How much does an electric guitar weigh? Weight of each brand and model
How much does an electric guitar weigh? We count you weight in pounds (lbs) and kilograms (kg) of each electric guitar: Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul and SG and all the most popular models.
How much do electric guitars weigh?
The weight of electric guitars varies significantly by brand and model, but on average we can say that it is normal for a guitar to weigh between 6 to 10 lbs or 2.7 to 4.5 kg. Guitars like Fender Telecaster Thinline o solidbody guitars made with Swamp Ash can weigh between 6 to 7.1 lbs or 2.7 to 3.2 kg; Fender Strat and Telecaster of Alder body or Gibson SG typically weigh between 7.1 to 8.2 lbs or 3.2 to 3.7 kg. Finally, Gibson Les Pauls typically weigh over 8.2 lbs or 3.8kg.
Below we see the weight range and average weight of all the major guitar models. At the end of the note we also explain the factors that determine the weight of a guitar.
What determines the weight of a guitar?
The weight of a guitar basically depends on three fundamental factors:
- Guitar body shape and size
- Species / type of tonewood used
- Body Type: Solid, Semi-Hollow, Hollow and weight-relief
Shape and size of the guitar body
Normally, the body is the heaviest part of a guitar. In addition, it is the part that can vary the most in weight, the rest of the components usually have a minimum variation in weight. When we talk about size, the thickness of the body is usually the most decisive. Thus, although the body of a Les Paul, when viewed from the front, appears smaller than that of an SG, the thickness is practically double. Thus, normally an SG weighs between 1.1 to 2.2 lbs or 0.5 to 1 kg less than a Gibson Les Paul.
Species or type of tonewood
The different species of tonewoods used in the construction of electric guitars have very varied weights. At the lighter end, we find woods such as Swamp Ash and Kiri or Paulownia. While at the opposite extreme we find ebony and rosewood. This is because different tonewoods have different densities, which causes their weight to vary. Thus, the tonewood of the body will have a key factor in the weight of the instrument.
Of course it also influences what tonewood the neck is made of, and even the fingerboard, but of course its incidence is much less.
Normal weight of each tonewood
Below you will find the density -weight per cubic meter- of the tonewoods with 12% humidity:
- Alder: used for bodies, density: 990-1210 lbs / m3 or 450-550 kg / m3
- Mahogany: used for bodies and necks, density: 1255-1320 lbs / m3 or 570-600 kg / m3
- Ash: used for bodies, density: 1320-1435 lbs / m3 or 600-650 kg / m3
- Swamp Ash: used for bodies, density: 880-1100 lbs / m3 or 400-500 kg / m3
- Maple: used for necks, fingerboards and bodies, density: 1210-1540 lbs / m3 or 550-700 kg / m3
- Rosewood: used for fingerboards mainly, and in necks and bodies, density: 1985 lbs / m3 or 900 kg / m3
- Ebony: used for fingerboards, density: 2315 lbs / m3 or 1,050 kg / m3
- Basswood: used for bodies, density: 1170-1230 lbs / m3 or 530-560 kg / m3
- Sycamore -European Maple-: used for necks and fingerboards, density: 1355-1410 lbs / m3 or 615-640 kg / m3
- Mahogany Sapele: used for bodies and necks, density: 1500-1520 lbs / m3 or 680-690 kg / m3
- Acajou or African Mahogany: used for bodies and necks, density: 1120-1250 lbs / m3 or 510-570 kg / m3
- Poplar: used for bodies, density: 990 lbs / m3 or 450 kg / m3
- Walnut: used for necks, fingerboards and bodies, density 1340-1430 lbs / m3 or 610-650 kg / m3
- Okume: used for bodies, density: 990 lbs / m3 or 440 kg / m3
- Kiri or Paulownia: used for bodies, density: 585-615 lbs / m3 or 265-280 kg / m3
Here you have a reference of the different weights of the woods, which will allow you to understand the weights of the different guitars. However, as you can see, the density in some woods like mahogany or ash varies a lot.
Body Type: Solid, Semi-Hollow, Hollow and Weight-relief
Most electric guitars are solid body, meaning its body is made of a solid piece of tonewood. However, there are also hollow and semi-hollow guitars, such as the Gibson ES-335 Dot or the Gretsch G5422T. The hollow and semi-hollow body guitars are similar to an acoustic guitar. The difference between hollow or semi-hollow body is whether the body has a solid wood block or not in the center where the pickups are installed. There are also versions of solid guitars with a hollow body such as the Telecaster Thinline, Paul Reed Smith Custom and even Gibson Les Paul.
In the middle between hollowbody and solid guitars, there are guitars with body weight relief. A weight relief body is basically a solid wood body with hollow sections. Body lightening can range from simple gaps or enlarged holes to remove wood, to remove most of the wood creating air chambers, which are known as chambered body. These techniques are particularly used in Les Paul guitars, which due to the size of the body and the wood used -mahogany- are heavy guitars. If you want to know more about lightening, Guitar Quarter explains very well the weight relief used by Gibson for Les Paul guitars.
