LP killing my shoulder and neck - need an SG? HElp

[Jamme61]

I have a 59RI LP that I love (8.7 lbs). I'm an old man now and the pain is in my shoulder running up into my neck. I've been dealing with this for about six months and its not going away. I tried a bunch of different straps- wide, stretchy- padded - nothing works. Ive played some SG's (2016) and like them. whats the lightest sg I can get 6LBS ? Ive called some dealers and they cant tell me the weight- they think Im nuts. If anyone knows some dealers of super light weight SG's let me know thanks.

 

[GotTheSilver]

Wildwood Guitars lists the weight of every guitar on their website.

 

[Jamme61]

thanks

 

[lonesomesheik]

Try a 330, nothing beats a P90

 

[guitplayer]

Ultimate "old mans" guitar.
Vintage melody maker P-90. 5 lbs

 

[RAB]

I have a 59RI LP that I love (8.7 lbs). I'm an old man now and the pain is in my shoulder running up into my neck. I've been dealing with this for about six months and its not going away. I tried a bunch of different straps- wide, stretchy- padded - nothing works. Ive played some SG's (2016) and like them. whats the lightest sg I can get 6LBS ? Ive called some dealers and they cant tell me the weight- they think Im nuts. If anyone knows some dealers of super light weight SG's let me know thanks.

I share your pain! I love my '56 LP conversion but appreciate a weight-break (especially on those seemingly endless 4 set gigs!) by playing my vintage 355, Riviera and, the lightest of the bunch, my '63 Epiphone Wilshire! Weighs about 6.5 lbs! :jimAnd the mini-buckers sound amazing! I heartily recommend a vintage Wilshire or Crestwood! eace2

 

[DanD]

Be sure to try to play any light weight SG while standing with a strap. The light ones can be neck heavy and do the stage diving thing.

I shoot for 7 pounds and vintage tuners on SGs. I find they balance better than the ultra lights.

A Bigsby can also help the balance especially with Grover'd SGs. eace2

 

[Progrocker111]

ES3x5 would be great option too. They are some just at 7 - 7.5 lbs range. For a Les Paul player its more familiar and native than SG.

 

[renderit]

Look, we are old and we confuse easily, so:
1) Work out a bit to get the heavenly body tone I have.
2) Buy a 69 or later Custom.
c) Use the Custom for the 2nd set.
f) by the third set the 59 will feel like a feather.

 

[Jamme61]

Thanks for all the info- I use to laugh at people complaining about the weight of a lp - Father Time got me
Last gig l look over to my left and there's my bass player, finishing the last set in a chair lol
You gotta laugh at this shit - rock out!

 

[tommersjay]

Have you considered a weight relieved studio? You wont sacrifice tone, just the weight and the binding.

 

[Jamme61]

Have you considered a weight relieved studio? You wont sacrifice tone, just the weight and the binding.

That would be fine looking now

 

[talonmm]

I went through shoulder and arm pain too recently.

I have a very heavy les paul (12.5 lbs) and I tend to use lighter LP's.

Here's how I overcame the arm numbness.

It is more a neck issue than a shoulder or arm issue.

You should build up shoulder strength and arm strength and see a chiropractor who may be able to set you neck or spine to handle this better.

when I started, I could do about 5 push ups. A year later I do 5 sets of 10 push ups every day and could probably do a lot more if I wanted to. I exercise, do situps, curls, and push ups and walk or run each day.

The walking I do is a brisk walk, about 3 miles a day, outside or inside on a treadmill.

I have lost 50lbs, look great and have a lot more muscle. My shoulder/arm and neck feel so much better and my body can easily handle the weight of a guitar now. Plus, I don't feel crippled when I get out of bed each morning anymore.

Give exercise and strength building a try and do see a Dr. or Chiropractor.

good luck!

 

[Jamme61]

I went through shoulder and arm pain too recently.

I have a very heavy les paul (12.5 lbs) and I tend to use lighter LP's.

Here's how I overcame the arm numbness.

It is more a neck issue than a shoulder or arm issue.

You should build up shoulder strength and arm strength and see a chiropractor who may be able to set you neck or spine to handle this better.

when I started, I could do about 5 push ups. A year later I do 5 sets of 10 push ups every day and could probably do a lot more if I wanted to. I exercise, do situps, curls, and push ups and walk or run each day.

The walking I do is a brisk walk, about 3 miles a day, outside or inside on a treadmill.

I have lost 50lbs, look great and have a lot more muscle. My shoulder/arm and neck feel so much better and my body can easily handle the weight of a guitar now. Plus, I don't feel crippled when I get out of bed each morning anymore.

Give exercise and strength building a try and do see a Dr. or Chiropractor.

good luck!

Yup started all that stuff this past June. Im down 60lbs- to 275 which means Im one fat bastard (working on it)

 

[style0]

Spend less than $100 and get a Gibson Austin strap. Very comfy and helps my old ass handle heavy guitars.

 

[talonmm]

Yup started all that stuff this past June. Im down 60lbs- to 275 which means Im one fat bastard (working on it)

That's great! Congratulations, and keep up the great work, you will feel a lot better!

I'm not a very good guitar player, so it's a big help to be able to look down again and see the guitar strings and not the back of the guitar!

 

[talonmm]

Spend less than $100 and get a Gibson Austin strap. Very comfy and helps my old ass handle heavy guitars.

Yes, those Gibson fat and wide guitar straps feel amazing! Seems there are quite a few models out there and the ones I have feel fantastic and help distribute the weight very well and make heavy guitars much more manageable.

They are readily available on ebay for a lot less money than locally.

 

[Jamme61]

That's great! Congratulations, and keep up the great work, you will feel a lot better!

I'm not a very good guitar player, so it's a big help to be able to look down again and see the guitar strings and not the back of the guitar!

Thanks I hear ya - I do feel a lot better but still need to lose another 30lbs. Have to look into the strap too thanks again for the time on this stuff

 

[DaveSG]

SGs can be in the 5-6lb range. Some of the old Jrs and Specials come to mind, as sub-6lb guitars.


I had a '63 Melody Maker and it was a sub-6lb guitar. Those ones don't really have the neck dive issues that some SGs do. However, a good strap will help take care of the neck dive. SGs are also very curvy and conform well to your side so they are comfortable in more ways than one.

I think there is an Epiphone Japan (Gibson style headstock) 61 RI that is on Reverb right now that is right around 5lbs I think. (EDIT: 5.25lbs - https://reverb.com/item/1259448-5-25lb-epiphone-japan-sg-lacquer-series-2006-heritage-cherry-mij)

Wildwood also has an SG special right now listed at 6.00lbs even.

I've got a '70 SG Standard that is right around 7.5lb with the lyre and everything else and an Epi '61 Reissue that is just a hair over 6 - it feels great!

 

[1jamman]

I'd add a flip side to the "Work-out" idea . 1st , Please Go to your DR. and find out, what and why you have pain . Pain is the bodies way of telling you something is wrong, not correct ,. A Problem ..... Getting stronger is good and might help some , but , It will not FIX the issue in the long term . If it's a muscular problem , then Yes , you would see a decrease in pain and be helped . If It's not .....

Not all problems can be solved with working out and as for going to a chiropractor ,Wait to know what the problem is before letting any "adjustments" be made . Some conditions an be adversely effected with manipulation .
I know .

I say look at Semi-Hollow bodies , There are some fine guitars out there and you give up nothing in playability or tone with 1 . Might even be better ..... Sit down if you need to . There's No shame in that .