Nothing is ordered yet, still planning, so I could go a few different directions - what I asked about above is the easiest/cheapest route. Warmoth does the drilling and I don't need to pay extra for custom string spacing on the pickups or fill/drill bridge holes myself
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The cheapest route would be for the Gotoh 301 prep which is the same as any standard Fender 18mm bent plate bridge. No string through and by far the least expensive hardware options. A traditional Fender bridge can be found for practically nothing, in fact I probably have one I would give you. The standard bent plate bridge has proven it's worthiness and functionality for decades.
I guess I should say cheapest/easiest option for that bridge! I'm fairly set on that one
Appreciate the comments, thank you
So I can see that their standard Hipshot A prep for 5 string is for the 17.5mm (.687") and you want 18mm (.708"). This would only (maybe) be a problem if you wanted to string through the body. I bet the mounting screw spacing is the same across the board, you may check with Hipshot on that, they are very accessible and responsive usually.
You could also ask Warmoth if they could adjust the spacing for the string through but they tend to be less flexible on this kind of thing.
Alternately, you could just get the 17.5mm and space it out as much as possible, you may or may not get to 18mm. Doesn't sound like a lot but it's a total difference of 2.5mm. You'll probably have to just about pin the B & G to the outside and space the others evenly... this won't give you much adjustment if needed to match the pole pieces of the pickups.
You could also ask Warmoth if they could adjust the spacing for the string through but they tend to be less flexible on this kind of thing.
Alternately, you could just get the 17.5mm and space it out as much as possible, you may or may not get to 18mm. Doesn't sound like a lot but it's a total difference of 2.5mm. You'll probably have to just about pin the B & G to the outside and space the others evenly... this won't give you much adjustment if needed to match the pole pieces of the pickups.
That's a good idea on contacting hipshot, I will do that. But I'm hoping spacing all the way out on the 17.5 will be enough...
Based on this diagram, the mounting holes are all in different locations for the different Hipshot A bridges: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
But with a ruler out looking at the bridges I have laying around, and consulting that diagram, I think I'll be just fine going with the 17.5mm bridge and stretching it for 18mm pickup spacing - the difference is less than a tenth of an inch (2mm)
But with a ruler out looking at the bridges I have laying around, and consulting that diagram, I think I'll be just fine going with the 17.5mm bridge and stretching it for 18mm pickup spacing - the difference is less than a tenth of an inch (2mm)
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
I've posted elsewhere on this topic...many times. If you are building a Warmoth Deluxe V and installing pickups that are spec'd for Fender spacing, your will need to get a bridge that will accommodate 18.3 mm spacing. Otherwise your strings will not be in the correct alignment over the pickup pole pieces. A 17.5 Hipshot bridge will be too narrow for that application. a .708 would be better and a .728 (18.5mm) is IDEAL. Warmoth does not pre-drill for .708 or .728 Hipshot bridge. In my opinion this is a gross oversight on their part as 17.5 mm spacing is NOT Fender spec for 5 strings. I've contacted them many times they are never going to spend the money to reprogram their CNC for this specification. When I build up a bass from scratch I order the body with no bridge holes drilled with the exception of a bridge ground wire route which will also give you a center reference hole. I use that hole to get started but position the bridge in the correct spot and drill my own holes. Just fyi hope that helps.
Thanks Doug. I'm building either a G5 or Gecko (narrow) and planning on nordstrand soapbars, which are standard at 18mm. They will do custom spacing for a small extra charge, though I'd of course rather find a used set, which is probably impossible if I hold out for a custom spacing
I'm not comfortable locating the bridge myself, but I could handle filling the 17.5 outer holes and re-drilling for 18
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
Been there done that. Dowling the holes for 17.5mm and re drilling for 18mm will land you in trouble. Those holes are too close and you will end up with a dogs breakfast. Just FYI
If you are not dead set on 18mm spacing, it seems that the $20 up-charge for the 17.mm pickups is a small price to pay to get everything ordered to match without fussing about with re-drilling and such. Especially if that is the spacing that Warmoth has designed the bass around.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
A Warmoth Deluxe V is a mishmash of Fender 5 string specs ranging from early 90's 17.5 spacing with a 2010 American Deluxe width neck that uses 18.3 spacing. It's not something they are willing to update. Some one please explain to me why Warmoth will pre-drill for string ferrules for string through option AT 19 mm but won't pre-drill for a 19mm bridge?
I hear ya...it doesn't really seem like it should be that much trouble to make the necessary changes to the CNC settings. They probably just don't want to offer to many options for fear of getting stuck with oddball stuff should they have to take a return.
I was referring to Noylin's build in specific though, he is building a Gecko or G5 which are really Warmoth designs not Fender.
Yeah, the $20 upcharge isn't much on the face of it, but if you compare to what a used set runs vs buying new and custom, it's a decent chunk. Plus, I can't predict if I'll want to keep the pickups until I hear them in the bass, and resale would take a hit for non standard spacing. Maybe I should consider a bar magnet design...
It does seem odd where warmoth draws the lines between what they will and won't do sometimes
It does seem odd where warmoth draws the lines between what they will and won't do sometimes
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
A G5 is a different shaped body with American Deluxe V specs.
You can adjust the bridge all you want, but are the Warmoth 5 string necks wide enough for 18mm spacing? If not you may have strings falling off the ends of the frets.
The Gecko may be an issue but their Fender style replacement necks should have no problems with 18mm spacing.
I'm lucky enough to be borrowing a gecko right now, narrow, with a hipshot A bridge. Perfect! The 17.5mm bridge can get at least very very close to 18mm spacing; I think it gets there. However, the strings would be very close to the edge on the narrow neck - too close for me. You could do it no problem on a deluxe 5 neck. Gecko medium they drill for 19, so a different ballgame
