Word to the wise

[G-Man]

Don't get a solid Walnut kit.

While the sound and sustain is awesome, the sucker weighs 11 lbs!

[ioneater]

They are beautiful to behold, though. I'm with you on the weight. I've got an all walnut Ultra V that surprises me every time I pick it up. I haven't weighed it but it's definitely heavier than either of my X220s and its Alder/Maple sibling. I absolutely love the feel of a tung oiled walnut neck, so much so that I've got another all Walnut V coming!

[ilyti]

And how is this cautionary in any way? Only makes me want MORE walnut.

[Naked Ape]

I don't mind a heavy guitar.
Guitfiddle just posted a NGD DC127 all Walnut, and he estimates it to be 7.5-8 lbs. It has a similar grain pattern to the kit guitar G-Man posted. They both look great. Probably a good idea to request heavier or lighter piece of wood, when ordering, depending on your preference.

[G-Man]

I'll never sell it. It's great sitting and playing, but really gets to your back and shoulders standing.

Maybe I can tie some Helium balloons to it?

[Wannabe]

I adore heavy guitars. Some of the guitars I have been making recently, I have been adding weight on both ends for sustain and tonal characteristics. So, like stated above; Just makes me want one even more!!

[spudmunkey]

As a frame of reference, Kiesel once weighed a chambered 27" scale 8-string Vader with a maple top at 5.85lbs...nearly half the weight of that Bolt+.

[ElfDude]

I like your headstock decal. Much better looking than a blank headstock, and completely honest.

[mangdrew]

How is the tone on the walnut? I've been contemplating a walnut body vs alder body bolt kit. Not trying to start a wood
/ tone conversation as much as curious about this particular one.

Thanks!

[G-Man]

I absolutely LOVE the sound of this guitar. Weight is the only negative.

[Doctor Turn]

Hah! I'm all for a sturdy, reassuringly solid guitar. My koa 150 is in the 9-ish lb zone, I had an old alder strat which I adored for years which was in the same zone. I just took in a gorgeous handmade Northen Hagstrom Super Swede which is a chambered traditional hog/maple singlecut, which is probably in that weight class.

But I have a midline MIC Super Swede w 3 P90's, that's literally one of the sweetest feeling/playing axes for my hands (the neck and the pups kick mule), but I couldn't EVER see myself playing a complete show with it... it's close to 14 pounds. It's a bonebreaker, pure studio guitar. I adore it, but I'd be crippled after an hour under hot lights.

Reassuring weight is one thing... anvil is another. 11 is creeping up there.. but it can get much worse.

[OotMagroot]

YIKES! 11 pounds?! I bet it does sustain like a mofo.

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I've found that going to a wider strap can alleviate much of that weight burden.

I went to a 3.5" wide strap, and now my guitars don't feel so heavy.

The padding in the strap, and the hidden tail are a nice bonus too!

Available Here: http://lm-products.myshopify.com/collec ... =968368551

Here's my personal one with my own beadwork:


Next to the 2.5 wide version

[twilightdusk]

A wide shoulder strap makes all the difference. The bass I received in Nov (dat deep lava..) is a lil chunker that's heavier than my BK50, and after a few hours during practice I could feel it on the shoulders. Now using a 3.5" wide padded strap and it doesn't matter anymore!

Pics n stuff

Wow, that's nice work there! How long did it take for you to do?

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

About 40 hours apiece for the the two on the left, longer for the one on the right.

I don't do much of it anymore, my eyes hurt when doing it do long, and my hands cramp up when I line up the beads for each row.

Takes about 60-90 minutes to get about 1 1/2 to 2", setup & tie-off adds to the overall project time. Another couple or few hours sewing it onto the strap with a curved/hook shaped needle & a set of needle nose pliers.