weight and resonance

[embotone]

I was recently given a gift certificate to a local music store. I have lots of nice electrics, but no Les Paul. So as not to freak out my wife, I thought I would restrain myself, and pick up an inexpensive Epiphone Les Paul standard($388 out the door). I went to the store and they had three in stock. As there were a couple of young guitar heroes in the store, shredding away at high volume, I decided not to battle it out with them in an amplified way, and took the guitars into the store's acoustic room, fairly quiet behind closed doors. The guitars were all pretty nice, actually with decent set-ups etc. One had a little bit of flame on the top. But the one that really stood out, and the one I brought home, was substantially lighter and more resonant.
My question is, would there be a reason to ever select the less resonant guitar? Or a heavier one?

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: weight and resonance

I usually prefer lighter weight guitars. In my experiance, they usually sound better, at least to me. That doesn't mean that a heavier guitar will always sound bad. As a general rule, the heavier guitars may have more sustain, but not always. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the weight of solid body guitars, but in my opinion you run a greater chance of getting a better sounding guitar, when it weighs less.

 

[Pete Galati]

Re: weight and resonance

There's a whole line of thinking that electric guitars that sound good unplugged, don't sound as good amplified. But the first thing I tend to do is play electric guitars with no amp. And if they have a good resonance, and they play well, I plug them in.

I don't like dead guitars. IMO, the body and the neck need to have resonant frequencies that work well together. One theory I've heard is that it's ideal for the resonant frequencies to be at even intervals. And there are those guitars that're like magic. All the elements are right.

I just don't beleive that you can overcome a guitar that's basically dead, by using good pickups, and electronics. You'll be able to go so far, but you'll run into a wall.

Pete

 

[tone?]

Re: weight and resonance

Zerb should have more info on the interval thingy. He talked about it once.

I personally dont care if it is light or heavy. But i do like mid weight guitars, like around 8 pounds. the real light ones are weird feeling to me. But i guess i could get used to about anything if it sounded good.

I really dont think there is any general rule.

I have a mahogany body that is pretty heavy and amounts to a 8.8 pound guitar. It is real resonant. gets some great harmonics rich tone. It is actually richer than an alder body i have which is lighter. The alder body i have is newer though so it will take time to break it in and it will definitely sound better. Funny thing is the alder actually sustains more than the mahogany.

See? no definite rule IMHO

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: weight and resonance

Big +1 to Pete's post.

I think that generally heavier guitars usually sustain more, but you have a maple cap so that's going to add a fair bit of sustain. I personally prefer lighter guitars, I don't want a feather, but I don't like it when the guitar weighs me down. 5-7.5 lbs is my preferred weight. If the one you took home was the most resonant and played/sound better than the rest, than that was the winner (even if it was an Epi lol).

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: weight and resonance

In my experience, weight has very little to do with whether the guitar sounds good. There's good and bad light wood and good and bad heavy wood.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: weight and resonance

You gotta post pics! Sounds like a cool deal though.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: weight and resonance

In my experience, weight has very little to do with whether the guitar sounds good. There's good and bad light wood and good and bad heavy wood.

Generally, my favorite guitars that I've held onto over the years and not sold have been the ones that are both resonant and light. Les Pauls all tend to be a little heavy compared to Strats and Teles, but the Les Paul I've held onto is a very light one.

Lew

 

[WhoFan]

Re: weight and resonance

oddly i love heavy axes... only because i like the feeling of something hanging around my neck on the strap.... extra light axes are not for me... i picked up a new LP Standard the other day at a store and it was like AIR!!!!

 

[lex666]

Re: weight and resonance

oddly i love heavy axes... only because i like the feeling of something hanging around my neck on the strap.... extra light axes are not for me... i picked up a new LP Standard the other day at a store and it was like AIR!!!!

I'm with you on this... I like my guitars kinda heavy too. There's a 'solid' feeling to it... Especially if its a heavy guitar like a Les Paul. Its just feels right. Light Les Pauls feel funny to me like something's missing. I don't think it takes away from tone tho. I've got a chambered LP and it sounds terrific. Just like a 9lb LP would.