Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

[Mincer]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

Almost done with building a Strat. I got parts from their showcase- body was finished, and neck doesn't need a finish. Great customer service too- I will post pics here (and write a blog) about my experience.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

+1

I've bought from warmoth, and had good experiences with the company, and the people who work for warmoth. That said, If I was looking to build a guitar, they are the absolute last place I would go.
I dislike their necks alot, not a single shape they offer is even remotely comfortable (to me). The up-charge for a straight radius is off putting (can't stand compound), plus the over all construction just feels cheap. Definitely not worth the price they charge, not to me at least. Also not a fan of their bodies. All I've had were incredibly heavy, and very dead sounding. Also, having something finished by them is definitely not worth what they charge...Unless you like a super thick, plasticy, toy like finish.

All in all, they don't make a bad product. Just not one worth what they charge. For $700-800, you end up with something at about the same level as a MIM classic series guitar...Factor in a couple hundred more for hardware, electronics, and pickups...and you could have bought a used MIA tele, or a used Reissue.

But, I can HIGHLY recommend MJT, USACG, Musickraft, and Guitarmill as alternatives. All are leaps and bounds above warmoth, and generally cheaper. You can get a Full kit from MJT, including all hardware, and plastics (just need electronics and pickups), for less than getting just a Finished Body+Neck from Warmoth...And get a great, thin, nitro finish. Add pickups and electronics, and you'll end up with something on par with a Nash, for less than a grand.
They use Guitarmill Bodies, and a few different suppliers for necks (I recommend Getting a musickraft neck, they have more options than warmoth, and don't charge massive amounts for most of them, and just make an all around better neck). Their finish work is incredible. They'll age it to whatever degree you want, or make it look like new. An they're great guys to deal with, good communication, and the wait times are not bad at all either.

LOL, a MIM? Clearly you are not well-informed. I'm insulted as a Warmoth player. Not a single neck shape that's even remotely comfortable? The boy who cried wolf?

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

I've ordered and received 3 necks and bodies.....all came in what appear to be excellent condition.
Working on the build now......so can't say much about the play yet.....but spent some time checking out the necks and they feel great..............look very good too. Finishing work on necks and bodies is nice on the 3 sets i ordered. Will know more after completing the builds..... Not inexpensive.....much more affordable bodies and necks on ebay............have no clue about quality of those though.....Warmoth seems legit if you can afford.

 

[bmc]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

It's Black Korina, with a Little '59 at the bridge, and a Pearly Gates at the neck.

 

[bmc]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

that thing is a beaut. if you dont mind what did the body cost ya?

The body was around $460

 

[jumble jumble]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

Spalted Maple.

Little 59 in the bridge.

Idk about the neck pickup.

That ain't maple, it's black limba (aka black korina).

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

warmoth parts > fender parts


by a long way

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

LOL, a MIM? Clearly you are not well-informed. I'm insulted as a Warmoth player. Not a single neck shape that's even remotely comfortable? The boy who cried wolf?

Well, being as my opinion is based on personal experience, having owned several warmoth parts (bought new, and used)...Then yeah I guess I must not know what I'm talking about. Cause as we all know, first hand experience doesn't count for anything.
Sorry you're insulted. But thats just my personal opinion. That said, the overwhelming majority of posts in this thread, are by other satisfied warmoth customers. So you're obviously not the only person happy with their warmoth parts guitar. Doesn't mean anyone's opinion is wrong...Just that we've all received different stuff, and have differing levels of satisfaction with warmoth products.

As for neck shape...I said they weren't comfortable to me. You apparently missed the important part of that sentence. (hint, its the "to me" portion)

Anyways, not a matter of being misinformed/not well informed. First hand experience with warmoth, has just not made me satisfied with their product (for the price). Not saying they don't make a good product, just not something I would be satisfied with. They do make good products. I also think MIM Fenders are pretty good guitars for the price (I own a couple currently, along with two MIA Fenders). So comparing them isn't meant as an insult. Just to me, for the price warmoth charges...I'd rather spend my money on a MIA Fender, and Know that I'm getting a great guitar. And (again, to me) when I can buy something substantially better (USACG, MJT, Musickraft, Fender, etc.), for the same price, or better...I just don't think warmoth is worth the money. Just a difference of opinion man.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

I've never paid much attention to any of the guitar building stuff, but I want a tele and don't particularly want to dish out a ton on it. I'm looking at Warmoth because I've got a set of Duncan Antiquity P90's and think a Tele body/neck would make a nice home.

I did a tele shape (from scratch) using P-90s in swamp ash for my nephew. It turned out great. Everybody that plays that guitar loves it. P-90 teles are an excellent alternative guitar build. They sound great. At least that one does.

I did a three tone Fender burst on that one. Finishing ash so its smooth is difficult though. You have to use grain filler several times. Using alder virtually eliminates this problem.

You can order an unfinished body, to save costs, or order a finished body which is a lot more money. Get it cut for P-90s and rear routed. I used a strat style hard tail bridge with strings though the body.

Use the modern/vintage necks if you go with Warmoth. Either one piece maple or with rosewood board.

