Advice about building warmoth

bassike · #1 10-14-2008, 09:51 AM

Hey guys I’m thinking of building a warmoth

And I wanted to get a modern sound; so I taught of getting the Delano Xtenders

The thing is that I have 2 EMG’s HZ that are just in my basement not being used.

So I could use those for my project and add a preamp that gives a modern sound.

I do not know many preamps, I own an Aguilar OBP 2

And yesterday I was checking out the Audere

Any suggestions?

BigOldHarry · #2 10-14-2008, 04:26 PM

I have built multiple warmoth/franken basses...

Let me first say that I have loved their bodies and woodwork, but I am not wild about their necks;

I would suggest that you start with a passive setup - saves money and can still sound GREAT - you can still get a modern sound using the correct high-output p'ups and the correct tone caps... Were I doing what you describe, I'd get a pair of duncan quarter lb jazz p'ups and use their recommended tone circuit - and I'd focus on how the instrument plays (that WILL take some time to dial in on a frankenbass, trust me)

Me? My frankenbass is currently a warmoth swamp ash P-body (finished in clear dark blue) routed for two music-man style pickups; I put in 2 Duncan MM p'ups and a MM 2 band active preamp. My neck is a recently acquired MityMite maple fretboard J neck (to replace my warmoth rosewood J neck); Tuners are hipshot ultralites with an "Extender" on my e string; Hipshot type B-style bridge. Still messing with the setup with the new neck, but it sounds HUGE (as you might expect from 2 MM p'ups!)

Chowderboots · #3 10-14-2008, 11:09 PM

What do you not dig about Warmoth necks? I played a Warmoth J neck and it felt really lifeless. It probably would fit someone else great, but it felt a little sticky. Not the finish, just the shape.

However, I tend to P-style necks to begin with, so I kinda dismissed that feeling due to the neck shape. Interesting to hear that someone else has a similar beef with the same thing.

Warmoth is really cool, though. I don't just want to rip on them. They make wicked Explorers

()smoke() · #4 10-15-2008, 10:51 AM

i use 2-band audere jazz preamps in both my warmoth parts Js...both light swamp ash bodies, one fretless one fretted, both wenge necks

here's my take: the audere is very transparent when set flat, and it does a great job of pumping some muscle into the inherit sound of the instrument when the bands are boosted...but it doesn't do the 'modern' thing like other options, imo

personally, i love warmoth J necks...the profile is a bit deeper front to back than comparable offerings, and with a narrow spaced jazz neck, the thicker profile is more comfortable to me...both my necks are very stable through seasons and the sound is very consistent from low to high and across all strings

bassman74 · #5 11-05-2008, 07:19 AM

I assemble basses out of warmoth and USACG kit. I have used WD music kit in the past but they are not in the same league....

Warmoth bodies are GREAT! but not their neck, they are heavy, sounds weird because of the steel rods, the back contour fells like a baseball bat, LOL....

If you want a finished body go with warmoth they are great and a little more affordable.

I STRONGLY suggest to buy your neck from USACG, they are lighter you can also choose your neck thickness. They use graphite rods in their neck all mine have NO DEAD SPOTS!!! Wood is great, fretwork is flawless + many options...

If you want unfinished bodies or kit, i suggest you buy all your stuff from USACG (They have the best customer service,period!)

My hifi favorites are:
Delano SBC and Xtender
Nodstrand DualCoil(parallel) and NJ4SE
AERO (really expensive)
Glockenklang and audere preamp

I would say that if you wanna save money, your EMG with Aguilar stuff can give you an hifi tone and will be versatile, it just won't be as refined as the all the high-end stuff listed upthere...

Good luck !!!

bassike · #6 11-05-2008, 07:41 AM

Thanks

I was ready to order from Warmoth and I send an e mail with my order cause I wanted to verify that everything was compatible since it is my first project,
And they never replied.

So I just forgot about it

Imagine my first impression dealing with this company

Not good

I’ll take a look on the USACG site

kraigo · #7 11-05-2008, 09:37 AM

I am not offering any advice on this thread per se, but I have dealt with Warmoth multiple times and have had no problem with them. I have a generally good impression of them.

KO

dave19er · #8 11-05-2008, 04:22 PM

I second going with USACG. Tommy is great to deal with and the workmanship is amazing. I've replaced a couple of bass necks and built one p-bass - the fretwork was perfect, the shape and neck thickness were exactly what I wanted, no dead spots, and with the graphite rods, they just don't move. The p-bass I built is easily my favorite bass now - light, resonant, just amazing bass tones. And USACG does the tightest neck pocket I've ever seen (a far cry from my beloved '77 Jazz). The whole thing rings as one.

