How else would you play the song remains the same.

Mine was a heavy sucker... and of course with a guitar like that you gotta have a hardshell case. And it's definately both something people LOVE to see at shows and a convenience thing for songs with some clean in them - it really fills out the sound. For a few years I actually had the top neck strung with only 6 and tuned to drop d - it was rad and I was in a metal group at the time. Of course when I left that group I went back to stringing it properly.

I'd say they are heavier than a les paul - but either way, I can't imagine weight becoming a real-world issue... some guys play dobros all night without a complaint. I suggest you get a nice wide strap and try that for a while. Invest in a good one - I have a leather strap I've been using on acoustics for 10 years and its still got some life left in it.

I played a Les Paul for many years. A few years back I started playing an SG But I still play the Paul too. Weight has never been an issue. At first it hurt my collarbone after an hour or so but then I got a cool strap. It was very wide, padded and it is elastic too. If you want another guitar, dont let weight be an excuse. The only excuse should be sound.

That's a good a good idea...BUT i had an incident where my strap came off when i was lifting the guitar OVER MY HEAD...i cam crashing to the floor :(. I said "NEVER AGAIN!" and bought a DiMarzio locking strap (a la Steve Vai). Now i never worry about my strap coming off, but its quite literally, a pain in the back.

What the other guys said: get a nice, wide strap and quit your whining. I weigh in at a buck-forty when soaking wet and played a Sheraton (~8.70 lbs) for years, jumping around that stage like a freak.

I wanted to play the heavy, biggest Les Paul they made, because peter Klett, (Candlebox). He was a giant. But the LP's neck was so damn big, that I could not get my fingers around it, otherwise that would be what I would play. I loved them ole' Big Papas. My Ibanez electric is heavy, but has sustain for days. That is my only complaint about my Talman Acoustic/Electric is that it is too damn light. I need to feel the weight of my actions on the block of wood. I love my acoustic/electric when I am sitting, because then it doesn't flop around. I actually thought about putting a little rice bag in the bottom, inside, just to give it a little heft. Any body have a better solution?

I sacrifice to deal with the weight of the les paul. I'm kind of a small girl, so it's hard for me to play a heavy guitar for long, but I don't care. I got a super wide leather strap and it helped disperse the weight across my shoulder. I make due because I love the sound of les pauls and I can't afford the Goddess (lp thats made for women...thinner, smaller frets, heaven). So, until I have 3 grand for the lady, I will work harder with the beast.

A couple of things here, there are a lot of guitars out there and some definite prejudices in here. The Les Paul is worshiped by a lot of people but you don't have to have one or like it. If the weight is an issue find a different guitar that fits you style and comfort zone and to hell with what any of us think about it. It is your guitar playing experience and it should be enjoyable for you, if strapping on something that isn't comfortable is an issue sooner or later you might skip playing because of it, don't let it happen find one that meet all your criteria and play on.