Ideal Tele Weight?

Miles · #1 04-20-2008, 02:26 PM

Do you have a preference on the weight of your teles or guitars in general?

Please do elaborate.

I tend to like about 7.5-8.5 lbs. This feels, to me like a nice weight, but not dead weight.

Unburst · #2 04-20-2008, 05:48 PM

Weight is irrelevant to me.

dtube · #3 04-20-2008, 06:39 PM

I had a '73 Tele Deluxe, ash, that was 10-lbs and it rang like a bell. The amazing tone, acoustic and amplified, made it almost worth the shoulder trama...almost. On the flip side, I just finished a Tele partscaster with a 4-lb, USCG ash body that ended up a hair under 7-lbs total; it is incredibly resonant, lively, and downright loud acoustically. So IMO, weight matters not tonally. Comfort-wise, the new Tele is almost too light for me (kinda reminds me of a basswood, 80's shredder machine). But, my back isn't what it used to be - so I'm happily adapting :-)
-Darren

gkoelling · #4 04-20-2008, 06:55 PM

My latest parts tele was built with a 3 pound 3 ounce pine body. Weight is important to me because I had two surgeries in my teens and am lucky I can walk. I'm now in my 50's and can't handle a heavy guitar.

BTW, that pine body resonates so much I think it's alive. I need to weigh that one.

I also have a very light ash parts tele that I think comes in aroung 6.5 pounds.

Yeah, it's a crap shoot but the tele's I've built so far have turned out very nice.

pbradt · #5 04-20-2008, 06:56 PM

My CIJ Tele is six pounds. the Vinniecaster is 5.8. I have had back surgery and weight is important.

Miles · #6 04-22-2008, 08:04 AM

weekend bump

Johnnytone · #7 04-22-2008, 08:19 AM

I like 'em around 7.5, 7.75.

Lighter than that feels funny to me. Probably because I play LPs mostly.

K-Line · #8 04-22-2008, 09:04 AM

the 8 pounders are awesome IMHO, usually 7.5 is average. Gives a nice tone and is still not a back breaker. Weight is not a variable to tone. It is the complete package!

Polynitro · #9 04-22-2008, 09:42 AM

7 Lbs is perfect.

Miles · #10 04-22-2008, 11:15 AM

So, somewhere between 5-9lbs seems to be ideal for most guys

What are the main factors of weight?

wood density? quality?

cityinmind · #11 04-22-2008, 11:50 AM

I have never actually weighed any of mine, but for me the heavier the better. Better sustain amoung other things. I prefer good sound so if its a little heavier thats fine. Plus, its a tele, if you are getting fatigued from its weight then maybe you really need to find another line of work/hobby since they are some of the lighter guitars out there