Warmoth J Necks...Your experience?

Kitsapbass · #1 01-29-2011, 08:48 AM

Hey guys - once again, I'm thinking of replacing the stock neck on one of my basses with a Warmoth. The one experience I had with them was great, I replaced the neck on my MIJ Squier with a Warmoth J neck I got used out of the classified on TB. Great neck, loved it - but traded it away a few years ago.

I'm looking to hear your experiences with the Warmoth J neck, simply because that was the neck this bass had - it'll be going on a E-series MIJ Jazz Bass which I've had for a year, I love the bass, but I really really prefer having that 21 fret neck, for some odd reason which I can't define (it's not like I USE that fret, for crying out loud). If this one goes well, I'll most likely be buying another one for a J bass that doesn't get used, due to the fact that the neck on it now (Mighty Mite) just like to hold a relief- very temperature/humidity sensitive. I'm up in the air as far as woods go - I'd prefer a Maple neck only due to it's what I'm used to on a Fender style, but if you have experience with other woods feel free to tell me your experience with them. Fingerboard woods, I'm leaning towards RW, but I loved my ebony board on my Kubicki, so Ebony is a possiblity - again, if you have had ones with different woods, please relay your stories to me...I'd really like to hear them.

Hopkins · #2 01-29-2011, 11:27 AM

I have a paduk/ebony Warmoth Jazz neck, that I used on my custom build. Its a bit thicker than the average Fender neck, which is great for me. Its the best playing neck I've ever used.

**line6man** · #3 01-29-2011, 11:37 AM

I've got Padouk/Pau Ferro, and it's amazing.

I would definitely recommend skipping Maple and going with any wood that can be played raw.

If you want the Maple look and sound, Canary makes a close substitute.

derridiandrift · #4 01-29-2011, 11:39 AM

I have a birds-eye maple 4 string j neck with rosewood and the added fret on the fingerboard. It's a very high quality, great playing neck, their fretwork was excellent. Better than great playing neck.

TomB · #5 01-29-2011, 12:30 PM

I've had very good luck with the 2 Warmoth J-necks I've owned over the years; very well-made and very stable in use. The only complaint is their weight, which can lead to neck dive on some basses. I should mention that even my most recent Warmoth neck is still 10 years old, so some of this info may have changed by now.

GRichards · #6 01-30-2011, 02:11 PM

Not to hijack this but I am also considering a Warmoth J bass Neck. I have noticed they are predrilled at the heel. Do they line up well with the body or do they require alot of adjusting?

Kitsapbass · #7 01-30-2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRichards

Not to hijack this but I am also considering a Warmoth J bass Neck. I have noticed they are predrilled at the heel. Do they line up well with the body or do they require alot of adjusting?

Actually when you order, you have to indicate pre-drilled. You can drill it if you want, or if you aren't sure it will line up...

SlingBass4 · #8 01-30-2011, 02:26 PM

I just posted I'd had 6 of their necks when actually it's been 7 - gets harder to recall for us older bastages

Great necks in all regards (you can search several threads on them). They now are available with graphite support rods...as opposed the the the steel. I've had both exotic woods and standard rosewood/maple, bloodwood/ maple, pau ferro/maple, and maple/maple. As Lineman6 recommends...you owe it to yourself (IF you go the Warmoth route) to try some of their exotic wood combinations. I had a bubinga/bubinga that I wish was still in my stable! I, personally, like the newer thin profile. Perform your due diligence - Warmoth has a great forum section!

Kael · #9 01-30-2011, 02:27 PM

I've got a maple/RW Warmoth neck on my fretless J. Extremely stable. No tweaking of truss rod ever needed. That's good because that 21st "fret" hangover completely obscures any access to the truss rod nut. I'd need to enlarge the truss rod access route int he neck pocket if this neck needed futzing with to keep it set up. Fingerboard appears a little thicker than average.

Neck is definitely chunkier than average. Not as much IMHO as one might be lead to believe by the constant comments about this on here. Then again, my normal fretted instrument is a Warwick, so thicker necks don't really worry me.

