1 (edited by Logo33 2009-08-20 18:12:51)

Topic: Neck Wood

I am toying with the idea of getting a guitar made from warmoth. I have already decided on the body, and that is gonna be a strat shape with a mahogany back, and laminate maple top. I am sort of going for the LP meets Strat thing. I want to essentially put the Eric Clapton set up in it... lace sensor golds with the on-board mid-boost. Now for the neck. I want to get crazy and try something new/different. I know i want the fingerboard to be Brazilian rosewood. but as far as the rest of the neck goes... i know maple is commonly used, but isnt that a little on the bright side? I was thinking about using Indian rosewood or mahogany  for its warmth. Another thing I am considering is making it a 24 3/4th scale, so it truly would be a strat meets LP.  Anyways, if anyone has any input that would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks,
Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.

Re: Neck Wood

Sounds like a cool idea!  I like the Gibson scale length idea and thought about doing a Tele with that scale length as well.  What fretwire are you going to go with?  I'd probaby go either medium/wide (typical LP fretwire) or extra Jumbo.  The shorter scale alone will "warm" the guitar up a bunch.  The Lace Sensors are also beefier than the typical single coil pickup.  If it were me I would make the body and neck mahogany with a maple top.  Just be careful because mahogany is alot softer and breakable compared to maple so do not drop the guitar!  I've done some downright evil things to my Strat and it never skips a beat whereas my other guitars I have to baby.  I'd love some clips when you get the thing put together!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

Re: Neck Wood

Thanks for the help! I am going to use 6130 (i think) fretwire... I read that it is most commonly used in Gibson necks. Yeah, I know what you mean about mahogany being softer, I used to have an SG that tipped off the stand, and needless to say the outcome was not pretty. I will definitely post pictures/clips when I get it, but don't expect it for quite some time haha, there are a couple of amps that I would like to track down before I start that project.


Thanks,
Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.

Re: Neck Wood

Sounds like it'll be pretty Warm and Fat sounding! Cool!

    I'd be tempted to put a P-90 in the bridge, though! (That's just for me though. I LOVE the Soapbars!).

    Cocobolo is really nice. It's a type (I think) of Rosewood. Beautiful looking, and also a Warm sounding wood. Pau Ferro is similar in appearance and tone also, I think. But, both are georgous.

    You're gonna dig the Warmoth stuff! Top shelf. Also, check out USACG. They are (I think) ex-Warmoth employees, who also make top shelf stuff.

    Are you going to assemble the guitar yourself? Or, have Warmoth do it?

    I ask for a couple of reasons. One reason concerns Rosewood, Cocobolo, etc. When sanding these woods, you need to use a mask and LOTS of ventilation. These woods' dust and particles can cause some serious health problems. Cancer, lung problems, etc.
    DON'T STRESS!
    It's not a problem other than when sanding, etc. You guys with Rosewood Fretboards, etc. don't have to be worried about playing guitars with them. And I think problems usually only come up with people who work with these woods quite a lot. A "One or Two guitars" builder is probably never going to have to worry.
    Also, simple precautions are all that is needed. No need for being scared. Just cautious and informed.

    Another reason I ask, concerns Finishing and Assembly. Before painting or finishing the guitar, make sure you completely assemble it and set it up. Even though the Neck and Body may be made by one of the top parts suppliers like USACG or Warmoth, the Neck and Body will almost always need some sanding, and maybe a slight bit of carving to assure a proper fit.
    You don't want to get them painted all pretty, and find out that the Neck Pocket needs a little wood shaved off of one side, etc. (Like I found out, during my first build! D'oh! roll).
    Also, stringing it up and making sure the Low and High E Strings run along the edge of the Fretboard without getting too close to the edges, etc. is vital! On just about every guitar you see, you can look at how the E Strings are laying, as compared to the edges of the Fretboard.
    Generally, one of the E Strings will get very close to the edge, at some point. So, it's usually best to have that happen on the Low Estring, up above the 12th. Fret. (As this area is usually the least used area of the Fretboard). You don't want the High E String running off, or too close to the edge!

    Nothing too scary here! Just a couple of things to be aware of, before assembly and finishing.

    If the Supplier is going to send them pre-finished, make sure to have them also "Fit" the Neck to the Body for you. That way, you don't screw up a perfectly good, brand new finish! LOL

    And I gotta say this: The guitars you make from these parts can be every bit as good as the best dtuff on the market. Paying particular attention to the fitting of parts, and the set-up, etc. will yield a TOP QUALITY Instrument. Seriously good stuff.
    Every time I go to Memphis and play the Tylers, Melancons, Suhrs, Andersons, etc., I start drooling over them, and seriously GASSING for one.
    Then, I play my Warmoth "Soloist" styled guitar, and realize just how truly fine it is.

    And it looks just the way I wanted it. Custom Shop? Yeah, my own "Custom Shop"! And 1/2 (or less!) the Price.

    Rock On, Rock Soldier! You're gonna dig it!


    As far as Scale Length, the shorter "Gibson" Scale Length, will yield easier String Bending, and less String Tension. This will yield (again) a Fatter, Warmer Tone to the guitar. However, the Clarity and String Definition will be different than the longer "Fender" Scale Length. The longer Scale yields a tighter feel, with more String Tension. And the Tone will have more emphasis on the higher end. It will also have more String to String Definition.
    So, Scale Length is possibly the most important overall factor to consider. It affects the overall Tone, as well as the Feel of the Instrument. So, choose carefully here. Play a LOT of guitars at the Music Stores, compare (as much as possible) Apples to Apples.

    For Example:
Putting Humbuckers into a 25 1/2" Scale, Bolt-On Neck Guitar, will not make it sound like a Les Paul. Even if you use a Mahogany Body with a Maple Cap, and a Mahogany Neck.
    Just as putting Single Coils into a Les Paul, won't make it sound like a Strat.
    Coil-Splitting HB PUs won't really yield "Strat Tones" either.

    That type of thing. Not that any of those strategies is bad. Far from it! big_smile
    It's just that Scale Length and Neck Construction (Bolt-On vs. Dovetailed vs. Neck-Through), are (to me, anyway.), MUCH more important than the other choices you'll need to make.


    Hope this helps.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner

Re: Neck Wood

Budda-

That helped a TON! This is the first guitar that I am "building" so I am going to have them do all the body work/painting and I will tackle that project later on... perhaps my next one? I will consider the p-90 in the bridge as well! I love the way they sound in Gibsons, I think it would sound fantastic in the warmoth!

Thanks,
Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.

Re: Neck Wood

If you're going to go crazy... get a fanned fret neck!
http://www.novaxguitars.com/parts-acces … -guit.html

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool

7 (edited by Budda 2009-08-20 20:52:39)

Re: Neck Wood

Here's some PIX of things I've built, or an building:

Warmoth Soloist, with 2 Pearly Gates PUs. It's the Pepe LwPew Signature Model. If you go see Pepe in concert, this is the guitar he's playing. big_smile

[img]http://www.axcessmypics.com/photos/photo05/95/90/28f9646e0f37.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.axcessmypics.com/photos/photo05/31/c8/fb13d41739be.jpg[/img]

Latest build is a Strat style, that my friend painted for me. It's got a clear Pickguard, and a set of Lollars going into it! cool

I'll see if I can find some PIX of it.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner

Re: Neck Wood

PIX didn't seem to work? I'll try again, later. Gotta go to work!

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner