Tone of chambering on a strat?

GuitarStv

Sock Market Trader
Anyone have experience with a chambered strat? Do they sound the same or different than a solid one?
 
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

Airier. I've tried a friend's. But I really think it's something you have to try for yourself if you're considering buying. I don't care for it myself.
 
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

I'd have to say it depends on a few factors. If it does affect the sound, then what HALENisking is right. Airliner, louder acoustically, more woody type sound. A 2 point them will reduce the effect. The inherent resonant properties of the wood used will matter as well. I have 2 Warmoth chambered Velocity bodies, one has a floyd and a rosewood carved top and is not airy sounding at all. It's very tight, mid-scooped, and dry. The other is a walnut flat top with a recessed tune-o-matic. I chose the blank myself for its musical tap tone. The walnut velocity is very loud acoustically, and has a woody vibe, very open and middy.
 
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

^ It's about the response you get from the guitar. Like I said, imperative to try it yourself if looking to own, because the notes just feel different.
 
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

While I worked at Warmoth I was knuckle-rapping many guitar and bass bodies blanks before and after the chambering. Heavy pieces were much less affected. Mahogany, Black Korina changed very little.

I should have used more science though...
 
Last edited:
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

While I worked at Warmoth I was knuckle-rapping many guitar and bass bodies blanks before and after the chambering. Heavy pieces were much less affected. Mahogany, Black Korina changed very little.

How long you work there? Sweet.
 
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

^ I worked there 1 year and 364 days. It was great... for awhile.
 
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

I have tried it on a couple of Fender style builds years ago. I didn't like it that much but you might. On one it made it more midrangey than typical. It kind of needed scooped pickups but it still had a kinda boomy bottom for a Fender type guitar. Sustain was a little disappointing. On the other one, sustain was good and the only sonic quality I disliked was a kind of ripping paper like aspect to initial note attack to the tone.
 
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

Check out G&L. They offer some of their models as semi-hollows, with and without f-holes. I like 'em!

Personally, I don't hear that much difference. FWIW, years ago I did have a 1968 Tele Thinline; ash body and a Bigsby. There were major differences in tone between that guitar and a friends '64 Tele Custom--the bound, sunburst version of the standard solid Tele. But, I think most of that difference came from the different bridge and the Bigsby, rather than the body.

I think a lot of it just depends on the individual guitar.

Bill
 
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

I've got a chambered Warmoth Strat body too. It is light, but not excessively so, and I'd say it resonates a little more than other Strats I have, and it sounds warmer too.
 
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

Most of the time, yes. It's not a huge change, but noticeable.

My walnut guitar is the lightest I have ever held.

Hey, its cool you worked at a place like that. How much automation is there in the process?? Especially with the construction of necks?

I always felt somewhat annoyed that compound radius was the default. Even the CBS type strat headstock was like that.......with no option for the radius that actually came on those necks originally.

Anyhow, off topic over.
 
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

I have a mahogany chambered Warmoth strat. Out of my eight guitars its my favorite. Light, resonant and great sustain. It's a hardtail so its got a very 'woody' tone. A Phat Cat neck, a Quarter-pounder middle and a Custom 8 in the bridge...covers a lot of bases.
 
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

I have a mahogany chambered Warmoth strat. Out of my eight guitars its my favorite. Light, resonant and great sustain. It's a hardtail so its got a very 'woody' tone. A Phat Cat neck, a Quarter-pounder middle and a Custom 8 in the bridge...covers a lot of bases.

Ahhhh sounds frickin sweet! Pics?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

I do not have any chambered Strats at the moment, but I do have a chambered Warmoth LP body with a Strat set-up (Wilkinson two point trem, HSH, 5 way switch, coil splits) but the body in question is black korina. I also have a chambered double cutaway Warmoth LP (mahogany with maple cap) with the more traditional HH LP wiring. Personally, I like the chambered tone on both guitars. It's a bit of a howl and has more oompf on the low end. They can still sing the highs like a sweet angel too. Plenty of clarity all around. One of my favorite things to do with a chambered body is put my ear right up against it and listen to it while I play.
 
Re: Tone of chambering on a strat?

Hey, its cool you worked at a place like that. How much automation is there in the process?? Especially with the construction of necks?

I always felt somewhat annoyed that compound radius was the default. Even the CBS type strat headstock was like that.......with no option for the radius that actually came on those necks originally.

Anyhow, off topic over.

It would not be appropriate for me to discuss their methods in any detail. But it takes skilled CNC operators and skilled hand work to make good necks.
 
Back
Top