Weight

There’s a lot that goes into a guitar’s signature tone. There’s the pickups – of course – as well as the makeup of the wood, not to mention the type of body. But beyond that, the weight of the instrument also plays an integral role. And just as there are those who swear by either single coils or humbuckers, there too is a debate over what sounds better – a lighter guitar or a heavier one. The general consensus among guitarists says that a lighter instrument will resonate better in response to the full spectrum of string vibrations and thereby yield a more musical sound, consisting of brighter highs and a more “open” tone. On the other hand, heavier guitars are generally praised for their richer, fuller sound which is due to the relatively massive size of the wood used to anchor the pickups, strings and in a way, the tone itself.   Continue reading →