Warmoth V.S. Fender Strat Bodies

Re: Warmoth V.S. Fender Strat Bodies

You can get more options from Warmoth. Wood options, routing options, custom options, ect. In the end it will not be cheaper than Fender, but IMO better quality.

The finish is what will cost you, especially if you want nitro. If you want a poly, like on many of the Am Standard guitars, then you can get a solid color alder or ash body finished by Warmoth cheaper than Fender...for the body itself. By the time you add a neck with finish, hardware and pickups/electronics, it's hard to build for less than a basic Am Standard, but again, it will be of better quality, IMO. Plus it's fun to design and help put together your own guitar....that is priceless.
 
Re: Warmoth V.S. Fender Strat Bodies

Jeff_H said:
You can get more options from Warmoth. Wood options, routing options, custom options, ect. In the end it will not be cheaper than Fender, but IMO better quality.

The finish is what will cost you, especially if you want nitro. If you want a poly, like on many of the Am Standard guitars, then you can get a solid color alder or ash body finished by Warmoth cheaper than Fender...for the body itself. By the time you add a neck with finish, hardware and pickups/electronics, it's hard to build for less than a basic Am Standard, but again, it will be of better quality, IMO. Plus it's fun to design and help put together your own guitar....that is priceless.

Ditto
 
Re: Warmoth V.S. Fender Strat Bodies

What's so special about nitro fnsihes? Why are they so expensive? I mean they don't last as long as polys and take fewer to get off...
 
Re: Warmoth V.S. Fender Strat Bodies

It's all a matter of personal preference really, but the general feeling is that a nitro finish allows the wood of the guitar to resonate and "breathe", thus allowing the tone of the wood to become more a part of the sound. Much like the finish on an acoustic guitar, or on a violin or other such instrument. It also ages nicely, which is part of it's charm to those who like it. All of the original Gibson's and Fenders, actually all guitars of that age, were finished in nitro, so it's traditional.

Poly is most definately more durable, but my opinion is that nitro is superior tonally. YMMV.
 
Re: Warmoth V.S. Fender Strat Bodies

Kommerzbassist said:
What's so special about nitro fnsihes? Why are they so expensive? I mean they don't last as long as polys and take fewer to get off...

Tone, from day one: Nitro can be sprayed thinner, making it easier for the instrument to "breathe".

Playability: Nitro is a "vintage" finish, and it feels different from poly.

Tone, long term: Nitro dries for years and years, shrinking and shrinking, becomiinmg less and les, until it starts to crack.

I too am not a real fan of nitro, neither is the environment.... But it has it´s merits ;)
 
Re: Warmoth V.S. Fender Strat Bodies

Ok thanks for the info about the finishes guys...
Back to the body question:
Just figured out the options with warmoth... INSANE.. you can get everything there...
 
Re: Warmoth V.S. Fender Strat Bodies

Jeff_H said:
It's all a matter of personal preference really, but the general feeling is that a nitro finish allows the wood of the guitar to resonate and "breathe", thus allowing the tone of the wood to become more a part of the sound. Much like the finish on an acoustic guitar, or on a violin or other such instrument. It also ages nicely, which is part of it's charm to those who like it. All of the original Gibson's and Fenders, actually all guitars of that age, were finished in nitro, so it's traditional.

Poly is most definately more durable, but my opinion is that nitro is superior tonally. YMMV.

Yup, i like Nitro the best too. A clear nitro finish over ash, is SO beautiful, especially when it starts to age.... :32:

Also, i don't like the idea of having your guitar plastic coated with polyester..... :smack:
 
Re: Warmoth V.S. Fender Strat Bodies

Erlend_G said:
Yup, i like Nitro the best too. A clear nitro finish over ash, is SO beautiful, especially when it starts to age.... :32:

Also, i don't like the idea of having your guitar plastic coated with polyester..... :smack:

Nitrocellulose is also plastic, just a different kind ;)
 
Re: Warmoth V.S. Fender Strat Bodies

I'd say Warmoth and USACG are probably a little better than Fender in terms of quality. Most Fender bodies are decent, but I've had compatibility problems between Fender parts...usually, the neck joints aren't nearly as solid and tight as I think they should be. Warmoth and USACG have a nice tight neck joint, you can usually pick the guitar up without the neck bolts installed and it will not fall apart. I've never been able to do that when using all Fender parts. Warmoth also gets the nod for having a bunch of custom options available to you. Warmoth might be a bit more expensive, but I think it's worth it.

Ryan
 
Re: Warmoth V.S. Fender Strat Bodies

Quencho092 said:
does oil top nitro tone wise? I think it should since it's just a stain.

Theoretically, the less finish you put on the wood the more the wood resonates. An oil finish lets the wood breathe a whole lot more, but at the expense of protection of the wood. It works reall well with mahogony bodies, I got a mahogony fender bass with an oil finish and it looks real cool, and sounds good.

Oil is definately not a good finish for softer woods like basswood.
 
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