8 Incredibly Lightweight Electric Guitars for Effortless Playing (2025 Guide)

As guitarists, we often focus on tone, playability, and aesthetics when choosing our next instrument. But there’s another crucial factor that can make or break your playing experience: weight.

Electric guitars are fundamentally blocks of wood with metal components, and that combination can get surprisingly heavy. After hours of performing with a weighty guitar hanging from your shoulder, you’ll understand why so many professional players prioritize finding lighter instruments.

We’ve spent years playing everything from featherweight travel guitars to back-breaking vintage Les Pauls. Nothing kills the joy of performing faster than a deep groove in your shoulder from a guitar strap supporting a 10+ pound instrument through a three-hour set.

Good news: Today’s guitar manufacturing has evolved tremendously. Modern lightweight designs can deliver massive tone without the physical burden, using innovative construction techniques and alternative woods.

Whether you’re dealing with back issues, want more mobility on stage, or simply prefer a more comfortable playing experience, this guide covers the 8 best lightweight electric guitars available today. Let’s explore these instruments that deliver extraordinary sound without weighing you down.

Our Top Picks for Lightweight Electric Guitars

1. Strandberg Boden Prog NX 6 – The Ultimate Lightweight Champion

Weight: 4.7 lbs (2.0 kg)

The Strandberg Boden Prog NX 6 stands as the undisputed champion of lightweight electric guitars. At an astonishing 4.7 pounds, it’s the lightest full-featured electric guitar I’ve ever played, perhaps the lightest on the market today.

Strandberg has revolutionized guitar design with their headless construction and ergonomic approach. The NX6 represents their flagship model, refined through years of innovation.

When I first picked up the Strandberg, I was genuinely shocked by its weight, or lack thereof. It almost feels like you’re holding a prop rather than a professional instrument. But make no mistake: this guitar delivers serious tone.

The Boden Prog NX 6 produces remarkably versatile sounds. Clean tones sing with clarity and warmth, while high-gain settings unleash assertive distortion that can handle everything from progressive metal to fusion jazz. The chambered body contributes to resonance without adding weight.

The multi-scale fretboard (fan frets) may take beginners a moment to adjust to, but it quickly becomes second nature and improves intonation across the neck. The EndurNeck™ profile, with its distinctive flat surfaces, supports proper hand position and reduces fatigue during extended playing sessions.

The only real downside? Price.

Strandberg guitars represent a significant investment. However, many players find the comfort, playability, and tone worth every penny, especially for those who perform regularly or struggle with traditional guitar weights.

2. Ibanez Ichika Signature – Modern Lightweight Innovation

Weight: 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg)

YouTube virtuoso Ichika Nito has rapidly become one of the most influential guitarists of the digital age. His signature Ibanez model mirrors his playing style, nimble, innovative, and surprisingly powerful despite its minimal footprint.

At just under 5 pounds, this guitar feels almost weightless on the strap. The nyatoh body paired with the maple/bubinga neck creates an instrument that defies conventional expectations about what a solid-body guitar should weigh.

The slim, comfortable neck profile invites rapid playing and complex techniques. While testing this guitar, I found myself naturally drifting toward tapping techniques and fluid legato passages that characterize Ichika’s playing style.

Tonally, the single-coil pickups deliver exceptional clarity. Even with heavy compression, a staple of modern technical guitar styles, the instrument maintains articulation without excessive twang. The gold frets against the roasted maple neck not only look stunning but provide a smooth playing experience with excellent note definition.

For modern players seeking an ultra-lightweight instrument that excels with contemporary techniques, the Ibanez Ichika Signature model stands as one of the most compelling options available.

3. Gibson SG Standard – Classic Lightweight Rock Icon

Weight: 6.7 lbs (3.0 kg)

The Gibson SG Standard proves that “classic” doesn’t have to mean “heavy.” While not the absolute lightest guitar on our list, its approximately 6.7-pound weight makes it remarkably comfortable compared to many other traditional solid-body instruments.

Made famous by rock legends like Angus Young and Tony Iommi, the SG’s distinctive double-cutaway mahogany body delivers a powerful punch without causing shoulder strain during extended performances.

The SG’s aggressive midrange character and punchy attack make it perfect for rock applications. Each pickup features independent volume and tone controls, allowing for precise sound sculpting without touching your amp settings, an underappreciated feature during live performances when quick tonal adjustments are essential.

While the SG handles clean tones competently, it truly excels when pushed through overdrive or distortion. The mahogany construction produces a thick, substantial sound that belies the guitar’s relatively light weight.

For players seeking that classic Gibson sound without the back pain often associated with Les Pauls, the SG represents an ideal compromise between heritage tone and playing comfort.

