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Thread: Tone question - Body weight : heavy or light?

  1. #1
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    Tone question - Body weight : heavy or light?

    If you have the choice of 2 bodies, both alder, one is 4lb 3oz and the other 4lb 9oz, which one would you choose and why?

    What tonal characteristics will be "better" by going either way?

    Again, I'm a newbie at this, so be gentle. :)

  2. #2
    Forum Member telecast's Avatar
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    Re: Tone question - Body weight : heavy or light?

    Regardless of what anyone may tell you, there is absolutley no way to determine what tonal characteristics a piece of wood will have based on weight. None. Zip, zilch, nadda.

    In addition, I've had light guitars that sound great, and heavy guitars that sound great. I've also had both categories that sounded not so great.

    Building a guitar is a crapshoot. If you want my advice, you'll ask the body manufacturer for advice, since they have the bodies there.
    A friend in need is a good reason to screen your calls.

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    Re: Tone question - Body weight : heavy or light?

    They have the same finish, same shape, same wood, etc...

    The only difference is the weight. So what you're saying is that there is no corrolation such as "a heavier one has more chances of sounding fat" or "a lighter one has more chances of sounding more articulate?"

    I can call the manufacturer, but these are 100% new bodies, so I don't exactly know what they could tell me.

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    Forum Member Tonefiend's Avatar
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    Re: Tone question - Body weight : heavy or light?

    Both are heavy. Anything over 4 lbs is what I consider heavy. I'd pick the lighter one for comfort.

  5. #5
    Forum Member telecast's Avatar
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    Re: Tone question - Body weight : heavy or light?

    Quote Originally Posted by Strat-Mangler
    I can call the manufacturer, but these are 100% new bodies, so I don't exactly know what they could tell me.

    Some manufacturer's tap tune, and if you ask them to evaluate each one they may have some valuable input.

    I'm with tonefiend, go for comfort. Any tonal differences in the bodies based on weight only would be negligible.
    A friend in need is a good reason to screen your calls.

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