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Warmoth build questions (probably dumb ones)

M

Mola Ram

Jan 18, 2010
260
3
Chicago
#1
So...I've been thinking about going back to my roots and getting a passive 5 string fender...problem is I'm a picky bastard and nothing I can find right now fits into my price range or what I like aesthetically. Someone suggested I look into Warmoth and from what I see it does look like the best bet for what I want but I had a few questions for you all.

Standard vs deluxe: Can someone tell me the differences? Mainly is one smaller than the other? I thought I remember hearing that Standards were bigger but I'm not sure. Will both of these be compatible with the 4+1 Warmoth Necks?

Also, I was thinking about possibly getting a P body with a J+J configuration...mostly because I believe the P bodies do seem a bit smaller. This possible with Warmoth?

Now that I think about it I probably jsut could have emailed the company but what the hell...maybe someone out there has some experience with them and can fill me in on some stuff.

Thanks!
 
#4
I just built a Warmoth 5, so I guess I'm a good guy to ask about this.

I bought a body and neck from their on-hand stock, so it was not *exactly* what I would have specified, but the parts are very well done. Here's what I built:

Body: Swamp Ash 5 string J style, dual soapbar route with the pickups toward the bridge (The neck p'up is about 1/2 between the neck & bridge, farther from the neck than is typical). Body is finished clear, was routed for rear-mounted controls, strings-thru body and an 18volt preamp.

Neck: Lightly flamed maple with rosewood fingerboard 4+1 J "Deluxe" neck. unfinished.

Electronics: Bartolini P'ups & 3 band Preamp wired for 9 volts (I don't get the point of an 18volt preamp);

Hardware: Hipshop A bridge, chrome, 19mm; Hipshot ultralight tuners

So that's the details.

What do I think of the end result? The jury is still out. The bass is rather heavy - not a shock for any 5 string, but it is worth mentioning. There is a bit of neck-dive, as Warmoth 5 string necks are famously heavy. The neck it self is quite playable, but it is not as "skinny" as I like (I normally play a Zon 5, some I'm spoiled).

How does it sound? *FUNKY*. Not like a J - at least not with both p'ups open wide - more like a Ken Smith. This bass would be very cool in a deep modern funk setting; It slaps very nicely and is quite crisp sounding. To this point, I've had a hard time getting a big "Round" sound of it - if there's a "P" sound in it, I haven't heard it (I blame the p'up positioning on this). But with both p'ups open wide and a flat EQ, it sounds like a J bass bridge pickup on steroids. It's a cool sound, but a sound I'm not sure I'm entirely happy with.

Okay, but as for your build, know this: Warmoth does a GREAT job with their wood and finishes - the neck pocket fit on this bass is so much better than any Fender I've ever owned - it is dead-nuts precise and tight. The finish is excellent, the wood quality great. But Warmoth isn't perfect: The neck is a little chunky and a little heavy. Which really is about the only "Warmoth related" Gripe I can think of.

If you went with a Deluxe P-5 body and a 4+1 neck, I suspect your neck dive would be a bit more pronounced than mine... And Warmoth does not now offer the 5 string neck in any profile other than what they sold me - which, like I said, is a little chunky.

It actually seems to me that you should be looking at the Carvin B5000...
 
#6
Mola Ram said:
Standard vs deluxe: Can someone tell me the differences? Mainly is one smaller than the other? I thought I remember hearing that Standards were bigger but I'm not sure. Will both of these be compatible with the 4+1 Warmoth Necks?
Click to expand...

The "Standard" is modeled on the 20-fret Standard Jazz 5, while the "Deluxe" is modeled on the long-time 22-fret American Deluxe Jazz 5. The American Deluxe was changed last year, but the Victor Bailey V signature model still uses that 22-fret shape. I don't think either is really smaller in terms of length or width--the lower horn is just shorter on the Deluxe.

The necks are not interchangable, since the Standard neck has 20 frets (or maybe 21 with an overhang) and the Deluxe has 22 with no overhang. The samples of the Standard 5 necks all have 5-inline tuners, but you might ask if Warmoth can do a Standard 5 neck with 4+1 tuners.

Mola Ram said:
Also, I was thinking about possibly getting a P body with a J+J configuration...mostly because I believe the P bodies do seem a bit smaller. This possible with Warmoth?
Click to expand...

You can get a "Deluxe 5" P-bass body (22 frets) with a J+J configuration. I don't think you can get a Standard 5 body in a P-bass shape, at least not yet.

Mike
 
#7
Hey Harry, thanks for the info!

In regards to the pickup placement was that something you did after you got the body from Warmoth? I didn't see anywhere on their site to specify placement.

I'm ok with some neck dive. I just like the tighter look of the P body...thought it would be pretty awesome if they let me do a Jazz Dinky with a Deluxe neck...I dig that body design a lot for some reason.

That carvin does look very similar to what I'm going for, but I have my heart set on pearloid block fret inlays on rosewood or possibl ebony. That plus the Olympic White body with a black pickguard and black hardware = drool.
 
#8
Mola Ram said:
Hey Harry, thanks for the info!

In regards to the pickup placement was that something you did after you got the body from Warmoth? I didn't see anywhere on their site to specify placement.
Click to expand...

No - it was a pre-made body and had that arrangement. I took a risk, ya know.

Mola Ram said:
I'm ok with some neck dive. I just like the tighter look of the P body...thought it would be pretty awesome if they let me do a Jazz Dinky with a Deluxe neck...I dig that body design a lot for some reason.
Click to expand...

The Dinky' P body would be way too small for the deluxe 5 neck, I'm thinking. And you *say* you're okay with neck-dive... But man, I'm talking NECK DIVE. I can deal with some, but this might be over the top. But I do agree, the dinky 5 p body is nice - kinda PRS looking.

Mola Ram said:
That carvin does look very similar to what I'm going for, but I have my heart set on pearloid block fret inlays on rosewood or possibl ebony. That plus the Olympic White body with a black pickguard and black hardware = drool.
Click to expand...

You can get pearl inlays on a Carvin. Heck, you can get ANYTHING you want on a Carvin. Just because it's not an option you see, don't assume the worst. CALL THEM.
 
#9
Other things to consider are USA Custom Guitars and All Parts for necks and bodies. I've got a boutiquey relic'd precision that started with a USACG body and an all parts neck, and I love it to pieces. Not sure how those companies compare for the specifics of a 5 string jazz, but in my limited experience, mixing and matching from different companies can be a great way to get what you want.

My one bit of advice regarding custom DIY builds: be mindful of all the random choices you make. If you get into strange body woods paired with strange fingerboards, and then factor in odd pickup types/positions, you can end up with a really unpredictable sounding bass. Might be cool, might be awful. Sometimes you'll see dudes who fall in love with all the exotic options and let it derail their ultimate goal.
 
#11
Thank you again for all the information everyone...hah, I'm now starting to feel like I almost have too many options.

Harry, which nut width did you get on yours?

I also don't know what it is but I am REALLY liking the Deluxe 5 P design...that shorted bottom horn really changes the look.
 

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