Alder Strat Body Weight (perhaps one for Lew)

[báratta]

Hello all, I recently pulled the trigger on a 62 RI Alder body (I just had to have an Ice Blue metallic strat- but I find vintage radius fingerboards to be limiting), and the seller had the weight listed as 4 pounds 6 ounces. For those in the know: have I scored myself a body that is reasonably light in weight? I’ve not really bonded with weighty strats in the past, and I’d love for people to chime in if they know a thing or two about the weight of vintage spec alder bodies.

 

[Curly]

Re: Alder Strat Body Weight (perhaps one for Lew)

well, parts suppliers classify a light body as 4 lbs or under, and charge more for a light body

that doesn't mean you can't build a great sounding strat with the body you got though

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: Alder Strat Body Weight (perhaps one for Lew)

4.6lbs IMO is right around an average weight and not heavy nor super light. it's just a good all around weight.

i have an alder strat body on one of my guitars that is 3.6lbs which is amazingly light. thankfully the guitar has a floyd with a large custom brass trem block or it would be a neck heavy strat.

-Mike

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Alder Strat Body Weight (perhaps one for Lew)

Yeah, Mike's right. I wouldn't even give it a thought. Just buy the rest of the parts to your spec, and finish it. Personally, I'd finish it with a black 3 ply guard, and aged white covers/knobs. I did that with my darker blue strat, and I'm happy with how it turned out.

If you're interested in a light blue moto pearl HSS Fender pickguard, I have one for sale for $20.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Alder Strat Body Weight (perhaps one for Lew)

I'd go white pickgaurd and white everything, but I like white on blue. That black on blue is very tasteful though, Gear.

My Alder Strat copy is around 5 pounds. Heck of a lot lighter than the Tele or the LP!

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Alder Strat Body Weight (perhaps one for Lew)

i must be the odd guy.... i prefer heavier strat bodies.... i hate some of my MIM Poplar strat bodies because they are like air... my 88 American Standard feels great and is really heavier feeling

But good luck with this project.... I like the Blue finnish..

 

[báratta]

Re: Alder Strat Body Weight (perhaps one for Lew)

I appreciate the replies guys, and I do indeed hope that the body is a keeper.

Just buy the rest of the parts to your spec, and finish it. If you're interested in a light blue moto pearl HSS Fender pickguard, I have one for sale for $20.

So you want me to desecrate a '62 U.S reissue body by routing for a bucker and drilling new screw holes?:scratchch On a more serious note, you'll be interested to know that I have a Johnson neck in mind, though I have yet to rule out SRV.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Alder Strat Body Weight (perhaps one for Lew)

So you want me to desecrate a '62 U.S reissue body by routing for a bucker and drilling new screw holes?:scratchch On a more serious note, you'll be interested to know that I have a Johnson neck in mind, though I have yet to rule out SRV.

Doh, how non-observant of me! :laugh2: :smack: I'd definitely stay with SSS.
I think the best idea is the Eric Johnson neck. It's a nicer color than the real EJ's too. I'm thinking 62 mint green guard and aged white plastic. :fingersx: