Real Honest help from you giggers!

[marcg71]

I'll try and make a long story short. I picked up guitar again about 6 years ago after a hiatus of about 15 years. I am now 38 with chronic back issues and carpal tunnel. Both of which are an operational hazard, I am a software engineer. My main guitars have been Gibson Les Pauls. I have been lucky with being able to play in bands (I should note this is a hobby). Late last year I got the idea that I would sell my 2 LPs cause I can't deal with the weight any longer and my wife was about to kill me spending more money on yet another guitar. Well, that just has not panned out well. I cannot for the life of me find a guitar that I bond with. I have even contemplated walking away from playing because of the frustration/pain. I have posted similar threads here, but this one is a bit different.

At the end of the day I need something that has a "larger neck" with a flat radius, think 59 or 58 LP but that only weighs between 6.5 to 7.5 lbs? Preferably with humbuckers. I know that is crazy thinking, I cannot find it. I've been playing a usa standard SG, and I just cannot seem to bond with it. So I ask you for your help, this venue has always given me great advice. SO PLEASE let me know what your suggestions are....

I really haven't had much experience outside the typical Gibson and Fender type guitars.

Thanks in advance and for reading.
Marc

[Diego]

If you don't mind me going against your way, how long have you been trying out the SG?

If you've been a lifetime user of Les Pauls, it will take time to adjust. I wouldn't expect it to happen within a short time.

Just talking the obvious inmediately, so we can take it out of the equation if it's been done already.

Good luck with your search! The wife will understand.

[dominus]

I'm wondering if it'd be possible for you to sell your LPs and have a custom LP made out of Paulownia. That'd get the weight to around 4-5 pounds.

[Condemned soul]

Have some of the same problems. Take care and please dont quite yet.

Dont know what type of accessories you might be using, however, here at two suggestions.

Would you consider getting a good strap, make sure it is wide. A wider strap will help balance the weight on your shoulders.

You might also try a bar stool when you play. These are tall enough to let you stand up or sit down at ease.

I am a lifetime LP user also. Again, it takes a bit of time to adjust to a SG

[Hellion]

Boy, I hate to see anyone have to part with a Les Paul...

Condemed Soul has a great idea, make sure you're using a wide strap. On my heaviest Lester, I've got a 3" strap holding her up. I'm 47 and in a similar job (hunched over a computer all day, anyway) and it DOES help.

I can relate with you about the SGs. I cut my teeth on them, so for me to go back to them is a little like coming home, but not everyone gets along with them and LPs, in my opinion require a little more manhandling than an SG. When I gig with a band, I take two guitars, a Les Paul and a Tele OR an SG and a Strat. Those groups of guitars feel more alike to me than SGs vs LPs. And you can find Teles and Strats with humbuckers.

If it's still not happening for you, have you considered possibly a Gretsch? They have a little flatter radius (in fact, you could say "flat" on the old models) and a wider fretboard. Plus, they're humbucking. Might be a thought.

[marcg71]

I cannot say enough, I really, really appreciate the feedback. I have been using a great 3 inch wide strap, soft leather that helps abundanlty! The SG and I have been working at it since last August. What is extremely strange is how can the SG feel good and then a strat which is literally 5 ounces heavier kill me? Go figure, I'd never think 5 ounces would do that! I think sometimes it is the way the strap button is, on the SG it if flush on the strat, it causes more torque because it is sideways.....thanks again guyz!

[the guy who invented fire]

If those are your ony real needs...light weight, fat neck, flat fingerboard and humbuckers there are LOADS of options...

Many PRS guitars
Chambered Les Pauls
Music Man
Hamer

Just to name a few...plus don't over look a custom parts caster with buckers...maybe a Tele or a Strat with a big fat neck and a set of buckers...

[Wattage]

Have you looked at a Special SL with 'buckers? If it is a gigging guitar some of the 2 hum specials play and sound great but they don't have the eye candy appeal.

http://cgi.ebay.com/GIBSON-USA-LES-P...item5ad7f90b27

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Les-Paul-...item335b63aba9

[marcg71]

Are there music man's with bigger necks? I haven't seen many around.

[ImmortalSix]

If those are your ony real needs...light weight, fat neck, flat fingerboard and humbuckers there are LOADS of options...

