[Demeyes]

Since a lot of the ERGs we see are literally massive, have any you guys had any problems with the weight of your instruments? I've always really disliked having very heavy guitars because they end up tiring out my shoulder even with a wide strap. Needless to say my 8 string is a fairly hefty instrument and I find that even a short enough band practice is enough to put a bit of a strain on me. Anyone else find this? Some of those basses I've seen have to be nearly too heavy to stand with due to the size of the necks and bodies.

[TomAwesome]

Try a wider strap. A 3" nylon strap should be pretty comfortable. If it's still too heavy for you, maybe one of those harness type straps would work better for you.

[Setnakt]

I don't find my Intrepid to be too heavy. I've played heavier 6 strings. In general I don't think adding a little bit of neck width will make or break it, although I admit my 7 string bass is not a lot of fun to stand with for long periods. However I attribute that as much to neck dive due to dense woods for the neck and a swamp ash body, which is more a balance issue a longer upper horn and farther strap placement would mostly correct.

When I get a custom 8 string guitar I just know I'll have to be specific about the upper horn. It's the balance that gets me on some instruments more than the weight.

[troyguitar]

Originally Posted by Setnakt

It's the balance that gets me on some instruments more than the weight.

I agree with this. My 9-string also weighs less than me LP did though, so it's a bit of both.

[MaxOfMetal]

I think a heavier weight kinda comes with the territory, as small and light weight as you can make the body, you can't quite use the same methodology when sliming down the neck, unless materials such as Carbon Fiber is used.

My RG2228 was not significantly heavier than some of my UVs, so as far as comparing 8s to 7s, the jump in weight was never too significant.

[Harry]

Yeah, definitely one of those straps that goes across both shoulders would be hugely beneficial.
Yes, it doesn't look very rock and roll, but that's a small price to pay considering the potential for long term injury.
Personally I'm thinking of picking one up myself for my bass guitar, a 5 string Ibanez BTB, which compared to my RG 7421 which is quite comfortable with a normal strap, it's heavy as fuck and kills my shoulder in about 20 minutes with a normal strap.

[MF_Kitten]

i've played heavier "normal" instruments than my intrepid. it depends more on how the guitar is made, than how many strings it's made for.

i had a 7 string bass, and it was heavy like... well, a heavy bass. i've felt heavier guitars, i think.

my intrepid isn't much heavier than any other heavy guitar.

and +1 on wider strap. no doubt there! distributing the weight over a greater area makes for less strain on your shoulder, and you carry it with a larger portion of your body instead of that one fleshy spot.

[drmosh]

Mine is fucking heavy, but I think it's also just the particular piece of wood used for the body (one piece swamp ash). Now I know swamp ash is usually pretty light, but this piece is insane.

[hairychris]

My Intrepid Pro isn't too bad - balance is pretty good which makes a massive difference - and IIRC my fixed bridge Schecter C7 Hellraiser (now at a mates so can't direct compare) was actually heavier. That guitar was a tank and I hated rehearsal sessions with it!

[Apophis]

if you have nice wide strap everything will be just fine, of course neck heavy shapes like Xiphos, Iceman or Explorer are harder to keep balanced