Warmoth necks in general / Warmoth stainless steel frets. Any experience?

[Lucas]

FELINEGUITARS, thanks a lot. That`s really good news that all that work can be done with no problems. Once Ill get that Warmoth Tele finished, I`ll definitely contact you to finish off all the fret work. Great!

As far as I know you`re based in England, would you take the order from Northern Ireland as well?

[Philly Q]

That is why luthiers charge more for doing a stainless refret - not just the extra cost of the wire but a contribution towards having to replace tools much sooner.

Very reasonable under the circumstances!  :D

[Lucas]

Has anyone ever played raw Warmoth neck, I mean with raw, unfinished wood.

Im thinking about Goncao Alves/Ebony neck which doesn`t require any finish and can be played raw.

[PhilKing]

I have a Warmoth goncalo alves/kingwood neck on my tele and a wenge/ebony neck on one of my strats.  They both have SS frets too.  I've had no problem with them at all.  The thing to decide is the shape.  I've tried lots of them and like the Clapton, Wolfgang and regular best.

[Philly Q]

The thing to decide is the shape.  I've tried lots of them and like the Clapton, Wolfgang and regular best.

I like the '59 Roundback but I can never decide if I'm brave enough to try a Fatback.

The Standard Thin is pretty close to a modern Fender neck shape if you like that sort of thing.

[Lucas]

I have a Warmoth goncalo alves/kingwood neck on my tele and a wenge/ebony neck on one of my strats.  They both have SS frets too.  I've had no problem with them at all.  The thing to decide is the shape.  I've tried lots of them and like the Clapton, Wolfgang and regular best.

How does it feel to play raw neck? Is much more different?  I`ve read some comments that once you had an experience with unfinished wood you don`t want to go back. Apparently over time the raw wood of the neck soaks up sweat/moisture from your hands changing slightly the texture/feel of the wood itself.

And what would you say about Goncalo Alves neck? Any opinions? Would you recommend it?

[Lucas]

Once some of you had some experience with Warmoth necks, I have a question about Warmoth Pro necks as well.

Is that true as some people say on different forums, that Pro construction apparently 'kills' the sound and make it dull and lifeless due to double expanding truss rod?
I`ve read that it is safer to go for Vintage Modern neck, because more metal (double rod) in the neck doesn`t help tone-wise. More metal, less wood=little resonating=duller and thin and lifeless sound

thanks,
Lucas

[PhilKing]

How does it feel to play raw neck? Is much more different?  I`ve read some comments that once you had an experience with unfinished wood you don`t want to go back. Apparently over time the raw wood of the neck soaks up sweat/moisture from your hands changing slightly the texture/feel of the wood itself.

And what would you say about Goncalo Alves neck? Any opinions? Would you recommend it?

I still quite like lacquered necks, but I have very dry hands.  To me the raw neck feels fine too, but part of that is the shape I got.  I also have a lot of vintage guitars where the lacquer has worn, so I'm constantly playing different feeling necks.  I would get another goncalo alves neck with no hesitation.  I really like it.  Another one to look at is Bloodwood (Satine), which feels great too.

[gwEm]

Once some of you had some experience with Warmoth necks, I have a question about Warmoth Pro necks as well.

Is that true as some people say on different forums, that Pro construction apparently 'kills' the sound and make it dull and lifeless due to double expanding truss rod?
I`ve read that it is safer to go for Vintage Modern neck, because more metal (double rod) in the neck doesn`t help tone-wise. More metal, less wood=little resonating=duller and thin and lifeless sound

thanks,
Lucas

I have a pro neck. It /is/ fairly heavy. But it doesn't kill the sound at all. Its raw bubinga and you can  feel it vibrating.

[Philly Q]

The Pro construction truss rod definitely adds a significant amount of weight.  I had a maple/rosewood Pro which was heavier than a one piece rosewood Vintage Modern.

I certainly wouldn't put a Pro neck on a Thinline body, it'd be very neck heavy.

[Lucas]

I would say it all depends on people taste. Across the internet loads of people say that apparently Pro construction makes guitar sounds brighter and more sterile and dull while others say that they don`t notice any difference. Don`t know.

I would rather stick to old school and stay with Vintage Modern. Few days ago a beautiful G Alves/Ebony Vintage Modern neck was sold. The one I was wishing to purchase. Wasn`t quick enough :D As they don`t offer that configuration for VM construction I have to wait until another one will show up. Shame...

thanks a million guys!

[schneidas]

USA Custom Guitars
Ask for Tommy Rosamond
http://www.usacustomguitars.com/

This!!

I stopped using Warmoth parts in 2003 after discovering USACG.
Have had 20+ orders with USACG and have not looked back. Their necks usually need no work at all - their fretwork is excellent, and Tommy makes sure the wood you get is not a dead piece of wood (tone-tapping magic). Their bodies are top-quality as well!
Plus you get all the options without a price increase. I cannot recommend them highly enough!

[JaycoxGuitars]

I have two Warmoth necks - both needed fret work but are good quality.  The last three necks that I bought are from a company called Musikraft.  None of those necks required any fret work, the necks are outstanding in every way, and they are much less expensive.  Quicker turnaround time, too.