Weight of vintage rickenbackers

[chai-man]

I've always wondered about weight of vintage Ricks - the Capri/330/335/360 range. What are average guitar weights like? What sort of range is there in weights within the same model?

Obviously denser woods give a higher weight for a given model (since components will, I assume, be less variable in weight), but is there any clear relationship between wood density (hence weight) and tonal quality of the guitar, both acoustically and electrically? And do the guitars get lighter with age as they lose moisture?

[sys700]

I had two 330/12's from 1966. One was significantly heavier than the other due to the top thickness (and long pole toasters) . Would be interesting to see values from various months/years.

[jingle_jangle]

I wish I had taken the time to weigh (and thoroughly document) every old Rick I've had the pleasure of working on.

I can say, however, that older Capris (full-bodied) weigh more than modern 330s and 360. The difference is significant and noticeable, but I don't have a number. I'd assume that this makes them more resonant in some frequencies, too. Performance when amplified is too much a combination of factors, however...

Let's weigh in!

[sys700]

Well, you could weight mine Paul, since you have it!

[libratune]

Here are some weigh-ins of Capris and some other Rick models:

Year P/ups Model TP Weight--Lb/oz
Capris

1958 2 360 Capri ATG [no ROS] Trapeze 6/13
1959 2 335 Capri FG/Red [no ROS] Kauffman 7/6
1960 2 360 Capri FG TP Trapeze 7/8
1958/9 2 365 Capri ATG/FG [no ROS] Accent 7/10
1959 3 345 Capri FG Mahogany [no ROS] Kauffman 7/14
1960 3 375 Capri MG Kauffman 7/14
1960 2 365 Capri FG Accent 7/15
1958/9 2 365 Capri ATG/FG Accent 7/15

Other Ricks

1965 2 360-12 NS MG R 7/8
1966 2 330-6 MG R 7/10
1964 2 1993-12 FG Trapeze 7/11
1996 2 360V64 MG Trapeze 7/11

Main "weight-adding" variables seem to be internal bracing, VB TP, extra p/up (3.7 oz.) and 330 v 360NS body design. ROS with extra jack and longer plate, etc. probably adds about an ounce.

[8mileshigh]

But the very early Alder body Capris weigh in at a fraction over 5lbs........they are SUPER light!

[jingle_jangle]

I'm always amazed at the amount of heft the tuners, pickups, stuffed guard, and tailpiece will add. This means that the raw bodies on those alder Capris must be around 3 pounds.

I started restoring a Blackstar awhile back. VERY heavy; haven't weighed it--this is subjective, but I'd say 11 pounds or more.

The maple, once stripped, was like a bowling alley--the densest maple I've seen on a "newer" Rick. I'm guessing huge resonance and sustain.