The only negative is that they don't use a licensed Fender headstock - I've reshaped the ones that have gone onto Fender bodies, but on my own bass that I was building, I didn't sweat it. The reshaped ones are close, but some of the curves aren't exact fender.

von buck · #9 11-05-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

I have built multiple warmoth/franken basses...

Let me first say that I have loved their bodies and woodwork, but I am not wild about their necks;

I had Warmouth built for me, that was 5 years ago and it was a 5 string. I never liked the neck. It seemed too soft and never sounded or felt good. About a year later, it fell and the trust rod cracked. Since it was out of warrenty, they wouldn't fix it, it just sat there.
Recently I joined a new band where I needed a fiver, so I thought I try to get a new neck and see if was any better.
The new neck was harder and felt better before we even put it on the body.
It's a whole other bass now. Sounds great and plays fast, all because of the new neck.
I'm just sayin'...

Andy

MatticusMania · #10 11-05-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraigo

I am not offering any advice on this thread per se, but I have dealt with Warmoth multiple times and have had no problem with them. I have a generally good impression of them.

KO

Same here, ordered my Gotoh 201 bridge from them, then got a real email from a person in customer service answering a question I had asked.

billoetjen · #11 11-06-2008, 08:26 PM

I know that you're asking for info about pups. But, I've built two axes with Warmoth Neck/body. Where else can you get a selection of woods like that offered by Warmoth? I HAD TO have wenge neck with bloodwood (fretted) and wenge with pau ferro fingerboard (FL). Warmoth took their time but came through with assemblies that are magnificent. Dead spots? That's like windows users asking Mac users about viruses....

Don't neglect to consider Villex pups, too. Passive, moderate to high output, and an absolutely unique sound.

Bill

allexcosta · #12 11-06-2008, 09:26 PM

Warmoth bodies are great, but the necks are really bad...

SGD Lutherie · #13 11-07-2008, 08:30 AM

I also don't care for their necks. The shape is weird. The edge of the fingerboard is too sharp. Even the guitar necks. They just never feel good.

They are nicely made, but they need a new model for their CNC carver.

The Warmoth brothers don't play, so maybe that's the reason. I heard once that they had Tobias carve their neck master, but that doesn't seem right.

I suppose one could reshape the neck if you have the skill... but then you could just make your own.

dlmarquez · #14 11-07-2008, 04:18 PM

I have had a bass with a Warmoth body and it was very nice..heavy as hell solid walnut J!
I didn't like the neck at all though..typical dead spot at about the 5th fret on the G string
I have 2 USACG fretless necks: both maple, one unlined pau ferro, the other unlined ebony..both are incredibly sensual feeling...both are light as hell, both are totally true with no dead spots.
For my money USACG makes the finest necks out there.

jwymore · #15 11-07-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Warmoth bodies are GREAT! but not their neck, they are heavy, sounds weird because of the steel rods, the back contour fells like a baseball bat, LOL....

I kinda feel the same way. The quality is fine and they will never warp or require constant setup .... but I feel they are actually too stiff and thus too bright sounding. The J and P neck widths are also slightly wider than Fender standards. I love the quality but am not a fan of the tone. I ended up going to USAG when I needed to build some custom necks and bodies.

EddieG · #16 11-07-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allexcosta

Warmoth bodies are great, but the necks are really bad...

Without qualifying that by explaining exactly what you find so bad, I'm going to say that I completely disagree. My Warmoth neck is brilliant. Birdseye maple neck and fretboard, stainless steel frets. I've let many bassists try it, and had nothing but compliments on how fast and easy it is to play. Fair enough, it's slightly heavier than a normal Jazz neck, but I'll take steel stiffening rods any time.

allexcosta · #17 11-07-2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieG

Without qualifying that by explaining exactly what you find so bad, I'm going to say that I completely disagree. My Warmoth neck is brilliant. Birdseye maple neck and fretboard, stainless steel frets. I've let many bassists try it, and had nothing but compliments on how fast and easy it is to play. Fair enough, it's slightly heavier than a normal Jazz neck, but I'll take steel stiffening rods any time.

I just don't want to beat a dead horse...
ANY neck dive, even if minor makes a bass unusable to me...

Enough?

Mr.Bassie720 · #18 11-08-2008, 05:54 PM

I have dealt with Warmoth. I have dealt with USA custom guitars. Warmoth has a prettier website, bigger selection and better prices on some things.USA custom guitars has superior customer service & much quicker turn around times. I like their necks and fretwork better." USA all the way!"

::::BASSIST:::: · #19 11-08-2008, 06:37 PM

I have a warmoth wenge/ebony neck and really dig it. No doubt its definitely heavy, but that adds to its durability and beefyness. What I really like is that the wenge of the neck feels just awesome. I like the shape just fine... and previous bass was a geddy jazz so I am no stranger to small necks.

Any idea if USACG offers wenge necks? I'd like to try them next time and see how they do.