Hollow body weight

[Sushi313]

I tried a hollow body for the first time, Joe Pass Emperor 2. I was surprised by the heavy weight! Heavier than my strat! Are hollow bodies normally heavy?

[mr. beaumont]

Not all, but some are surprising.

Two pickups and their electronics provide some extra weight. Hollow bodies that are intended to be electric guitars, like the JP, seem to usually trend heavier.

[kris]

The thickness of the wood determines the weight.Thin top plate and wood quality.
Generally a hollow-body should be a lightweight instrument.But sometimes it's not.

[John A.]

Also bear in mind that each species of wood used in building a guitar has a range of density (not all trees are the same). So, if you take a Strat made from particularly low-density pieces of wood (mostly alder, which is usually on the lower end of the density scale), and a JP (mostly maple, which is usually on the higher end) made entirely of especially dense pieces, that specific JP might be heavier than that specific Strat. The reverse might be the case for a different pair of specific guitars.

[Klatu]

When I first started taking classes back in the late 80s, my guitar teacher used to show up with an Ibanez L5 copy that was as heavy as a boat anchor. I loved the way the guitar looked but couldn't imagine playing it for any stretch of time. I believe the guitar was a laminate, but I never asked.

[chris32895]

Laminate = heavy
Carved = light

At least that's what I've found. Depends on body size, too. My ES-175 (Epiphone) was quite heavy. My Eastman AR880CE is super duper light (I think around 6lbs). Laminate vs. carved

[TedBPhx]

I have a 2017 Memphis ES-175DN. The last production 175 design. It is heavy. Deliberately so. Thickest laminates and bracing ever specified for the 175. Done to minimize feedback. Maybe to appeal to the rock crowd? I love it.

[John A.]

Laminate = heavy
Carved = light

At least that's what I've found. Depends on body size, too. My ES-175 (Epiphone) was quite heavy. My Eastman AR880CE is super duper light (I think around 6lbs). Laminate vs. carved

Often true, but with many exceptions, depending on type of wood, thickness of top/back/sides, the size of the guitar, and hardware. For instance, a Godin 5th Ave (thin laminated cherry top, back, and sides) is under 5 lbs, which is less than most carves top/solid B&as guitars.

[Stringswinger]

Laminate = heavy
Carved = light

At least that's what I've found. Depends on body size, too. My ES-175 (Epiphone) was quite heavy. My Eastman AR880CE is super duper light (I think around 6lbs). Laminate vs. carved

It varies from guitar to guitar.

My laminate 59RI 175 is 6.5 pounds. My L-5 Wesmo is 7.5 pounds. On the other hand, my ES-175 figured is 7.5 pounds and my L-5 CES is 7 pounds.

Some laminate plates are heavy, some are light and vive-versa with the carved plates. Every piece of wood is different. And the top/back plates are carved/formed to different thicknesses.

[chris32895]

I guess I meant just as a general rule. If I was buying two guitars with the same sizes and all specs except one is laminate and the other is carved I would expect the laminate to be heavier than the carved guitar

[deacon Mark]

It varies on all hollowbody guitars. First to look at is the tailpiece. An all metal tailpiece like an L5 or Super 400 is going to add weight as are the pickups. My 1937 D'angelico NY is 18 inches and has the big brass tailpiece but no pickups attached all acoustic. I weigh's 6.6 pounds and the Super 400ces is a right around 7.7 My lightest guitar is my 1979 Barker with a Dearmond floating PU and it weighs just under 6 pounds.

Weight does not always mean the sound is better if it is lighter but generally speaking that is true. It really is hard to pin down in some cases. My 79 Barker wounds wonderful but does not have the power and projection as the 37 D'a. I have however found that most GIbson 175 that sound the best are lighter in weight. My guess is because they have a mahogany neck and plugged in they really nail a fine sound. When a 175 gets really heavy I think the sound is then not transmitted as well through the pickups and body but that is guess on my part.

[Gitterbug]

Here's my archtop harem, in ascending weight order:

Benedetto Bravo 2007 4.9 lbs
Ibanez AFJ-91 2014 5.3 lbs
Gibson ES-175 1959 VOS 2014 5.3 lbs
Ibanez Emperor Regent 1999 5.9 lbs
Gibson Tal Farlow 2011 7.6 lbs

In gigging order:

Ibanez
ES-175
Emperor Regent
Bravo
Tal

A medium-to-strong preference to low-weight (and lower-priced) guitars.