4. Danelectro ’59M NOS+ – Vintage Lightweight Character

Weight: 6.7 lbs (3.0 kg)

The Danelectro ’59M NOS+ brings unique vintage character in a lightweight package. Weighing approximately 6.7 pounds, this retro-styled instrument delivers distinctive tones without weighing you down.

Danelectro has been crafting instruments since the 1950s, and this model pays homage to their legacy while incorporating modern improvements. The semi-hollow construction with a masonite top contributes to both its light weight and distinctive tonal character.

The sound occupies a fascinating middle ground between Fender brightness and Gibson warmth. It’s not quite as sparkly as a Stratocaster nor as aggressive as a Les Paul, landing in a sweet spot that works particularly well for alternative rock, indie, and garage styles.

I found the ’59M sounds best with both pickups engaged, producing a full, vibrant tone with excellent midrange presence. This middle position creates a distinctive “quack” similar to a Stratocaster’s position 2 or 4, but with added body and depth.

The lipstick tube pickups deliver clear articulation with moderate output, making them responsive to playing dynamics. While they handle distortion well, they truly shine with light to medium gain settings where their unique character comes through.

The only minor drawback is the somewhat limited upper fret access due to the cutaway design. Reaching the 21st fret requires some hand gymnastics, but this is a small compromise given the guitar’s distinctive voice and comfortable weight.

5. Epiphone Casino Coupe – Lightweight Hollowbody Magic

Weight: 6.0 lbs (2.7 kg)

The Epiphone Casino earned its place in music history through John Lennon’s hands. The Casino Coupe updates this iconic design with a more compact body that enhances comfort and reduces weight to approximately 6 pounds.

This fully hollow electric delivers warm, resonant tones that work beautifully for jazz, blues, and classic rock styles. The P-90 pickups offer versatility beyond what you might expect from a hollowbody, delivering everything from sweet cleans to growling overdriven sounds when pushed.

The neck position produces wonderfully warm, bluesy tones with excellent depth, while the bridge pickup delivers more jangle and cut perfect for lead playing. Combined, they create a balanced sound that works well for rhythm parts with harmonic complexity.

The Casino Coupe’s smaller dimensions make it feel more like a solid-body in terms of comfort, but with the distinctive acoustic resonance that only a true hollowbody can provide. This combination makes for an incredibly engaging playing experience.

My only critique involves the vintage-style bridge, which limits action adjustments. While the factory setup was quite playable, the ability to lower the action slightly would improve the experience for players who prefer a super-low setup.

6. PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo – Premium Lightweight Versatility

Weight: 6.3 lbs (2.9 kg)

Despite its hollowbody design, the PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo comes in at a modest 6.3 pounds, making it surprisingly manageable for long performances. The mahogany construction delivers substantial tone without excessive weight.

What sets this instrument apart is its remarkable versatility. The combination of traditional humbuckers and piezo pickup system allows you to access convincing acoustic-like tones or full-bodied electric sounds, or blend them together, all from a single instrument.

The clean tones are exceptional, with the hollowbody construction providing natural resonance and depth. What surprised me most was how well this guitar handles high-gain settings. Unlike many hollowbodies that struggle with feedback when heavily distorted, the SE Hollowbody II maintains composure even with substantial drive.

The PRS craftsmanship shines through in the playability. The comfortable neck profile and smooth fretwork make for an effortless playing experience across all genres. From jazz to rock to metal, this guitar handles everything with aplomb.

For players who need multiple sonic textures without switching instruments during performances, this lightweight PRS offers incredible value despite its premium price point.

7. Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Tele Thinline – Affordable Lightweight Classic

Weight: 6.8 lbs (3.1 kg)

Don’t let the Squier name fool you, the Classic Vibe ’60s Telecaster Thinline delivers exceptional quality and tone at a fraction of the Fender price. Weighing just under 7 pounds, it offers the classic Telecaster experience without straining your shoulder.

The semi-hollow design contributes both to the weight reduction and to the tonal character. While maintaining the signature Telecaster brightness and twang, the Thinline adds body and warmth to the sound. The bass response is noticeably fuller than a standard solid-body Tele.

Clean tones shine with a smooth, rounded character that works beautifully for country, blues, and indie styles. While it handles moderate gain admirably, I found it performs best with clean to light overdrive settings where the semi-hollow resonance enhances the tone rather than fighting against excessive distortion.

The maple neck provides comfortable playability with the classic Telecaster feel. Fit and finish on these guitars consistently impress, rivaling instruments costing significantly more.

For players seeking that iconic Telecaster sound and look in a lighter package, without breaking the bank, the Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Tele Thinline represents one of the best values in the guitar market today.

