Gibson Historic - Weight vs $aving$

[Fender_Punk]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering buying a Gibson R8 or R9 after making the mistake of playing a beautiful 2021 R9 at my local chain-music store. It weighs 8.2 lbs and is being sold at list price $6550.

There's a R8 at a different location (too far to drive to) with a nice flame top and a couple very small dings on the headstock that weighs 8.6 lbs and is $2000 less than the R9 near me.

There's another R9 (2018) on sale at another far-away location that is also 8.6 lbs and is $1100 cheaper than the 8.2 lb R9 I played.

My Epiphone Les Paul is only 7.6 lbs, I have two electrics that weigh 8lbs even and my heaviest guitar is a 8.4 lb Tele. The difference of .4 lbs or 6.4 oz may not seem like much to some but my 8 lb guitars are much more comfortable to play standing for an hour+ than my 8.4 lb Tele.

Is it worth it to spend $1000-$2000 more for essentially the same guitar solely because it's lighter by 6.4oz?

 

[Chris Pile]

That is really up to you to decide.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

To me? Absolutely not. I play a 10+ lb Warwick bass with a 3” strap, so take that into consideration.

 

[Fender_Punk]

To me? Absolutely not. I play a 10+ lb Warwick bass with a 3" strap, so take that into consideration.

A bass you'd expect to be 10 lb +

I get that 9 lb is about average weight for a Les Paul. I'd rather have a 8 lb guitar than a 8.6 lb guitar but knowing I could buy the slightly heavier guitar for $1k less or $2k less with a couple dings makes me question whether I'm placing too much importance on the weight.

 

[chadd]

The bigger issue between the guitars is going to be the neck. R8s have a thicker neck than R9s. 6 ounces is about 4.5% of an 8.2 pound guitar. The balance of the guitar will make a bigger difference than the absolute weight at that point. I've had heavier guitars feel lighter due to a better balance point. The necks are also gong to be significantly different, as R8s are thicker.

Honestly, if the cost isn't going to be a hardship, get the lighter one. It's already in your head and it seems like the only thing you care about it. If you buy the heavier one, it will always be in the back of your mind. Every little issue will bring back the weight issue and you will always wonder.

In any case, the Historic Reissue is likely to be better than any other Les Paul you've played. They're consistently fantastic and better than most of the actual 50s Les Pauls I've played.

 

[Fender_Punk]

The bigger issue between the guitars is going to be the neck. R8s have a thicker neck than R9s. 6 ounces is about 4.5% of an 8.2 pound guitar. The balance of the guitar will make a bigger difference than the absolute weight at that point. I've had heavier guitars feel lighter due to a better balance point. The necks are also gong to be significantly different, as R8s are thicker.

Honestly, if the cost isn't going to be a hardship, get the lighter one. It's already in your head and it seems like the only thing you care about it. If you buy the heavier one, it will always be in the back of your mind. Every little issue will bring back the weight issue and you will always wonder.

In any case, the Historic Reissue is likely to be better than any other Les Paul you've played. They're consistently fantastic and better than most of the actual 50s Les Pauls I've played.

I actually quite like the R8 neck, although the R9 neck feels very comfortable as well. A flame-top R8 at reduced price is a bargain compared to the R9 at full price but I also think in the long-term the lighter guitar is probably worth the extra cost.

Balance is a very good point. I guess I should get the chain to ship the R8 to the store near me and A/B them.

How much will you miss the extra money? How much will you miss your back and shoulder?

Great questions! Even if $2k is enough to buy another guitar, it's well short of the cost of a shoulder replacement.

 

[Mincer]

I just find myself not picking up and playing heavier guitars. So, to me, it is absolutely worth spending more. But I am also someone that doesn't care about owning something that says Historic on it, either. I'd pick any model LP that was light and balanced.

 

[Fender_Punk]

I just find myself not picking up and playing heavier guitars. So, to me, it is absolutely worth spending more. But I am also someone that doesn't care about owning something that says Historic on it, either. I'd pick any model LP that was light and balanced.

That's fair. I've had a really hard time finding a Gibson Standard '50s that's light enough for my liking, otherwise I'd go that route.

 

[GuitarStv]

I don't like heavy guitars either . . . but an 8 lb guitar isn't what I'd consider heavy. Around the 9 - 10 lb mark I really notice it.

 

[pskorz]

If you can part with the money, not even talking weight-I’d say get the one you’ve had in your hands, played and have fallen in love with.

it’s one thing to pay a couple hundred for a guitar then get it in the mail and be unimpressed. It’s another to spend a few grand and not like it.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

The more I think about it, if I was looking at spending over $6k on a guitar, I'd get a hold of Frank Falbo, have him build me a LP that kicked the crap out of anything Gibson ever made, weighed less, was to my spec in every way, and save even more money than buying the cheaper Gibson.

