Exotic guitars - but do they sound good?

[Lee]

I've often heard it said that Warmouth type exotic guitars sound far worse than the 'off the shelf' model that they are based upon.
As you know, you can get all sorts of weird looking woods (some as dark as chocolate) - but do they sound good - or just look good.

What's your view on this?

Lee

 

[Fatty]

Re: Exotic guitars - but do they sound good?

I've got a Warmoth LPS with a Wenge neck, Black Korina body, and Figured Walnut laminate top, and I think it sounds fantastic. Even acoustically, the body just seems to have a certain resonance to it. Very loud and pronounced acoustically as well.

So I'm gonna have to disagree.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Exotic guitars - but do they sound good?

It Depends. I have heard some of Warmouths guitars that were very impressive, but I have also heard some that are dogs! But you can say the same thing about Fender, Gibson, and averybody else. What I don't like about Warmouth now is all of the necks have the adjustment screw on the lower side of the neck in the pocket area (except the vintage style). It's just WRONG. I have a Warmouth neck that I put on a '57 reissue Strat, and once I got the shape right it plays really well. Its a great neck, Birdseye maple w/ a rosewood board. The challange I feel is buying a neck from a catalog. You really don't know if you will like it until you have your hands around it.

 

[MattPete]

Re: Exotic guitars - but do they sound good?

Bludave: you can now get Fender-style necks with a tilt-back headstock from Warmoth that has the trussrod up by the nut.

 

[TheProphet]

Re: Exotic guitars - but do they sound good?

After being a big fan of Micael Tobias and his basses I pretty much love Wenge to the same extent as Fatty ... Once my DIY is done I'll then know if Wenge on guitars sounds as good as Wenge on a Bass.

If we're talking Lam. Tops I doubt that it effects tone to a great deal.

 

[Blueline]

Re: Exotic guitars - but do they sound good?

from the guitars i've built in my shop (not warmoth, but my own guitars) it all depends on the exotic combo people choose and how well they are guided
i.e. flame maple looks great - no question - but you'll kick yourself if you get a 2 inch thich maple guitar and maple neck.

 

[TheMist]

Re: Exotic guitars - but do they sound good?

I don't like the tone of od woods.

 

[Curly]

Re: Exotic guitars - but do they sound good?

I've often heard it said that Warmouth type exotic guitars sound far worse than the 'off the shelf' model that they are based upon.

I must agree somewhat, since I stuck to "tried and true" woods on my 2 strats and tele. I have a carved top LPS that's koa over mahogany, which still isn't too much of a stretch.

But, I have no idea what a canary top, or a lot of those other woods would sound like!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Exotic guitars - but do they sound good?

Anybody know of any body woods that just don't sound good? I'm curious about
Spalted Maple, Lacewood, Zebrawood, Walnut (heavy?), and an all rosewood guitar.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Exotic guitars - but do they sound good?

The only thing that I have against those order online guitars, is that I cannot try them before they are assembled....what a hassle it is to discover that the neck and body sounds like rubbish together....... :smack:

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Exotic guitars - but do they sound good?

from the guitars i've built in my shop (not warmoth, but my own guitars) it all depends on the exotic combo people choose and how well they are guided
i.e. flame maple looks great - no question - but you'll kick yourself if you get a 2 inch thich maple guitar and maple neck.

Probably the best wway to put it. I´ve used "exotics" before, and it´s all a question of the total combination. It can sound like a Jewel or like a lump of coal, all depending on how you combine which woods

Martin, for example, built a great sounding guitar about 5 years ago out of A WATERLOGGED PALLET, just to prove this exact theory :saeek: :32:

 

[Imp]

Re: Exotic guitars - but do they sound good?

taylor made one as well i think, pallet and a fence post heh

still better wood than stagg seems to source

 

[Stirt]

Re: Exotic guitars - but do they sound good?

Oh yeah, I'll second the Wenge neck praise. Put a Wenge neck with ebony board on my Strat. Did it for stability since I was using a Hipshot Trilogy bridge and changing the string tension emensly during live shows. No stiffer wood than Wenge. But the unexpected plus was this killer tone that just rocks. Definition, sustain and an incredible mid growl that just makes you want to keep soloing. That open grained feel turned out to be one of the fastest feeling necks I have every played on and no finish required. I am a definate Wenge fan now. I'm going to get another one soon for my Warmoth LP project!

Stirt-