Electric guitars, while iconic and essential for countless music genres, are not always known for being light. Many guitarists, especially those new to playing or performing long sets, can find the weight of a solid body electric guitar to be a significant factor in playing comfort and even physical strain. While some believe that heavier guitars equate to a fuller tone, advancements in guitar building have proven this to be a myth. Today, you can find incredibly Lightweight Electric Guitars that deliver powerful and resonant tones, allowing you to play for hours without shoulder or back fatigue.
Whether you’re a seasoned performer looking to reduce strain during gigs, a beginner seeking a more manageable instrument, or simply someone who values playing comfort, a lightweight electric guitar could be the perfect solution. Let’s explore some of the best lightweight electric guitars available today, proving that you can have a feather-light instrument without compromising on sound.
Top Picks: Lightest Electric Guitars for Enhanced Playability
| Preview | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gibson SG Standard | Check Price | |
 |
Danelectro ‘59M NOS+ | Check Price |
| Strandberg Boden Prog NX 6 | Check Price |
Discover 8 of the Best Lightweight Electric Guitars Available Now
The perception that heavier guitars inherently sound better is outdated. Modern guitar manufacturing utilizes a diverse range of woods, from dense varieties to incredibly lightweight options like basswood. This innovation allows for the creation of guitars that are remarkably light yet capable of producing powerful, resonant tones. Whether you prioritize stage presence and the freedom to move, or simply seek an instrument that’s easier on your body, there’s a lightweight electric guitar designed for you. Prepare to be surprised by the sonic capabilities packed into these lighter instruments – you might just find your next dream guitar among them!
1. Gibson SG Standard: A Lightweight Classic with Iconic Tone
The Gibson SG Standard is an undisputed rock and roll icon, famously wielded by Angus Young of AC/DC and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath. While not the absolute lightest on this list, the SG strikes a fantastic balance between weight and tone. Weighing in at approximately 6.7 lbs, it’s significantly lighter than many solid-body guitars, making it incredibly comfortable for extended playing sessions and energetic stage performances.
Gibson SG Standard Ebony beauty lightweight electric guitar
The SG is renowned for its punchy, raw sound, ideal for vintage rock and heavier genres alike. Its snappy response provides excellent control and articulation. The independent volume and tone controls for each pickup offer exceptional tonal versatility, allowing you to dial in the perfect blend for any musical style. While it performs admirably with clean tones, the SG truly excels when driven with distortion, delivering a thick, powerful sound that belies its lightweight construction.
As a Gibson, the SG Standard represents a higher-end investment, best suited for intermediate to advanced players seeking a professional-grade instrument. However, for players on a budget, the Epiphone SG offers a more affordable alternative, retaining a similar tonal character and lightweight feel.
2. Danelectro ‘59M NOS+: Retro Style Meets Lightweight Design
Danelectro, a brand with a long and storied history in guitar manufacturing, presents the ‘59M NOS+, a fantastic tribute to their classic models. This lightweight electric guitar, also around 6.7 lbs, offers a unique sonic palette and striking retro aesthetics.
The ‘59M NOS+ boasts a distinctive tone that sits comfortably between a Fender Stratocaster and a Gibson Les Paul. It’s less bright than a Strat and less aggressive than a Les Paul, offering an alternative, slightly grungy character. The clean tones are remarkably neutral, neither overly bright nor warm, making it ideal for accompaniment and filling out a band’s sound. The sweet spot for this guitar lies in using both pickups together, delivering a full and vibrant tone reminiscent of the Stratocaster’s middle position “quack,” but with added body and depth.
Beyond its sound, the ‘59M NOS+ captivates with its vintage-inspired design, evoking a surf rock vibe. The only minor drawback for some players might be the cutaway, which can make accessing the higher frets (above the 21st) slightly challenging.
3. Strandberg Boden Prog NX 6: Ultra-Lightweight Innovation and Modern Performance
Strandberg Guitars has rapidly gained recognition for its innovative designs, particularly their headless guitars and compact bodies. The Boden Prog NX 6 represents the latest evolution of their acclaimed Boden series, refining a winning formula for modern guitarists.
Strandberg Boden Prog NX 6 exceptionally lightweight electric guitar
The NX6 is exceptionally lightweight, often weighing just over 4.5 lbs, making it one of the lightest solid-body electric guitars available. This compact and ergonomic design is not only incredibly comfortable but also makes it ideal for travel and transport. Despite its diminutive size, the Boden Prog NX 6 is a tonal powerhouse, offering surprising versatility. It handles clean tones with warmth and clarity and delivers crushing high-gain tones with ease, making it suitable for virtually any genre.
