Looking for a lighter axe

LarryL · #1 08-19-2011, 08:34 AM

I play a Heritage H535, which is a 335 style axe made in Kalamazoo Michigan by some of the same craftsmen who once made Gibson guitars. Heritage's owners worked at Gibson before that company moved their production to Nashville.

I like my guitar a lot. To me it has some of the same feel that's sometimes found in older Gibsons. I've noticed, though, that the guitars' weight bothers me more and more as I get older.

I've been thinking about getting something lighter, but I don't want to give up the quality I've gotten accustomed to with my 535. Price is also an issue; I want something I can buy for no more than $1500 tops. Used is fine. I prefer short scale instruments, like my H535. I won't consider anything made outside of the U.S. or Canada. I know there are some great Asian guitars, I own several of them, but I want my main jazz axe to be home grown.

Can I hear a couple of suggestions from you guys?

rpguitar · #2 08-19-2011, 09:26 AM

I too am sensitive to the weight of guitars. Pretty much, I need my instruments to be under 8 lbs and under 7 is ideal.

My PRS Hollowbody is 5.5 lbs. It is the lightest electric guitar I own. I have several others in the 6.5 lb range. How heavy is your Heritage? My 1967 ES-335 is 7.5 lbs.

goshawk · #3 08-19-2011, 09:37 AM

I was going to recommend an Eastman El Rey, but it doesn't meet all your criteria. You might want to look at the Godin 5th Avenue series. I seem to recall the one I demo'd felt pretty light, and at least a couple of the models will be well within your price range.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #4 08-19-2011, 09:51 AM

The Gibson ES-339 is a 335-style guitar with an LP-sized body, but I don't know what they go for used. Gibson has just released the Epiphone ES-339, but that's Chinese, I assume.

rpguitar · #5 08-19-2011, 09:58 AM

The ES-339 is a good candidate. They regularly sell on Ebay for $1500 on average, and can be lightweight. Just be careful: I bought an ES-359 (same guitar but fancier), and it's 8 lbs. Too damn heavy for what it is. It's heavier than my 335.

Al_F · #6 08-19-2011, 03:52 PM

A used Heritage 530....? I haven't had the pleasure of playing one but it must be light compared to a 335 style guitar.

Vihar · #7 08-19-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryL

Looking for a lighter axe

Here you are:

life_with_a_song · #8 08-19-2011, 05:25 PM

Go Godin. You might be surprised.

Freddy23 · #9 08-19-2011, 07:25 PM

The 335 is heavy because of that maple block that runs down the middle. It's there to help the body resist feedback. The solution to the weight problem is to get a fully hollow guitar (no center block) but that will increase susceptibility to feedback. That's the choice.

If you like the body shape and higher fret access of the 335 then the Gibson ES-330L or the Heritage equivalent (530?) would be the way to go. Otherwise any hollowbody will lighten the load.

Another thought: the Gibson ES-135 (now out of production) had a center block but it was chromyte (balsa wood) instead of maple and is said to be substantially lighter.

Good luck.

Retroman1969 · #10 08-19-2011, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vihar

Here you are:

LOL!
That's a pretty obscure thing to find! Bet it weighs less than 7 pounds too.

Pierrot · #11 08-20-2011, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryL

I won't consider anything made outside of the U.S. or Canada. I know there are some great Asian guitars, I own several of them, but I want my main jazz axe to be home grown.

Is this some new kind of colonial expansion?

Just asking...

Retroman1969 · #12 08-20-2011, 08:28 AM

fordfanjpn · #13 08-20-2011, 07:41 PM

A vintage Gibson ES-125 is very light and can still be found for a reasonable price.

Bill