So, while we're talking Warmoth options, does anyone know if they do a bridge rout that'll accommodate the two saddle, string-through-only tele bass bridge?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
How hard is it to make a good warmoth bass
- Thread starter Moopahtroopa
- Start date
This.
Everything you need to know regards skill, depth of knowledge, parts required, etc, can be found on their site. While it's not that tough, there is more to it than simple assembly. Things like fret and nut work may be required, layout and drilling pick guard and/or control plate, pickup, machine head and string tree screw holes, mounting strap buttons, rear routed control cavity cover mounting, battery box mounting, etc. or you could just buy everything and take it to a luthier and pay them to fit and finish it.
If you want to do it yourself and have little experience, buy a cheap used bolt neck and use it to learn on before you take on something like a warmoth build.
Last edited:
The most finished Warmoth products I've tried are on the chunky side. Finish on their maple neck turning purple/Pink-ish from time to time. Also when ordering something wider neck, this beats me, but the whole fretboard is wider than the neck and looks like a aircraft carrier model.
If I should make the plunge I would rather choose Usa Custom Guitars, which consists of people formerly employed by/at Warmoth. It's even some top high brass people branching out on their own. While not slagging neither of them, of why they jumped ship, they're just a bit different, and has another "modus operandi" on their agenda in which they runs business basically. But the people that quit Warmoth to form USACG, was the cream of the crop of staff, that had some raised bar in their mentality as far as Quality Check goes, that Warmoth wasn't too keen on pursuing. Basically, by and large, but it wouldn't surprise me if Warmoth ramped it up a bit these days. This "split" came between a decade or two ago, and much water has ran under the bridges since then, of course. As for price differences I don't know really.
I've yet to come across any USACG bass or guitar that feel "Warmoth chunky" if that's a word. If you want chunky, you can get them like that, as well. But generally speaking, see USACG like an upscale or boutiqe Warmoth...
USA Custom Guitars | Modern technology with old-world craftsmanship
But neither USACG nor Warmoth sells junk. It's the IKEA of guitar/bass parts. It's pretty much up to snuff always. And when finishing/ending the project the IKEA effect will slowly creep into you
, and you're more satisfied than if you bought a run-of-the-mill also ran, factory assembled bass of the same kind.
IKEA effect - Wikipedia
If I should make the plunge I would rather choose Usa Custom Guitars, which consists of people formerly employed by/at Warmoth. It's even some top high brass people branching out on their own. While not slagging neither of them, of why they jumped ship, they're just a bit different, and has another "modus operandi" on their agenda in which they runs business basically. But the people that quit Warmoth to form USACG, was the cream of the crop of staff, that had some raised bar in their mentality as far as Quality Check goes, that Warmoth wasn't too keen on pursuing. Basically, by and large, but it wouldn't surprise me if Warmoth ramped it up a bit these days. This "split" came between a decade or two ago, and much water has ran under the bridges since then, of course. As for price differences I don't know really.
I've yet to come across any USACG bass or guitar that feel "Warmoth chunky" if that's a word. If you want chunky, you can get them like that, as well. But generally speaking, see USACG like an upscale or boutiqe Warmoth...
USA Custom Guitars | Modern technology with old-world craftsmanship
But neither USACG nor Warmoth sells junk. It's the IKEA of guitar/bass parts. It's pretty much up to snuff always. And when finishing/ending the project the IKEA effect will slowly creep into you
, and you're more satisfied than if you bought a run-of-the-mill also ran, factory assembled bass of the same kind.IKEA effect - Wikipedia
Last edited:
It can't be too hard as every Warmoth build I read about here is 'hands down/by far the best example of bass X' their owners have ever come across...'light years beyond any Fender/insert brand here'...even the ones for sale...
The most finished Warmoth products I've tried are on the chunky side. Finish on their maple neck turning purple/Pink-ish from time to time. Also when ordering something wider neck, this beats me, but the whole fretboard is wider than the neck and looks like a aircraft carrier model.