While the headless design and compact body might require a slight adjustment for traditional players, the benefits in terms of weight and ergonomics are undeniable. The Strandberg Boden Prog NX 6 is a premium instrument, reflecting its innovative design and high-quality construction. It represents a significant investment but offers unparalleled playability and tonal flexibility in an incredibly lightweight package.
4. Epiphone Casino Coupe: Iconic Hollowbody Tone in a Lightweight, Compact Form
The Epiphone Casino holds a legendary status, famously played by John Lennon. The Casino Coupe is a modern, more affordable take on this classic hollowbody, offering the same vintage vibe and tone in a lighter, more compact package. Weighing in at under 6 lbs, it provides a supremely comfortable playing experience, especially for standing performances.
Epiphone Casino Coupe red finish lightweight electric guitar
The Casino Coupe delivers a sweet, warm, bluesy tone, particularly rich on the neck pickup. The bridge pickup offers a jangly, lead-oriented sound, making it versatile for classic rock, jazz, and blues. Its P90 pickups are surprisingly capable of handling higher gain levels, adding a pleasing growl when pushed. While maintaining the vintage aesthetic of the original Casino, the Coupe features a slimmer body, enhancing playing comfort and contributing to its lighter weight. The traditional bridge design lacks action adjustability, but the overall playability remains excellent. The Epiphone Casino Coupe is a fantastic tribute to a classic, offering iconic hollowbody tone in a lightweight and accessible instrument.
5. Squier Classic Vibe ‘60s Tele Thinline: Lightweight Telecaster Versatility and Vintage Charm
View on Sweetwater | View on Amazon
The Fender Telecaster is a legendary instrument renowned for its bright, articulate tone and exceptional playability. The Squier Classic Vibe ‘60s Tele Thinline offers the iconic Telecaster experience in a lightweight and affordable package. As a “Thinline” model, it features a semi-hollow body, further reducing weight and adding a unique tonal character. It weighs under 7 lbs, making it a comfortable and manageable instrument.
Squier Classic Vibe '60s Tele Thinline semi-hollow lightweight guitar
The Squier Classic Vibe series is known for its exceptional quality and value, often rivaling Fender instruments in sound and feel. The Thinline Telecaster retains the Telecaster’s signature brightness but adds a warmer, rounder bottom-end due to its semi-hollow construction. This results in an incredibly smooth and versatile clean tone, perfect for blues, jazz, and lighter rock genres. While it handles light gain well, it’s best suited for tones where clarity and warmth are prioritized over heavy distortion. If you’re seeking a lightweight electric guitar with classic Telecaster tone and vintage aesthetics, the Squier Classic Vibe ‘60s Tele Thinline is an outstanding choice.
6. Ibanez Ichika Signature ICHI10: Featherweight Design for Modern Virtuosity
Ichika Nito, a celebrated YouTube guitarist known for his innovative playing style and enchanting tone, collaborated with Ibanez to create the Ichika Signature ICHI10. This signature model embodies Nito’s light and airy playing style with an incredibly lightweight design. Constructed with a nyatoh body and maple/bubinga neck, this guitar often weighs in at a mere 5 pounds or even less, making it astonishingly light for a solid-body electric guitar.
Ibanez Ichika Signature ICHI10 incredibly lightweight electric guitar
The ICHI10 features a super-slim neck and comfortable body, optimized for shredding and technical playing. Its single-coil pickups deliver clear and crisp tones across all positions, maintaining sparkle and warmth even with heavy compression. Tapped harmonics and complex techniques are facilitated by the guitar’s tall frets and smooth playability. The gold frets against the roasted maple neck add a touch of luxury to this already impressive instrument. The Ibanez Ichika Signature ICHI10 is a testament to modern guitar design, offering exceptional playability and tone in an unbelievably lightweight package, perfect for contemporary guitarists seeking ultimate comfort and performance.
7. Epiphone Les Paul Muse: A Lightweight Les Paul Experience
While Les Pauls are traditionally associated with heavier weights, Epiphone offers the Les Paul Muse as a lightweight alternative for players who desire the iconic Les Paul tone without the typical weight burden. At around 7 pounds, it’s significantly lighter than many traditional Les Pauls, offering a more comfortable playing experience.
Epiphone Les Paul Muse lightweight Les Paul style electric guitar
The Les Paul Muse achieves its lighter weight through a chambered okoume body and a maple cap. This chambering contributes to a slightly different tonal character, adding a touch of airiness and sweetness reminiscent of a Gibson ES-335. The contoured body enhances playing comfort, both seated and standing. Equipped with Alnico humbucker pickups, the Muse delivers a versatile range of tones, from warm, chiming cleans to powerful, driven sounds. It captures the essence of classic Les Paul tone in a more comfortable and lightweight instrument, making it an excellent option for players seeking Les Paul aesthetics and sound with enhanced playability.
8. PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo: Lightweight Versatility with Acoustic Options
PRS guitars are renowned for their quality craftsmanship and versatility, appealing to guitarists across genres. The PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo offers a more accessible version of their hollowbody design, while still maintaining PRS’s commitment to quality and playability. While technically a hollowbody, it weighs just under 7 lbs, making it comparable in weight to some solid-body guitars on this list. This weight is attributed to its mahogany body and neck.
PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo lightweight and high-quality electric guitar
As a hollowbody, the SE Hollowbody II Piezo excels in delivering exceptional clean tones. The mahogany construction and hollow design contribute to a full, resonant, and rounded tone. The addition of piezo pickups further enhances its versatility, providing near-acoustic tones alongside its electric capabilities. Surprisingly, it also handles distortion remarkably well, rivaling solid-body PRS guitars in its ability to deliver powerful driven tones. The PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo is a true all-rounder, capable of handling diverse musical styles with ease, from jazz to hard rock. Its smooth playability and adjustable bridge further enhance its appeal, making it a highly versatile and lightweight option for discerning guitarists.
Understanding Electric Guitar Weight
The average electric guitar typically weighs around 8 lbs. Heavier instruments, like some Les Pauls, can reach 10 lbs or more, with some vintage guitars even exceeding 14-15 lbs. Guitarists generally consider an electric guitar “lightweight” when it weighs 7 lbs or less. The lightest electric guitars, such as the Strandberg Boden Prog NX 6, can weigh as little as 4-4.5 lbs. Travel guitars, designed for extreme portability, can weigh even less, often under 3 lbs, but are primarily intended for practice and limited performance scenarios.
Body Type and Guitar Weight
Contrary to common assumptions, body type isn’t the sole determinant of an electric guitar’s weight. While hollowbody guitars are generally lighter than solid-body guitars, advancements in construction and wood selection allow for incredibly lightweight solid-body instruments, as demonstrated by the Strandberg NX6.
My Top Pick for Lightweight Electric Guitars
The Strandberg NX6 stands out as the lightest solid-body electric guitar I’ve personally experienced. Beyond its incredibly lightweight and compact design, the exceptional neck and overall playability make it a dream instrument.
The primary factor influencing guitar weight is the type of wood used in its construction. Heavier woods like rosewood contribute to a guitar’s overall weight, while lighter woods such as basswood result in lighter instruments. The size of the body, neck, and headstock also plays a role; larger instruments naturally require more material and thus weigh more.
Does Weight Impact Tone in Lightweight Electric Guitars?
Fortunately, the weight of an electric guitar has minimal impact on its tone, especially in electrically amplified instruments. A lightweight guitar equipped with the right pickups can sound just as powerful and resonant as a much heavier guitar. The amplifier largely shapes the final tone, diminishing the perceived sonic difference based on guitar weight alone.
Some guitarists even intentionally reduce the weight of their guitars, like Bruce Springsteen, who famously carved out sections of his Telecaster to lighten it. Despite the reduced weight, Springsteen’s iconic tone remains powerful and full.
While tone isn’t directly correlated to weight, personal playing experience can be influenced by guitar weight. Some players prefer heavier guitars, feeling that the added weight contributes to a more solid and comfortable playing experience. Conversely, others, like Bruce Springsteen, find lightweight guitars more comfortable and conducive to their playing style. Ultimately, the “best” weight is subjective and depends on individual player preference and comfort.
Advantages of Choosing a Light Electric Guitar
Lightweight electric guitars offer several distinct advantages:
- Comfort for Younger Players: Lighter guitars are more manageable and comfortable for children and beginners, preventing balance issues and neck strain that can hinder learning.
- Reduced Strain and Back Pain: For players with back problems or those concerned about developing them, lightweight guitars can significantly reduce strain and discomfort, especially during long gigs or practice sessions.
- Portability: Lighter guitars are easier to transport, particularly beneficial for touring musicians or those frequently traveling with their instruments.
However, guitar weight preference remains highly personal. Despite physical stature, some players prefer heavier instruments, while others prioritize lightweight comfort. Ultimately, choosing a lightweight electric guitar is about prioritizing playing comfort and personal preference without sacrificing tonal quality. This list provides a diverse range of excellent lightweight options to suit various playing styles and budgets.
Final Thoughts on Lightweight Electric Guitars
Lightweight electric guitars provide a fantastic playing experience without compromising on tone. They offer enhanced comfort for players of all levels and physical conditions, proving that you can enjoy extended playing sessions and powerful sound in a lighter package. Explore the world of lightweight electric guitars and discover an instrument that perfectly balances playability and tone for your musical journey.
