Diet plan for my LP

[diogoguitar]

this almost feels like NGD to me. My first thought was to sell the guitar and get a newer, lighter one. But, I liked so much how it plays, sounds and feels before any mods that I felt it would be too much risk for me to try and buy another one.

My LP Traditional 50's had 9.4 lbs/ 4.263 kg (9.5lbs / 4.295kg with strap locks) before and now it weighs 8.97lbs / 4.069kg .


Here are the mods

	Original (g)	Replacement (g)	Savings (g)	savings (oz)	savings (lb)
Tailpiece	90	27	63	2.2	0.1
Tailpiece studs	28	10	18	0.6	0.0
Bridge	52	28	24	0.8	0.1
Tuner	191	151	40	1.4	0.1
Pickguard	32	0	32	1.1	0.1
pickup swap			0	0.0	0.0
reflector knobs	19.3	12	7	0.3	0.0
jack plate	9.3	1.7	8	0.3	0.0
schaller buttons	10	2.1	8	0.3	0.0
schaller strap holders	32.1	0	32	1.1	0.1
			grams	oz	lbs
		Total reduction	231	8.2	0.5

edit: I had forgotten to count the portion of the strap lock that goes into the strap. It weighs another 32g / 1oz. I edited the table just now

1. I put faber tailpiece and aluminum studs,
2. an aluminum locking bridge with titanium saddles,
3. Replaced the original Kluson tuners with MIJ Gotoh ones (same style but lighter)
4. Took off pickguard
5. (did not change pickups)
6. Replaced speed knobs for top hats
7. Replaced metal jack plate for plastic
8. Removed schaller strap locks and up original Gibson's
9. New bone nut (not related to weight savings, but it was needed)

All in all, it took ME 1h of labor, plus 1h in a pro shop, plus 1h for the bone nut

Was it worth it? To me it was. I was thinking about selling this guitar and get an R9, but right now I feel absolutely no need to do it.

I was hesitant to sell because I already liked how the guitar plays, sounds and feels ... it was just a little hard on my shoulders and lower back. It was not so much about the total weight since 9.4 to 8.97 isn't that much of savings, but it was about the neck/body balance and how it feels on the shoulders. If I was playing sitting and let my hands off the guitar, the guitar would turn to its body (and fall on its butt).

Honestly with the hardware/nut upgrades the guitar feels and plays even better.

She feels so much more alive and balanced. I'm very happy and won't be selling this guitar anymore

I had put on Reverb for sale before any mods, and within a day or two I had 50 followers and a few verbal offers. I was like "ok, let me think if I really want to sell this". I took it off the market. I'm glad I did keep the guitar. Had I waited a little longer, I suspect someone would have paid full price for it.

 

[Guy Named Sue]

There's this new improved diet plan that will save you more money.... If you're interested

 

[diogoguitar]

haha keep it coming

 

[efstop]

On the bike forums, the guys who spend a lot of money on lightweight parts to achieve a weight goal are called "weight weenies."

Not intended as a dig, it just triggered a memory. I daresay weight reduction on a bicycle is way more useful, though.

 

[BDW60]

this almost feels like NGD to me. My LP traditional had 9.4 lbs/ 4.263 kg before and now it weighs 8.97lbs / 4.069kg . Here are the mods

	Original (g)	Replacement (g)	Savings (g)	savings (oz)	savings (lb)
Tailpiece	90	27	63	2.2	0.1
Tailpiece studs	28	10	18	0.6	0.0
Bridge	52	28	24	0.8	0.1
Tuner	191	151	40	1.4	0.1
Pickguard	32	0	32	1.1	0.1
pickup swap			0	0.0	0.0
top hat knobs	19.3	12	7	0.3	0.0
jack plate	9.3	1.7	8	0.3	0.0
strap buttons	10	2.1	8	0.3	0.0
			grams	oz	lbs
		Total reduction	199	7.0	0.4

1. I put faber tailpiece and aluminum studs,
2. an aluminum locking bridge with titanium saddles,
3. Replaced the original Kluson tuners with MIJ Gotoh ones (same style but lighter)
4. Took off pickguard
5. (did not change pickups)
6. Replaced speed knobs for top hats
7. Replaced metal jack plate for plastic
8. Removed schaller strap locks and up original Gibson's
9. New bone nut (not related to weight savings, but it was needed)

All in all, it took ME 1h of labor, plus 1h in a pro shop, plus 1h for the bone nut

Was it worth it? To me it was. I was thinking about selling this guitar and get an R9, but right now I feel absolutely no need to do it.

I was hesitant to sell because I already liked how the guitar plays, sounds and feels ... it was just a little hard on my shoulders and lower back. It was not so much the total weight since 9.4 to 8.97 isn't that much of savings, but it was about the neck/body balance and how it feels on the shoulders. If I was playing sitting and let my hands off the guitar, the guitar would turn to its body (and fall on its butt).

Honestly with the hardware/nut upgrades the guitar feels and plays even better.

