• 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 free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Build a Warmoth or wait for a medium scale MIJ Precision to surface?

What would you do?

  • Wait for a medium scale MIJ Precision?

    Votes: 9 24.3%

  • Build a Warmoth?

    Votes: 28 75.7%
  • Total voters
    37
#41
thisheregiraffe said:
My vote goes to Warmoth for sure. I have assembled three parts basses with Warmoth bodies and necks now, and I have zero complaints. I am sure that more Warmoth builds will be in my future. IME the quality is great, fit and finish great, etc. Put it together and play, basically. Also, I can echo what micguy says about lead times--what they have quoted to me has always been accurate. Paint takes longer right now, that's just the way it is, but my most recent order was not delayed beyond the lead time they gave me when I issued the order.

If you're looking at Warmoth's Short Scale Bass (SSB) bodies and necks, then options are a bit more limited compared to the 34" scale stuff, like fewer body shapes and 1.5" as the only nut width available, but there is still a lot of customizing you can do. And certain limitations might actually play into your favor (e.g., you don't have to choose between steel rods and paying to upgrade to graphite rods because SSB necks don't require stiffening rods).

I will also add that re: weight and good balance: I've become a pretty big believer in roasted maple necks from Warmoth. My 34" roasted maple neck (w/ graphite rods) is noticeably lighter than the 34" maple neck (w/ steel rods) that I ordered previously. The different stiffening rods certainly are a factor, but I think the roasted maple is also a tad lighter than a regular maple neck as well. If I was building a short/medium scale with a Warmoth SSB body and neck, I'd definitely be going for roasted maple as the neck wood. Just my 2 cents :)
Click to expand...
I put a roasted maple/pau ferro neck on my my strat and from here on, I’ll probably only get warmoth roasted maple necks. You don’t have to paint them and they feel great.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thisheregiraffe
#42
I'm wondering the same thing about building a Warmoth or not.
It's a funny subject because many refer to this as a Parts bass of questionable quality.
I know for a fact that Mike Lull in the early days used Warmoth parts (owned one) as did Pensa Suhr back in the day. Also owned one.
Heck, Lakland, Sadowsky, Wilkins and other top name builders do not make their own body and necks.
Because they have a higher level name brand does it negate the fact that they still have other people build the parts? I mean a good piece of Alder is a good piece of Alder.
I don't know where Warmoth gets it wood but again an interesting question is the wood these other builders use that much better? I wonder. Do you think Leo really cared about the
quality of his wood source? The main thing he had going he was, for a while, was using old growth wood. Because that's what his supplier had.
I would love to see if in a blind playing test if most players could tell the difference between a well set up Warmoth build
and the other brands mentioned. Maybe sight differences in necks profiles or other subtle changes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassinthemudd
#43
Type-55 said:
...many refer to this as a Parts bass of questionable quality.
Click to expand...
A bass of questionable quality can be built from great parts. The only complaints I have heard about Warmoth parts have pertained to cosmetics.

As every manufacturer does, I'm sure that Warmoth has produced some lemons that have escaped QC. But, that seems to be very rare, and they have a good rep for customer service.

The only downside I can see, is resale value, particularly for unique builds.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Type-55
#45
Last year I bought a new medium scale Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar. It is now my favorite bass. Terrific build quality and sound - as good as anything you have mentioned. It's something to consider - just leave the J pup turned off for the P sound. Since new I replaced the control panel and wired it for V B T and installed a mute switch and a tort pick guard.

As new.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: selowitch and DJWhitJr
#49
DJWhitJr said:
I'm a big fan of medium scale basses. I have an Aerodyne Jazz, Mezzo PJ and a Yamaha Motion. I'm kinda gassing for a MIJ medium scale precision but they aren't very common. When they do come up for sale they are on the pricier side. This has me thinking of maybe building one from Warmoth.

I don't have any experience with Warmoth but read some good reviews on their stuff. How does their stuff stack up to the older MIJ offerings?

Are the Warmoth products assemble and play or do they require a little bit of work like cleaning up the neck pocket, frets and/or file the nut etc.?
Click to expand...
The luthier who built my 30" scale Warmoth Mini-Precision said that it was the best bass he'd ever built. To this day, I'm convinced that, if it hadn't been a lefty? I'd have never gotten it back...;) Warmoth makes bodies and necks - only. They sell pretty much everything else you need to build a complete bass, but their tuner, bridge, and pickup selections are... somewhat limited. I bought most of my parts from Allparts and Fender, because Warmoth, for example, doesn't stock Schaller hardware - which I wanted. But, the stuff they do offer, is quality stuff...
I decided on a Warmoth because the selection of short scale, left handed solid body basses - at the time - was very limited. Basically, I could get a cheap "beginner" bass - or a boutique/custom one. The Warmoth wound up being pretty much dead in the middle of those choices. So, if I were in your position? Well, as far as I know, if there were ever any left handed MIJ medium scale P-Basses (and I doubt there are)? At my age, I don't think I'll live long enough to find one. So, I would be on Warmoth's website, and deciding on what body and neck would make me happy... In your case? Pretty much depends on how patient you are...:whistle:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back