Warmoth jazz bass vs. mid-range jazz bass

[moonfire]

people are divided about their necks, because of the steel stiffening rods. They are rumored to affect the sound, and I certainly believe that's possible.

graphite bars are an option now.

 

[wideyes]

Yeah but you can get a few things that an MIA doesn't offer, like your choice of fret size. And for only a little bit more you can get things like pearl blocks, different woods, a slim taper neck, etc.

And it'd still be cheaper than a new MIA.

You're being pedantic, and I agree with the others - you haven't really made much of a point. Please stop trying to derail this thread.

 

[jmlee]

I kinda went half way both ways. I bought a '62 reissue MIJ Fender J-bass body on eBay and a Warmoth neck (maple, pau ferro, block inlays, cream bindings), then added Lindy Fralin pickups, Bad Ass II bridge, Audere preamp, and vintage tuners I had on hand. It weighs a ton...but sounds absolutely outstanding. I don't intend to sell it, so what do I care about resale?

It was *not* cheap to make...but every component is first rate.

Assembly is an issue if you're not technically adept. I teach engineering and that background helps.

I wondered what to do about the headstock image...I couldn't in all honesty put a Fender decal on, so I put on the one Warmoth supplied. I saw a player working with Buddy Guy on one of the Crossroads concerts playing a bass with the Warmoth logo and I thought why not?

 

[lowendgenerator]

I'll definitely go Warmoth when it comes to my next neck. The inlays on these things are sweet! Bodies, meh. I'm not as picky.

 

[KingRazor]

You're being pedantic, and I agree with the others - you haven't really made much of a point. Please stop trying to derail this thread.

I'm sorry you didn't understand my point.

I'm not attempting to derail this thread. I made a statement, others challenged it, and I offered a rebuttal. This is all perfectly normal for forum talk.

I'll agree that my first bass wasn't entirely on-topic, but I believe my sub-sequent posts have contributed, like giving people an idea of how little you can build a warmoth bass for.

But if my presence is so unwelcome, I'll simply leave with this:

A Warmoth jazz bass is a great choice if you don't care so much about resale value, but as the TB classifieds will show, you can still get something back.

Also, wideyes, you haven't contributed to this thread in anyway, so you have no room to talk.

 

[BassFrends]

I like Warmoth stuff and since Fender doesn't make a left handed 5 string Jazz bass:scowl: I built one from Warmoth parts.

I used it as my main bass for a couple of years. It's a very nice bass. Swamp ash body, maple neck, rear routed, stainless steel frets, passive set up with Bill Lawrence pickups, gotoh bridge and tuners... Was about $800, but I did the finish myself to save a few bucks (would have them do it next time).

It's a nice bass, and I would definitely do it again. I also play guitar and my main guitar is a warmoth strat, swamp ash with a quilted maple top, stained purple. They're stuff is nice! As is Fender's

 

[Doug Parent]

Warmoth rocks! Resale....ehhh.....but if you got the bucks, damn the torpedos and build YOUR bass, nothing else feels the same. I will add that if you decide to go the Warmoth route, take your TIME and get the parts you really crave to have. It will be worth it. The quality and tone from their body and neck woods are superior (in my opinion) to Fender American Deluxe. Their necks ARE chunkier but I found out I LIKE EM THAT WAY. I have a Sadowsky Metro with a much thinner neck (front to back) and the Warmoth feels better. It just feels right. Your mileage may vary however based on your preference. Fender MIM does not hold a candle to Warmoth, not even in the same universe. Peace out.

 

[Bob Lo]

I built a couple of Warmoth jazz basses,one being a one piece Mahogany body with Koa top.Goncalo neck with a pau ferro board.Bart singles with hipshot tuners and bridge.I had Warmoth finish this one,all for under $1200.I was amazed at how easy it was to set up.8 hours total, including intonation. a few adjustments for the next week and i haven't touched it since.many practices,many gigs.i do like the slim taper neck.I have a regular sized(goncalo on goncalo) too you could really notice the difference.check out the Victor Bailey sig on the Fender sight.its a heck of lot more cash for a lot less bass.IMHO....Bob

 

[Stumbo]

Here's a thread on a parts bass that's on topic: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/what-do-you-think-my-p-bass-worth-794878/

 

[Bob Lo]

If you study enough to know what you want for a bass that you you want for a certain sound , you shouldn't worry about resale,you should enjoy it and not worry about what it's going to be worth in twenty years. Besides most of those "parts basses" have some pretty good parts that aren't going to lose value.Who knows what a Warmoth neck will be worth in 20 or 25 years?

