Neck build questions.

[cassanova]

I'm looking into building a Warmoth for myself. A top routed, Jazz type bass with an unfinished Alder body and MM style pickup at the bridge.

I'm trying to use the custom neck builder they have on the site but there are something's I'm not certain of due to inexperience in this area. (I've never been a spec geek when purchasing, I base it on tone and feel.)

Nut width options are 1 3/4" and 1 7/8" if anyone could point out some basses that use these measurements I'd be appreciative because I'd have some idea of what to expect. I've owned Fender 5 string jazz basses, Lakland 55-02's, Ibanez SRs, Spector Q5, and have played countless other 5 strings, but as I said, I wouldn't know what's what when it came to the measurements of them. I did find my Jazz was the most comfortable of them though.

Back Contour all it says is "standard." The only examples they give are for guitars, so, I'm not sure of what it would feel like in my hands. I'm thinking a Fender though.

Fingerboard Length options are 20 and 22. Is this the amount of frets? I'm leaning towards yes.

Tuner Hole Size only provides one option, GB7 (14 mm) and states "GB7 Tuner Holes: This is the correct hole size for the Gotoh GB7 tuners that we sell and the correct size for Hipshot Ultralight tuners."

My problem there is I'm not certain on if I'm going to go with the inline or 4+1 style. For now I'm leaning towards the inline because I'm not a huge fan of the aesthetics of the 4+1. So I'm not sure if this will work or not.

String Nut options include: White Corian and Graph Tech. Does this stuff really matter??? I'm thinking it won't have that much effect on the tone.

Thanks for taking the time to answer this crap for me.

[TGLbass]

Before you spend any money or order any parts-- you need to do research on all your questions first. It's better to read and try to figure out all the stuff on your own FIRST-- then you'll have a better idea of what's going on. Some of the questions you have are the type you should know before you even think about building a bass or asking here. That will help with the confusion thing you'll get. Building a bass from parts is not easy as you know. Building one where you have to tell someone all the exact specs for everything you want is usually for an experianced builder.

I'm not saying to not ask questions on this site. But the kind of questions are ones that books are written about. See what I mean?

[bassman10096]

Before you spend any money or order any parts-- you need to do research on all your questions first. It's better to read and try to figure out all the stuff on your own FIRST-- then you'll have a better idea of what's going on.

The specs matter - they determine whether the bass is what you want. Most of what you are asking can be found on manufacturers' websites (specs and dimensions of particular basses). This is good, because it will give you an idea as to which basses you might want to go play at a music store. Search TB for things like Corian vs Graphtech - lots of opinions here. Also, never, never, never order from Warmoth directly online - call and talk to their phone people - they are a great resource on what Warmoth builds and sells. They can't tell you what you will like, but they most often can tell you what will fit together. Here are my thoughts:

Nut width - Sounds like you are building a 5er(?). I'd decide on the string spacing you like, play basses you know have this spacing (check their websites), then talk to Warmoth.

Back Contour - I think Warmoth only makes a single contour. If not mistaken USA Custom Guitars makes great necks (with lighter graphite reinforcement rods as opposed to Warmoth's steel rods) and will produce several back contours.

Fingerboard length - Number of frets

Tuner size - Decide on the tuners you want, check what size holes they require (website) and confirm with Warmoth that they are drilling the right size holes.

Nut material - See above.

[TGLbass]

Thanks Bassman --- I 'm glad someone else understands what a person is up against when trying to build a bass. There are alot of things you have to do right the first time or you can end up with a guitar you spent a ton of money on and don't play.
You can end up not doing something( basic) right and then you have to take it (guitar) to an instrument repair guy. That is not fun. I bought a body once that was already drilled for bridge screws. I came to find out the screw holes were off just a little to one side. The repair guy charged me $100 to drill 5 holes. I could have done it myself but I wanted a guarentee just in case. He had to plug the original holes and make them flush without messing up the paint.

One basic thing on building a guitar that I always do is : pre drill all holes -- use candle wax on the screws --- you'll be glad you did!

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by bassman10096

Also, never, never, never order from Warmoth directly online - call and talk to their phone people - they are a great resource on what Warmoth builds and sells. They can't tell you what you will like, but they most often can tell you what will fit together.

I wasn't going to order it online if I decide to go this route. I was using the website as a pricing guide.

Nut width - Sounds like you are building a 5er(?). I'd decide on the string spacing you like, play basses you know have this spacing (check their websites), then talk to Warmoth.

If I do build, it's going to be a 5 string. I do like Fender's string spacing but found that their width at nut measurements are Nut Width: 1.875" (47.6 mm) Lakland 55-94 offers a spacing I like at 1.81" while the 55-02 (which I also like) has the 1.78" spec that Warmoth offers.

Back Contour - I think Warmoth only makes a single contour. If not mistaken USA Custom Guitars makes great necks (with lighter graphite reinforcement rods as opposed to Warmoth's steel rods) and will produce several back contours.

The only contour that USA Custom Guitars offers for a 5 string neck is 1 7/8". Though after going to their site, I think they might win out over the Warmoth neck because they have a couple of things that Warmoth didn't on theirs. One being birdseye maple boards the other being you can choose your fretboard radius.

I've got ample time to research this stuff because the earliest I'd be doing anything would be mid September.