• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Be honest: Was your Warmoth build worth it?

This one was worth it for me...
Koa Small 2.jpg
 
View attachment 1009868 My Warmoth build, around ? $1100, but thats with a Fender high mass Bridge, Schaller tuners and EMG GZR pickups; It's the absolute best, and I'm gonna do it again (Jazz Bass build) sometime soon.
Yes, Absolutely, since this post I've added a EMG BTC control and replaced the tort guard with a all black (3 ply/B/W/B) pickguard. The Bass plays amazing, no regrets ... on this one at least, I can't say the same for my Warmth Jazz Bass build, that was a HORRIBLE ordeal; it looked absolutely beautiful, but sounded like crap -and I regret, I spent a ton of money trying to get it to sound good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker
Just an update, again Long time Warmoth customer. . Decided to do three more builds. They don't put their back into service anymore. It's all CNC'd, yet if you want a neck profile they offer or no bolt holes get ready for up-charges galore.

Always an excuse why they can't do anything custom or trying to find some nicer wood for you. Don't like it?
Too bad.

Like i have said customer service has been awful. Recently in that order we had a chambered body because according to their own description to save weight, the thing showed up and weighs as much as my 80's Les Paul custom. Seriously, after waiting for three months? "Oh, if I don't like it I can return it...?
What do you do now...? I have a neck and no body.. for another 3 months.
Also look at loosing 75 percent of it's value upon resale. So if you really have to have an $1100 body and $950 neck, it's time to look a small luthier to build something. Scarf neck joints, Thin veneers, always cutting corners to make a buck at their customer's expense. Again, was a big fan but lately not so much.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Goatrope
Yes, Absolutely, since this post I've added a EMG BTC control and replaced the tort guard with a all black (3 ply/B/W/B) pickguard. The Bass plays amazing, no regrets ... on this one at least, I can't say the same for my Warmth Jazz Bass build, that was a HORRIBLE ordeal; it looked absolutely beautiful, but sounded like crap -and I regret, I spent a ton of money trying to get it to sound good.


I’m trying to understand how a Warmoth Jazz Bass, granted you used tried and true, classic specs, can sound horrible.
I’m asking because I’ve just ordered a body from Warmoth, kept it classic, alder and a Charcoal Frost finish.

I already have the neck I’m going to put on it, a Player Jazz one (Mexico), maple and pau ferro. It was on another body before and it played and sounded great.

Now, I don’t see how this neck, which I know and like, attached to an alder body, supposedly well-built, could sound bad? Of course the choice of pickups does matter, but again I’m thinking of going with a classic brand (Nordstrand or Delano).

So… unless it’s badly assembled or just a lemon…

what issues did you have?!
 
Is that a Warmoth green? Which one? That green looks awesome.

Yes, my Warmoth Jazzmaster bass was worth it to me. I’m not sure what I’ve spent on it because most of the parts I had in hand. The finish isn’t great, it was my first time finishing a body myself, but I like the way it looks. It’s my number one bass over my Sandberg and Darkray.
IMG_4167.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker
I'm baffled by what you see in that neck... The player necks are among the worst Fender makes.... The squier ones might even be better.


Are you for real? The worst in what aspect?! Does it occur to you that I might like that neck? That I find it extremely comfortable?
And that it’s actually well put together? That the woods look good too?

I genuinely find the Player necks to be really good. Sometimes the fret ends can be a tad sharp, but only a bit, and nothing that a bit of filing wouldn’t fix. My experience with Squier necks is bad though.
See, we all have different experiences.
 
I'm baffled by what you see in that neck...
It doesn't matter. If he bonded with it, he bonded with it. Maybe he caught lightning in a bottle with that particular neck. Or maybe you could hold that neck and conclude a Squier neck would be better, and yet that's just the optimum neck for his hands.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRA and Roger W
It doesn't matter. If he bonded with it, he bonded with it. Maybe he caught lightning in a bottle with that particular neck. Or maybe you could hold that neck and conclude a Squier neck would be better, and yet that's just the optimum neck for his hands.

Well, I mean, if someone is into sharp, undressed, unleveled frets and crooked nuts, who am I to judge? It never ceases to amaze me how one man's turd is another man's treasure.
 
I found all 3 of my Warmoth builds to be excellent, all from Showcase parts.

First, was a 34" scale Jazz - roasted ash body, wenge neck and board with Aguilar pickups, passive wiring, and Hipshot hardware. I only sold it because I had too many basses and not enough money at the time.

Second build, is a short-scale Z body in alder with an ash top, 32" maple neck with ebony fretboard I got in the TB classifieds, Wilde PJ pickups, Darkglass Tone Capsule with a passive tone control added, Hipshot hardware. I need to finish the project; I've still got to wire in a stereo jack to stop draining the battery, and refinish the body and neck. I did the body in Rubio Monocoat and ended up not liking the color I mixed for it, and the neck is Warmoth's vintage tint nitro which is essentially banana yellow and quite ugly.

Most recent build is a short-scale P body routed for soapbars in roasted ash with bubinga top finished DIY with Howard's Feed n Wax, 32" scale roasted maple neck and fretboard, Nordstrand Zen Blades, passive wiring, Hipshot bridge, and Schaller tuners.

Both my current 32" basses need some light fret leveling. I like stupidly low action, so pretty much every "off the shelf" bass needs fretwork to be up to my standards. Only basses I've never thought needed fretwork are the Dingwalls I've owned, and that's because they all get a full setup and leveling before leaving the shop.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker
Well, I mean, if someone is into sharp, undressed, unleveled frets and crooked nuts, who am I to judge? It never ceases to amaze me how one man's turd is another man's treasure.


What if my particular neck has none of that?

(ok, as I said the frets ends aren’t that smooth but not an issue either. I’ll just ask my luthier to file them next time).
 
  • Like
Reactions: SideshowDom
What if my particular neck has none of that?

(ok, as I said the frets ends aren’t that smooth but not an issue either. I’ll just ask my luthier to file them next time).

I have two player Ps that have excellent necks, no fret issues at all and they fit my hand perfectly. Some people just can't accept that other people have different experiences.