If I should make the plunge I would rather choose Usa Custom Guitars, which consists of people formerly employed by/at Warmoth. It's even some top high brass people branching out on their own. While not slagging neither of them, of why they jumped ship, they're just a bit different, and has another "modus operandi" on their agenda in which they runs business basically. But the people that quit Warmoth to form USACG, was the cream of the crop of staff, that had some raised bar in their mentality as far as Quality Check goes, that Warmoth wasn't too keen on pursuing. Basically, by and large, but it wouldn't surprise me if Warmoth ramped it up a bit these days. This "split" came between a decade or two ago, and much water has ran under the bridges since then, of course. As for price differences I don't know really.
I've yet to come across any USACG bass or guitar that feel "Warmoth chunky" if that's a word. If you want chunky, you can get them like that, as well. But generally speaking, see USACG like an upscale or boutiqe Warmoth...
USA Custom Guitars | Modern technology with old-world craftsmanship
But neither USACG nor Warmoth sells junk. It's the IKEA of guitar/bass parts. It's pretty much up to snuff always. And when finishing/ending the project the IKEA effect will slowly creep into you
IKEA effect - Wikipedia
You know, I've visited the USA page a few times and it is pretty darned confusing - you have to give it to Warmoth- their web page / configurator is well done. I do see that USA offers a 1 7/8 wide 5 string neck, which is *very* interesting to me... maybe just calling them would be a good first step!
Oh, let's be serious here - I can't build a Sadowsky... so I'm not really going to try. But the quality of materials is *clearly* better than Fender, and that's really enough for me.
There's no routing necessary, just 3 holes for the bridge plate and 4 string holes thru the body. Been so long since my Warmoth builds I can't remember for sure if they drilled thru the body or not, but pretty sure the string thru holes were done by Warmoth (the semi hollow body was custom made by a friend).
Per the request for pics:
Last edited:
Just be careful, and maybe opt to "hand pick" your body wood. especially because of the weight. Sadly, my build is downright near unusable because of the weight... 
which leads me to believe they don't care about the player, just the $$$$
So hand pick the wood. And be wary of their customer service. In my experience when something went wrong, they kept it from me. I guess hoping I'll forget that I dropped $400 on a custom body? They some how damaged the finish and had to cover it up. When it got here I could still see a little defect right on the front of the body. No compensation, they even refused to expedite the shipping after making me wait an extra month while they poorly covered up their mistake.
They wouldn't even throw in a back route cover ($12), after all the wrong they did.
Just be really careful with them. I'm sure everyone else has had a good experience. Just be really, REALLY careful with them.
which leads me to believe they don't care about the player, just the $$$$ So hand pick the wood. And be wary of their customer service. In my experience when something went wrong, they kept it from me. I guess hoping I'll forget that I dropped $400 on a custom body? They some how damaged the finish and had to cover it up. When it got here I could still see a little defect right on the front of the body. No compensation, they even refused to expedite the shipping after making me wait an extra month while they poorly covered up their mistake.
They wouldn't even throw in a back route cover ($12), after all the wrong they did.
Just be really careful with them. I'm sure everyone else has had a good experience. Just be really, REALLY careful with them.
Short scale body with a full 34" neck? Yep, better be cheap!
No snarkiness here, just to show it's not THAT easy!
Here's mine. Thrilled with it. Black Korina top, 70s bridge pickup position, Lollar pickups, stacked knob control plate. Punches through the band mix like nothing else I've ever played. Everything fit well, but I did have to shim the neck to get the action down where I want it. Not an issue really, I've had to do that to most of my basses, including a Roscoe SKB.
Attachments
If you've legitimately looked at the site I don't understand how you don't get it. All of this stuff is laid right out on their website. Everything from mounting holes, tuner holes, nut width, nut type, wood choice, neck profile, fret choice, etc. And that's just for the necks...
Did I pick the wrong body - D'OH!Short scale body with a full 34" neck? Yep, better be cheap!
No snarkiness here, just to show it's not THAT easy!
But you get my point - I hope!