Thus, you can find bodies larger in volume such as the Gibson ES-335 that is lighter than a smaller body guitar like the Les Paul. The same is true between two seemingly identical guitars like two Les Pauls, but one without weight relief and other with a chambered body.
How to recognize a guitar with a hollow or semi-hollow body?
Normally, but not always, hollow or semi-hollow body guitars have “F” holes. But there are hollowbody guitars without holes.
Weight of each of the electric guitar models
How much does the Fender Stratocaster weigh?
The weight of a typical Fender Stratocaster is around 7 to 8.5 lbs or 3.2 to 3.8 kg. Normally, those made with Alder weigh between 7.5 and 8.15 lbs or 3.4 and 3.7 kg, while those made with Swamp Ash, usually weigh under 7.5 pounds or 3.4 kilograms, and even exceptionally it can weigh less than 8.4 pounds or 3 kilograms. Finally, the heaviest are usually those made with Ash and usually exceed 7.9 lbs or 3.6 kg.
During the 70’s Fender made guitars with heavy Ash. Therefore, you can find extremely heavy Fender guitars from those years that exceed 8.8 pounds or 4 kilograms.
Squier Stratocaster guitars also weigh between 7 to 8.5 pounds or 3.2 to 3.8 kg. It also applies to other brands that make Stratocaster type guitars.
How much does the Fender Telecaster weigh?
The weight of a typical Fender Telecaster is around 7 to 8.2 lbs or 3.2 to 3.7 kg. Typically, Telecasters made from Alder weigh between 7.5 and 8.15 pounds or 3.4 and 3.7 kilograms. Guitars made with Swamp Ash, usually weigh under 7.5 pounds or 3.4 kilograms, and even exceptionally can weigh less than 8.4 lbs or 3 kg. Finally, the heaviest Telecasters are usually those made with Ash and usually exceed 7.9 lbs or 3.6 kg.
During the 1970s, Fender made guitars out of heavy ash. Therefore, you can find extremely heavy Fender guitars from those years that exceed 8.8 lbs or 4 kg.
Squier Telecaster guitars also weigh between 7 to 8.2 pounds or 3.2 to 3.7 kg. It also applies to other brands that make Telecaster-type guitars.
How much does a Gibson Les Paul weigh?
The weight of a typical Gibson Les Paul is around 8.4 to 12.2 lbs or 3.8 to 5.5 kg. Gibson Les Paul is one of the heaviest guitars. The weight will depend not only on whether it is solid or which of the types of weight relief it has, but also on the mahogany with which it is built. By using heavy tonewoods such as mahogany and maple and having a thicker body than the rest, they can become too heavy. Normally Gibson’s more expensive lines are built with lighter mahogany which despite not having lightening can weigh 8.8 lbs or 4 kg or less. The chambered versions are normally well under 8.8 lbs or 4 kg. Finally, the mid-priced lines typically use heavier mahogany and typically weigh between 9.3 and 9.9 lbs or 4.2 and 4.5 kg.
In the 70’s Gibson still did not use weight relief and many guitars weighed more than 11 lbs or 5 kg.
Epiphone Les Paul guitars also weigh between 8.4 to 12.2 lbs or 3.8 to 5.5 kg. It also applies to other brands that make Les Paul type guitars.
How much does a Gibson SG weigh?
The weight of a typical Gibson SG is around 6.5 to 8 lbs or 2.9 to 3.6 kg. The Gibson SG to its very thin body, despite being made of mahogany, is one of the lightest popular guitars.
Epiphone SG guitars also weigh between 6.5 to 8 pounds or 2.9 to 3.6 kilograms. It also applies to other brands that make SG type guitars.
How Much Does a Gibson ES-335 Dot Weigh?
The weight of a typical Gibson ES-335 Dot, weighs around 7.7 to 9.25 lbs or 3.5 to 4.2 kg. Although it is a hollowbody guitar, the large size of the body makes this guitar not so light as you may expect. In addition, the neck is made of mahogany and the body of maple, which are tonewoods with high density, that is, heavy.
The Epiphone Dot is the budget version of the Gibson ES-335, and they have a similar weight.
How much does an Ibanez Pia / Jem / RG weigh?
A typical Ibanez Pia, JEM, or RG guitar weighs between 7.5 and 8.2 lbs or 3.4 and 3.7 kg. These are basically Superstrat, which are very similar to a Stratocaster but with humbucker pickups, thinner necks and with 22 or 24 frets. The body of the Pia, JEM and other Superstrats is typically made with basswood or alder with a maple neck.
Superstrats from brands like Jackson, ESP, Washburn, Charvel, Dean, Kramer, and Cort also weigh around 7.5 and 8.2 pounds or 3.4 and 3.7 kg.
