Be honest: Was your Warmoth build worth it?

[buldog5151bass]

Did I buy it from you ? I bought a Warmoth build like that off of a TB'r and then sold it because ......( I can't remember). Probably because I was in my "I'm going to try 12 basses in twelve months stage". The classifieds on our forum are certainly a delight.

Nope - still have it.

 

[2saddleslab]

Not only yes, but hell yes! Not sure of the total cost of these (silver semi hollow body was custom made by a friend) Warmoth builds cause it doesn't matter at this point. Both of these have been prominent players in the rotation.

 

[9mmMike]

I like the idea of rolling your own. You get something that is uniquely yours and the satisfaction of the "build". Warmoth is not the only option though. These are both MJT-based with plenty of Fender parts.
MJT Sherwood Green Precision (snow day build)
MJT in Aztec Gold - New bass build

 

[2saddleslab]

I like the idea of rolling your own. You get something that is uniquely yours and the satisfaction of the "build". Warmoth is not the only option though. These are both MJT-based with plenty of Fender parts.
MJT Sherwood Green Precision (snow day build)
MJT in Aztec Gold - New bass build

MJT + Warmoth =
MJT + Fender =

 

[foolforthecity]

Every Warmoth I've played has FELT great. Though many of them have been built with extremely questionable color combinations and look tackier than I had thought possible.

Not to stir the pot (this is gonna stir the pot), but >90% of what a bass sounds like comes from the pickups, electronics (if any), and strings. So they sounds like whatever it is you choose in those regards.

TLDR: they are worth it. Just make good choices and assemble it properly.

Don't forget fingers. Technique.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Yes! I built mine back in 2006, ~$1000. It became my go-to bass, and it still is. I built a Gecko medium 5-string, double humbucker, no electronics. Amazing sound, very comfortable to play, solid as a rock.

View attachment 1009246

Do you have any specific details and/or sound clips of this? What does "no electronics" mean...? Those have 19mm spacing, right?
I'm considering one day doing a Gecko Medium in Fretless. I would do an Ash body with Walnut top, Wenge neck with Pao Ferro fingerboard (though the last time I checked a couple weeks ago, Wenge wasn't in the options list in their neck builder...), single MM pickup in the sweet-spot.
All hardware and electronics would be swapped over from my Dean Sledgehammer5

 

[jmlee]

Absolutely. This bass, while a bit of a brick, sounds absolutely terrific. Fender Japan body, Lindy Fralin pickups, BadAss bridge, Audere preamp, custom pickguard. Warmoth neck is pau ferro with block inlays and binding. I also happen to really like the aesthetics. Bunny the cat remains indifferent as in all things.

 

[Hopi76]

This one came in just under $1100...

Everything but the nut was purchased through Warmoth. I finished the body myself, and left the neck raw so I saved a bit there. The pickups and electronics were a big part of the total build (just over $300), but for me it's worth every penny I spent on that beast. I've never been concerned about resale value of anything I've owned, and I'm sure if I'm in a position where I have to sell guitars, I'll be having bigger concerns than trying to flip a guitar.

But yeah, I look at that thing as much as I play it. Whenever I'm at home noodling around on it, I always end up propping it up on my lap and feeling up the different woods on it. Another thing I like about it is since I ordered the body and neck built to my order, I can say this thing actually wouldn't exist if it weren't for me.

 

[fmachia]

This one came in just under $1100...

Everything but the nut was purchased through Warmoth. I finished the body myself, and left the neck raw so I saved a bit there. The pickups and electronics were a big part of the total build (just over $300), but for me it's worth every penny I spent on that beast. I've never been concerned about resale value of anything I've owned, and I'm sure if I'm in a position where I have to sell guitars, I'll be having bigger concerns than trying to flip a guitar.

But yeah, I look at that thing as much as I play it. Whenever I'm at home noodling around on it, I always end up propping it up on my lap and feeling up the different woods on it. Another thing I like about it is since I ordered the body and neck built to my order, I can say this thing actually wouldn't exist if it weren't for me.

What a sweet looking Jazz, good job!

 

[two fingers]

Here's the real question. What is your ultimate bass? Give us the rundown. If it's a Jazz or P clone then you could probably build an outstanding one through Warmoth. If it is something completely different, there may be other options we could point you to.

 

[Doner Designs]

I'm looking into making my dream bass via Warmoth parts, but if I made the ultimate dream bass it would cost over $1,000 and that's not including the fact that it still needs to be put together.

I may be able to get away with a version that isn't my ultimate, but I'm still looking at just under $1,000 bucks.

How much did you spend on your Warmoth build and was it worth it to you? Pics are appreciated, too, because I know there are probably some cool basses conceived out there.

I love my Warmoth basses, but to feel like you got a good value I think you have to:

• Keep it a long time and ignore the fact that resale value will not be very good, especially if the styling is not well thought out and attractive to almost everybody
• Have a strong desire and personally value certain custom aspects not available on purchased instruments
• Enjoy the process of designing and assembling
• Work patiently so you don't screw it up
• Not expect to save any money vs buying something like a G&L Tribute

You can save some money by doing your own finishing and buying from the showcase. I have mostly ordered custom bodies but usually can find a suitable neck in the showcase.

If you are a person who would do a ton of mods to a factory bass, then it starts to make more sense financially. If you plan to replace bridge, tuners, preamp, pickups, etc then a scratch build can make a lot of sense.

