Warmoth Build Question

[MetalThrasher]

Has anyone here done a Warmoth build? I'm thinking about doing one, but I have a few questions. I would have them cut and assemble the necessary parts. As far as the rest of the stuff you do on your own, how difficult is it to do? Aiming for a star body, Floyd, one pickup, one volume.

 

[Code001]

It's pretty easy and straight forward, especially if you have them install the bushings for the Floyd and drill the neck to mate the body. I'd recommend paying them to paint/finish everything they can, too. Probably the biggest thing is you'll want fret work done after it's made since the ends tend to be a bit unfinished, and the frets can sometimes not be perfectly level if you're aiming for super low action. Take your time, go slow, enjoy the build.

 

[Randy R]

a tung oil finish

 

[MetalThrasher]

Dumb question, what's the difference between the angled pickup placement vs a normal pickup placement? I want to do a normal pickup placement.

 

[Code001]

Dumb question, what's the difference between the angled pickup placement vs a normal pickup placement? I want to do a normal pickup placement.

If you use their online interactive builder, it shows an example of what angled vs non-angled looks like. Kinda EVH-esque. https://warmoth.com/index.php/star-body-builder

 

[rottingcorpse]

I just started my first Warmoth build,and a star body too.
Going for a TOM bridge because it's going to be a guitar for my truck.
I had them put the bushings for the bridge in for me.
About to go pick it up from my sisters house and ship it off to the painter next week.
Gonna go hog wild on the neck. Roasted flamed maple neck and fingerboard.
Good luck on your build. Call Warmoth with any questions,they are super helpful.

 

[DaveShred86]

I'm left handed so my guitars are Warmoth builds (3 of them). I am very happy about the results, a local luthier here assembled it and sounds like charm.

 

[PDC]

a tung oil finish

Hey Randy, 2-part question here: 1) what brand tung oil do you use and 2) does it lay down matte / satin once dry? I used to used Formbys and it always finished a beautiful satin - now even the product designated ‘satin’ finishes out way too glossy for my tastes. Any experience and feedback appreciated. Thank You!

 

[PDC]

Has anyone here done a Warmoth build? I'm thinking about doing one, but I have a few questions. I would have them cut and assemble the necessary parts. As far as the rest of the stuff you do on your own, how difficult is it to do? Aiming for a star body, Floyd, one pickup, one volume.

Virtually my entire arsenal is Warmoth and Musikraft stuff I have assembled at home. I love doing it and love the finished product. Great advice on this thread so far. If you’re going Floyd, let Warmoth install the bushings for you. If you do want a painted finish, let them handle that as well. If all you are doing is assembly and set up it will turn out great and as long as you relax and do not put yourself on a deadline or a schedule you’ll have a great time doing it. My learning curve was in the soldering department. I have gone from soldering like a junior high kid to getting some results that look ‘almost’ factory clean.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

There's really nothing to it if your main task is assembly. As long as you can use a screwdriver and soldering iron you should be good to go. Getting both the neck and body from Warmth it should all fit together like a charm. the neck pocket and any built in neck angle will all be taken care of. The only issues I've seen is when people try to use cheap Chinese parts. They aren't all standards sizing and don't always fit the way they need to.

If you're doing the painting/finishing yourself, that can be a little difficult to get it looking showroom good if you're not experienced. Natural wood or staining and rub-on oil finish like linseed oil or tru-oil is by far the easiest. By it's nature oil won't have a much of a mirror finish like lacquer or varnish will but done well will still look like it came from the factory.

Painting is mostly about doing all the prep work properly and having a good spray technique. With a solid base to start and spraying with nice even coats you can get a showroom finish with rattle cans. Though I would suggest staying far away from Krylon. Even if you get a great finish, over time it will crack and start looking fucked up. I've had good long term results results with rustoleum and duplicolor. I've been liking Varathane for the clear coat. Poly tends to take less time to fully cure and and is less reactive to stuff than lacquer.

