I'm back... 56 Les Paul Custom

[JSett]

Jokes aside. It is causing me some proper issues (and yes I've tried a wider strap). My day job pretty much entails me being in possibly the worst posture imaginable for hours on end - I basically am crumpled up like a prawn for 4-7 hours a day - so my back is always in a state of some kind of discomfort. I have regular sports massages and physios, plus I have a stretching routine that I try to keep up with.

So at 10lbs, after years of tattooing and previous jobs hauling heavy objects around with no regard for personal health, the LP is hard work to play - even sitting down.

It's very annoying as it SOUNDS FUCKING AMAZING.

[Pacafeliz]

Dude I want YOU to tattoo ME



(yep I've had some drinks, but anyhooo)

[Dr Tony Balls]

Jokes aside. It is causing me some proper issues (and yes I've tried a wider strap). My day job pretty much entails me being in possibly the worst posture imaginable for hours on end - I basically am crumpled up like a prawn for 4-7 hours a day - so my back is always in a state of some kind of discomfort. I have regular sports massages and physios, plus I have a stretching routine that I try to keep up with.

So at 10lbs, after years of tattooing and previous jobs hauling heavy objects around with no regard for personal health, the LP is hard work to play - even sitting down.

It's very annoying as it SOUNDS FUCKING AMAZING.

Sell it? Its definitely worth more than its sonic goodness. With the money made you can seek out a way to make a guitar that sounds as good and doesnt kill your back....which may or may not include buying a much less expensive Les Paul and Reis-ing it.

[F15hface]

I did start to feel the weight with the brief time I played it standing. Gibson could probably do a M2M near-exact replica that also happened to be chambered t' fook, but there's always the risk it doesn't really hit the spot. Tough decisions.

[JSett]

Sell it? Its definitely worth more than its sonic goodness. With the money made you can seek out a way to make a guitar that sounds as good and doesnt kill your back....which may or may not include buying a much less expensive Les Paul and Reis-ing it.

I am considering it. I get almost as much enjoyment playing my Tele. Well, they give me enjoyment in different ways but the Tele is still the ruler in the selection at the moment.

It definitely doesn't sound 20x as good as the Tele. And it hurts to play. But it is a lovely thing to own, and I'll never own anything like it ever again.

Fucking tough call.

[Dr Tony Balls]

Its a house guitar though, isnt? As in "its too nice to ever leave the house" guitar? If so just play it sitting down.

But also....this is pretty much the same thing but in tele:

[JSett]

Its a house guitar though, isnt? As in "its too nice to ever leave the house" guitar? If so just play it sitting down.

But also....this is pretty much the same thing but in tele:

It is a house guitar, yeah, but the sitting position of playing guitar often causes me issues as I tend to arch my back (don't we all?) rather than sit up straight while playing, so I mostly play stood up.

Its not like it's like my old 70s one that was 14ish lbs, but that was 25 years ago and my body isn't as durable as it once was.

Although I was actively looking for an LP, I don't think it would make much difference me now owning it in the first place (apart from having a cool story and experience).

I dunno what to do. I'm going to go play it now at least.

[cestlamort]

I dunno what to do. I'm going to go play it now at least.

It seems like an amazing guitar, so I'd continue with that until the weight issues make it "I wish I could go play it now" and then sell it.

(I'm fully in my "aging ex-skater back" era and anything over 8.5 lbs is more than I can do. I expect I'll lose about half a pound in tolerance every couple years from here on out).

[JSett]

I dunno what to do. I'm going to go play it now at least.

It seems like an amazing guitar, so I'd continue with that until the weight issues make it "I wish I could go play it now" and then sell it.

(I'm fully in my "aging ex-skater back" era and anything over 8.5 lbs is more than I can do. I expect I'll lose about half a pound in tolerance every couple years from here on out).

It's already doing the "no, I'll grab that one instead" thing with the weight vs my back issues.

Also ex-skater here, albeit a very bad one, so I do have those old injuries to deal with too. Gee, I sure do love getting older. So cool.

[Dr Tony Balls]

I've got it! Standing tattoo desk. Raise the client up to like 5 ft (152 cm) in the air and then you wont have to bend over. The back fixes itself and we're back in Les Paul shape in not time.

[JSett]

I've got it! Standing tattoo desk. Raise the client up to like 5 ft (152 cm) in the air and then you wont have to bend over. The back fixes itself and we're back in Les Paul shape in not time.

Hah! Now there's a thought! I have, on occasion, had the need to sit someone down and stand up to get the best angle on them, those are always much nicer to do.

I just need to either find a way to make it work and not agitate the body parts or make the painful decision to draw a line at guitar weight finally

[sal paradise]

There’s a simple solution, but you won’t wanna hear it.

Get yourself down the gym. Squats & deadlifts will help your posture no end, and give you better core strength to make heavy guitars less of a ballache. Also great for mobility & stopping muscle wastage now we’re on the wrong side of the hill.

[JSett]

There’s a simple solution, but you won’t wanna hear it.

Get yourself down the gym. Squats & deadlifts will help your posture no end, and give you better core strength to make heavy guitars less of a ballache. Also great for mobility & stopping muscle wastage now we’re on the wrong side of the hill.

That would be an option but I'm under strict instructions from my doctor and physio to avoid any kind of overly exertive physical exercise... Walking, stretching, gentle swimming etc are the go to. Weights etc are off the menu.

That and I'm pretty lazy in that regard. Although I do walk at least 3 miles every day no matter the weather.

[JM Convert]

Two suggestions.

1. Try yoga
2. Try getting a strap like Steve Albini that distributes the weight of the guitar over your hips as opposed to over your shoulder.

The variable height tattoo station is a great idea as well.

[sal paradise]

There’s a simple solution, but you won’t wanna hear it.

Get yourself down the gym. Squats & deadlifts will help your posture no end, and give you better core strength to make heavy guitars less of a ballache. Also great for mobility & stopping muscle wastage now we’re on the wrong side of the hill.

That would be an option but I'm under strict instructions from my doctor and physio to avoid any kind of overly exertive physical exercise... Walking, stretching, gentle swimming etc are the go to. Weights etc are off the menu.

That and I'm pretty lazy in that regard. Although I do walk at least 3 miles every day no matter the weather.

Oh yeah, totally forgot - DO NOT put 120kg on a bar across your shoulders. That could end really badly.