• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

LP weights

GimmeGibson

Active member
Joined
May 27, 2021
Messages
111
So interesting. People often discuss the weight of their Les Pauls. So now that I have two to compare I got around to checking this out.
The two models are, a 50’s Standard (2019) and a Classic (2020). The Standard is a solid body and the Classic is the 9 hole relief model. I triple checked each one with the same numbers every time. The result….
They both come in at 9.4lbs. Huh!
Couple of those holes full of lead??😳
 

Gridlock

Well-known member
Joined
May 16, 2019
Messages
287
My Les Paul Custom 1957 RI weights in at 11.25 lbs.

20501795-62FB-4249-B0F2-BC52271E2592.jpeg
 
Last edited:

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,854
average 50s Burst weight is 8.85 lbs
 

GimmeGibson

Active member
Joined
May 27, 2021
Messages
111
Yah I pretty much understand all of that. But the whole idea of drilling out holes in the body is then moot.

The guy who can only afford to own one LP, and wants to keep it as light as possible might buy a Classic as it’s advertised as being lighter. Even though he (or she, sorry.) really wanted a Standard because maybe, just maybe, the sustain is better with the “heavier” body. Again, a debatable issue on its own.

For Gibson to add an extra step to the manufacturing process (extra cost) without confirming the final weight is kind of useless.

Not trying to exaggerate just to be stupid. Just something that popped into my head and wanted to put it out there. (Read bored at home on sick leave)
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
Yah I pretty much understand all of that. But the whole idea of drilling out holes in the body is then moot.

The guy who can only afford to own one LP, and wants to keep it as light as possible might buy a Classic as it’s advertised as being lighter. Even though he (or she, sorry.) really wanted a Standard because maybe, just maybe, the sustain is better with the “heavier” body. Again, a debatable issue on its own.

For Gibson to add an extra step to the manufacturing process (extra cost) without confirming the final weight is kind of useless.

Not trying to exaggerate just to be stupid. Just something that popped into my head and wanted to put it out there. (Read bored at home on sick leave)
USA Standards and Customs along with Classics are all weight relieved due to how heavy the wood . Now Gibson Custom gets the cream of the crop in wood and they are lighter than the USA models . My 2 cents on weight is that for a Les Paul - you need 9lbs for the signature sound . Lighter than that then you get into that nasal tone territory and to each there own .
 

GimmeGibson

Active member
Joined
May 27, 2021
Messages
111
USA Standards aren’t weight relieved, at least not according to the specs on mine. (2019 50’s Standard model) Unless older ones were.
 

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,854
USA Standards and Customs along with Classics are all weight relieved due to how heavy the wood . Now Gibson Custom gets the cream of the crop in wood and they are lighter than the USA models . My 2 cents on weight is that for a Les Paul - you need 9lbs for the signature sound . Lighter than that then you get into that nasal tone territory and to each there own .
"nasal" is a good thing. Almost all of the great Bursts are under 9 pounds.
 

Peter M

New member
Joined
Aug 19, 2021
Messages
20
I happen to think 9 to 9.5 lbs. is the ideal weight range for a Paul. My Classics are in the lower tier of that range and my Standards are in the upper.
 

Injam

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
88
So interesting. People often discuss the weight of their Les Pauls. So now that I have two to compare I got around to checking this out.
The two models are, a 50’s Standard (2019) and a Classic (2020). The Standard is a solid body and the Classic is the 9 hole relief model. I triple checked each one with the same numbers every time. The result….
They both come in at 9.4lbs. Huh!
Couple of those holes full of lead??😳
The weight relief one would have been a ten pounder or heavier.
 

Don

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2001
Messages
5,732
My '14 Classic weighs just under 9 pounds and my '14 Traditional weighed just over 8 pounds. They both had the same construction and weigh relief. The Classic is a much better sounding guitar, but I don't think the weight had anything to do with that.
 

AA00475Bassman

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2016
Messages
3,769
Although I don't own any 9+ pounders at the time I still IMO 9+ is not anything I would pass on as I have owned several over the years & these guitars sound Marvelous!!!!

The Burst tone is mainly in the hands !
 
Top