Epi weight relief

[marc1kim]

So we hear about Gibson weight relief all the time..swiss cheese, chamberd bodies etc....But what is Epi using? I recently aquired my 07 Epi silverburst custom, and It's definitely lighter than my previous 78 (non weight relief custom) and 94 (swiss cheese relief) Custom.

[dave-m]

Other then the Ultra/Ultra II(chambered) Epiphone Les Paul's are solid with no weight relief. Every now and then we see pics of odd balls that are chambered, from all that I have seen they are older Korean Zakk Wylde's and are not normal for that model.

[LPBill]

Different "mahagony" wood used based on availability and probably larger
routing and channels inside for the electronics.

[marc1kim]

hmm so no weight relief. Thats interesting. I suppose the African Mahogany is lighter than the Honduran variety.

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Originally Posted by marc1kim

hmm so no weight relief. Thats interesting. I suppose the African Mahogany is lighter than the Honduran variety.

I don't think Epiphone uses African Mahogany.
But yeah, from what I've read, African Mahogany is lighter than other species.
My non weight relieved all (African) Mahogany Tokai Custom weighs in at 4,3kg (9,48lbs).

[Tudorp]

LPs have always been notoriously heavy guitars, but doesn't that also contribute to their signature sound?

[marc1kim]

Originally Posted by Tudorp

LPs have always been notoriously heavy guitars, but doesn't that also contribute to their signature sound?

Hmm I don't know. I owned two 13lb boat anchor norlin Les Pauls, and The lighter modern ones...I prefer lighter. But most vintage guitars, seems like people look for the lighter grade mahoganies cuz they resonate better

[Hector Arcadius]

As far as I know, Epi does not ''solid'' wood on their guitars. It's some kind of laminating process,which results to lighter instruments. Therefore, no need for swiss cheese holes or chambering.

[dustmite]

Originally Posted by Hector Arcadius

As far as I know, Epi does not ''solid'' wood on their guitars. It's some kind of laminating process,which results to lighter instruments. Therefore, no need for swiss cheese holes or chambering.

I think your mistaken.
Laminate= plywood
Plywood= more glue
Glue= heavier than wood.
The only REAL Epiphone I've ever seen made of plywood are the double neck SG's and some of the low end models like the LP specials and such. The higher end guitars are made of Nato, known as Asian mahogany, which is much cheaper and more readily available than African mahogany and helps to explain the price difference in Epi/Gibson.

[07LPStandard]

Epiphone wood is less dense and lighter than higher-grade (or real, for that matter) mahogany, but is also consequently less resonant and does not transfer vibration as nicely. As far as I'm concerned, this mainly affects sustain and isn't as important as people make it out to be.

My Epi weighs in at 8 pounds 6 ounces, which is pretty light but not featherweight by any means. The wood seems to be some sort of low-grade mahogany; the grain and texture seems to be that of mahogany, but the wood is light in color and pretty brittle.

[Scubaman]

Originally Posted by dustmite

I think your mistaken.
Laminate= plywood
Plywood= more glue
Glue= heavier than wood.
The only REAL Epiphone I've ever seen made of plywood are the double neck SG's and some of the low end models like the LP specials and such. The higher end guitars are made of Nato, known as Asian mahogany, which is much cheaper and more readily available than African mahogany and helps to explain the price difference in Epi/Gibson.

Actually Nato is known as Eastern Mahogany and generally comes from South America. Everything else bang on though.

[Hector Arcadius]

^^^

Many thanks for setting the record straight for me guys. I appreciate it.