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what do you think of weight-relieved Les Pauls

okelwe

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Joined
Dec 18, 2021
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1
Personally, I think a Les Paul should be heavy; that's part of the beauty of them. I understand that holding up a heavy guitar for a whole set is tough, but it's part of the job - if rocking out was easy, everyone would do it, and it wouldn't be awesome anymore.
 
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DutchRay

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Mar 15, 2015
Messages
872
This post will not get much response because there were no weight relieved Les Paul in the 50's (other than Mary's goldtop). Maybe try the sunburst or historic section!
 

bluesky636

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Joined
Jan 10, 2014
Messages
656
Personally, I think a Les Paul should be heavy; that's part of the beauty of them. I understand that holding up a heavy guitar for a whole set is tough, but it's part of the job - if rocking out was easy, everyone would do it, and it wouldn't be awesome anymore.
Wrong forum. Mods, please move.
 

Phil 52

Active member
Joined
Sep 7, 2005
Messages
823
First I agree with DutchRay and bluesky636, this here is the wrong forum.

Regarding weight-relieved LPs.
I think I remember that the late great Ed King once gave some pretty good statements
about the Custom Shop weight relieved LPs.
And regarding Billy F Gibbons - every guitar he is playing on stage for decades now
(with the exception of original "Pearly" of course) is heavily weight relieved.
But Billy compensates this all with EQs. Ask Elwood.
Myself I had a couple of these CR LPs but I never got to like them played without
pedals thru a "normal" amp.

No expert here! Just my 2cts.
 

shines2225

Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2001
Messages
57
What is heavy in your opinion? Les Pauls vary from about 7.5 lbs.to more than 12 lbs. with NO weight relief. Same with Strats although the Strats start at about 6 lbs and some of those 70's slabs were well past 10 lbs. To me 8.5 lbs for a Les Paul and 7.5 for a Strat are the sweet spots. Any less weight is a winning bonus. Over 9.5 on any guitar and to me that's heavy.
 
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Morlock

Member
Joined
May 22, 2018
Messages
58
I have a LP studio which I thought was really heavy when I got it. That was until I got my LP Standard 60's! I like heavy guitars, it is one reason I never took to the SG. Just something about that weight.
 

metropolis

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Joined
Sep 14, 2018
Messages
390
Personally my weight relieved Les Paul is my best sounding one. I think that some of the best vintage Les Pauls are likely light due the natural traits of the wood used. My non-weight releived LPs that are made from much heavier wood just sound a bit more dead (less brightness) so the weight relief brings back some of that brightness.
 

djcmusician

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Apr 29, 2015
Messages
263
The irony is this: most of the nine hole weight relieved Gibson USA LPs weigh about the same as the solid Gibson USA guitars. The weight relief just helps to compensate for crappier wood.
 

Morlock

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May 22, 2018
Messages
58
Personally my weight relieved Les Paul is my best sounding one. I think that some of the best vintage Les Pauls are likely light due the natural traits of the wood used. My non-weight releived LPs that are made from much heavier wood just sound a bit more dead (less brightness) so the weight relief brings back some of that brightness.
Must be on a LP by LP basis as my non weight relieved 60's standard is very bright sounding. More so than my LP studio which I believe is weight relieved. Humbuckers would play a huge part too.
 

metropolis

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Sep 14, 2018
Messages
390
Yeah you are right, I'm dealing with a sample size of 4, all from different decades! I also have different pickups in them - Monty's PAFs in my weight relieved which are known for being bright PAFs (and I love them for that).

However, it is true when comparing the guitars acoustically which seems to be a fair representation of the natural tone, and takes pickups out of the equation. On that note my PRS McCarty is easily the brightest sounding but the pickups are so dark it masks it.
 

RocknRollShakeUp

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Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
766
The irony is this: most of the nine hole weight relieved Gibson USA LPs weigh about the same as the solid Gibson USA guitars. The weight relief just helps to compensate for crappier wood.
Yeah if I get a weight relieved Les Paul it would need to be in the mid 7lb range or else it’s almost like what’s the point.
 

mdubya

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2010
Messages
1,020
This one is 6 lbs. It is very versatile, going from authentic LP rock tones, to deep and airy hollowbody tones. It can be a bit off putting, being so light. It can also make you wonder why you would feel the need for anything heavier. To each their own. I have a 9.5 lb Tokai Love Rock, too.

Lct518J.jpg


This one was 7.7 lbs and had incredible tone. Just incredible. I miss it and wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

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In addition to the Love Rock, I have an 8 lb LP Special.

ehqCVIz.jpg
 

bobalu

Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2003
Messages
81
The irony is this: most of the nine hole weight relieved Gibson USA LPs weigh about the same as the solid Gibson USA guitars. The weight relief just helps to compensate for crappier wood.
I believe this to be true. And it's consistent with Gibsons manufacturing approach (maximize profit above all else). :D
 

jb_abides

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Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,274
It's not just purely profits, wood availability and species density are factors too. Old growth hard to come by, and lighter woods that are procured are used for historic reissues, etc.
 

bern1

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Joined
Nov 23, 2004
Messages
1,275
I have a weight relieved “modern” Les Paul from 2007. I like the sound of it, it is fairly bright, which I like. Most importantly to me, it has that prominent Les Paul upper harmonic character that not all LP’s have. It weighs a little over 7lbs, which is comfortable.

It appears that I like electric guitars in the 7 to 8 lb range. Any lighter and they don’t seem to have “the sound” I like. Goes for Strats and Teles too.
 

El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
There is a noticeable nasal like tone from weight relieved Les Paul's , to my ears for what it's worth , which is not pleasant . Weight +mass = tone for me as far as my Les Paul's go . This is what I learned on when I was a kid with a 9lb Les Paul Custom . I just take it for granted that is the way a Les Paul should feel .
 

cincyguitar

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Jul 30, 2015
Messages
431
My 2017 LP Trad Pro is sooo heavy...I almost wish I had a gotten a weight relieved LP.....but it does have tons of sustain....when you are 68 ......12 lbs feels heavier...🤢
 

Gibbons59

Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2018
Messages
45
The swiss cheese weight relief very doubtfully has any affect on tone whatsoever. It also most likely has almost zero real affect on weight. It doesn't really remove enough wood to do much. As for chambering, my 2020 Tribute is possibly my favourite sounding Les Paul. Whether or not the chambering is why I couldn't possibly say...
 
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