8. Epiphone Les Paul Muse – Les Paul Tone Without the Weight

Weight: 7.0 lbs (3.2 kg)

Including a Les Paul on a lightweight guitar list might seem contradictory, but the Epiphone Les Paul Muse defies expectations. At approximately 7 pounds, it’s dramatically lighter than traditional Les Pauls that often exceed 10 pounds.

Epiphone achieves this weight reduction through chambering the okoume body while maintaining the classic Les Paul appearance and fundamental tonal character. The chambering adds a touch of hollowbody-like resonance to the traditional Les Paul sound, which I found quite appealing.

The Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers deliver the rich, warm tones Les Pauls are known for, with plenty of output for driving an amp into natural overdrive. Clean tones possess warmth and definition, while distorted sounds provide the thick, singing sustain that made Les Pauls legendary.

The contoured body fits comfortably against your torso, enhancing the already improved playing experience from the reduced weight. Upper fret access benefits from the modern weight relief as well.

For players who love Les Paul aesthetics and tone but have avoided them due to weight concerns, the Muse offers the perfect compromise between traditional character and playing comfort.

How Much Should an Electric Guitar Weigh?

The average electric guitar weighs around 8 pounds, though this varies significantly between models and construction methods. Most players consider guitars under 7 pounds to be “lightweight.”

Traditional solid-body guitars like vintage Les Pauls can exceed 11 pounds, with some particularly heavy specimens approaching 14-15 pounds. On the opposite end, specialized lightweight models like the Strandberg can weigh as little as 4-5 pounds.

For context, here’s a general weight guide:

• Ultra-lightweight: Under 5 pounds
• Lightweight: 5-7 pounds
• Average: 7-9 pounds
• Heavy: 9+ pounds

Does Body Type Determine Guitar Weight?

Contrary to what you might expect, body type doesn’t necessarily determine a guitar’s weight. While hollowbody and semi-hollow guitars often weigh less than solid-body counterparts, the Strandberg demonstrates that innovative solid-body designs can achieve even lighter weights.

The primary factor in guitar weight is the wood selection. Dense tonewoods like rosewood and mahogany create heavier instruments, while lighter woods like basswood, poplar, and chambered bodies significantly reduce weight.

Secondary factors include:

• Body size and thickness
• Hardware weight (bridges, tuners)
• Neck dimensions
• Headstock design (or absence thereof)

Do Lightweight Guitars Sound Worse?

This persistent myth deserves to be put to rest: lightweight guitars do not inherently sound worse than heavier ones.

While wood mass can influence tone, modern guitar construction techniques and electronics have largely decoupled weight from sound quality. A well-designed lightweight guitar can deliver tone as full and complex as heavier alternatives.

Consider Bruce Springsteen’s famous Telecaster, which he reportedly had weight-relieved by carving wood from the body cavities. Despite weighing just 5-7 pounds, it delivers the iconic tone heard on countless hit recordings.

Electric guitar tone stems primarily from:

• Pickup quality and design
• Wood resonance (not strictly mass)
• Electronics and controls
• Amplification and effects
• Playing technique

The notion that “heavier equals better tone” belongs to an earlier era of guitar manufacturing. Today’s lightweight instruments prove that exceptional sound can come in comfortable packages.

Benefits of Choosing a Lightweight Electric Guitar

1. Physical Comfort

The most obvious benefit is reduced strain on your back, neck, and shoulders during long playing sessions or performances. This becomes increasingly important as players age or if they already experience musculoskeletal issues.

2. Improved Mobility

Lighter guitars allow for greater freedom of movement on stage. If your performance style incorporates movement or you simply want the option to move around without feeling anchored, a lightweight instrument makes this significantly easier.

3. Reduced Fatigue

Less weight means less energy expended supporting the instrument, allowing you to focus more on your playing and less on discomfort. This can meaningfully improve performance quality during longer sets.

4. Accessibility

Younger players or those with smaller frames often find lightweight guitars easier to manage and more comfortable to play, potentially accelerating skill development through more enjoyable practice sessions.

5. Travel Convenience

For musicians who travel frequently, every pound matters. Lighter instruments make transportation less cumbersome, whether you’re walking across town to a rehearsal or flying to another city for a performance.

Final Thoughts

The idea that quality guitars must be heavy is outdated. Today’s lightweight electric guitars deliver exceptional tone and playability without the physical burden that characterized many vintage instruments.

Whether you choose the ultra-light innovation of the Strandberg Boden, the classic lightweight design of the Gibson SG, or any other model on this list, you’ll find that reducing weight doesn’t mean compromising on sound quality or playing experience.

Your perfect lightweight guitar ultimately depends on your personal preferences for tone, feel, and aesthetics. If possible, try several options to discover which balance of weight, sound, and playability best suits your needs.

What matters most is finding an instrument that inspires you to play more, and if that means prioritizing comfort through a lightweight design, your music will likely benefit from the choice.