As far as the angled pickup goes, there's not much difference between that and straight. Depending on which way it's angled it can give you a slightly different bass & treble response. To my ears this effect is marginal at best especially with humbuckers. With humbuckers it's more about pole spacing influencing the sound and more applicable when you have a pickup designed with mismatched coils. With an angled humbucker (assuming the bobbins are not offset) one coil's bass side poles will be more aligned with those strings than the other. and vice-versa on the treble side. That translates to each coil having more influence on the either the bass or treble than the other. Angling a humbucker with mismatched coils can help achieve a desired tone/effect.

Let me know if you have any specific questions. I've been hobby building guitars from 100% scratch for the last 20 years or so. I'm no expert on the subject but I've learned over 1000 ways of how to fuck things up.

I haven't been there for a while, but head over to MIMF.com There's a wealth of info from professional luthiers over there.

 

[Randy R]

Hey Randy, 2-part question here: 1) what brand tung oil do you use and 2) does it lay down matte / satin once dry? I used to used Formbys and it always finished a beautiful satin - now even the product designated ‘satin’ finishes out way too glossy for my tastes. Any experience and feedback appreciated. Thank You!

I will check tonight, but I think the one I used is the true oil brand, I did a few very thin. Coats

 

[Searay]

It's pretty easy if you understand the basics of set-up and solder. I've done two builds and didn't screw anything up. They are strat type single pu with Floyds, but I wanted to select my own components. Knowing what you want is a big part of a successful build.

 

[Randy R]

Hey Randy, 2-part question here: 1) what brand tung oil do you use and 2) does it lay down matte / satin once dry? I used to used Formbys and it always finished a beautiful satin - now even the product designated ‘satin’ finishes out way too glossy for my tastes. Any experience and feedback appreciated. Thank You!

I will check tonight, but I think the one I used is the true oil brand, I did a few very thin coats

 

[MadAsAHatter]

@Searay aside from wanting satin, what type of finish are you going for? natural, stained, painted?

 

[MetalThrasher]

How does this look so far? Trying to put something together. What other stuff do I need to get?

Product Name	Unit Price	Qty	Subtotal
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Warhead Guitar Neck​ Show OptionsConstructionModernShaft WoodGoncalo AlvesFretboard WoodGoncalo AlvesNut Width1-11/16" (43mm) - Modern MediumRight / Left HandedRight-Handed ReverseNeck Back ProfileStandard ThinFretboard Radius10" - 16" CompoundNumber of Frets22Fret Size & Material6100 - Jumbo (Nickel)Tuner Hole SizeGotoh/Grover (13/32" - 11/32")Inlay ShapeNoneSide DotsWhite Side DotsString NutR4 Floyd Prep w/ Mounting HolesMounting HolesStandard 4-BoltNeck Heel ShapeStrat® Shape	$337.00	1	$337.00
Star Guitar Body​ Show OptionsConstructionSolidCore WoodAlderRight / Left HandedRight-HandedControl CavityRear Rout (Standard)Neck Pickup RoutNoneMiddle Pickup RoutNoneBridge Pickup RoutHumbuckerControlsVolume 1Jack Rout3/4" (19mm) Side Jack HoleBridge Rout TypeTremoloBridge RoutOriginal Floyd Rose RecessedWould you like Warmoth to install the bridge studs?Yes, from a bridge I have on order.Mounting HolesStandard 4-BoltNeck Pocket ShapeStrat®Body ContoursCustom Contoured HeelPaint CategorySolidTop ColorGraffiti YellowBack ColorGraffiti YellowSatin or GlossGlossNotesBonus Extra Light Alder	$509.00	1	$509.00
Original Floyd Rose Tremolo Bridge​ ColorChromeRight or LeftRight Handed	$220.00		$220.00
Floyd Rose Locking Nut​ Hardware ColorChromeRight or Left HandedRight HandedSize#4 - 1-11/16" medium nut width with standard string spa ... Size#4 - 1-11/16" medium nut width with standard string spacing	$37.00		$37.00