Effect of weight on tone....

[Vic6string]

In the end, I went away from the two Paul's guitars I was looking at. I just couldn't pull the trigger on a $5k guitar knowing I have two kids about to enter college in the next coupe of years. So I ended up going just slightly below that and, to stay on the weight conversation, went with about the lightest guitar I was looking at: I should be getting my new PRS CE Semi-hollow a week from now. Can't wait to post pics on my NGD! Thank you all for the replies.

 

[21Hemispheres12]

In the end, I went away from the two Paul's guitars I was looking at. I just couldn't pull the trigger on a $5k guitar knowing I have two kids about to enter college in the next coupe of years. So I ended up going just slightly below that and, to stay on the weight conversation, went with about the lightest guitar I was looking at: I should be getting my new PRS CE Semi-hollow a week from now. Can't wait to post pics on my NGD! Thank you all for the replies.

Glad I could help you out! Looking forward to seeing your new CE, I just went to practice with mine today and I definitely don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

 

[Jock68]

Yes weight does impact on the sound, I am lucky to have two guitars from the same maker, same spec but one is 1lb lighter than the other.... of course they look different, they are a different burst, how else would you get permission to buy them both Both made by Momose in Japan same quality woods used, same electrics and the lighter guitar does have a darker sound..

 

[AP515]

At the risk of opening up a "tone debate", yes weight makes a difference. It's not about how many sets you can play before you hurt, it's a question of the tone. It also depends on if the tone difference matters to you. All other things being equal, the heavier guitar will have more muscle. More punch. I have a Gen 1 SC (2000) and a Gen 2 SC (2006), same everything else, but the Gen 1 weighs another pound or so. It's a monster guitar. The other one is prettier. The lightest guitar I own is a Mira (6 lbs). It is great for rock and roll, but in terms of tone, it's nowhere close to my Gen 1 SC. Now I know it's different in lots of ways, but I'm just not going to get a low end punch out of the Mira. Just won't happen. AC/DC in spades, but not much bottom end.

 

[Jacl]

Interesting thread. I personally have an issue with heavy guitars. Never paid to much attention this before, although recently I started to pay attention to the subject. I believe most of the "soul" of what and how we play, may have to do with the well being we have at the time of playing. I can recall several times that I was begging for the show to end because of the weight of the guitar.

 

[Greywolf]

My '79 LP Custom weighs 12.9 lbs ..my ES - 335 just under 8 ...it sustains just as much ...I've timed them.
The light guitars allow you to play longer with less wear and tear on your back and no sacrifice in tone or sustain..

 

[rb1]

Derek Trucks says light wood is the best and I will not argue with him about tone.