Question regarding Albert Lee weight

[Curly]

Question regarding Albert Lee weight *pics*

Hello all.

*edit: I've added pics here:
Albert Lee Medallion Gold*
(the clips are from my '04, BTW)

I custom ordered an Albert Lee in medallion gold with pearl guard.

My first impression upon seeing it was that it's a beautiful guitar. However, as soon as I picked it up, it felt heavy.

The MusicMan specs say, "6.5 pounds, varies slightly".

I finally weighed my custom order this morning.

I have an '04 that weighs 6.9 lbs.

The custom order one weighs 8.1 lbs. That's 1.6 lbs over MMs stated spec.

I would like to hear your opinions on this.

Do you think that 1.6 lbs over is beyond "varies slightly" ?

Thanks kindly

 

[kbaim]

That does seem REALLY heavy for one.

Mine (delivered this feb) is the lightest of all my music man's.

8.1 sounds more like the Morse model weight.

Howzit sound?
KEITH

 

[SteveB]

First, I'm curious as to how you got a 'custom' AL from a manufacturer with no custom shop.

That aside, I am also curious as to what you have on that guitar that makes it 1.6 lbs heavier. Is one of your AL's non-tremolo? The site says that the trem adds 7 ounces (nearly a half pound!). Do both of yours have the same pickups? Maybe that could contribute to the weight as well (MM90 vs. Duncans).

Lastly, maybe something has changed with the guitar's specs, and the web page simply hasn't been updated?

These are my immediate thoughts.. I really have never known the weight of any guitar I've played in my 23 years of playing.

 

[Curly]

First, I'm curious as to how you got a 'custom' AL from a manufacturer with no custom shop.

That aside, I am also curious as to what you have on that guitar that makes it 1.6 lbs heavier. Is one of your AL's non-tremolo? The site says that the trem adds 7 ounces (nearly a half pound!). Do both of yours have the same pickups? Maybe that could contribute to the weight as well (MM90 vs. Duncans).

Lastly, maybe something has changed with the guitar's specs, and the web page simply hasn't been updated?

These are my immediate thoughts.. I really have never known the weight of any guitar I've played in my 23 years of playing.

Steve,
thanks for your comments.

You're right, of course, there is no Custom Shop. I should have said, "special ordered" or something to be perfectly clear. I wanted Medallion Gold, and didn't find any in stock anywhere, but rather mostly blue and sunburst. So, I put in my order and waited the 2 1/2 months.

It's a hard tail, as is my '04; S/S/S configuration on both.

I don't know what almost all of my guitars weigh, in 40+ years of playing, except for my recent Gibson R7 Goldtop (8.5 lbs.), since I was specifically looking for a light one, and they're getting harder to find these days. Weight is a common issue with LPs, but a debatable topic.
I should also say that I know it's partly a personal preference. My several parts guitars - Warmoth and USACG strats and teles - have all had been ordered with lightweight bodies.

Frankly, I was going by feel, but the dealer suggested I weigh it to see what it weighed, so I did.

I guess part of my question is, aren't the specs provided to give some consistency for a signature model? Otherwise, what's the point?

Although I love EBMMs, and respect the company, I was frankly a little disappointed with the weight, and the scales agreed.

 

[SteveB]

Curly,

Wow! Now I'm scratching my head even more. Identical configs and that much of a weight difference.. who would have thought?

I am eager to see what explanations might hold sway.. I wonder if the density of the wood could vary that much (assuming both are southern ash)?

Hopefully some of the gurus will chime in here to enlighten us.

 

[Curly]

That does seem REALLY heavy for one.

Howzit sound?
KEITH

thanks, k

sounds great, of course!

the weight is a nagging issue, though. I thought maybe I was crazy (true anyway), but the scales don't lie. I think for the full pop, I deserve to be happy.

 

[kbaim]

That's the same config as mine. Weird. Mine is transparent honeyburst finish and seems to be a single piece of wood. And all the Alberts I've ever played -- about 6 -- were always super light.