She feels so much more alive and balanced. I'm very happy and won't be selling this guitar anymore


View attachment 521788

View attachment 521789

Almost half a pound is huge for balance and overall weight. Great to see how this was done in detail. What are your impressions about what the Faber stiff did to the tone?

 

[diogoguitar]

Almost half a pound is huge for balance and overall weight. Great to see how this was done in detail. What are your impressions about what the Faber stiff did to the tone?

This faber thing theoretically makes a lot of difference (I think). To be honest, I don't know if it's the tailpiece, the titanium saddles, or the new bone nut that made THE difference because I swapped all 3 of them at once.

But, the guitar does resonate better than before, so that's a good thing. If I had to guess, I think most of the improvement comes from the tailpiece (Faber). It's hard to imagine any improvement could be made in the guitar, since it was already top notch in my opinion.

Also, the Gotoh tuners are way better than the stock Kluson ones. They look the same and I think have the same turning ratio, but the turn of the Gotoh is a lot smoother.

 

[diogoguitar]

On the bike forums, the guys who spend a lot of money on lightweight parts to achieve a weight goal are called "weight weenies."

Not intended as a dig, it just triggered a memory. I daresay weight reduction on a bicycle is way more useful, though.

I'll take weight weenie!
I'm probably that 1-5% of the LP player population who doesn't eat wheaties and complains about guitar weight.

 

[BKS]

Most weight reduction is on the bankaccount i guess...

 

[efstop]

I'll take weight weenie!
I'm probably that 1-5% of the LP player population who doesn't eat wheaties and complains about guitar weight.

I added weight to my '50s Tribute by installing a Les Trem II. In spite of the 1/4" thinner body and 9 hole weight relief it weighed 9.2 pounds. Now it weighs 9.6 pounds

 

[diogoguitar]

Most weight reduction is on the bankaccount i guess...

Yep, I got a few pounds off of it

 

[redking]

Wow - that's an incredible amount of weight removed simply by swapping out hardware!

 

[Gitter]

Good job! Gradual weight loss is always better than extreme yoyo dieting...

BTW...this is from an actual Reverb listing....

1971 Gibson Les Paul Standard | Reverb

This is a really unique guitar that I wish I knew the history on, but unfortunately I do not. This 1971 Gibson Les Paul Standard has been heavily modified in a twisted or "S" manner which the pictures should show you what you need to know as far as cosmetics go. I purchased it about a year ago an...

reverb.com

 

[theycallmegio]

I ask to ask: OP - are you a cyclist?

 

[diogoguitar]

I ask to ask: OP - are you a cyclist?

I am, but my bike is bone stock with Shimano deore/XT parts (did not upgrade to XTR).

 

[sonar1]

I once replaced the seat stem pinch bolt on my cheap Omega with a Campignola bolt.
Saved less than 1gram but allowed me to wear a Campignola cap once I had some Campi on my bike.

 

[Knoby]

@diogoguitar can you provide the exact piece you used? I went to have a look at the Faber website and there is a lot to choose from. But no weights mentioned. Also I didn't see they have aluminium studs.

 

[diogoguitar]

@diogoguitar can you provide the exact piece you used? I went to have a look at the Faber website and there is a lot to choose from. But no weights mentioned. Also I didn't see they have aluminium studs.

Let me see if I remember all of the swapped parts

1. Faber non-locking tailpiece: https://faberusa.com/product/3010-0-faber-tp-59-tailpiece/
   1. They don't specify the weight but trust me, this is as light as it gets.
2. Tailpiece studs (did not replace anchor): https://www.philadelphialuthiertool...ight-aluminum-tailpiece-mounting-studs-posts/
3. gotoh sd-90 tuners: https://www.philadelphialuthiertool...e-kluson-style-guitar-tuning-machines-nickel/
4. Pinacle Aluminum bridge with titanium saddles: https://www.philadelphialuthiertool...m-base-titanium-saddles-tom-nashville-bridge/
   1. You are required to replace the studs (which weigh about the same as the original), but you can keep the anchors - so no permanent mods on the guitar.
5. Knobs (generic?): https://www.philadelphialuthiertool...-4pk-for-gibson-guitars-with-us-fine-splines/
6. Stud for tailpiece (generic?): https://www.philadelphialuthiertool...ight-aluminum-tailpiece-mounting-studs-posts/
7. Jack plate (generic?): https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/electronics/jacks/plastic-jack-plate-in-ivory/

I think that's pretty much it. The tuner strap buttons pretty sure I took the original gibson

Also, you can shave off another 50-60g / 2oz if you don't care about pickup covers. I have a set of zebra pickups coming.
I was lucky to get them before the brand jacked up the price (pricks... I'll stop buying from them lol)

here is she with the poker chip now

 

[KStopper65]

Huh.
Mine just drinks lemon oil....

 

[Cjsinla]

I'll take weight weenie!
I'm probably that 1-5% of the LP player population who doesn't eat wheaties and complains about guitar weight.

I don’t complain about weight but that’s only because I try to only buy LP’s that are under 9 pounds.

 

[chef]

Huh.
Mine just drinks lemon oil....

That adds 22 grams