J Custom weight and balance question?

[mcmurray]

Hi guys. Currently saving for a J Custom and should be ready to buy soon. I have a question regarding the RG J Customs: What is the balance like? Are any of these guitars neck or body heavy or are they perfectly balanced? Unfortunately I won't be able to try the guitar in person before purchase hence my question.

I currently have a Gibson LP Studio which is up for sale because I can no longer handle its unbalanced weight distribution. If I'm sitting down with the guitar on my lap and let go, it drops to the floor because the body is too heavy, I have to keep holding the neck down with my fretting hand which really affects my playing. I want to make sure this won't happen with the Ibanez.

Can owners of the RG j customs and prestiges please chime in?
Cheers.

[Timbaline]

The body is always going to be heavier than the neck. However, compared the your Les Paul, the body is going to feel ridiculously light. It will feel more balanced than your LP.

Also, what position are you sitting in? If you sit in the classical position, the guitar won't fall, unless you try to make it fall...obviously.

[mcmurray]

I'm talking about a sitting position with the guitar resting on my right leg (not classical position). I understand that the body will be heavier, but will the guitar have a tendancy for the neck to either raise or drop if I take my hands off it? I want a guitar that will not move if I take my hand off the neck.

[jaxadam]

I haven't really noticed any difference weight wise or balance wise with a J Custom. They are really just like any other guitar.

I guess I would say that it's pretty well balanced. I'd say that the body is of average size and weight, the neck is of average size, and they are very well built, quality guitars.

[Homebake]

my rg prestige is lighter than my squier strat...which is FAR lighter than my friends 60th anniversary strat...which is FAR, FAR lighter than a goddamn LP.

rg's are very light and also balanced really well.

[kotornut]

It's like this. Pick up a strat styled guitar (you know what I mean) and play it. That's the balance of a J-Custom. The weight is a non-issue. They are definately lighter than Les Pauls I don't know if they are lighter than strats, some strats are really light and others are heavy. But J-Customs aren't heavy by any gutiar standards. They will ba about the same weight as a prestige Ibanez that is rear routed (front routed will be a bit lighter). So don't worry. I make the salesmen get them off the wall for me all the time I know what they feel like.

You know my '91 RG560 is a lot heavier than my friend's American Strat and his Washburn N4. Is basswood a heavy wood or something? Anyways, it's still not heavy compared to many other gutiar.

[mcmurray]

It's not really the weight that worries me, I mean if my LP was 20kgs and balanced properly I'd still keep it.

I think with the RG's they would be more likely to be neck-heavy. Anyone got a neck heavy RG that requires you to hold it up with your left hand?

[PinkSpId3r]

never had any neck heavy problems with RG. like all the posts on top, rg will just balance like a strat. I find j-custom will be slightly heavier than normal prestige RG due to the mahogany body. dont worry, it wont be unbalance =)

[kotornut]

Originally Posted by mcmurray

It's not really the weight that worries me, I mean if my LP was 20kgs and balanced properly I'd still keep it.

I think with the RG's they would be more likely to be neck-heavy. Anyone got a neck heavy RG that requires you to hold it up with your left hand?

You've got it wrong. RGs are definately not neck heavy. I had an SG that was and I had to hold up the neck all the time. My RG doesn't require any of this.

That's what the upper horn is for. Have you ever played a Super-strat? I've never played a neck heavy one. Infact, I can go hands off on my gutiar completely and it will stay in perfect postion for playing like it should. Not neck heavy at all.


IMO Les Pauls are far more neck heavy it's due the fact that the balance points for the strap buttons aren't in a position to hold the guitar (forgive me) erect. I think you are probably focused on the scale length and thinking it will make the guitar, "neck heavy." Trust me it wont at all.

[mcmurray]

Originally Posted by kotornut

Infact, I can go hands off on my gutiar completely and it will stay in perfect postion for playing like it should. Not neck heavy at all.

This is what I wanted to hear, thank you. Would this hold for a 7-string aswell? I may get a 7 string if I find a good one when I'm ready to buy.

[kotornut]

Originally Posted by mcmurray

This is what I wanted to hear, thank you. Would this hold for a 7-string aswell? I may get a 7 string if I find a good one when I'm ready to buy.

It should be the same way with a seven.

[kotornut]

just for proof's sake, hands free:

now that you've seen it I removed the pic. I hate pics of my self shown to strangers.

[mcmurray]

Thanks mate. Now can you take a pic with you sitting down and no strap?

j/k

I've not had a problem with a strap, it's the balance without a strap I'm interested in.

[GTR-MAN]

I have a J-Custom w/mahogany body, it stays where you leave it.

[Mazrim]

My J Custom is perfectly balanced. Most superstrats will be.

In fact the only problem I've ever had with guitars wanting to slide one way or another was with Gibsons. Not that its a massive problem, just dont let go.

An SG is wicked neck heavy and a Les Paul (usually) body heavy. Its why when a Les Paul falls it will nearly always whiplash the headstock to the floor extra fast and break the neck just behind the nut. I've seen it many times. Its the first thing you look for on a used LP.
I had a LP Custom '57 reissue that was so body heavy (and heavy in general) it was ridiculous. Still miss it though.