 

[BasHermus]

I've always been interested in building a Warmoth bass/guitar, but in the end, the price always put me off.
Having an instrument custom built, by a luthier is cheaper (certainly when you are in Europe, and shipping + taxes adds quite a bit to the Warmoth).

Quick calculation (based in the prices from Warmoth and all-parts) for a custom Jazz bass I had built for me a couple of months ago (with a custom neck dimensions and a custom-built preamp):
Body $295
Neck (with block inlays and binding) $425
Preamp $100
Pickups $125
ABM bridge $205
Pickguard $25
Tuners $60
Battery box $10
Neckplate $5
Controlplate $20
Strap buttons $6
Graphite nut $6
Chrome pickup cover $15
Flatwound strings $25

Total: $1322

Shipping and handling will make it 1300 euros in the Netherlands.
I paid 850 euros for mine. Completely hand-built.

So, I haven't found any reason (other than enjoying to assemble your own instrument) for going Warmoth.

 

[BasHermus]

Hmmmm...

I just saw that making that neck like I really have it (with satin vintage tint, real mother of pearl inlays and custom neck dimension) becomes something like $600+

And ordering a comparable body from scratch leads to $460...

So that adds another $340 (making it a total of $1662).

Damn, I can almost buy two custom built ones for that kind of money (which is what I did. A fretted and a fretless one)

 

[TonyP-]

I had my first warmoth built for me in my teens over 20 years ago (a PJ) and the guy I sold it to has been gigging/touring in a salsa band just about the whole time He has had it from me. His Fender J is says is His backup Go figure.

All and All I will say that their parts surpass Fender IMHO and are a noticeable higher standard across the board.

I'm stoked they they are doing the graphite...That was a good move for them.

 

[lowendgenerator]

Again. I just bought an Alder bodied, pearloid bound and blocked necked, Sadowsky HC equipped Jazz bass with a HSC for $500! This thing sounds and plays better than most MIAs I've encountered, and is cheaper than some used MIMs!

 

[joeyl]

my current PJ has been finalized, and here is how it breaks down:

Body and pickguard: 245
Neck with Warmoth finish, graphite rods option: 306
Hipshot A bridge aluminum used: 70
Pickups: Nordstrand P used: 80
SGD J new: 100
Pots, rotary switch and misc electronics: 40
Finish supplies (primer, lacquer, color coats, sandpaper etc) for body (not counting my time) 100
Hipshot ultralite tuners: 80
Hipshot dtuner used: 45
Stewmac micarta nut: 8
String retainer, Fender round: 6
Straploks: 20
Neck plate and screws I had already: 0
Let's say shipping for all the parts is 100

total : $1180
Less than a new Fender American standard, with lots more options that you won't find in stores unless you order from the Fender Custom Shop.

 

[electracoyote]

total : $1180
Less than a new Fender American standard, with lots more options that you won't find in stores unless you order from the Fender Custom Shop.

That's pretty typical. No one wants to cut corners with their custom build. You see how the neck will look with blocks and binding, you go for it. You know how much more stable it will be with upgraded hardware, you go for it. You know how much better it will sound with premium pickups, you go for it.

I just sold a Warmoth Jazz build as follows: Candy Apple Red over ash body, vintage tint neck with vintage frets, routed for active electronics, Fender premium pickups, Badass bridge, ultra light tuners, Drop D Tuner on string 4, locking strap buttons.

Probably close to $1K after I paid a tech to help with a couple of things. Beautiful bass in every respect.

Sold for $400.00 in a HSC.

 

[KingRazor]

Man all this makes me GAS for a Warmoth bass.

 

[wideyes]

I paid 850 euros for mine. Completely hand-built.

Maybe I'm out of the loop, but that seems like a fantastic price for a handmade instrument! I haven't found any handmade instruments in the US for less than ~$1500, and those are all stock builds, with custom work demanding a higher price again. Although maybe it's just the basses I look at

 

[KingRazor]

Maybe I'm out of the loop, but that seems like a fantastic price for a handmade instrument! I haven't found any handmade instruments in the US for less than ~$1500, and those are all stock builds, with custom work demanding a higher price again. Although maybe it's just the basses I look at

Yeah, I'd like to know what custom builder out there sells their work for under $1000...

 

[7thbass]

Played one years ago. Big fat neck, played better than any Fender fretless i had seen, and probably better than any I have seen since.

I met a guy in Houston that would take all the parts and build them into a bass for $125.00. I would go that route, if I wanted it to look nice and work.