How Much Do Electric Guitars Weigh (11 Best-selling models) | Detailed Guide

How Much Do Electric Guitars Weigh - blog cover

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There are numerous issues that guitar players will discuss. One question that has come up frequently is about the different electric guitar weight and how it affects sound quality. An electric guitar typically weighs between 6 and 12 pounds (3 to 5 kgs). Lightweight guitars weigh less than 8 pounds (3.6 kg). Heavy guitars can weigh up to 9 pounds (4.1 kg). The type of wood, type of body, hardware, neck style, and other elements all influence the weight. 

The average weight of an electric guitar is 8 lbs/ 3.6 kgs.

What is the The average weight of an electric guitar? Infographic

The weight of an electric guitar might vary due to all of these possibilities. Let’s begin at the beginning. Below is the electric guitar weight chart for 11 of the most popular electric guitars available:

 

Electric Guitars Weight : 11 Best-Selling Models

Weight of the 11 most popular guitars

Sr. No Guitar Name Average Weight Type
1.
Fender Telecaster
7 - 8 lbs (3 - 3.6 kgs )
Electric guitar / Hollow-body
2.
Fender Mustang
7 -8 lbs (3 - 3.5 kgs)
Electric guitar
3.
Fender Stratocaster
7 - 8.5 lbs (3 - 3.8 kgs)
Acoustic electric guitar
4.
Gretsch Streamliner
11 - 13 lbs (5 - 6.5 kgs)
Electric guitar or Hollow-body
5.
Epiphone Les Paul
10 - 13 lbs (4.5 - 6 kgs)
Electric guitar
6.
PRS SE Custom 24
13 - 14 lbs (6 - 10 kgs)
Electric guitar
7.
Gibson ES-335
9 lbs (4 kgs)
Electric guitar or Hollow-body
8.
Epiphone SG
6.5 - 8 lbs (2.9 - 3.6 kgs)
Electric guitar
9.
Traveler Guitar
2 - 5 lbs (1 - 2 kgs)
Electric guitar
10.
Yamaha Pacifica
7 lbs (3.2 kgs)

Electric guitar or Solid body

11.
Ibanez GRG
14 lbs (6 kgs)
Electric guitar or Solid body
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1. Fender Telecaster

Average weight - 7 - 8 lbs

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Model: Fender Player Telecaster (Available on Amazon)

The average weight of Telecaster is 8 pounds (3.6 kg). It’s a medium-sized electric guitar with a light body (alder/ash) and a thicker neck (maple), giving it a reasonably balanced electric guitar weight.

The hardware is rather light, thanks to the single coil pickup and bridge design. The Telecaster is known for being the ideal guitar for country music. Its “jangly” and “twangy” tone was used in blues, jazz, and several rock subgenres at the same time. It is a perfect guitar that could be picked up by a beginner as well as a professional!

2. Fender Mustang

Average weight: 7 -8 lbs

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Model: Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 60’s Mustang (Available on Amazon)

The current mustang model is exceedingly tiny and comfortable to play. The earlier models can weigh up to ten pounds, while the newest variants are little over seven pounds. The slab design body was popular in older Fender Mustang guitars, so the firm decided to incorporate it onto all later models. Because of its small size, the slab body is exceptionally comfy and makes it the best match for beginners.

3. Fender Stratocaster

Average weight: 7 - 8.5 lbs

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Model: Squier by Fender Affinity Series Stratocaster (Available on Amazon)

The vintage Fender Stratocaster weight is about 8 pounds on average (3.6 kg). For electric guitars, this is the usual electric guitar weight for this one.

Because of the alder/ash tone wood, double cutaway construction, and contoured shape, the weight of Fender Stratocaster is relatively less. The maple neck and fretboard give them a little more weight than you’d anticipate.

The Stratocaster neck is known for being one of the most comfortable, easy to manoeuvre, and forgiving necks available. This makes it one of the most sought after guitars by beginners.

 

4. Gretsch Streamliner

Average weight: 11 - 13 lbs

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Model: Gretsch Streamliner Hollow Body Candy Apple Red (Available on Amazon)

They’re available in a variety of colours, but they all have clear plastic knobs and white plastic binding on the bodies, fingerboards, and headstocks. The nickel-plated hardware features Gretsch’s Adjust-Matic bridge and unbranded die-cast tuners. The Streamliner models have been reduced down to their essentials, giving them a classic and raw appearance. The wiring and knob configuration on all three models is classic Gretsch, with vintage-style fret markers and a comfortable, fast-playing neck.

The Gretsch Streamliner Hollowbody would be an excellent choice for a beginner’s electric jazz guitar or as a backup guitar for a seasoned artist. Beginners may find it difficult at first, but with practise, they will be able to rock and roll with this guitar in no time.

