Is a Warmoth build worth it?

[bongostealth]

Originally Posted by hs123

I just finished mine. My other bass is a 73 Fender Jazz I've had since I was a teenager. I wanted a 6 but couldn't find one I liked (for under $4000). So I built one. I'll use my jazz for the standard stuff, but the tonal capabilities of this new 6 is out of this world. Ebony/Wenge neck feels awesome!

Body - Black Korina (Limba-"Terminalia superba")
Neck - Ebony / Wenge (2 truss rods, no finish)
Tuners - Hipshot HB6Y Ultralight (6th String De-Tuner (just cuz))
Bridge - Hiphshot A -17mm "Girly Hand" spacing.
Electronics - Nordstrand:
3B-4a Preamp (Vol/Vol, Passive Tone(pp),Mid Tone(pp), Treble/Bass Stack)
FatStack 6 Pickups (Custom; EMG dimensions, 17mm spacing)
Nad Hater Switch (humcancelling / single coil) (the person that built the pickups is Nad, he hates switches)

That's a beautiful bass! Your configuration is similar to what I want. I was thinking the following:
-- Gecko 6 body with no inlay (only abalone side dots)
-- black korina body
-- quilted maple top
-- green dye front with transparent green on the back
-- wenge neck
-- black ebony FB
-- Ken Smith exposed pole pickups
-- Ken Smith preamp
-- chrome Hipshot hardware

[hs123]

Sounds nice.
Be sure the pots on your knobs (or preamp) are high enough (long) enough the fit thru the pre drilled holes. The standard body is drilled for long pots, my preamp has standard. I had to trim some wood on the inside to get the threads to show up on the outside.

[Lobaw]

I've got an all Warmoth fretless jazz, built by someone else, which I bought simply for the neck. The bass sounds very good acoustically and the neck is as good as I've ever played on any high-end fretless. In my experience, the quality is excellent. I don't think you can go wrong building your own. I agree, generally, with the comments about resale, but you'll have a solid bass, that you may never part with. Good luck with the build.

[bongostealth]

Originally Posted by Lobaw

I've got an all Warmoth fretless jazz, built by someone else, which I bought simply for the neck. The bass sounds very good acoustically and the neck is as good as I've ever played on any high-end fretless. In my experience, the quality is excellent. I don't think you can go wrong building your own. I agree, generally, with the comments about resale, but you'll have a solid bass, that you may never part with. Good luck with the build.

Thanks! Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be going through with the build any time soon. Not that I don't want to, it's just the typical, "I ain't go the dough!" I'm currently finishing up law school and...well... I'm broke for now.

[Lobaw]

Good luck with law school. Fortunately, when things work out (and they will), you'll be far from broke. I can't say enough good things about the Warmoth, though. So, when you're rolling in it, you'll be able to build 2 Warmoths.

[bassyj]

Yes. I've had one now for 15 years now and it's one of the best sounding basses I own! I won't go to a recording session without it! Keep in mind my other basses are an elrick 4 and 2 prat 6 strings...



Pic from music video I did with it recently... Look for it on YouTube- Ryan Humbert, "waiting for the lightening". The video is a tribute to the walking dead...

[basswave]

Originally Posted by Whafrodamus

Warmoth is a nice compromise when you want boutique customization options and a classic body style without breaking the bank. Used a warmoth body on my current favorite bass:

You should have come to the GTG last week in Conn and brought that. I would have loved to try it.

I have a Status Warmoth J as well and love it.

Oh yeah back the OP.
Simple answer.

YES

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by bassyj

Yes. I've had one now for 15 years now and it's one of the best sounding basses I own! I won't go to a recording session without it! Keep in mind my other basses are an elrick 4 and 2 prat 6 strings...

Pic from music video I did with it recently... Look for it on YouTube- Ryan Humbert, "waiting for the lightening". The video is a tribute to the walking dead...

Very cool.

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by basswave

You should have come to the GTG last week in Conn and brought that. I would have loved to try it.

You could have tried mine if the bloody post office had delivered it last Friday as promised . Fortunately it showed up at my local post office this morning - I really wasn't looking forward to the 2-3 month process of claiming insurance on it and then another 3 months build time. I had it shipped from the left coast via USPS priority mail as they said it would be two days vs UPS's 5 day estimate - cost me an extra $25 too . I had shipped the pickups out there via the same service and they got there in one day so I believed they could do it. Guess I should have trusted my "security system" Zoe - she love the UPS guy (he has pit bulls himself and brings her treats LOL). She wouldn't hurt a fly but scares the crap out of the USPS guy .

[basswave]

Originally Posted by Roadkill

You could have tried mine if the bloody post office had delivered it last Friday as promised . Fortunately it showed up at my local post office this morning - I really wasn't looking forward to the 2-3 month process of claiming insurance on it and then another 3 months build time. I had it shipped from the left coast via USPS priority mail as they said it would be two days vs UPS's 5 day estimate - cost me an extra $25 too . I had shipped the pickups out there via the same service and they got there in one day so I believed they could do it. Guess I should have trusted my "security system" Zoe - she love the UPS guy (he has pit bulls himself and brings her treats LOL). She wouldn't hurt a fly but scares the crap out of the USPS guy .

Love to see it...Post a pic.
Cheers

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by basswave

Love to see it...Post a pic.
Cheers

Short scale, reverse headstock, bloodwood neck, Pau Ferro fingerboard, Schaller BML Light machines, oversize mother of pearl side dots, walnut oil finish. Ribbon mahogany body, tru-oil and nitro finish, top-slot-loading bridge bolted through the body. No tone, just volume and "Gibson style" pickup selector - face mounted jack. Bill Lawrence EP-60PB "P" and EP-50PB humbucker. This started out as me wanting a short scale MM as they don't make one . I added the "P" pickup for a couple jazz/horn jam groups I play with - the builder had the BL "P" he wanted to use and that inspired me to find the corresponding humbucker. I had one of the latter on my late 70's Guild B-301 and liked it a lot. Hope I don't regret not going with the MM ...