How Much Does A Guitar Weigh?

Guitars can vary significantly in weight, whether they are an electric model or an acoustic. It may not be the first factor you think of when buying or picking up a guitar but finding one that suits your strength is vital.

You may be surprised by how heavy some are and, likewise, how light others are.

Everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to the weight of a guitar. Some love a bulky, cumbersome model such as the Gibson Les Paul, renowned for its heavy weight of around 4 to 5.5 kg.

Others prefer lighter guitars Fender Stratocasters that generally weigh around 2.9 kg. Of course, many guitarists may fall in love with the sound of a guitar and disregard the weight.

But, on the whole, it is important to consider the weight of your next guitar so you don’t get a bad back while playing and it’s easy enough to transport. 

Today, we are going to guide you through the different weights of electric and acoustic guitars. Read on to find out everything you need to know about these weights so you can decide which one suits you best. 

What Impacts A Guitar’s Weight? 

The weights of electric guitars vary but the average weight is approximately 3.6 kg or 8lbs. Your typical electric guitars can weigh anywhere from 2.7 to 4.5kg (6 to 10+lbs). However, this usually depends on the type of wood used in construction and the shape of the guitar’s body. 

To understand what a guitar weighs, we need to examine what impacts the weight. One major factor is the type of wood used.

If you pick up two identical-looking guitars but they one feels heavier than the other, it’s probably down to the type of wood it’s made from. 

Different varieties of wood have unique densities that impact the weight of a guitar. Pick up a guitar made from Balsa wood and you will be shocked by how light it is. And it’s not just the body of the guitar.

The type of wood used to make the fretboard also impacts the weight but this is not as significant as the main body and neck of the guitar.

Below are some of the most common types of wood used to build a guitar along with their weights:

• Alder – 400 – 700 kg/m3
• Swamp Ash – 450 – 550 kg/m3
• Basswood – 300 – 600 kg/m3
• Mahogany – 450 – 640 kg/m3
• Walnut – 650 – 700 kg/m3
• Maple – 550 – 700 kg/m3

Just from looking at these woods, you may be surprised by the significant weight difference between them, even with the same type of wood.

Think of Mahogany. This is considered heavy wood. Now think of Alder, generally considered to be a light type of wood for building a guitar.

However, when looking at the weights above, it is possible to buy an Alder-made guitar that weighs more than a Mahogany model. Mind blown! 

The body shape, body type, and size of both electric and acoustic guitars can also determine the overall weight. When you compare guitars, you must pay close attention to the thickness of its body.

For example, compare an Ibanez S Series and a Gibson Les Paul. Turn them to the side and you can see how much thicker the Les Paul is. And, surprise, surprise, it is the heavier of the two. 

Another important aspect of a guitar’s weight is how solid its body is. Some guitars are made with a solid slab of wood whereas others have hollowed sections built-in. 

Solid-body guitars use a solid slab of wood or sometimes several solid slabs glued together. This is why a Les Paul feels so heavy as it is made from one solid slab of wood. 

Then we have a semi-hollow body guitar. These have large sections that are hollowed out. Not only does this make a guitar lighter, but it also has an impact on the guitar’s sound.

Simply lookout for “f-holes” on the face of the guitar’s body to see if it is a semi-hollow model.

Hollow-bodied guitars are entirely hollow on their interior aside from structural supports underneath the neck and bridge. Many of these guitars are quite large but surprisingly light due to their hollow nature.

Some electric models have chambering to reduce the weight of the guitar. This is when parts of a solid guitar’s body have been routed out but then hidden, creating empty pockets. 

This is sometimes done to change the sound of a guitar but also for weight relief. One guitar make that is known for chambering is Gibson, especially from the 1980s onwards. 

Electric Guitar Weights

Examples

Remember the type of wood and structure of a guitar. Keep this in mind when checking out our examples of electric guitars alongside their weights below:

• Gibson Les Paul – 4 – 4.5 kg. This heavier weight is mostly down to its thick body design and the use of mahogany for its body. Some models have certain cavities routed to allow for weight relief but look identical.
• Fender Stratocaster – 3 – 3.8 kg. These are generally made from various types of wood like ash, alder, basswood, mahogany, and more.
• Fender Telecaster – 3 – 3.6 kg. Most of these are made from alder or swamp ash making them fairly lightweight.
• Gibson SG – 2.7 kg. Thinner than a Les Paul, Gibson SGs are made from mahogany and are much thinner. 

Acoustic guitar weights

Examples 

• Martin D28 Dreadnought – 2.17 kg. The body of these guitars is made from Sitka spruce or  Adirondack red spruce while the neck is usually mahogany and the fretboard ebony.
• Yamaha FG830 Dreadnought – 1.99 kg. These come in a variety of woods such as rosewood and maple as well as spruce and mahogany.
• Taylor BT1 ¾ – 1.17 kg. Known as a Baby Taylor, this smaller model is ideal for young players and beginners.
• Gibson Dreadnought (Hummingbird Pro) – 2.13 kg. This is quite a heavy model and is best suited to the more experienced guitarist.

In Summary 

Guitars, whether they are electric or acoustic, vary in weight. Make sure you examine the wood the guitar is made from before buying so you are sure it will be comfortable for you to play.