If you want custom, there are other options besides building it yourself. Carvin is one, the Fender American Design Experience is another. Also, if you order G&L USA I think a lot of custom options are available.

Just a few random thoughts.

 

[Doner Designs]

@Doner Designs builds incredible instruments and could probably answer this pretty well. Take it away, Steve!

Thanks for the nice comments! I just answered as a reply to the OP's original post.

 

[Doner Designs]

Warmoth may seem expensive, but it's not if you compare to say Allparts and nobody I know of can even come close in terms of the exotic woods offerings.

Of course if you get into super high end Warmoth you CAN spend over $1,000 for just a body (or a neck). When you do that however you are into super high end custom basses to find anything comparable.

 

[socialleper]

Every Warmoth I've played has FELT great. Though many of them have been built with extremely questionable color combinations and look tackier than I had thought possible.

Not to stir the pot (this is gonna stir the pot), but >90% of what a bass sounds like comes from the pickups, electronics (if any), and strings. So they sounds like whatever it is you choose in those regards.

TLDR: they are worth it. Just make good choices and assemble it properly.

That's one of the things I've noticed. People show off their Warmoth builds and I think to myself "I certainly know why no one has built something like that before."
If it makes them happy....

 

[two fingers]

One other note. You aren't assembling Leggos here. It takes patience and is a little harder than it looks. I recently put together a parts bass. The only thing Warmoth is the guard, and it was used when I bought it. But I put it all together, wired it up, and took the finish off the back of the neck. Light as a feather. Plays like a dream. Has "that" sound. I have about $250 sunk into it including sandpaper and other incidentals. But getting the neck to line up correctly, sit in the pocket correctly, and "settle in" took a lot of small tweeks and patience. Assembling the guard/electronics and wiring it up presented its own set of minor challenges. It wasn't just slap it together and start jamming. I learned a ton from this bass. And I earned even more respect for those who do this kind of thing from a hunk of wood. By the way, it looks white but it's actually a light sonic blue.
Mighty Mite body
Warmoth guard
PAF era DiMarzio
Wiring harness from bestbassgearonline.com
Neck from an 80s MIJ P bass copy (Profile Silhouette is a house brand from a chain of Australian stores from what my research turned up.)

Was it worth the time, effort and money? YES! I had a blast and this bass is very personal to me now. But it took more than I thought to get it all together and get the parts to talk to each other well.

 

[fretno]

The build process is incredibly rewarding , it adds a personal connection to the instrument that is worth whatever monies spent . In the end chances are you are going to have a very nice instrument . IME it's best to keep to a tried and true concept but there lies another beauty in it , you have the choice . I have many very fine instruments and my Warmoth are my grab and go basses . Here are a few .

 

[fyziqs]

What kind of bridge is that? Never seen one like that before.

It's a Kahler bridge, one of the few options for geckos back then. I have read many negative reviews of this design, but it has worked well for me.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

Theyou have been worth every bit. I like putting time and effort into them though... I sanded and finished and constructed everything myself. I took them to my guy to do the finer things, like nut and fret leveling. I get USA Fender quality except the way I want it (different fret options, neck contours, nut material, tuners, pickups, hardware, finish, all the curves sanded to the shape I like, etc.) For well less that the price for Fender.

 

[fyziqs]

Do you have any specific details and/or sound clips of this? What does "no electronics" mean...? Those have 19mm spacing, right?
I'm considering one day doing a Gecko Medium in Fretless. I would do an Ash body with Walnut top, Wenge neck with Pao Ferro fingerboard (though the last time I checked a couple weeks ago, Wenge wasn't in the options list in their neck builder...), single MM pickup in the sweet-spot.
All hardware and electronics would be swapped over from my Dean Sledgehammer5

I mean none at all! I have the pickups permanently wired in parallel directly to the jack. No volume, no tone controls. The knobs are there to fill the holes Warmoth drilled. If/when I build another, I'm going to see if they can simply not drill holes for the controls. The resulting tone is amazing, at least to my ears. I always go through an amp which provides all remaining tone and volume control, and I use my tuner pedal as a mute.

I will see if I can find some sound clips and post them.

 

[leurw]

Mine was worth it. I flip a lot of basses and this one will require some hard times to make me sell.

I bought the neck (Warmoth), pickups (Fender Suhr-era jazz deluxe), premap (Audere Pro JZ3), and tuners (Pedulla) used here on TB. The body was a custom order from Warmoth. Hipshot bridge bought new. All in I think I spent just exactly $1,000. As many have also said, this one ended up being a tad on the heavy side but within a pound of my '96 Fender Jazz Deluxe 5. Mainly I blame the weight on the steel neck rods.

She plays beautifully and is maybe the best looking bass I own with exception to my '87 preGibson Tobias Classic .

Personally, I really enjoyed the process of picking out and hunting down parts while slowly assembling this bass over the course of a few months. It was great to see it all come together and the first time I sat down to play it during the initial setup was one of the most satisfying experiences I have had as an engineer / musician.

But I will echo and stress a few of the previous posters comments. It's really depends on what you're looking for. If you want something like a Gecko 5 or 6 with fancy wood choices and custom pickup routings then you'll need to go Warmoth or equivalent custom. But if what you want is some kind of Jazz or P variant and you don't care about the custom choices or the satisfaction of building it yourself then you might want to look around and see what you can find already on the market. Or consider one of the many Fender models with a little modding or parts swapping.

Being "worth it" implies you are asking about the monetary or financial implications of a Warmoth build. And they suck. Resale sucks.

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