Warmoth Question

[kill your scene]

I'm a huge Fender fan (I play bass and more specifically, P-basses) but what I really want is an ebony fretboard. I don't think Fender offers any on production models, so I'm thinking about getting a "project" body and attatching a Warmoth neck, complete with desired fingerboard, to it. Is this process as easy as it looks or are there hidden pitfalls?

I began looking around Warmoth's site and they have everything I would need to create my own awesome bass.... not just the neck. Should I stick to more humble aspirations, or can anyone recommend creating their own instrument? How difficult is hardware installation and finishing? Is it possible to pay extra and have finishing done by the people at Warmoth?

Assuming I do decide to ONLY get a new neck.... can I get a custom headstock shape? They have a "paddleboard" option, but cutting a head myself isn't something I would look forward to.

Thanks!

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Warmoth Question

Warmoth parts are generally considered to be of excellent quality. I found out from putting my own guitar together from pre-made parts, that it definitely helps to have a VERY good idea of what you want to do, first.

So, do your homework, get EVERYTHING figured out in advance, and then stick to the plan! There are lotsof little parts that go into making a guitar, and if you already know what bridge + pups you want to have put in, have it pre-routed. Same with the neck.

Then you will just have to put on the hardware and solder everything up. I made diagrams and charts for everything, had friends walk me thru what to solder where, and it worked out great. I DO have extensive soldering experience, tho. If you're timid about it, you can have a tech do it, but that can get expensive and takes away some of the DYI joy.

Expect to pay about $700 for the finished product, but you will have a TOTALLY custom guitar! Hope you find this helpful!

[Curly]

Re: Warmoth Question

another alternative is G & L ...

I'm pretty sure you can custom order an ebony neck

actually, you can get G & L's with several options, without automatically making it a "Custom Shop" order

[Stirt]

Re: Warmoth Question

If you mail in an actual size drawing of the custom headstock, Warmoth will use it as the template and cut that custom shape for $45. You'll need to make sure that you have the tuning machine holes located on the drawing as well.

S

[Stratman]

Re: Warmoth Question

Try USA Custom guitars, Warmoth business return policy sucks biig time

[Curly]

Re: Warmoth Question

I haven't had to use Warmoth's return policy, but I agree that you should try USA Customs - they seem easy to work with, and give me the impression they're more adept at programming that CNC machine

[kmcguitars]

Re: Warmoth Question

My bass player uses Warmoth necks w/t Ebony boards on all his
Basses. He feels that the ebony is more ridged and helps keep the neck straight.

[MattPete]

Re: Warmoth Question

Slapping together a guitar from Warmoth parts is really easy (assuming you know how to set up a guitar). Most everything is predrill. The only thing you need to drill yourself are the mounting holes for plates, pickguards, and such (neck is pre-drilled). Soldering can be a bit of a pain the first time, but if you stick with a simple design, it shouldn't be too bad.

I highly recommend against finishing the body yourself. It takes a long time (weeks), and it's very easy to screw it up to the point where you have to start over. If you decided to go that route, I suggest trying your finishing skills on some scrap wood before you even order the body. Only then can you decide whether you really want to finish it yourself.

Personally, I recomend having Warmoth do the finishing.

[Byakhee00]

Re: Warmoth Question

one other thing - You'll need to install a nut on that warmoth neck. If you've never cut a nut before, have a guitar tech do it for you... otherwise, get youself some nut files, and a bunch of nuts, and keep at it untill you make one that isn't screwed up. You *can* however, buy pre-cut nuts, but i've never used them, so i don't have any experiance with them.

[Stirt]

Re: Warmoth Question

Warmoth can install and slot a white corian nut for $15 or a black graphite nut for $20. The gage they slot the nuts for is 10-46. I got a white corian nut done on my Warmoth neck and I didn't have to make any adjustments to it which suprised me.

S

[kill your scene]

Re: Warmoth Question

Thanks, everybody!

[Fatty]

Re: Warmoth Question

they're more adept at programming that CNC machine

lol.. they've gotta pay for the outside help to come in at Warmoth. (appearantly about $35 per programming)

[clint_41]

Re: Warmoth Question

I think that warmoth should have all of the stuff you will need for ur project. I just ordered an entire guitar from them, it shoule be here in about a week. If u have any questions I would definatly call warmoth, they are VERY helpful down there. one of the BIG bonuses from ordering from them is the shipping charge. I live in Alaska, and i am always slammed on shipping, but they shipped my entire guitar to a POBox in Alaska for 15$!!!!!!!! that is way cool. good luck!