Definition of "extra light"

[Tal_Strat]

Hi all, I am new to the forum. In the process of ordering a strat body.
I'm looking for a light body. I was browsing through finished and unfinished strat bodies. I noticed that some Alders and Ash'es are marked "extra light". At first thought they were sub-spices. But it looks like everything that's under 4lb's is marked "extra light", nothing 4lb's or over is marked "extra light".  So looks like Warmoth's definition of "extra light" is under 4lbs.
What is strange about this is that, this is regardless of the finish. Finish should add at least 2-5 ounces I would think, yet an unfinished 3lb 15oz body is marked "extra light" yet a finished 4lbs 0oz body is not. Does that mean weight specs does not include the finish even for finished bodies? Or are they considering finish to have negligible weight?

 

[Cagey]

Welcome to the forum!

As for weight, they gotta draw the line somewhere. And who knows what finish will be applied? Might be nothing more than some stain with a lick and a promise of TrueOil.

If you really want light, look at some of the chambered bodies. Little or no effect on sound, but about a 25% weight reduction.

 

[stratamania]

And who knows what finish will be applied? Might be nothing more than some stain with a lick and a promise of TrueOil.

Come on there are fine finishes created with Tru Oil.

Lick and a promise can be achieved with any type of medium. It is not the medium it is how it is used and by whom.

 

[Cagey]

I wasn't implying anything about quality, just that someone might only apply a very light coating of something. Could have just as easily said "French polish" or nothing at all.

 

[aarontunes]

Welcome, Tal_Strat.

As you observed, anything 4 lbs and under at the time it gets listed receives the designation "extra light". Of course, it's not a perfect system. Some bodies have paint, some don't. Some bodies have already been routed for pickups and bridges, some have not.

It's true that paint and routs will cause a body's final weight to change to a minor degree. Knowing what the weight was at the time the body was listed at least makes it possible for you to account for those things, if a couple ounces one way or the other is a make-or-break factor for you.

 

[stratamania]

I wasn't implying anything about quality, just that someone might only apply a very light coating of something. Could have just as easily said "French polish" or nothing at all.

Ok, its the lick and a promise, phrase. In the UK it has a negative connotation usually.

 

[Cagey]

Well, it's not exactly a flattering term here - more of an excuse for a minimalist job with an intention to improve when time permits. But, synonyms might be "half-assed", "slap-dash", "quickie", etc. although those terms don't imply any intention to improve.

 

[stratamania]

I can see that. Of course, any guitar finish should always be given the time it takes. No shortcuts to a good finish.

 

[BigSteve22]

In my neighborhood the phrase would be: "A wink and a promise". If you got a lick, it would seem the promise has already been fulfilled!  :icon_jokercolor:

 

[stratamania]

In my neighborhood the phrase would be: "A wink and a promise". If you got a lick, it would seem the promise has already been fulfilled!  :icon_jokercolor:

I think that might be a different phrase altogether... :laughing7:

 

[fdesalvo]

In my neighborhood the phrase would be: "A wink and a promise". If you got a lick, it would seem the promise has already been fulfilled!  :icon_jokercolor:

:laughing7: