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Warmoth Versus All Parts???

#41
Here's my 2 cents on the Warmoth vs. Allparts: I've had Jazz necks from both makers, and I truly was disappointed with the Warmoth. They were great to talk with over the phone; I like that they are made in the U.S.; still, the backbow of the neck was bad and the truss rod adjustment is virtually impossible once it is mounted on a Fender Jazz body (hex head). I paid some steep bucks for that. :( The Warmoth is up for sale and I'm going back to Allparts. Now that I think about it, I've spent way more than 2 cents!!!! Good luck!
 
#43
Are Warmoth (J) necks really "chunkier", "thicker", "fatter" or "heavier" as many people have mentioned in this thread – or is it just a myth? What is the "true" reference?

I am the happy owner of two Warmoth J's one with a Rosewood/Ebony neck and one with a Padouk/Ebony neck. To me they feel identical to an original '79 J I sold some years back – so unfortunately I can't A-B them. Anyway, here are the measures for my Warmoth necks (identical) – so maybe someone will post their references for comparison.

@ 1'st fret: height 22.2mm (0.874"), width 40.6mm (1.60")
@ 12'th fret: height 25.1mm (0.988"), width 57.0mm (2.24")
Weight: 1060g (2.34 lbs) (for the Rosewood/Ebony)

These are wood-wood numbers measured just behind the fret (no fret included). I hope, that I got the conversions right – I am from the metric part of the world. The height numbers are pretty close to the official Warmoth website numbers (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6954295&postcount=12) where you also will find that the nut width is 1.5" (1-1/2, or is it 1-8/16), which perhaps is slightly wider than the 1-7/16 which is mentioned in this old fender brochure (from an earlier thread http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6954295&postcount=12 ).

I am puzzled about that people claim that the Warmoth necks are chunky (or whatever). Perhaps it is just a perception due to the fact that the fret board wood is thicker than what I recall from the "standard" (both my fret boards are 7mm (0.28") at the 21 fret overhang). It is also possible that just the awareness that the necks have steel bars, and double expanding truss rod, makes you think that this must be a heavy neck. I agree that this probably will add a few grams to the weight but nothing that will cause a head dive (light-weight tuners will definitely kill any doubt) and it won't changes the size and shape.

I understand if people prefer the tone and feel from a classic maple/rosewood neck with a finish (it is definitely also a great tone combination) – but IMO once you have played a very fast, slick and smooth raw neck it is a point of no return.:hiding:
 
#44
I own basses with both Allparts and Warmoth necks.
The Warmoth necks are made a bit better and are reliable as hell IMHO. I think that I may have had to adjust one of them once and it has stayed damn near perfect ever since. As far as being clunky/chunky - I just cant see this. I've played Fenders with fatter necks than the Warmoths that I own. Yeah, they might be slightly fatter but I really think that this is waaay over-exaggerated.
In regards to Allparts neck, I would say that they DO have a slightly better feel and I do love mine but out of two, one of them already has a maxed truss rod...
I like both but would take Warmoth over Allparts any day.
 
#45
Warmoth necks are definitely heavier than a standard Fender or Allparts neck..it's those damn steel reinforcement bars. Are they chunkier..yes compared to the Fender Jazz basses I own. The Warmoth fretless neck I own has a thicker fingerboard. I have a Warmoth jazz body, excellent fit and finish.
:hmm: Conclusion: Warmoth Necks OK
Warmoth Bodies Great
 
#46
I know its not one of your options but consider Mighty mite necks as well. North american wood machined in Korea. I have a wormoth jazz neck and a MM jazz neck waiting for bodies. Side by side they look on the same quality level. the wormoth neck is thicker and the MM was half the cost.
 
#47
It would really be great to see some measured numbers for the apparent observed Warmoth thickness syndrome.:help:
Please grep a caliper and show us the numbers for you thin or fat necks (including any standard Fender references). It would also be nice to see some weight numbers - but that will probably require that you un-mount the neck, unless that you have some spare parts.
 
#48
ML2600 said:
It would really be great to see some measured numbers for the apparent observed Warmoth thickness syndrome.:help:
Please grep a caliper and show us the numbers for you thin or fat necks (including any standard Fender references). It would also be nice to see some weight numbers - but that will probably require that you un-mount the neck, unless that you have some spare parts.
Click to expand...