Teles are simple guitars, so its a straight forward build that will probably turn out great. Good luck.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

Well, being as my opinion is based on personal experience, having owned several warmoth parts (bought new, and used)...Then yeah I guess I must not know what I'm talking about. Cause as we all know, first hand experience doesn't count for anything.
Sorry you're insulted. But thats just my personal opinion. That said, the overwhelming majority of posts in this thread, are by other satisfied warmoth customers. So you're obviously not the only person happy with their warmoth parts guitar. Doesn't mean anyone's opinion is wrong...Just that we've all received different stuff, and have differing levels of satisfaction with warmoth products.

As for neck shape...I said they weren't comfortable to me. You apparently missed the important part of that sentence. (hint, its the "to me" portion)

Anyways, not a matter of being misinformed/not well informed. First hand experience with warmoth, has just not made me satisfied with their product (for the price). Not saying they don't make a good product, just not something I would be satisfied with. They do make good products. I also think MIM Fenders are pretty good guitars for the price (I own a couple currently, along with two MIA Fenders). So comparing them isn't meant as an insult. Just to me, for the price warmoth charges...I'd rather spend my money on a MIA Fender, and Know that I'm getting a great guitar. And (again, to me) when I can buy something substantially better (USACG, MJT, Musickraft, Fender, etc.), for the same price, or better...I just don't think warmoth is worth the money. Just a difference of opinion man.

You are entitled to your opinion but saying a custom guitar shop who uses woods that are not even offered by the other builders is not as good as a MIM Fender (or any worthless Fender IMO) is absolutely like comparing one deformed apple to a full glass of fresh squeezed orange juice.

You must hate ALL Fender necks if you can't find a single Warmoth shape that is comfortable to you. Warmoth parts are licensed by Fender so Warmoth is allowed to and does sell their shape. The standard thin is a Fender spec neck.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

I've built parts guitars from USACG, MJT, and Warmoth parts. The Warmoth parts I've used have been great, I might prefer USACG by a tiny margin but I chalk that up to their excellent customer service.

My black limba P90 tele is almost entirely Warmoth parts (body, neck, pickguard, and bridge came from them). As with any parts build - or any guitar for that matter - the real "magic" comes from the setup.

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

You are entitled to your opinion but saying a custom guitar shop who uses woods that are not even offered by the other builders is not as good as a MIM Fender (or any worthless Fender IMO) is absolutely like comparing one deformed apple to a full glass of fresh squeezed orange juice.

You must hate ALL Fender necks if you can't find a single Warmoth shape that is comfortable to you. Warmoth parts are licensed by Fender so Warmoth is allowed to and does sell their shape. The standard thin is a Fender spec neck.

The standard thin doesn't feel anything like any fender neck I've played (I know warmoth say its the same though). Also don't see how offering fancy wood choices automatically = "everything they make is better"...But ok. Also never said they're "not as good as MIM", I actually said their stuff is comparable to the MIM "classic" series (i.e. higher end MIM guitars). Totally not even an insult at all.

Either way I'm not gonna argue with you man. You've got your warmoth stuff and are happy with it, thats all that matters. I'm glad you dig what you have. An I don't have to play it, so my opinion of something I don't use, doesn't even matter. Different people like different things. It happens. Either way, Scott asked for people's opinions...I gave mine, you gave yours...they're different. Oh well, it happens.

Anyways, like I said. I'm not gonna argue with you. Enjoy your warmoth guitar, I'll enjoy my guitars, an we'll disagree about a totally subjective subject. Lets leave it at that, rather than derailing this thread. Mk? Thanks. You have yourself a super duper day.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

ive never used their bodies but have two of their necks and im very happy with both of them

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

I have one - a single pickup Cabronita in Dodge Charger Green. I prefer its big fat neck over the Am Std profile on the MIA Fender LCT.

 

[Curly]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

Scott,

I've done a number of custom projects now, so here are my thoughts.

Warmoth is fine - I did a tele, and two strats, one of which was my favorite guitar for a while. They have a lot of choices as far as woods and configurations, etc... and they've been long time clients of Seymour's.

however, at a certain point, I started using USACG, and haven't looked back. Tommy is great to deal with, and I've done enough projects with him to consider him a friend at this point. I've relied on his advice many times -- he just is very knowledgeable and has a lot of common sense, from a player's standpoint. Brett Faust worked at Fender's custom shop, and does a great job on the necks. If you do this right, there's no reason you shouldn't end up with a custom shop level instrument.

You WILL have some decisions to make ... maybe for your first project, you might want to keep it simple, like a 'regular' tele, just with P90s. I would consider mahogany for P90s -- they make me think of Les Paul Juniors. Since you won't have a regular tele bridge, you'll have to decide whether to use a hardtail, or go to a stoptail/ TOM, or a wraparound. Also, be prepared for the fact that P90s are NOISY!
One of your major considerations would be the neck specs -- this to me is critical to the playability. You'll have to pick the contour, taper, width, thickness, taper, and frets.

then finally, how will you finish it?

Anyway, have fun should you chose to do it ... it's pretty rewarding, especially if you are the DIY type, and you aren't always satisfied with off-the-rack stuff.
If you've got questions, you've got my number.


I was pretty happy with the way this turned out ... it's a thinline with 'Trons in P90 routs, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard. (basically Les Paul type woods)

 

[jeremy]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

nice lookin axe gary

 

[scottish]

Re: Thinking about building a Tele from Warmoth. Thoughts? Experiences?

Tommy at USACG is the absolute man. All the projects I built were from them and he helped at every step of the process. I'm telling you, go USACG if its a fender build.