Light Guitar Recommendations

Grumpyrocker

I mentioned in another thread how my shoulders are creaking a bit. And while I'm not going to be getting rid of the Les Pauls I did wonder about adding something lighter to my collection.

So how about some suggestions and even pictures of a relatively inexpensive (let's say under £500) guitars that won't break my back.

I wish I'd kept my Yamaha RGX-A2 as that weighed very little.

monquixote

What kind of things are you looking for 

Pacificas are fairly light. 

JS1000s are super light and can be had for about £500.

Grumpyrocker

Solidbody. Not particularly after a trem but don't mind if there is one. A mix of humbucker and coils would be good if possible but not essential. I think some kind of very light superstrat would fit the bill.

I could by another Yamaha RGXA2 but that wouldn't feel like exciting GAS.

ToneControl

Steinberger transcale

littlethoughts

Why not an SG special? You can get one used for well within your budget (and various new ones from 2013-2014 for there or thereabouts) and the ones I've played have been among the lightest guitars I've ever played.

Grumpyrocker

littlethoughts said:

Why not an SG special? You can get one used for well within your budget (and various new ones from 2013-2014 for there or thereabouts) and the ones I've played have been among the lightest guitars I've ever played.

That's a good call, I love an SG.

bertie

bertie

mike_l

My Rg 550, Charvel and Strat arnt particularly heavy.......

vasselmeyer

What sort of guitar are you after? A semi might do the job. If you're looking for somethign a little off the beaten track look at something like a Godin Radiator. Very cool and extremely light.

strtdv

How light are we talking? A good strat or tele can be under 7lbs, and an SG should be similarly light.

EricTheWeary

When I saw the thread discussion I thought Yamaha RGX A2. Outside of something boutique or small bodied/ headless you might struggle to find lighter.

crunchman

SG would be top of my list.

You can find really light PRS SE Soapbars if you like P90s.

Kebabkid

MJT bodies can be pretty light with Teles and Strats coming in under 7lbs. Used or build one and you could just be on budget.

xSkarloey

Air guitar! 

(Really sorry, I couldn't resist. I do genuinely sympathise. 

FWIW my SG is pretty heavy. I remember the Lite Ash Strat/ Tele series being mentioned as a lot lighter than average some years ago, but not sure if they do these anymore). 

vasselmeyer

Skarloey said:

FWIW my SG is pretty heavy. I remember the Lite Ash Strat/ Tele series being mentioned as a lot lighter than average some years ago, but not sure if they do these anymore). 

The Lite Ash series (Korean-made for Fender) were really good and definitely lighter than normal. My lite ash Tele was almost neck-heavy. SHould be able to pick them up for £250-£300 these days. Good Seymour Duncan bridge unit in the Tele.

bob21

I did this a while ago after some fairly serious problems with my shoulders.. Ended up with a Parker Fly.. Yes, it cost me £1200.. But it's 4.5lbs! There's very little else out there anywhere near as light!

impmann

When I had my big back injury, I went to playing an SG instead of the Les Paul... its a different tone, but familar ground and mine is a featherweight.

The other guitar to consider is a Les Paul Special DC - my main gigging guitar is one of these and its even lighter but sounds amazing.

A good Tele should be lightweight too - heavy weight ones never sound 'right' to me (opinion and all that). I now have two lightweight Teles and they are a joy to play.

Finally - don't rule out a chambered Les Paul. Ignore the dullards who will tell you they don't sound good - that's balls. They *do* sound different, but if you like playing notes that cascade into musical feedback with great sustain then I think you'll enjoy one live... my LP Goldtop is a featherweight for a LP - I've never weighed it but its only slightly heavier than my SG. I think it sounds great...

Skipped

Somebody on here said they were ordering a 2014 Gibson Les Paul Melody Maker. Can't recall seeing a NGD thread but that looks like a possibility (approx 7 pounds) for a Les Paul player wanting a light guitar? The Andertons review is promising. Less than £500. Maybe just a bit thin sounding? The pickups seem to be based on the very first P90.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LSvbYzZ3r0

xSkarloey

It can be tricky getting a lightweight. My Strat is basswood and is almost as heavy as my mahogany SG. Even my pine Tele is I would say on the heavy side. The lightest guitar I had was a Gordon Smith Gs2 which was very light in the scheme of things.

ToneControl

2008 LP chambered is a very nice guitar, I prefer it to the solid ones