Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

[treyhaislip]

Got an e-mail today and was pleasantly surprised–Warmoth is starting to offer roasted ash bodies.

I had inquired about this around a year or so ago and the salesman said they were looking into it. Glad to see they've at least started it, although it doesn't appear to be an option in the custom build (that being said, it may be an add-on/upcharge service available.)

Thoughts?

 

[jtougas]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

Ooooooooo....

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

I'm all about one of these. Paired with a roasted neck it could be fantastic.

I do have one concern about the roasted stuff- since there is no finish, I have seen one get dirty.

 

[jtougas]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

I would give it a light oil finish, just enough to bring out the grain, and call it done... particularly that Tele with the roasted maple top... homina homina homina...

 

[Sirion]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

They look great, and I was tempted to try to get one immediately. My only gripe is that they for the time being only seem to offer them through the "in stock" store, and every single body is top routed. Now I suppose getting lighter wood is one aspect, but that people would also like to show off the wood on these. I'd be much more tempted if I didn't have to either hide a third of it underneath plastic or make it look like a botched operation had taken place.

Now, if I could get a H-S with rear routing, black plastic and gold hardware, and perhaps a reverse Charvel-style neck...

 

[orpheo]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

Got one a while back. With a roasted maple neck.

Best strat ever.

 

[devastone]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

Awesome, now all I need is a job!

 

[AlexR]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

I'm all about one of these. Paired with a roasted neck it could be fantastic.

I do have one concern about the roasted stuff- since there is no finish, I have seen one get dirty.

You don't have to leave it unfinished you know. It just doesn't need one.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

Yeah, you don't have to leave it unfinished–I'd go with an oil finish at the very least as well.

The next Tele I have planned will have a Roasted Body and Neck.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

So what does the roasting do to the body sound?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

So what does the roasting do to the body sound?

I've never tried one–more curious especially since Guthrie Govan's guitar is completely roasted. I suspect they will be light and will look great with a oil or thin finish.

Here is what Musikraft says about them:

COOKED , CARAMELIZED , ROASTED

A while back, we were at the helm of innovation with our roasted necks, which are all the rage today. We are now similarly excited to introduce our exclusive roasted guitar bodies! After extensive research, trial and error, we have determined that these roasted bodies are very unique, and we are confident that you will agree when you get the chance to see and hear one! Be the first on the block to embrace this latest and greatest trend in guitar building and jump your game to the next level!

Our roasted bodies undergo a unique high heat kiln drying process in a specialized kiln. The temperature is carefully measured and increased over time, achieving the removal of 99% of moisture from the wood as well as collapsing the cell walls. This process offers a significant advantage - the wood becomes much less susceptible to moisture and climate changes, resulting in a more stable, and predictable and lighter weight piece of wood. The finished product attains a rich and warm color, and has improved tone and increased sustain!

 

[BenJB]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

Wait.... you can have an unfinished maple neck if it's roasted? Does the warranty apply? My brain is exploding.

I just looked at Warmoth and the answers are Yes and Yes. My whole life just changed (actually nothing changed at all, other than I want an unfinished baritone neck for my tele now).

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

Wait.... you can have an unfinished maple neck if it's roasted? Does the warranty apply? My brain is exploding.

I just looked at Warmoth and the answers are Yes and Yes. My whole life just changed (actually nothing changed at all, other than I want an unfinished baritone neck for my tele now).

Ha! Yes and yes as you already edited

Unless I buy a brand name like Fender or something, I will never have Maple again unless its Roasted–best neck for Strat and Tele IMO. And yes, mine is unfinished with just oil maintenance.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

Although you do get a superb golden colour with a light coating of oil

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

So what does the roasting do to the body sound?

Without the fancy write up, roasting is supposed to improve the sound like natural aging. People often feel vintage guitars sound better. as they age, the saps dry and harden and supposed to make them more resonant. The roasting dries the saps, so its like pre aging the wood.. At least, that's my understanding

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

Define "improve". Changes maybe, but improve is a matter of personal taste.

Also, show me one aftermarket mod or part that doesn't claim to improve tone and/or sustain.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

Define "improve". Changes maybe, but improve is a matter of personal taste.

Also, show me one aftermarket mod or part that doesn't claim to improve tone and/or sustain.

Good points.

I think they are great for wanting an oil finish as the wood is almost 100% not going to react/warp to humidity and temperature changes. I also think they are great for getting a darker looking wood, as AlexR showed from the oil finish on his.

It's impossible to A/B test a neck/body before and after roasting so not really possible to test the changes/improvement in tone other than just how an unroasted sounds vs a roasted.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Warmoth Roasted Ash Bodies

Well, they certainly look beautiful, and I am all for unfinished bodies and necks. I am happy that after all these years there is something new to consider for bodies and necks. I'd totally do it if I decide to build another one.