• From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Topic: Thinking of doing a Warmoth build...

Anyone have any experience with Warmoth?  After seeing Joe recently live with an Ernie Ball baritone/doubleneck its got me gassing for a new guitar.  I've been dying to get a nice Tele but I don't need to buy 2 guitars right now...

So I thought about going the Warmoth route and buying the parts for a double neck tele with a baritone scale on top and a regular on the bottom.  My father is super handy and has built a guitar for himself from scratch that smokes.

I'd ultimately like a guitar that I could play all of my alternate tuning stuff as well as covering some of my favorite tunes (Ballad of John Henry, Mountain Time, etc)

Anyone have any input on the quality of their stuff?  It wouldn't be a guitar that I would look to sell so resale is not an issue.  I just want a quality, killer sounding, rock solid, eye-catching, and usable guitar.  Thanks!

             -Justin

'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.
  • ken
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  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
  • Posts: 949

Re: Thinking of doing a Warmoth build...

Don't know if you're familiar with Ron Kirn, he's a custom guitar builder out of Jacksonville. He builds some of the nicest guitars I've seen (I have a thinline tele from him), and he uses warmoth necks almost exclusively. Here's a post of his opinion of Warmoth and USACG.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-d … post353460

www.ronkirn.com for some nice pictures of his work...and lots of other good info.

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2009-03-26
  • Posts: 107

Re: Thinking of doing a Warmoth build...

I bought a Warmoth Body and Neck about 15 years ago and finally finished assembling the guitar earlier this year. I would say the quality of the wood and craftsmanship was excellent. I bought the body unfinished and finished it myself. The neck was fretted but I had to cut the nut and apply finish to the bare neck wood. Unfortunately I can't tell you much about them today but from I hear their parts are high quality.

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  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Thinking of doing a Warmoth build...

If you are a rookie builder, you can go "on the cheap" with this:
http://store.guitarfetish.com/gukibuityo.html
I usually sell the parts that aren't good on ebay and replace them with brand name parts (neck, electronics, etc.)

just an idea.

I've bought saga guitar kits on ebay back in 2001 and did that sort of thing... did not regret it. Build a couple of em for the price of a warmoth body alone.

- 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
  • From: N. Little Rock, AR.
  • Registered: 2007-03-02
  • Posts: 463

Re: Thinking of doing a Warmoth build...

Warmoth makes GREAT stuff! cool

    I have a Warmoth "Soloist", that I painted Cobalt Blue Transparent. It's beautiful. All black Hardware, 2 X Pearly Gates Humbuckers. Plays like a dream, and everyone who plays it asks me to make one for them! LOL

    Do it! It'll be better than any factory guitar you have, I bet! Just take your time, and do everything the right way. It's not hard, just time consuming. But, definately worth it.
    Mine is equal to or better than ANY Suhr, Anderson, Melancon, Tyler, etc. (Insert "Boutique" Brand Name of choice) I've played. No kidding.

    You'll probably never buy another "Factory" guitar again.


    *Just make sure to assemble the whole guitar, before you paint/finish it. The Neck Heel may need a little sanding to get a perfect fit. And this is much easier when you haven't already put a nice finish on the guitar. Plus, you want to make sure the Strings are centered along the Face of the Neck. You don't want the Strings to get too close to either edge of the Neck.

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
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Thinking of doing a Warmoth build...

Thanks Budda!  Those are some good tips! big_smile
Here's the picture of the guitar in my mind:

1) Double necks--both rosewood fretboards, one Baritone scale the other normal, in the style of a Telecaster

2) Body--Swamp ash (for tone and lower weight, it is going to be basically 2 guitars lol) baritone part routed for a single humbucker, standard Tele route for the bottom part, Top route electronics, Baritone bridge will be hardtail through body, standard Tele bridge for the bottom.

3) Tuners--Fender vintage tuners

4) Electronics-- mid '70s Gibson T-Top? vintage humbucker in the Baritone bridge pickup slot, Lollar Hot Vintage Tele PU's in the standard Tele.  Angela caps and wiring kit for Telecasters.

5) Paint-- I'm torn about this.  Part of me wants a flame top but I could really save some $$$ by avoiding the stains and top veneer.  I think I'm going to go with a Goldtop finish with cream binding on the top only.

That's it I think.  I really want to make this happen for x-mas.  I also think I'm goint to have Warmoth do the finishing and stuff.  This all depends on how much my old man is up to helping me lol.
roll

'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.
  • From: N. Little Rock, AR.
  • Registered: 2007-03-02
  • Posts: 463

Re: Thinking of doing a Warmoth build...

That sounds really cool!

    If Warmoth does the finishing, ask them if they can check the fit on the Necks for you also. That way, things will be easier to assemble, when you get it.

    I'd also consider having the "Top" part of the body routed out like a semi-hollow style. This would save some weight, and also probably allow it to hang more comfortably on a Strap.

    And the Balance is VERY important, too! You don't want anything Neck-Heavy. It should balance at a nice (Approx. 45 degrees?) Angle.

    Please show PIX of the Build! It would be cool to have a "Journal" of it all coming together!

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