 

[Fender_Punk]

I don't like heavy guitars either . . . but an 8 lb guitar isn't what I'd consider heavy. Around the 9 - 10 lb mark I really notice it.

I agree. 8.2 lbs is light for a Les Paul, especially one without weight relief. That said my 8.5lb MIM Standard Tele starts to feel heavy on me after about 45 minutes. My Epi LP Std. is a 3pc Sapele body, carved top with no maple cap (veneer instead) and it's 7.5 lbs.

If you can part with the money, not even talking weight-I’d say get the one you’ve had in your hands, played and have fallen in love with.

it’s one thing to pay a couple hundred for a guitar then get it in the mail and be unimpressed. It’s another to spend a few grand and not like it.

I can have the chain ship it to the store nearest me to try, I wouldn't spend more than $500 on an instrument without holding/playing before buying.

The more I think about it, if I was looking at spending over $6k on a guitar, I'd get a hold of Frank Falbo, have him build me a LP that kicked the crap out of anything Gibson ever made, weighed less, was to my spec in every way, and save even more money than buying the cheaper Gibson.

Nothing wrong with independent luthiers and more power to their customers for seeking out such alternatives. They often are a better value. In this case, I'm after something in particular and will accept no substitutes.

 

[PFDarkside]

Have you played the other guitar in question? At that price you aren’t buying specs, you are buying the one that speaks to you. The only thing close to that price range I’ve bought was my Martin. The one I ended up buying was one that was on the wall at a premium GC. It was “the one” for me, fantastic sound and feel.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

First of all, I wouldn't pay full list for any Gibson. Boutique builders are another matter, or maybe a Wildwood special edition.
But a Gibson, from a big chain? Nope.

I'd be leaning towards the R8 myself. I like a fat neck, and 8.6 lbs is relatively light for an R8; they tend to run heavier than R9s I think.
Only you can decide whether a 6oz weight difference is worth an extra $2000 to you.

Secondly, I'd be very hesitant to spend that kind of money on a guitar without playing it in person.
Better to make the trip to a big store where I could play a bunch and choose one I bond with. One that really speaks to me.
But that's just my inclination.

I too prefer lighter guitars, but to me 8½ lbs is still fairly light for a Les Paul.
My favorite weighs 8¼, and my heaviest LP is just under 10. That's a bit too hefty for comfort now.

The heaviest in my fleet is 12 lbs, a '72 Ibanez lawsuit Jazz Bass that I hardly ever use these days.
It's a beast but it also sounds massive. Played it on a number of records back in the days of vinyl.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Nothing wrong with independent luthiers and more power to their customers for seeking out such alternatives. They often are a better value. In this case, I'm after something in particular and will accept no substitutes.

To each their own I suppose. If I were deciding between these two particular Les Pauls, I’d regret either choice. One is too heavy, and the other is obscenely expensive.

Going with a made-to-measure instrument has nothing to do with alternatives or substitutes. It’s getting exactly what you want with no compromise. When we’re talking this amount of money, it should check all the boxes, plus some more you never considered.

That said, if only a Gibson is good enough, I’d spend some time playing every one available and jump on the one that stands out. I’d also budget for a padded strap

 

[Mincer]

Weight is one of the things I wouldn't compromise on when spending that much. If you were willing to pay that much and could afford to be patient, I'd think you could find a lighter one somewhere in the world.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I want to get sentimental about how long it's been since I've seen your screen name but I feel like I owe you my typical dry and cynical response

You're too young to worry about the weight. There are plenty of at-home workouts you can do to build the important muscles required to hold a guitar. I recommend and use Nintendo Wii Fit and several huge amplifiers but that's just one option

 

[JOLLY]

I'd go with the one that sounds the best.

 

[chadd]

I just find myself not picking up and playing heavier guitars. So, to me, it is absolutely worth spending more. But I am also someone that doesn't care about owning something that says Historic on it, either. I'd pick any model LP that was light and balanced.

I don't care about the "historic" part either, but they are consistently great guitars and use great wood. 8.2lbs on a Les Paul that isn't chambered or have weight relief is really hard to find. My R7 is a hair under 9 and is the best Les Paul I've owned by a wide margin. I was fortunate to get mine used and paid less than current retail on a standard.

 

[Benjy_26]

Play every guitar that catches your eye that fits within the budget you've set out. If someone is going to make 6k off of you, they can bring a guitar in from a sister store. Don't be afraid to walk away from a guitar, either. 6k isn't anything to sneeze at.