5. Epiphone Les Paul

Average weight: 10 - 13 lbs

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Model: Epiphone Les Paul-100 (Available on Amazon)

The body and neck of this Epiphone are both composed of mahogany. The neck, being a 1960s model, featured a good, easy-to-play Slim Taper C profile that I found to be pleasant and forgiving, even for players with tiny hands. So, given its sleek design, how much does a Les Paul weigh? Although extremely comfortable, Les Paul weight is a little on the heavier side at 4.5 – 6 kgs.

However, whether for beginners or recording and touring musicians, the Epiphone Les Paul Standard 60’s is an excellent instrument. Several well-known musicians, like Matt Heafy of Trivium and Frank Lero of My Chemical Romance, are noted for their use of the Epiphone Les Paul.

For good reason, Epiphone is one of the most famous electric guitar manufacturers in the world, and the Les Paul is one of the most popular electric guitars for beginners. The Les Paul is a versatile guitar as well. It’s a versatile instrument that may be used to play jazz, metal, blues, country, or rock. It’s an excellent guitar for beginners, but it’s also suitable for intermediate and advanced players.

6. PRS SE Custom 24

Average weight: 13 - 14 lbs

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Model: PRS SE Custom 24 (Available on Amazon)

The PRS Custom 24 is about 9 pounds in weight (4.1 kg). The mahogany body and neck, as well as the dual humbucker pickups and tremolo bridge, contribute to this. A maple cap is added to the body, making it even heavier.

Every PRS guitar is a joy to play, and the SE is no exception. The flat, quick neck, low action, and mirror-finish frets will have you going back for more, and both beginners and seasoned players will like it.

 

7. Gibson ES 335

Average weight: 9 lbs

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Model: Gibson ES 335 (Available on Amazon)

The Gibson ES 335 weighs around 2 – 3 kgs. The ES 335 has a maple body. The two “cutaways” into the upper bouts form hollow side “wings,” and the top has two violin-style f-holes over the hollow chambers. It’s the ideal guitar for performing blues, and it’s adaptable enough for both professionals and beginners to take up!

 

8. Epiphone SG

Average weight: 6.5 - 8 lbs

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Model: Epiphone SG (Available on Amazon)

The Epiphone is one of the lightest electric guitars on the market, weighing only 6 pounds (2.7 kg).

To begin with, it has a very thin body. The mahogany body of an SG is just under 1.5 inches wide. This is extremely thin. It also has a short scale length of 24.75 inches, making it a little electric guitar in general.

 

9. Traveler Guitar

Average weight: 2 - 5 lbs

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Model: Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic Acoustic-Electric Guitar (Available on Amazon)

The traveler guitar is a lightweight instrument, weighing just over 2 pounds (around 3lbs in the case). The neck is made of one piece maple and features an ebonized rosewood fretboard with 22 medium frets that are all extremely simple to reach. A detachable lap frame is included with the body, making it more easier to sit and relax on your lap. The Ultra-Light is a comfortable and very playable travel guitar with a hand-friendly smooth satin surface that seems well-designed and well-built.

 

10. Yamaha Pacifica

Average weight: 7 lbs

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Model: Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC012DLX (Available on Amazon)

The Yamaha Pacifica has an average weight of 3.4 kgs. It is kind to the back and has every interesting neck shape. It is easier on the body and can be played by both left-handed and right – handed people. It is a great pick for beginners as there is a wide variety of beginner models available in Yamaha Pacifica but is also suitable for professionals!

 

11. Ibanez GRG

Average weight: 14 lbs

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Model: Ibanez GRG – GRG121DXMGS (Available on Amazon)

I have been asked this question many times, that how much does an Ibanez electric guitar weigh? Well these guitars are known for being lightweight, and the GRG series is no exception, weighing only 7 pounds (3.2 kg). This is because of the slender body and the extremely narrow neck.

The GRG series has a 26.5-inch scale length, which makes it a little heavier than you’d expect from a conventional double cutaway, narrow body.

 

 

Summary of the article - At a Glance

  • The Fender Stratocaster weight is 3 – 3.8 kgs on an average. The weight can vary as strats are often built using various woods including alder, ash, basswood, mahogany, and more.
  • The weight of a Fender Telecaster is 3 – 3.6 kg on an average. But the weight of telecaster can vary depending on the material used for making the body and neck.
  • The weight of a Fender Mustang is 3 – 3.5 kg. The older models are slightly heavier. However, the newer versions are compacts and comfortable.
  • The weight of Gretsch Streamliner is 5 – 6.5 kg. They are slightly heavier than electric guitars but produce a distinct sound.
  • The Epiphone Les Paul guitar weighs around 4.5 – 6 kg. Les Paul has a thick mahogany back and neck which increases the Les Paul’s weight a little more than other guitars.
  • The PRS SE Custom 24 weighs around 6 – 10 kg. The weight may be slightly higher for the USA-made custom 24 guitars.
  • The Gibson ES – 335 guitar weight is 4 kg are relatively consistent and do not vary across different guitars in the series.
  • The Gibson SG weight is 2.9 – 3.6 kg. It has a very thin body despite being made of mahogany and is one of the lightest popular guitar.
  • The Traveler guitar weighs around 1 – 2 kg. It is one of the lightest, most compact and durable guitars which can be easily carried around.
  • The Yamaha Pacifica weighs around 3.2 kg. It is again relatively light and perfect for those who do not wish to spend a lot of money on heavy electric guitars.
  • The Ibanez GRG guitar weighs around 6 kg. They have a great neck, sustain and sleek mahogany body.

