just another boring Warmoth assembly thread

LewisCountyLad · #1 01-11-2010, 10:05 PM

A big "Thanks" goes out to those that got in touch with me after my last thread fizzled. It's because of those folks that I decided to start over with a new thread.

OK, so I recently broke the 30-year mark for playing bass, and I decided to celebrate the occasion by getting another bass under my belt. Since I currently have no shop, and since I worked for the Warmoth brothers for a dozen years, it seemed only natural to get them to do the hard work for me. So, the big brown truck dropped these off this past week...

As usual, the 1/4-sawn Indian rosewood neck and walnut body turned out flawless. I'm picking up some oils and stains this week to get the walnut nice and dark while adding some red hues. Oh, and I'm scratching the WB pickups I mentioned in the previous thread. I ended up calling a bud at DiMarzio and he's hooking me up with a pair of Ultras and a Split-P. More pics to come as the hardware comes in.

gjbassist · #2 01-11-2010, 10:11 PM

Can't wait to see more progress! I'm glad you decided to stick around! Sorry you got off to a rough start!

Darkstrike · #3 01-11-2010, 10:22 PM

Lovely, subscribed.

Slax · #4 01-11-2010, 10:28 PM

That's going to look awesome when it's done! Can't wait to see it.

Beej · #5 01-11-2010, 10:43 PM

I like the grain in the walnut, shore is purdy.

Don't let anyone get to you. An old adage from my days of usegroups still applies: "For every user that speaks up with disapproval, there are a dozen who watch in approving silence." - NecroSister circa 1996.

(Good lord, I can't believe I've been using the internet longer than half the population of talkbass has been alive...)

Those that naysay or question build vs. assembly have a perfectly valid point, but your thread also has a valid place in this forum, as there is no "modifier's corner" on talkbass and the next best place for threads that aren't perfectly well suited to the basses subforum are right here. I used to build houses, and I made no distinction between building a pre-fab construction versus one where I cut every piece of lumber that went into it by hand (or machine). In either case, I was a builder and I built the dang house. Technically, I could have made a distinction from time to time and called myself a house assembler, but methinks business would not have been the same!

At any rate, this forum positively glows with gorgeous hand-cut beauties churned out by some of the big dogs around here, but the assembly threads aren't crap, worthless or less valid simply because you're building a kit or are purchasing some of the wood parts. I would also put a guess forth that the "naysayers" would agree with me on this point, but they are just tired of being excited by a thread title that just doesn't deliver the full-on construction goods. It doesn't mean your project is not as good or worthy, its much more reflective of their values and ethics than it is of your own.

I've been using a wide variety of forums for over a decade, and in my view, this is a very supportive forum, including mikeyswood (who's pretty cool when you get to know him - I mean, "Slater"? That's a friggin brilliant cultural reference right there

) so keep posting until everyone's on your good side. Unless you're a total dick, they will be soon enough...

ehque · #6 01-11-2010, 11:57 PM

I'm interested in walnut finishing techniques as well. A tutorial would be way cool.

Glad you stuck around.

NKBassman · #7 01-12-2010, 05:47 AM

I'll keep my eye on this one.

Headless Llama · #8 01-12-2010, 06:01 AM

There is nothing boring here. I love walnut!

Jools4001 · #9 01-12-2010, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beej

I like the grain in the walnut, shore is purdy.

Don't let anyone get to you. An old adage from my days of usegroups still applies: "For every user that speaks up with disapproval, there are a dozen who watch in approving silence." - NecroSister circa 1996.

(Good lord, I can't believe I've been using the internet longer than half the population of talkbass has been alive...)

Those that naysay or question build vs. assembly have a perfectly valid point, but your thread also has a valid place in this forum, as there is no "modifier's corner" on talkbass and the next best place for threads that aren't perfectly well suited to the basses subforum are right here. I used to build houses, and I made no distinction between building a pre-fab construction versus one where I cut every piece of lumber that went into it by hand (or machine). In either case, I was a builder and I built the dang house. Technically, I could have made a distinction from time to time and called myself a house assembler, but methinks business would not have been the same!

At any rate, this forum positively glows with gorgeous hand-cut beauties churned out by some of the big dogs around here, but the assembly threads aren't crap, worthless or less valid simply because you're building a kit or are purchasing some of the wood parts. I would also put a guess forth that the "naysayers" would agree with me on this point, but they are just tired of being excited by a thread title that just doesn't deliver the full-on construction goods. It doesn't mean your project is not as good or worthy, its much more reflective of their values and ethics than it is of your own.

