Adding weight to a guitar?

[xxxplorer]

I know most guys want to lighten their guitars, but has anyone ever added a little weight to one? I have a Gibson flying V that plays great, sounds good... But it feels like a toy in my arms lol.

I am used to my explorer which is a huge chunk of mahogony... I think the V is weight relieved.

My initial thoughts are just cutting some sheet metal plates for the wings and slapping them on the back.


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[dystrust]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

My SG is a bit neck-heavy on its own; the extra 11oz a Bigsby adds cures that nicely. As a bonus I also get a vibrato.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

That's a tough one. I don't think you'll get the same feel by tacking on weight as you would from a naturally heavy guitar. I'm familiar with adding weight inside the control cavity or by placing heavier hardware on a guitar to counteract neck-dive, as Dystrust mentioned, but adding weight just to add weight is a new one for me.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

I like 'em light. And so does my back.

You could take some fishing lead sinkers, wrap them in duct tape and stick them in the control cavity. It won't add a lot but even if you get 1/2 to 1lb, that could be enough.

 

[EDX]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

i will say cutting a sheet (or sheets) of metal with the V bodyshape but smaller than the body, like a pickguard, and attach them on the back, maybe a pair of woodscrews and a lot of duct tape, it will also made it look like a Thrash Metal V (or like something scott ian played....)

 

[AlexR]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

If you like adding useless weights to a guitar, knock yourself out.

Does the V have a veneer top?
cos if it doesn't, how on earth can a slab body be weight relieved without you seeing holes drilled in it???

 

[EDX]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

do you even think a solid body electric is made out of one piece?, the body could be made with 3 pieces, a central one where the pickups, bridge and neck pocket are routed and 2 hollow wings glued, and thats just for an example, since a guitar shape like a flying V is big and has that amount of hollow space it's easy to see how making a V body out of a single piece of wood is unpractical

also it's possible that adding weight can actually do someting more than fixing a neck-dive, i remember reading grover jackson experimented adding weight and mass to chambered guitars

 

[elelpe]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

My SG is a bit neck-heavy on its own; the extra 11oz a Bigsby adds cures that nicely. As a bonus I also get a vibrato.

+1 ... massive weight gain

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

I thought the act of simply strapping a guitar on increases it's weight (as well as your own).

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

Lol... Some funny responses. I think if done right, some metal plates on the back could actually look cool, at least to me. I use a stretchy strap, and I like how a heavier guitar feels. I didn't know it til I picked up lighter ones. It's almost like the mass keeps it still when my gorilla hands dig in.


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[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

Yep, high mass bridges, metal pickguards, great places to start.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

It's almost like the mass keeps it still when my gorilla hands dig in.

It's not "almost", it's exactly that. Physicists call it inertia.

I know well what you're talking about, a heavy guitar staying put and not bouncing around.
Still, I advise against killing the guitar just because it's featherweight. You might appreciate it as it is later on.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

That V Bigsby is hideous.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

My SG is a bit neck-heavy on its own; the extra 11oz a Bigsby adds cures that nicely. As a bonus I also get a vibrato.

+1 ... massive weight gain

 

[jake_xms3_punk]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

Nice Sg ^

 

[HALENisking]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

View attachment 60125

That's cool as $hit!

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

SuperGlue coins all over it.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

140+ metal studs, spikes, and domes impaled into the surface. Adds about 2 pounds to it and increases sustain.

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

I'm just going to super glue My Little Pony buttons all over it.


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[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Adding weight to a guitar?

140+ metal studs, spikes, and domes impaled into the surface. Adds about 2 pounds to it and increases sustain.

Does it change anything else about the sound, or just sustain?