IMHO you have to be able to know how to intonate and how to setup a Bass as well as soldering. I just know soldering and basic setup so I avoided it so far, but it looks great.
I have pondered over Warmoth builds many times, and admittedly I need to increase the pricing due to shipping to the EU. However...
From what I see and calculate, Warmoth is a great way to get an exact set up that is to your liking and not available without going to very specific custom manufacturers.
If you are building something that is the same spec as something of the shelf, the price does go up in comparison.
I mean, you get the enjoyment and satifaction of assembling your own instrument, but can you guys honestly say that the quality of the finished product is better than a product from a reputable company?
For example, I could build a Warmoth Jazz for around $1500 or purchase a Sandberg Jazz for around the same price (and due to my lack of free time, build time would be around 9 months on both! )
From what I see and calculate, Warmoth is a great way to get an exact set up that is to your liking and not available without going to very specific custom manufacturers.
If you are building something that is the same spec as something of the shelf, the price does go up in comparison.
I mean, you get the enjoyment and satifaction of assembling your own instrument, but can you guys honestly say that the quality of the finished product is better than a product from a reputable company?
For example, I could build a Warmoth Jazz for around $1500 or purchase a Sandberg Jazz for around the same price (and due to my lack of free time, build time would be around 9 months on both!
)
Alright, thanks! It's just hard to tell since all their bridge drilling option are labelled for their compatibility with aftermarket bridges (Gotoh, Schaller, 2Tek, etc).There's no routing necessary, just 3 holes for the bridge plate and 4 string holes thru the body. Been so long since my Warmoth builds I can't remember for sure if they drilled thru the body or not, but pretty sure the string thru holes were done by Warmoth (the semi hollow body was custom made by a friend).
Per the request for pics:
It is easy to bolt stuff together. You can bolt a Warmoth instrument together in an afternoon. The devil is in the details of setup. If you are REALLY GOOD at setting up your own basses, you will have no problem with a Warmoth build. If you are not, you will have mixed to disappointing results. In that case, recruit a local luthier to help do the build. Explain your situation and I'm sure it will be money well spent. There are tricks and traps along the way of assembly that will spell the difference between a fantastic build and an assembled instrument of mediocre quality.
I own two Warmoth builds that were luthier built. They are fantastic! I have one I put together. Everything works but it is not in the same league as the luthier built instruments. I didn't build the magic in because I don't know how. I will take it and get it fixed by my bass guru.
Understand what Warmoth is all about. Warmoth isn't there so you can build a cheap instrument just because it is disassembled / unfinished. Warmoth is there so you can build the custom instrument you want without having to endure a long wait by a custom builder, buy a CNC machine, develop a lifetime of woodworking skills, or wait 3 years for your dream instrument to show up in the used market. If you are indifferent about your instrument features or quality, there are a zillion instruments already built and ready to go for you to choose from. If you have something off the beaten path in mind, Warmoth is the place to shop for wood.
I own two Warmoth builds that were luthier built. They are fantastic! I have one I put together. Everything works but it is not in the same league as the luthier built instruments. I didn't build the magic in because I don't know how. I will take it and get it fixed by my bass guru.
Understand what Warmoth is all about. Warmoth isn't there so you can build a cheap instrument just because it is disassembled / unfinished. Warmoth is there so you can build the custom instrument you want without having to endure a long wait by a custom builder, buy a CNC machine, develop a lifetime of woodworking skills, or wait 3 years for your dream instrument to show up in the used market. If you are indifferent about your instrument features or quality, there are a zillion instruments already built and ready to go for you to choose from. If you have something off the beaten path in mind, Warmoth is the place to shop for wood.
I built a fretless Jazz out of Warmouth parts almost 30 years ago, and the neck has never given me one iota of trouble. Most stable wood neck I own, so I highly recommend Warmouth parts. I remember back in the day they had only a few finish options, amazing how customizable it is now. Pricey but worth it.
Thats a hard question to answer, bolting all the parts together is not hard. Dressing the frets, cutting the nut and any other finishing things that are done in the final set up can be tricky, takes a little experience to get those things right.