Many PRS guitars
Chambered Les Pauls
Music Man
Hamer

Just to name a few...plus don't over look a custom parts caster with buckers...maybe a Tele or a Strat with a big fat neck and a set of buckers...

A hearty x2, and also, consider the Gibson ES-339 (and comparable), and also both Epiphone and Gibson semi-hollowbodies. I have an Epiphone ES-335 that is a real gem of a player, it's light, has a gigantic neck, and sounds great with a pair of Gibson Burstbucker Pros I threw in it.

Since these semi-hollows have a solid center block, from the pickup's perspective, it may as well be a solidbody. You get the LP tone you want and the guitars are light, fun to play, and have a ton of soul.

And there are lots of great options out there, from getting lucky with a great Epiphone, to Hagstrom, Ibanez, Framus, Aria, and any number of others.

The ES-339 I posted has a very small body, similar in shape and size to a Les Paul. You will find all types of body sizes in this genre - don't do all your planning with pictures on the internet - the proportions can be deceiving! I know every picture I saw of an ES-339 on the 'net looked like a 335 to me before I ever saw one in person --- I guess my brain was "rounding it up" to 335 proportions. Hit the store!

-Hunter

[SabbathFan0220]

The strap is really important, as someone else already mentioned. I love those padded neoprene ones from NeoTech.

As far as the guitar, try more SGs. I think that's the closest you'll get to LP tone without the weight. Also try out a Parker. I can't remember what the neck profile is like, but they're about as light as you'll find anywhere. 5lb total I think.

Partscaster is another great option if you don't mind some assembly (and not being able to try before you buy). You could get a chambered body or go semi hollow. Or just use a light wood like basswood.

[\m/(00)\m/]

PRS mccarty?

[tmmblues]

How about a stand to hold the guitar similar to what performers use on stage when they play a classical guitar for only an intro (see some footage of Steve Howe from Yes as an example). You would be able to move around but at least no weight on the back. You could also sit down and play (I did that for a long time after back surgery). Have you considered a hollow-body?

[dominus]

Partscaster is another great option if you don't mind some assembly (and not being able to try before you buy). You could get a chambered body or go semi hollow. Or just use a light wood like basswood.

GFS has Paulownia Strat bodies. They're about 2 pounds.

[BloodRose]

I dont know how they sound or how the neck feels, but as a fellow back sufferer, I noticed PRS advertising the new Mira (I think) as weighing 4.5lbs..

my Ace Frehley EPi weighed about 6 lbs.. and sounded and played great. I thought it felt like a toy so I sold it, but I regret that EVERY day...

[tone4days]

are you sure the difference between the strat and sg is not only the 5 ounces of weight but also the ~1 inch of scale length? ... you might just be a gibson scale guy due to the lower string tension giving your carpal tunnel less of a workout
.. which leads to the mira x by prs - short scale and low weight and killer tone

good luck in your search - just dont give up til you find a match ..

[80's_Metal]

you may look into the Jackson lightweight soloist, you may not have exactly LP sound, but its super light and you won't find a nicer compound radius / flatter neck

just a thought.
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...tar?sku=520316

P.S. its on sale right now....

[Travis H]

I'm sure warmoth could build every that you have specified.

[crusty philtrum]

I have the same problem. I have a couple of suggestions which have helped me a lot.

The Slider guitar strap. I got one of these and I have to tell you, it made my LP feel about the weight of a Strat. (If I use it with a Strat, I can barely feel any weight at all). I find it easier to put the strap on first and the clip the guitar to the strap.

http://www.theguitarfiles.com/product_info-1097.html


I have a Hamer Studio Custom, it has a large-radius fretboard on a big chunky neck and is lighter that a LP, although I can't tell you exactly what it weighs. It plays and sounds like a LP. The Artist (I think) models are chambered and would weigh less again).

[Gearjoneser]

There's a guitar being made today, which is a modern classic, flying under many players' radars.

The Gibson ES-339. An absolutely amazing guitar in every way, and if you can locate a 50's profile neck on one, THAT'S the guitar you're looking for. I love Fenders, LP's, and 335's, but there's something magical about the ES-339. It's light, resonant, toneful, and plays like a dream. And it's not overpriced!

Before you even question it, just sell a couple guitars, buy one, and come back a year after playing it everyday, singing it's praises. You'll see what I mean.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Custom-ES...item3cab269868