Hi all. I recently got my hands on a project telecaster which weighs a tonne!
It’s in the style of a tele esquire but has a strat neck and a solid ash body. So just the one pickup.
I play it sitting down and can imagine it’ll be heavy in a live scenario.
If I were to strip it and replace the body with a lighter weight one, what would you recommend?
It does sing when I play it and I guess that might be down to the heavy body.
Apart from a custom body, I’m guessing any MIM or Squier body would be suitable as they’d be light weight usually?
Comments
(in my experience obviously, others may have had better experiences)
have you though of something lighter like poplar ( *awaits sniggles and/or corksniffage)
the mim bodies are usually multi piece with top & bottom laminates so not sure thatd save any weight.. my 2009 was near 4kg
squiers can be anything.. I'd look for a natural higher quality one as the affinitys etc can vary greatly in weight (again. imo)
OP - what do you regard as “weighs a tonne”?
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Here she blows:
https://imgur.com/z83agwg
https://imgur.com/0fvvZA9 ;
It definitely feels way heavier than any MIM tele I've played. I tried it now with a wide strap and it doesn't feel too bad, but I'll see if I get on with the weight over the next few months. It sounds great though!
Also if you are thinking of changing the body but keeping the neck then you will need a custom one made with a strat pocket route
If you’re replacing the body you will need to know what weight to go for then make sure your current parts will fit.
Ps - Gavin knows the score on this stuff, wise advice.
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i think the body was around 2.9kgs if I recall
Actually, I wonder if I got a chunk of wood taken out behind the scratchplate? That might lighten the load. There is no neck pickup route or anything in it, so maybe hollowing out beneath the scratchplate could lighten things a little bit.
https://i.imgur.com/cgIBCXI.jpg
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https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Telecaster-Erle-Body-Schwarz-Tele-Alder-Body-Finish-Black-High-Gloss/303129890274?hash=item4693f30de2:g:R-oAAOSw7wFcGiiD