Warmoth Guitar

Hey guys, I'm thinking about assembling my own guitar. I like the look of the Warmoth LP. Anyone got any input on whether or not this might be a good way to go? I can solder and turn a screw driver...

Depends on how much you are doing versus having Warmoth do for you. Finishing (painting & laquering) bodies and necks is a very tricky thing to do... not to mention the fretwork, drilling, and neck adjustments....and that's were the cost comes in. Unfinished, Warmoth parts are fairly inexpensive.

That said, if you are buying all of the parts pre-finished, it does not take a rocket scientist to assemble the instrument, hardware, and electronics..... but probably a little more than just screwing and soldering. Also, the premium pre-finished parts are pretty pricey. Knowing Warmoth...it would probably cost as much as a brand new high end American made guitar than to build one with all the bells and whistles you'd like.

What is relatively easy and inexpensive to do with Warmoth necks is to retrofit a used Fender (or new MIM Fender) with a neck that is vintage or has a particular shape.

What type of Guitar are you interested in building? You may be better off finding someone who finishes the guitar and builds it from Warmoth parts. It might even cost you the same as buying the pre-finished parts from Warmoth. Besides, these guys would have a lot more experience than a complete novice. There are plenty of these guys on the net.

__________________
THIS SPACE FOR RENT

I looked into Warmoth Les Pauls, and the one thing that would the deal breaker for me is the bolt on neck. Sure, they claim that it has all the sustain as a glue on.... but the reality is that it will never have as much sustain as a real Les Paul. I used to have a bolt on neck Kent Les Paul copy, and it played fine....but compared to a real Les Paul, there was no comparison. Once you factor in the nicer Warmoth carved body, the neck binding, and classic Les Paul inlay.... you're looking at $1000 just in wood/finish....then another $300 in electronics & hardware....then your time and effort to put it together. For a few extra hundred bucks you can pick up a fairly new used Les Paul with the glue on neck.

__________________
THIS SPACE FOR RENT

Hmm. I do want a Les Paul type of Guitar. I want a Jimmy Page kind of tone, and I thought I could build it with what ever switches and pick-ups I wanted from Torres Engineering, rather than get one and swap out all the switches. A new Les Paul Standard 59 type is around 5k!
Does anyone make a glued neck kit? I did not realise the bolt on neck made such a difference, but it makes sense I suppose.
Thanks for the food for thought.

You can get a Les Paul Classic for way under $2k on eBay or at Musician's Friend:

Gibson Les Paul Classic, Guitar, Music Memorabilia items on eBay.com

Buy Gibson Les Paul Classic Electric Guitar online at Musician's Friend

You can put any pickups in after market....and its a real US made Les Paul with a 50's style neck.

__________________
THIS SPACE FOR RENT

Other than the pickups, what is the difference between the classic and the standard?

Not much. I think the classic uses "vintage style" hardware (machine heads in particular). The Standard uses newer ones. I played a classic a few weeks ago. It felt just like a Les Paul should....compared to a Studio or other lesser models that felt like they were skimping on something (blinding or finish).

__________________
THIS SPACE FOR RENT