• 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.

Warmoth 5 string necks?

R

RocktimusBass

Jan 4, 2011
32
0
47
New Albany, IN
www.rocktimusprime.org
#1
Hey everyone,

I am getting ready to build a Warmoth bass. It will basically be a souped up Jazz 5. I have some questions about the necks. I am going with an all maple neck, with black block inlays. Of the Deluxe 5 necks I think I like the 4+1 headstock the best.

My questions, for those of you who have built these before or used the warmoth necks, are how stable are these necks? Currently I have a MIM Fender 5 and the neck is pretty awful. I am constantly having to adjust the bow out of it. Do the Warmoth necks tend to stay pretty straight?

And, who here has owned the 4+1 headstock and how do you like it? The MIM I have has the 5 in a row keys and there is a crack forming up near the B string. That is my reasoning for going with the 4+1 to hopefully avoid any cracking.

This is going to be a slow project bass for me. Going to buy the body soon, I am going with swamp ash, and then I will save up for the neck.

Thanks in advance for all your answers. I am pretty new to the TB forum and I am loving how great of a community and wealth of knowledge it is. It has got me playing my basses so much more. :bassist:

Chad
 
#2
I have built several basses using Warmoth necks. They make a direct fit replacement for the MIM bodies. There are pros and cons.

Here are the pros:
1.very stable
2.nice fit and finish (frets don't need much work)
3.Fit body very well (tight but not too tight)
4.Cost is very resonable
5.you can order a pre-slotted nut
6.you can order 1 3/4 or 1 7/8" wide neck (I prefer the 1 3/4")
7.Headstock will look stock
8.they have many necks to choose from in their "In-stock" inventory so getting a neck in about a week is easily accomplished.

Here are the cons:
1. Warmoth uses steel vs. carbon fiber stiffening rods which adds to the weight of the neck
2. Warmoth only offers their "assimetrical" back countor (a bit bulky in my opinion - but can be shaved down to your liking)
3. Warmoth uses a 1/4" thick fret board wich adds to the bulk and the weight (not a big issue - just depends on how "slim" you like your neck to feel)

So-IMO if you don't mind an little bit of extra weight (8 to 10oz.) then they make great necks. Probably one of the most stable necks I've ever used. I'm in AZ where the temp can go from 35deg. to 85deg. in one day and the humidity varies between 10% and 90% throughout the year and I have never had an issue with their necks.

I also use USACG necks. Tommy builds a great neck. It's lighter due to a slimmer back contour as well as thinner fret board and carbon stiffening rods. I have had two side by side and the USAGC neck (both for MIM Fender 5rs) weighed about 12oz. lighter. The only negative to using USACG necks (not really a negative for me) is that you have to order a nut from another source and they only offer 1 7/8" wide necks. I have never had an issue with these necks either. Both make very stable necks. Word of caution using USACG necks. I would not order a neck that is less than .810 thick. this is still very thin compared to the Warmoth neck, but not so thin that it will cause stability issues.

Both companies offer direct replacements for your MIM 5r. However neither of them offer a 4 + 1 configuration for that body. they only offer the 5 in a row configuration.

Good luck on your build.
 
#3
Weight isn't too much of an issue unless the bass starts to get way too neck heavy. I am going to be doing a whole new build for the bass and I like the idea of the 4+1 headstock. If I end up liking the body and the neck I get from Warmoth I will probably replace the neck on my MIM with a 5 in-line Warmoth neck. I borrowed a friends MM bass that had a 1 3/4" neck and I loved the feel of it. So I will probably stick with Warmoth. I will still check out USACG, thanks for the info!
 
#5
I've been playing my new Warmoth 5 build a great deal in the last few days...

The neck feels dead-stable, but let me warn you of a few things: It isn't light, and it isn't "thin". I'm spoiled, since my other basses are Zon's, so I'm not too bugged, but know what you're getting into.

AND - if you are worried about stability, make sure you get the neck finished before you build the bass. Have Warmoth do it - it's not expensive.
 
#6
RocktimusBass said:
My questions, for those of you who have built these before or used the warmoth necks, are how stable are these necks? ...[snip]... And, who here has owned the 4+1 headstock and how do you like it?
Click to expand...


I got a used Warmoth 5-string fretless Jazz bass in 1998...judging by the copious lacquer checking on the body it was at least 4 or 5 years old when I got it...and to this day I have never had to adjust the trussrod. Not once. Neck is true, fingerboard is flat enough to land a jumbo jet on, action can be super-low with no buzzing/rattling. Mine's maple with a lined ebony fingerboard.

Mine is the 4+1 headstock. I really like it. But what's not to like?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
(Old pic, this bass has been disassembled for the past two years.)
 
#8
Thanks for all the info guys! Right now I am playing a MIM five that plays pretty awful, neck is pretty fat on it so I am sure the warmoth neck will feel better than what I am used to.

I have a Fender Jaguar bass that plays like a dream, so I am trying to build something that will play closer to that. I find myself going to my five more and more even though it plays bad. So the lightbulb went off the other day to build something that I will enjoy instead of suffering on the five I currently have.

Hoover, that bass is a beauty!
 
#10
RocktimusBass said:
Hoover, that bass is a beauty!
Click to expand...

You should see it now!
Dolan-Warmoth1.gif
 
#11
RocktimusBass said:
Thanks for all the info guys! Right now I am playing a MIM five that plays pretty awful, neck is pretty fat on it so I am sure the warmoth neck will feel better than what I am used to.

I have a Fender Jaguar bass that plays like a dream, so I am trying to build something that will play closer to that. I find myself going to my five more and more even though it plays bad. So the lightbulb went off the other day to build something that I will enjoy instead of suffering on the five I currently have.

Hoover, that bass is a beauty!
Click to expand...

Were I you, I'd seriously look at some some cheaper alternatives; A complete Warmoth build will NOT be inexpensive, and you run the risk of being a bit disappointed with the end result, where if you go to a store (or to a private party for a used bass) you can play before you buy, which is always good.
 
#12
Thanks for your concern about the budget aspect of the build. I know its going to be a bit pricey. But I have a few things on my side, I am a guitar repairman at a local music shop so I have a lot of knowledge when it comes to the building aspects of it and I can also get all my other parts at a pretty good deal because of the store I am in. I am not good enough to cut a body or neck, but I can assemble all the parts and make a pretty good instrument. I just recently helped a friend build his dream Strat with Warmoth parts and it turned out great. It got my GAS going to do my own build. Hopefully in the next few weeks I will be buying the body and a few weeks later I will get the neck.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back