How Much Do Electric Guitars Weigh?

I have always played and owned Stratocasters.

This is probably due to picking up my first guitar after becoming fascinated with players like Clapton, and Hendrix.

With that being said, I can remember a friend of mine coming over to jam, and he played on a Gibson Les Paul. I was absolutely shocked when I held a Les Paul for the first time.

I couldn’t believe how heavy it was compared to my Stratocaster.

Traditional electric guitars can weight between 6-12 pounds. Here are a few of the most popular models

• Fender Stratocaster – 7.12 and 8.62 pounds
• Fender Telecaster (Alder Standard) – 6 pounds
• Fender Telecaster (Ash) – 7-8 pounds
• Standard Les Paul – Around 10 pounds

Now we must remember, I’m talking about traditional electric guitars.

There will always be one-off custom guitars with double necks or even quadruple necks for that matter that will weigh much more than custom guitars.

Why would you want a light guitar?

Generally, a lighter guitar is more comfortable to play standing up, because it’s well…lighter.

Also, another reason that I have seen some guitarists searching for lighter guitars is due to injury of the low back or shoulder and neck. If you are playing gigs and have to stand for 45 minutes at a time, with an 11lb guitar around your neck, it can take its toll over time.

Especially if you happen to have back or neck injury.

I have personally been through some of this as I have had to have 3 spine surgeries in my life so far.

I have noticed that playing on a Telecaster that is lighter than my Stratocaster actually does make a difference in comfort.

With that being said I still have a love for guitars on the heavier side as well, I just can’t currently use them as much.

Why would you want a heavier guitar?

To be honest, many people feel that a heavy guitar will allow for a better tone.

I believe this to be true only to a degree.

I have never found that a heavier guitar can do more than a lighter guitar just based off of weight alone.

For example, a standard Gibson Les Paul may weigh around 9 to 10 pounds.

While a Gibson SG would weigh in about 7 to 8 pounds.

I would never say that because of the weight difference one gives a better tone.

A great guitar is a great guitar, and both Les Paul’s and SG’s can cost a pretty penny.

There are just so many factors that go into guitar tone and the quality of the guitar that I just can’t agree that heavier equals better because I don’t believe that to be the case.

How much do Fender Stratocasters weigh?

95% of all Stratocaster guitars weigh between 7.12 and 8.62lbs. There will be some difference in weight due to such as wood type, model, and re-issues, etc…This is also the overall weight of the guitar with the neck, hardware, etc.

How much does a Telecaster weigh?

The alder(standard) Tele usually weighs in around 6lbs. The Ash Telecaster is generally a bit heavier than that averaging 7-8lbs.

How much does Gibson Les Paul’s weigh?

A standard Les Paul generally weighs very close to 10lb.

I have seen some variances on this at say 9 lb 10 ounces, but often this is due to different scales being used for measurement.

Different guitar model types and various woods, hardware, etc. can all play into how much the original guitar weighs.

(Some of the older Les Pauls can definitely get up there in weight. It is not uncommon for a more former solid Les Paul to weigh in around 11-12lbs.

An absolute monster of a guitar at that weight.

How can identical guitars differ in weight so much?

There will always be a small difference in weight with the same guitars.

This is because there are so many inconsistencies when it comes to wood in general.

Merely put Trees are not a consistent density. You can have the same species of wood the same size wood and still have a difference in weight.

Another possibility is that trees pick up different elements and minerals due to the soil in which they grow.

So if they are picking up heavy elements like iron, they will, in theory, weigh a bit more, than a tree that grows in a non-iron abundant soil.

How can I weigh my guitar accurately?

If you are looking to weigh your guitar, with an accurate measurement.

First, you must use a proper scale. A bathroom scale typically doesn’t weigh things under 30 pounds effectively.

What you would prefer to use is a mail scale. A scale that is designed to measure weight below 30 pounds with accurate pounds and ounces.

If you don’t happen to have a mail scale, the other option to get a more accurate readout of your bathroom scale is to just weigh yourself with the guitar on the scale and then once again without the guitar.

This will allow you to have a rough estimate of how many pounds your guitar weighs. This will not be 100% accurate but should give you a good ballpark number to work with.

What is the lightest electric guitar available?

I’m not 100% sure of myself when I answer this question, but I do know if some extremely lightweight electric guitars.

First, you have to realize that a guitar this light is generally used as a travel guitar, and was created for traveling and practicing on the go.

This probably isn’t the type of guitar you would take with you to a gig. Or even jam with your buddies for that matter.

But the lightest weight electric that I am most aware of is the Traveler guitar ultra-light electric weighing in at just 3lbs 2oz! That is one seriously light guitar!

What is the heaviest guitar?

The most colossal guitar in the world is 2,000 pounds.

I am not joking, and it is playable, lol.

It was actually modeled after a 1967 flying V.

Having been built to a scale of 1:12 this beast of a guitar actually stands 43’7″ tall!

That is a seriously large guitar!

The instrument was created by students from Conroe science and technology and was actually played in June of 2000.

In Summary:

Electric guitars can vary greatly in weight. Often even the exact same guitar, can have a weight difference.

I don’t believe that the weight of the guitar makes a guitar better or worse, as some would argue.

You should choose a guitar that is comfortable for you. Lastly, most important is to have fun playing.

If you want to really amp up your playing. I highly recommend checking this out.