Author Topic: Warmoth (Read 5538 times)

Gochaz · « **on:** February 14, 2006, 06:28:38 PM »

Has anybody had any experiance with these fellas? I'm after a really, really good strat in Shell Pink with a fat neck. Maple fretboard. When I get it, I'll throw some Apaches in. Cheers.

Oh, and I wouldn't assemble it myself, I'd send it into a shop to do. I wouldn't trust myself.

patch · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2006, 07:21:30 PM »

I've never used Warmoth myself but from other forums they seem to get good reviews. Only 1 major problem though - Import Tax. You will get hammered for this, but if money no problem you could get a really nice guitar.

You may want to look at

http://www.usacustomguitars.com/

before you decide.

hobleguitars · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2006, 10:56:05 PM »

Do a search for Warmoth - there are a couple of threads about their varying quality and delivery elsewhere. Also, I could put it together for free - remember what a good job I do on strats, with Ben's being a prime example. Can't wait to hear that now, too. :)

The amazing Phil · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2006, 07:32:08 PM »

Experience does seem to be varied, but everything went absolutely fine for me, and I put together a telecaster that weighed in under 700 or 800 quid or so that can beat the pants out of anything with "Fender" written on the headstock, custom shop or not. I'm planning on getting another body from them to try out the semi-hollow thing.

Gochaz · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2006, 10:26:56 AM »

Quote from: hobleguitars

Do a search for Warmoth - there are a couple of threads about their varying quality and delivery elsewhere. Also, I could put it together for free - remember what a good job I do on strats, with Ben's being a prime example. Can't wait to hear that now, too. :)

NO!

And that Strat sounds brilliant, even with one string. I keep forgetting to buy more.

Back on topic, thank you for the help, fellas, I think I'll go ahead with it. I might get a Fender decal to go on the headstock to impress the kids, however. AND Warmoth are the only people who do Shell Pink.

stevehammond · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2006, 07:33:50 PM »

I've never felt the need to post on a forum anywhere before but I do want to add my experience of Warmoth bodies. A couple of years ago I ordered a surf green alder Strat body with vintage pickup routing and holes for a Wilkinson trem. When it eventually turned up I got hit for the import duty(which I was expecting) but the quality of the body was shocking. There were chips around the neck cavity and trem that wouldn't have been hidden by the hardware, dust specks in the paint, and where it had been buffed there were flat spots on the horns. They told me to return (at my cost) as they were sure it was 'up to standard'. After several phone calls they begrudgingly admitted that there were some issues but 'what did I expect for the money'! They refunded the original purchase price and shipping from USA but NOT the import duty I'd paid, nor the cost of getting it back to them.

Not surprisingly I decided to get one from somewhere else and ended up with a really good outfit - USA Custom Guitars - from whom I got a really nice weight 2 piece (centre join) alder body and had in finished in metalflake purple by Roxy - a paint shop they have an association with. Again I got hit for importing it, but this one's a real cracker. The neck pocket is such a good fit you could almost use it without fixing screws and it was a superb paint job, They were also really helpful on the phone - unlike Warmoth. I think Chandlers use their bodies and necks for putting their custom pieces together, and they should know good components when they see them.

My guitar features on their 'customers guitars' pages - it's the one with the pearl scratchplate and Stevie inlaid on the fingerboard.

Anyway from my viewpoint, they deserve the business and Warmoth don't. Hope this helps anybody looking to make an 'informed decision'!

Gochaz · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2006, 08:25:04 PM »

Cheers for that last nugget of information. That's affected my decision somewhat.

My bandmates Fender Japan Strat is currently at my house, and I plugged it in the to my AC30, and was amazed. Happily, he is selling it for cheap to buy an electro-acoustic, and it'd be nice to keep it in the band and all..

It really is a lovely instrument, and faaaaaaar cheaper than a warmoth guitar.

Bainzy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2006, 09:05:40 PM »

The quality of the neck and body I ordered was absolutely top notch, it put's all the expensive production guitars I've played to shame. I ordered a jackson style neck with graphite nut and locking Schallers, and a strat style body top routed for H/x/(angled)H and vintage strat trem.

Searcher · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2006, 12:04:51 AM »

Well, I have a bunch of parts ordered from Warmoth. I'll be putting it all together in a few weeks and I'll let you know how it works out.

The amazing Phil · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2006, 03:42:56 AM »

Quote from: stevehammond

I've never felt the need to post on a forum anywhere before but I do want to add my experience of Warmoth bodies. A couple of years ago I ordered a surf green alder Strat body with vintage pickup routing and holes for a Wilkinson trem. When it eventually turned up I got hit for the import duty(which I was expecting) but the quality of the body was shocking. There were chips around the neck cavity and trem that wouldn't have been hidden by the hardware, dust specks in the paint, and where it had been buffed there were flat spots on the horns. They told me to return (at my cost) as they were sure it was 'up to standard'. After several phone calls they begrudgingly admitted that there were some issues but 'what did I expect for the money'! They refunded the original purchase price and shipping from USA but NOT the import duty I'd paid, nor the cost of getting it back to them.

Not surprisingly I decided to get one from somewhere else and ended up with a really good outfit - USA Custom Guitars - from whom I got a really nice weight 2 piece (centre join) alder body and had in finished in metalflake purple by Roxy - a paint shop they have an association with. Again I got hit for importing it, but this one's a real cracker. The neck pocket is such a good fit you could almost use it without fixing screws and it was a superb paint job, They were also really helpful on the phone - unlike Warmoth. I think Chandlers use their bodies and necks for putting their custom pieces together, and they should know good components when they see them.

My guitar features on their 'customers guitars' pages - it's the one with the pearl scratchplate and Stevie inlaid on the fingerboard.

Anyway from my viewpoint, they deserve the business and Warmoth don't. Hope this helps anybody looking to make an 'informed decision'!

Woah, that's pretty harsh. I gotta say though, I genuinely had a good experience with them. I think it may come down to something as simple as which member of staff you deal with as regards to how helpful they are, as for the quality of the stuff they produce, the neck on my tele's the best I've played.

It does sound like it's worth being careful though, but I still plan to get a chambered/semi-hollow body from them at some point.