Graphite vs. Steel rods: weight issues?

[bassclique]

Hi there.

Am thinking of ordering a neck from Warmoth. Only problem is, i can't decide between a steel or graphite truss rod.

Weight is the issue here. Overall, i'd like my bass to be on the light side of 9oz. Is this possible?

Am thinking of getting an Alder or Swamp Ash body.

[Musiclogic]

Graphite stiffening rods will be lighter by a good amount. Under 9 lbs, should be pretty doable. Ash and Alder are really more to your eye, than any other big difference.

[bassclique]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

Graphite stiffening rods will be lighter by a good amount. Under 9 lbs, should be pretty doable. Ash and Alder are really more to your eye, than any other big difference.

Hey, mate, thanks

Do you mean that Alder and Ash have no real weight difference?

- Actually, if anybody's got a quantifiable difference in weight between graphite and steel (eg, in terms of % difference), that would be great. It's probably going to cost me $200 more for the graphite neck. Just want to make sure the difference is worth it .

[wyliee]

Originally Posted by bassclique

Hi there.

Am thinking of ordering a neck from Warmoth. Only problem is, i can't decide between a steel or graphite truss rod.

I presume you mean stiffening rods and not truss rod.

My unscientific testing (grabbing a handful of like necks and using the freight scale) yielded an average of 4 - 6oz reduction in weight between steel and graphite rods. Not a huge amount but noticeable. Definitely felt lighter.

A slim taper neck with graphite rods is my favorite design.

[fhm555]

Originally Posted by wyliee

...A slim taper neck with graphite rods is my favorite design...

Not trying to hijack, but how does the Warmoth slim taper compare to the Fender C profile?

I'm lookng for a neck for a J bass.

[1958Bassman]

Originally Posted by bassclique

Hi there.

Am thinking of ordering a neck from Warmoth. Only problem is, i can't decide between a steel or graphite truss rod.

Weight is the issue here. Overall, i'd like my bass to be on the light side of 9oz. Is this possible?

Am thinking of getting an Alder or Swamp Ash body.

You mean 9 pounds, not ounces, right?

[walterw]

ha! it's got an inflatable body, right?

a little weight difference in the neck can get magnified by the leverage it has, so the graphite would be my choice, too.

[darkstorm]

Another vote for graphite. The steel version unfortunely makes warmouth necks a bit neck heavy.

[MPU]

$200 more for graphite rods is pure robbery. They cost maybe $10 for someone like Warmoth.
Marko

[bassclique]

Originally Posted by fhm555

Not trying to hijack, but how does the Warmoth slim taper compare to the Fender C profile?

I'm lookng for a neck for a J bass.

Nah, that's okay... hijack away!

I think the slim taper neck is flatter at the back, where your thumb goes. In addition, the overall thickness from fretboard to back of neck is thinner.

Perhaps somebody who has a Warmoth slim taper neck can comment?

Lol 1958Bassman, of course i meant pounds. Just got confused with the US measurement system .

[bassclique]

Originally Posted by MPU

$200 more for graphite rods is pure robbery. They cost maybe $10 for someone like Warmoth.
Marko

It's this that makes me think twice about it.

[wyliee]

Originally Posted by MPU

$200 more for graphite rods is pure robbery. They cost maybe $10 for someone like Warmoth.
Marko

I'm not sure where you're getting this number from. Graphite rods are $60.

Warmoth Custom Guitar Parts - Bass Truss Rods

[LJ Michaaels]

Try USA Custom Guitars

[Koeda]

Good read on the Warmoth site. I was willing to try the 6oz more for steel to relieve the Fender neck dead spots. Was able to pick up an awesome quarter sawn bubinga standard taper J neck (instock) with ebony fretboard for $250. Just arrived and looks and feel are awesome. Still waiting on the walnut P body to come to fit it on (can imagine I'm not overly concerned with a few oz's).
Will update with actual weight soon: 2lbs 9.6oz on the digital mail scale w/ frets and nut
David

Note: pics moved to build thread:
Warmoth P/J for my birthday...

[bassclique]

Originally Posted by Koeda

Good read on the Warmoth site. I was willing to try the 6oz to relieve the Fender neck dead spots. Was able to pick up an awesome quarter sawn bubinga standard taper J neck (instock) with ebony fretboard for $250. Just arrived and looks and feel are awesome. Still waiting on the walnut P body to come to fit it on (can imagine I'm not overly concerned with a few oz's).
Will update with actual weight soon: 2lbs 9.6oz on the digital mail scale
David

Does this neck have a steel or graphite rod?

[Koeda]

Originally Posted by bassclique

Does this neck have a steel or graphite rod?

Steel

[walterw]

of course you're gonna put a badass bridge and a solid brass pickguard on it too, right?

[engedi1]

One of my students made FrankenFender with a Warmoth P neck with the Steel rods. While it sounds really good, and has no dead spots, it has a strong tendency to neck-dive. It also does seem a tad heavy in general. A trade off I suppose.

[bassclique]

Originally Posted by Koeda

Steel

Ahh, i'll be interested to see how it feels in terms of weight. Am very tempted to buy a Warmoth neck for my Fender jazz.

[Koeda]

Hoping to get the finishes done and put together by mid December - guess the bodies take 6 weeks or so when you order a built one. Never a BA fan Walter - and rear routed so no pickgard on this one. The brass would look good on the walnut I would imagine!

Like the P neck - but went with a J neck to help limit any neck dive. Heard the J Warmoth neck still felt solid - which it does seem to feel. Walnut P body should help keep the neck from diving too much and balance out nice.

Am hoping the weight won't be much more than my Fenders. For my 50th this year - thought a little present is in order! Will follow up when all put together. As far as the steel in the neck - was a bit supprised how little difference in weight there seems to be, both on the scale and in general feel.