Come on be serious... I own/played numerous Fender Jazz basses and own Warmoth necks. Even Warmoth customer service acknowledges that they are heavier..they have steel reinforcement bars. Traditional Fender necks and the new necks with graphite are both lighter. Are far as fingerboard thickness 1/4" on both the Warmoth necks I have/owned. Yes there are some Fender jazz basses that are bigger but overall Warmoth necks weigh more. If you buy one made out of exotic woods you better get it weighed if you don't want an extra heavy neck. Warmoth has the individual weights available..just ask.:hmm:
 
#49
Just so you know, here's the headstock. Hard to notice the difference really. There's a little 'point' below the G tuner, and the lower surface is straight instead of curved. No big deal IMO. I love this neck.
DSC01099.jpg
 
#50
dmusic148 said:
Just so you know, here's the headstock. Hard to notice the difference really. There's a little 'point' below the G tuner, and the lower surface is straight instead of curved. No big deal IMO. I love this neck.
DSC01099.jpg
Click to expand...
Nice neck. I think you can slightly modify that little point...round it off and it would be more Fenderish?? I believe they have 20 and 21 fret and use a traditional construction for lighter weight.;)
 
#56
Mr. Ray said:
Come on be serious... I own/played numerous Fender Jazz basses and own Warmoth necks. Even Warmoth customer service acknowledges that they are heavier..they have steel reinforcement bars.
Click to expand...
I am sorry that you find my question unserious. The main part of the question was not about weight but rather about the size issue: chunky, fatter or thicker perception of the necks. The purpose of the post was just to see if someone would supply some objective facts.

Regarding the weight you are quite right - the steel bars will weigh more than the wood they replaces and exotic wood may also weigh more – but how much are we talking about?
IMO the extra weight of the steel bars doesn't hurt that much since they run along with the neck and is centered towards the heel. The weight of the tuners on the head stock is far more critical. The use of lightweight tuners can really take the heat out of any heavy neck issue relative to the steelbar/wood discussion. I am not trying to say that the steel bars are a great invention - it is a compromise. I just don't think that the practical impact really is that noticeable and it doesn't make the neck any "thicker".
 
#57
ML2600 said:
I am sorry that you find my question unserious. The main part of the question was not about weight but rather about the size issue: chunky, fatter or thicker perception of the necks. The purpose of the post was just to see if someone would supply some objective facts.

Regarding the weight you are quite right - the steel bars will weigh more than the wood they replaces and exotic wood may also weigh more – but how much are we talking about?
IMO the extra weight of the steel bars doesn't hurt that much since they run along with the neck and is centered towards the heel. The weight of the tuners on the head stock is far more critical. The use of lightweight tuners can really take the heat out of any heavy neck issue relative to the steelbar/wood discussion. I am not trying to say that the steel bars are a great invention - it is a compromise. I just don't think that the practical impact really is that noticeable and it doesn't make the neck any "thicker".
Click to expand...
The basses I own/owned with Warmoth necks have more neck dive because of the weight of the neck, (the jazz has lightweight tuners)..so yes the steel bars effect the playability, especially if you have a lighter body.The reason I said be serious I don't have to weigh a neck with steel bars to know that it is heavier than one without.It is quite obvious to me. And yes they are thicker/chunkier than the Fender jazzes I own. Again it is quite obvious to me. Thw Warmoth necks aren't bad...but it's important for the OP to know the facts.Warmoth's claim is that they don't want necks to twist and they have tried other materials with unsatisfactory results...they know more about neck construction and reliability then I do...that being said I doubt I would buy another one.:smug:
 
#58
I have both Warmoth and USACG P necks. The USACG P is super light, quality is slightly lower than the Warmoth (the frets do not seem as well seated, and the truss rod channel is not very clean)

I like the Warmoth better mainly because of the truss rod construction, the vintage truss that USACG uses will eventually lead to wood compression at the nut, like all my Fender Jazzes. And also I like a slightly fatter neck. Regarding the thickness of the neck, the profile is the same as the new American standard necks, so it is really not that fat.
 
#60
I own both. I like that you can order fretsize on the warmoth. I have banjo frets on my pbass and the action is amazing. I also find that it's an incredibly stable neck. Set it and forget it, even in the wet NW, which is of course where warmoth is located. USAG is a great option as well. I like to finish myself so the warmoth is a good value.
 

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