The first thing you notice when you pick up mine (as the few people that have held it always comment on) is the light weight. I described it on harmony central as being lighter than some hardcover books I've read.

Gotta say I'd be a little bummed too if mine weighed in at 8+. Do you stand mostly with it or sit?

 

[Curly]

The first thing you notice when you pick up mine (as the few people that have held it always comment on) is the light weight.

Do you stand mostly with it or sit?

I agree .. when I pick up my '04, it's nice and light, like an old tele, or something like the original Fender James Burtons - "lightweight swamp ash".

I play at home, but I still contend that lighter guitars are usually more resonant and harmonic, but might not have quite as deep mids and low mids.

My '04 is just a whole lot of darn fun to play!

I have a feeling the pickups are a little underwound from stock APSs, but I haven't asked the guys at Seymour's about that. It plays a little cleaner than my strats with APSs.

Great guitar. I've known for years that EBs have one of the best neck joints out there, and the fret finish is terrific, as well as the overall fit and finish. No complaints there at all.
I'm liable to add a Silhouette Special sometime in the future.

 

[fsmith]

Keith,
I'm disappointed in you... what is the first thing you're supposed to tell someone new other than Koogie's patented line??

Hey Curly, where's the pics man???? I'm dying to see an AL in Medallion Gold.

thanks, and welcome to... the forum!

fred

 

[kbaim]

Fred, figured someone else would demand to see pics. Plus, I don't/can't post mine so I can't/don't ask others.

Curly, consider the Luke model, especially if you like neck single clean tones. hard to beat it. Even the Albert doesn't.

 

[Curly]

How rude of me, the newb!
I appreciate the congenial ribbing.

I have a couple pics, and I will post them later when I get home.

If I remember, I'll try to get a couple extra shots before I send it off tomorrow, since I've decided to exercise some judgment, and send it back.

The medallion gold looks terrific. I think I have a good eye for special orders and my own parts guitars, as you can see for yourself on my site.

I have no qualms about sending the ax back, since I think it will sell easily. It's just not what I expected. I know there are others, some who are friends of mine, who have no problem with a little weight.

If anyone is interested, they can PM me, and I'll give you the dealer's name, although that was in no way the purpose of this thread...
I simply trust that you folks are the biggest fans, and most knowledgeable players of EBMMs.

 

[thindave]

I don't have an actual weight for my AL, but it definitely seems to be moe than 7.5lbs - I'll check it later on tonight...

 

[GWDavis28]

Curly that looks really nice. Seems a shame to have to send it back, but if you not happy with it someone else will be you can count on that.

Best of luck, Glenn |B)

 

[Curly]

Glenn,
thanks
I totally agee. I had really mixed feelings, as you can imagine.
After waiting patiently, there's a real temptation to just accept it, and keep it, but I knew it would bother me.
I decided that unfortunately, it's just not for me, but I hope it makes someone else happy.
Maybe some others might like it enough to order Medallion Gold as well


Peace

 

[Jimi D]

My S/S/S hardtail AL is definitely on the light side at maybe 6½ lb., but my MM90 AL with trem is easily 8 lb., so there are definitely differences between individual guitars (tho' the MM90 has a lot more hardware on it, admittedly). I've got very similarly configured Axis Sports, however, that also vary widely in the weight department - and they just happen to be made of Ash as well. I think it has to do with the luck of the draw in the wood department - Ash can vary between one of the lightest tonewoods available to one of the heaviest, depending on the piece you get, even coming from the same tree! One thing I've noticed on my heaviest Axis Sport, tho' is that it really sounds fantastic. Let your ears decide if this one works for you!

 

[kbaim]

And for the record, I think Albert Lee weighs around 168 pounds.

 

[Curly]

for the record, and anyone interested, it's on the way back to WSM

thanks kindly for all your replies