How much does a PRS Custom 24 weigh?
The weight of a Paul Reed Smith or PRS Custom 24 is around 7.7 to 8.4 lbs or 3.5 to 3.8 kg. Structurally the PRS Custom is very similar to the Gibson Les Paul with a mahogany body and neck, flamed maple top and rosewood fingerboard. However, the body is a little thinner. Also, while a PRS Custom 24 can be as heavy as a light Les Paul, the contoured body style and longer Stratocaster-like horn make it feel more comfortable to play.
The PRS S2 and SE Custom 24 guitars also weigh between 7.7 to 8.4 pounds or 3.5 to 3.8 kg. It also applies to other brands that make PRS type guitars.
How much does a Fender Telecaster Thinline weigh?
The weight of a typical Fender Telecaster Thinline is around 5.8 to 7.1 lbs or 2.6 to 3.2 kg. Typically, the Telecaster Thinline are made from mahogany, alder, or ash. Thanks to their hollow body they weigh considerably less than solid body Telecasters. The weight not only varies according to the type of tonewood used, but also according to the type of pickups. Thus, Wide Range pickups like the one in the pic, weigh more than traditional Telecaster pickups guitars.
Squier Telecaster Thinline guitars also weigh between 5.8 to 7.1 pounds or 2.6 to 3.2 kg. It also applies to other brands that make Telecaster Thinline type guitars.
How much does a Gretsch Duo Jet weigh?
The weight of a typical Gretsch Duo Jet is around 7 to 8 lbs or 3.2 to 3.6 kg. Although the Gretsch Duo Jet are made of mahogany in the neck and body and a maple top, they also feature a chambered body that allows it to be much lighter than a Gibson Les Paul.
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet guitars also weigh between 7 to 8 lbs or 3.2 to 3.6 kg.
How Much Does a Gibson Double Neck EDS-1275 Weigh?
The Gibson EDS-1275 is the heaviest electric guitar on this list at around 13 lbs or 5.9 kg. The weight of this electric guitar will not allow you to play hard for a long time with it, so the added weight of a neck and the larger body size make this an electric guitar that should only be used for short periods of time.
Epiphone EDS-1275 double neck is the budget version of the Gibson, this also weighs around 13 lbs or 5.9 kg.
How much does a Strandberg Boden weigh?
The weight of a Strandberg Boden guitar is around 4.9 to 5.3 lbs or 2.2 to 2.4 kg. Strandberg developed a particular headless design that allows weight to be reduced as much as possible. Thus, removing the headstock and reducing the body to a minimum the Strandberg Boden electric guitar is the lightest weight on our list.
What is the average weight of an electric guitar?
There are electric guitars that weigh less than 6.6 lbs or 3 kg, while others can weigh more than 11 lbs or 5 kg. But on average, the weight of an electric guitar is around 7.9 lbs or 3.6 kg. As we saw, the heaviest guitars are the Gibson Les Paul, the Fender both the Stratocaster and the Telecaster have medium weight. Finally, guitars like the Gibson SG, Telecaster Thinline, and Strandberg Boden are the lightest.
Which are better, heavy or light electric guitars?
As a general rule, the ideal is that the weight of an electric guitar is light so that it allows you to play more comfortable and does not hurt your back or shoulder. But everything has a limit, since the weight will affect the tone of the instrument.
There are tonewoods such as Paulownia or Kiri that are very light, but have a lack of midrange and bass frequencies. Also, Gibson Les Paul chambered guitars tend to have less mids than a solid one. The chambered Les Paul behaves similar to a Hollowbody and sounds less like a Les Paul. A heavy guitar also tends to help sustain thanks to the greater mass and also because the heavier woods have higher density and rigidity.
At the end of the day, weight should be one more factor to consider when choosing a guitar. We suggest that you find out what maximum weight you tolerate. There are many guitarists who love their guitar but play it little because of its weight. The same, a light guitar that does not sound good you will not play it either.
How to weigh a guitar?
You may want to know how heavy your electric guitar is out of curiosity, reference, or because you have to take it on a plane and have a weight restriction. You don’t need to buy a special scale, you can use your personal scale in three simple steps.
- Stand on the scale and weigh yourself,
- Stand on the scale again while holding your guitar and weigh yourself, and
- Calculate the difference between the two weights and you will get the weight of your guitar.
For example, if you weigh 176 lbs or 80 kg without the guitar, and 184 lbs or 83.5 kg holding your guitar, then your guitar weighs 8 lbs or 3.5 kg.
Consider that personal scales are prepared to weigh people, therefore, they are not very accurate in low weights. That is why it is important that you use the method described above.
Please, tell us the weight of your electric guitars in the comments.
Related Notes: How to Improve a Cheap Electric Guitar and how to improve the tone of your electric guitar.