Every wood/bolt-on neck has a dead spot. The dead spot on this bass is pretty negligible. Probably a combination of the thicker neck with the steel reinforcing rods. Seems to be more mass distributed along the neck whereas most fender style necks seem to have more mass at the headstock IME. Feels like less vibration is going on in the neck which preserves the strings vibration and lends increased sustain/overtones. Whether or not that is a plus depends on your tonal goals. For me on this bass, it is a plus.

If I was ordering a new neck, I'd probably opt for the newer thinner neck profile. The old profile is fine, but I am curious.

If you do go for a maple neck, Tru-Oil is extremely simple to apply and costs about $5 for enough to do a couple necks. Most larger sporting goods stores have it. It covers Wamoth's requirements for finishes regarding the warranty.

mongo2 · #10 01-30-2011, 03:12 PM

I've used many Warmoth J necks over the years but I switched to Allparts necks for a more traditional build and feel.

Kitsapbass · #11 03-01-2011, 11:33 AM

To those of you who subscribed....I ordered my neck today! After reading your guys' advice about the exotic woods, I went with a Goncalo Alves/Pau Ferro combination, should be here in 7-10 business days according to the confirmation email, but when I called on the phone today (to ask a question which wasn't adequately answered via their page), they're kind of slow this week, so I should get it sent a week from today! I'll post pics of it (and the bass I'm installing it on) once it shows. Thanks for all your help guys.

CliftonBonney · #12 03-13-2011, 06:47 AM

I'm considering Goncalo as well. Got any pics yet?

Kitsapbass · #13 03-13-2011, 12:13 PM

I'll get some today...We're doing a bit of house painting today, so the house is a wreck...I definitely will say this: My J bass is now the warmest sounding bass I have, at least acoustically!

CliftonBonney · #14 03-13-2011, 08:44 PM

Thanks.

If you get a nut installed on a Warmoth neck, do they slot the nut for you or do you have to do it yourself?

Kitsapbass · #15 03-14-2011, 05:18 AM

Mine was slotted - that being said, its kind of a generic job, if you want it lower, you have to do it.

Datsgor · #16 03-15-2011, 12:59 PM

I ordered my Warmoth jazz ( birdseye/ebony) neck in 1988. I still have it. It has stayed consistantly stable for 23 years. I rarely ever need to adjust the truss rod unless I am changing string guage. It handles tuning down to C# without getting into alot of buzzing because of bow. It is a stable, stable neck.

Peepaleep · #17 03-15-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Datsgor

I ordered my Warmoth jazz ( birdseye/ebony) neck in 1988. I still have it. It has stayed consistantly stable for 23 years. I rarely ever need to adjust the truss rod unless I am changing string guage. It handles tuning down to C# without getting into alot of buzzing because of bow. It is a stable, stable neck.

+1 My '90 Warmoth J neck is a fretless birdseye/ebony. I've had to adjust the truss rod twice in 21 years but each time is was a hassle because the fingerboard hangs over the body where the truss rod is adjusted. The neck had to come off for the adjustment. I was going to rout the body so I can get a screwdriver in there without taking the neck off, but with two adjustments in 21 years it is not really a priority.

Mike M. · #18 03-15-2011, 02:03 PM

Not to hijack, but I'm glad to read the positive experiences about Warmoth J necks because I'd like to get one. Got a '73 J bass that really needs a new neck. I have to say that dispite the bad neck it's still the best sounding bass in my meger collection.

Sure would be a joy to be able to play that bass again one day.

TomB · #19 03-16-2011, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike M.

Not to hijack, but I'm glad to read the positive experiences about Warmoth J necks because I'd like to get one. Got a '73 J bass that really needs a new neck. I have to say that dispite the bad neck it's still the best sounding bass in my meger collection.

Sure would be a joy to be able to play that bass again one day.

Here's one more testimonial to a rock-solid 10+-year old Warmoth neck. Mine's a birdseye-birdseye maple fretless and it never budges until I try a different string. As others have noted, good thing, cause it's a PITA. Be aware your J may sound somewhat different with a different neck. Necks are a substantial part of a bass' sound. But my Warmoths have sounded really good and very resonant. I recall they have a steel rod arrangement that lends to this. I don't know others' experience, but all that steel also leads to a bit of neck dive. Mine's a heavy sucker. Still, all in all not a problem. I love that neck and that bass. Highly recommended, caveats noted.