar weighs the same as a sixer of beer.
So if it’s too heavy just drink one of the beers.
The lightest to the heaviest electric guitars all weigh the same as a 6-pack of some beer, 12oz to a pint, aluminum or glass, either way any guitar weighs the same as a sixer of beer.
So if it’s too heavy just drink one of the beers.
Blackmore Fan
Friend of Leo's
I know I'll get resistance from this, but I don't truly believe that a pound here or there makes any meaningful difference. One guitar weighs 6 pounds 7 ounces, the other weighs 7 pounds 2 ounces. Buy the one that sounds best.
bottlenecker
Doctor of Teleocity
Since the parker fly is out, then, your first idea of danelectro is the best in the thread so far. The traditional/repro models are hollow and are very light, and inexpensive.
Danelectro Stock '59 Electric Guitar - Black
Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar with Hardboard/Plywood Body, Maple Neck, Pau Ferro Fingerboard, and 2 Single-coil Pickups - Black
www.sweetwater.com Holy smokes
Friend of Leo's
just under 6 lb. Alnico pkups. 
INFANT
Tele-Holic
Another vote for the Dano. The one I have is super light (late 90's reissue). Amazon says they are 6-ish lb. Not sure what other electric guitar you can get that would be lighter and won't break the bank. Perhaps a Yamaha silent guitar? Acoustasonic? Those are in the 4.5-5 lb range. Good luck!
runstendt
Tele-Afflicted
My hollowbody guitars are by far the lightest ones I own, so I recommend an Epiphone Casino or a Washburn HB15. As far as solid bodies go an SG would probably be the lightest on average.