What should be the ideal weight of an electric guitar? : Poll Results

What is the ideal neck size of a guitar? Poll results

As you can see, via the poll we can determine that most people (42%) prefer an electric guitar that weighs around 8 pounds. An electric guitar that weighs around 7 pounds is a close second with 35% of the votes. A lot of beginners are of the thinking that lighter is better. But you do get better choice of guitar once you pick slightly heavy guitar which is 8 pounds onwards.

What affects the weight of the guitar?

Type of wood - How Much Do Electric Guitars Weigh

Type of Wood
One of the most important aspects impacting the total weight of the guitar is the type of wood used.

The body wood, in particular, is essential. Alder, ash, basswood, mahogany, or maple make up the majority of electric guitar bodies. Alder, ash, and basswood are all lightweight woods, although mahogany and maple are both hefty.

 
Dimensions of the body - How Much Do Electric Guitars Weigh

Body Dimensions
Of course, body size plays a role here as well. This has to do with how much body wood there is.

Some guitars, such as the Les Paul, are fashioned from thick slabs of wood. The Stratocaster, on the other hand, is built from a much smaller, thinner piece of wood, which helps it to be lighter.

 
type of body - How Much Do Electric Guitars Weigh

Type of body
Solid, hollow, and semi-hollow are the three primary varieties of electric guitar bodies. The heaviest guitars are solid body guitars like Strats, Les Pauls, and Telecasters, while hollow body guitars are the lightest. Because the middle of the body is hollow, despite their appearance, hollow body guitars are usually lighter than solid body guitars.

hardware - How Much Do Electric Guitars Weigh

Hardware
This is a less crucial aspect in determining the weight of a guitar, but it is still worth discussing. The pickups, electricals, and tuner heads are all considered hardware. Locking tuner machines, for example, are heavier than standard tuner machines.

Lightweight guitar vs. Heavy guitar: What’s better?

Heavier guitars typically offer more resonance and sustain than lighter guitars. This is frequently attributable to the wood type and the size of the body. The tone is broader, warmer, and louder with thicker guitar bodies.

It’s also important to keep in mind how body type affects tone.

Solid body guitars have no gaps inside and are built from a thick piece of wood. This improves the endurance while also reducing feedback difficulties.

The tone of hollow body guitars, on the other hand, is more acoustic. They have less sustain than solid body designs, but they sound warmer and emphasise the bass more. When you increase the volume or distortion on your amp, however, they are more prone to feedback difficulties.

When the guitar sits on your thigh for an extended period of time, though, its weight can become an issue.

Lighter guitars are frequently more comfortable to sit and stand with, making them better alternatives for gigging. If you play a lot while standing, the weight differential can become a factor over time, causing back, shoulder, and neck fatigue.

Does a Guitar’s Weight Matter while playing?

Frankly speaking, it does not matter how much does an electric guitar weighs. Both lighter and heavier guitars have compelling arguments and numerous instances. It was not uncommon for a Gibson Les Paul to weigh as much as 12 pounds before the early 1980s. Much of the sound intensity, depth, and clarity evident in music by Led Zeppelin, The Sex Pistols, AC/DC, and even Boston can be attributed to this heavy guitar. 

On the other hand, the popular Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster that dominated the early 1960s each weighed around 6 to 7 pounds and were known for being the instrument behind the sounds of Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd – a sound that cannot be ignored for its magnificence.

With that stated, it’s clear that both lighter and heavier guitars produce fantastic, traditional sounds.

In terms of which sounds better, you should already know that it relies on the tonal preferences of the musician. Many guitarists use both, which is why they have so many different guitars. However, you must remember that a massive 12-pound guitar might get uncomfortable after extended use, and if you’re not comfortable, you won’t be playing at your best. Many people prefer a lighter guitar simply because it feels better to play, regardless of sound quality.

In conclusion

So now you know how an average electric guitar’s weight influences its tone and playability. It’s important to remember that sound isn’t everything. So, before you go out and buy a heavy guitar just because you like the tone, think about how easy it is to play.

Also, in the end, the best approach to determine which guitar is right for you is to consider how it feels in your hands and how it sounds to your ears, rather than its weight. It will be love at first sight, or rather, first strum, when you find your perfect axe.

Cedric Philips

Cedric Philips

Hey there, I am Cedric and I've been playing guitar professionally for 9+ years. I also work in a music shop so I can get my hands on a lot of different guitars. And so, I like to share my take on these fantastic instruments here. Cheers!

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