• 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

#121
I've built about 15 Warmoths for myself and a few local clients. Mounting hardware (tuners bridges strap locks etc) requires using the right tools, pre drilling the correct size pilots, getting everything all straight correct alignment and spacing. Minor deviations in measurement can result in a bass that is out of whack. It can be an expensive learning process. Know what wood selection is going to match your tone goals. Roger Sadowsky said an electric bass is first and foremost an acoustic instrument. Michael Tobias agreed, it's the wood. If you want a solid punchy bass with usable low end that has lots of tight definition that you need to know the difference between lightweight ash versus medium weight alder, korina etc. Contrary to what people say about graphite rods, I don't use them unless a client requests it. Steel rods impart a very consistent result. I've played many Fender Deluxes with graphite rods and the tone was inconsistent, one B string to the next. You want a stiff neck. Good luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rmars, bassdude51, comatosedragon and 2 others
#122
Warmoth Jazz body in Seafoam Green, Allparts vintage tinted neck, the rest - but the control plate and the Fender MIJ bridge - is Fender Vintage Reissue '62 : tuners, PG and PU's (Original Vintage). I had to install the nut (Tusq). Strung with Rotosound 77.

DSCN3086 R2.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: murphy and kkaarrll
#126
Bare Bass said:
Yeah, it was a learning curve for me. I probably ordered months before I should have, before I really knew what I was looking for. But I like the thicker neck, I like variety in general, but I'm totally sold on Moses necks for speed, stiffness, and even response. I also have a Wish bass JB, with an even thicker neck, and I dig the almost upright vibe of how that feels. (I'm a fretless player.)

The Warmoth neck I got is a five-string Wenge shaft and Bocote fingerboard with a polyurethane finish. I put Labella Black Nylons on that. Delano SBC quad coil pickups. Can get a great Jaco-esque burp but can also get a pretty good modern, highly articulate hi-fi sound. I gotta take some decent pics sometime and post on the Warmoth Owners thread.
Click to expand...

Yeah, they don't offer a slim 5 string - which really bums me. I'm considering my next build will be based on USA Custom body/ neck
 
  • Like
Reactions: bdplaid
#128
SanDiegoHarry said:
Yeah, they don't offer a slim 5 string - which really bums me. I'm considering my next build will be based on USA Custom body/ neck
Click to expand...

Harry I don't think we've met even though we are both in San Diego. I started contouring Warmoth Deluxe V necks to get a more "slim" version. Matter of fact I have a few for sale if you ever want to look at one. 5 string. Thin, front to back. I did a couple of necks for @gustobassman
 
  • Like
Reactions: pjbassist, Steve-Mo, gustobassman and 1 other person
#129
It's not hard at all to put together a Warmoth Bass.

Perhaps the hard part is deciding on wood, finishes and hardware.

It's gonna cost you around $750 and up for a complete bass if you buy a finished body and neck from Warmoth's "In Stock" inventory. Even more if you place an order for finish choices. You can easily sink a "grand" depending.

Keep in mind that you do not want to buy a Warmoth bass body that weighs more than 5 lbs or you are getting close to that high 9 lbs and up range. Warmoth actually has some bodies that are over 6 lbs! Now that's in the 11 lbs range! YIKES! If you want a bass that is under 9 lbs, look for an 4 lbs 8 oz body or lighter.

Keep in mind that Warmoth's standard necks have steel rods that adds about 8 oz to the bass' weight. The carbon rod necks cost extra.

Warmoth's necks are Fender Licensed but the headstock's are obvious "off" compared to Fender's headstocks. IMHO, I do not like Warmoth's headstocks. They are wrong.

In my experience, Warmoth's neck rout in the body has a more rounded heel than a Fender. So, I'm saying that a Fender neck does't fit so good into a Warmoth body. But, a Warmoth neck fit's ok into a Fender body.

Their necks are nicely made but once again, the headstock is off.

My favorite neck for building basses is Allparts which are made in Japan. The P necks are pretty much early 70s specs 1-5/8". The J necks are 1/16th wider. Specs listed on website. Best place to buy Allparts is Ebay.

Consider saving the time and effort and buy a nice used bass right here on TalkBass. Best prices!

Good luck
 
#130
Doug Parent said:
Harry I don't think we've met even though we are both in San Diego. I started contouring Warmoth Deluxe V necks to get a more "slim" version. Matter of fact I have a few for sale if you ever want to look at one. 5 string. Thin, front to back. I did a couple of necks for @gustobassman
Click to expand...

Yeah Doug, we have met - I'm not sure where - but I recall shaking your hand & whatnot. I might be interested - but I'd also really like it if they offered a 1 7/8 nut neck!

And this neck-shim talk - baffling. I think that you're right - the old BA bridges raised the strings so much you had to adapt.
 
#132
Doug Parent said:
Harry I don't think we've met even though we are both in San Diego. I started contouring Warmoth Deluxe V necks to get a more "slim" version. Matter of fact I have a few for sale if you ever want to look at one. 5 string. Thin, front to back. I did a couple of necks for @gustobassman
Click to expand...
I have wondered about that myself - if they have enough wood to thin it. However, my experience has been: the thinner the neck, the more prone to dead spots.
 
#133
bassgrackle said:
My problem with building a Warmoth is the resale value vs a parts Fender. On reverb.com right now you can build an American Jazz Bass for $800. To build a Warmoth of the same caliber will cost $800-$1000. And the resale value of the Fender is going to be much higher because of the name on the headstock. And like many have said you don't know what you are getting tone wise, until you complete the build. So I would much rather build a bass that I can get a return on vs a bass that I may get half of what it cost to build.
Click to expand...

If you're a flipper, Warmoth isn't for you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: comatosedragon and Doug Parent

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back