I've been using a wide variety of forums for over a decade, and in my view, this is a very supportive forum, including mikeyswood (who's pretty cool when you get to know him - I mean, "Slater"? That's a friggin brilliant cultural reference right there

) so keep posting until everyone's on your good side. Unless you're a total dick, they will be soon enough...

That's a great post.

Who knows, today's Warmoth assembler or wannabe luthier could be the next big dog on the block given the right encouragment.

That rosewood neck is superb and I like the JPJ Pup arrangement

dannster · #10 01-12-2010, 06:14 AM

I guess I'll break my approving silence then!

That is going to be PURTY!

**BLDavis** · #11 01-12-2010, 06:17 AM

LewisCo......
Stop wasting time..........turn off the computer and get that baby together ASAP............Then pass it around so we can all try it out

How do you plan to wire the pups? I'm guessing a 5-way switch a-la Strat?

Seriously, best of luck with your project.
Later, B.

gidbass · #12 01-12-2010, 06:30 AM

Subscribed.

How much do think the finished weight will be (roughly of course)?

Glad to see you back!

LewisCountyLad · #13 01-12-2010, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLDavis

...How do you plan to wire the pups? I'm guessing a 5-way switch a-la Strat?...

My plan is to experiment first before I dedicate to holes/control locations. I'm going to hang everything out the back of the control cavity and initially wire up all possible options. I'll just play the piss out of it for a week through different amps and headphones, changing out caps and pots along the way. My goal is to keep the final layout as simple and clean as possible yet flexible, because I plan on riding this thing a lot more than the other horses in the stable. I'm probably going to end up with a 5-way megaswitch and a couple push-pulls, but we'll see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidbass

...How much do think the finished weight will be (roughly of course)?...

This first thing I did after openning the boxes was to pile the body and neck onto the wife's Health-O-Meter. Dry weight of both combined is 8.1 lbs. After the hardware, your guess is as good as mine.

joeyl · #14 01-12-2010, 11:27 AM

I like Warmoths and their assembly!

If dry weight is 8.1, I would say with Hipshot light hardware you are looking at around 10-11 pounds easy, it will be heavy

tubby.twins · #15 01-12-2010, 12:34 PM

Nice.

HELLonWheels187 · #16 01-12-2010, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewisCountyLad

I ended up calling a bud at DiMarzio and he's hooking me up with a pair of Ultras and a Split-P. More pics to come as the hardware comes in.

I have Split-P's in my p-bass, they sound fantastic, but they are super hot. Would running 2 more pick us in addition to the split-P be a problem?

LewisCountyLad · #17 01-13-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HELLonWheels187

I have Split-P's in my p-bass, they sound fantastic, but they are super hot. Would running 2 more pick us in addition to the split-P be a problem?

Honestly, I don't know yet. I thought the same thing when I first decided to go with the JPJ pup layout. That's why I need to experiment with wiring options, especially with series/parallel switching. I've run mis-matched pups in my Warmoth strat for years and the volume drop between the pups can be a blessing in disguise.

Darkstrike · #18 01-13-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewisCountyLad

I've run mis-matched pups in my Warmoth strat for years and the volume drop between the pups can be a blessing in disguise.

Opens up some cool dynamics, espcally with tube amps.

HELLonWheels187 · #19 01-13-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewisCountyLad

Honestly, I don't know yet. I thought the same thing when I first decided to go with the JPJ pup layout. That's why I need to experiment with wiring options, especially with series/parallel switching. I've run mis-matched pups in my Warmoth strat for years and the volume drop between the pups can be a blessing in disguise.

The Split P is definitely going to drown out the other pups. I can almost guarantee that. My concern was with running both pups together in series you would experience clipping. You should look into making the outputs equal.

LewisCountyLad · #20 04-09-2010, 03:42 PM

Boy, time flies when you're preoccupied. Well, I decided to ditch my own finishing because I just don't have the time for it. Instead, I've called on an old friend that shoots nitro like few can. He very well known in the Les Paul refinishing world. The body has about 3 more clear coats to go this week, then it's sanding and polishing time. The neck will be getting lightly oiled next week. Pics to follow whenever I can.