Warmoth Balance

[billhilly66]

Yes, I did a search first.

I’m looking to do a Warmoth P-bass and I’d like to know how heavy the body needs to be to balance the extra weight of a Warmoth P-bass neck. I’ve built a jazz and a gecko but used heavier wood for the bodies so balance wasn’t an issue on them.

What has me worried is that I checked out a guy’s Warmoth jazz back in the late 80’s and it was way neck heavy to the point that the headstock would whack my knee when I let go of the neck. Anybody have an approximate weight the body needs to be to make it balance?

 

[superfunk47]

I never had any problems with a Warmoth neck causing bad balance. Both of the ones I had balanced fine with regular tuners.

 

[Dan Knowlton]

You could also shift where the back end straplock is located...

Dan K.

 

[mongo2]

The weight of Warmoth necks is what started me on my quest for lightweight tuners.

 

[irishryno]

schaller standard fender style tuners are the lightest of the fender style i have found. i use them on my geddy

 

[BioDriver]

You could also shift where the back end straplock is located...

Dan K.

+1. Also, look into lightweight tuners and/or a high mass bridge.

 

[Ten Four One]

Fender basses have the strap button at the 12th fret. Not all basses do. Neck dive is generally not a problem thanks to this.

 

[groove pump]

Good call on the upper horn length. A full sized body will extend the location of the strap button up to between the 12th and 11th frets. That's exactly what I look for in a Fender styled body... actually I want that in pretty much any body or else the bass is probably going to be too neck heavy.

I've got a Warmoth neck (maple/rosewood) on my primary J bass and the body is a full sized ESP Jazz clone that's really hefty. Haven't had the type of wood identified yet, but it's a long way from a few lighter ones I've sampled. The beef probably helps with both the big attack and tone in this passive bass and the balance isn't a nuisance. It's actually at least as good as my mildly lighter Jazz that has a US Fender neck and a Warmoth body made of what looks like ash that's not crazy heavy.

I'd bet that as long as you get a full sized body and you stay away from a real feather-weight you'll balance okay.

 

[ehque]

Either going with ultralight tuners or a USACG neck (if you're not looking for exotic woods) would be my recommendation...

 

[grifff]

You could also shift where the back end straplock is located...

Dan K.

You mean moving it up right? Away from the controls? I really need to do something like this because I love my neck high in the air(it's easier to reach the lower notes.)