Are knots acceptable in AAA Necks?

[OzOfNash]

Just got my first neck from Warmoth...
Its a AAA birdseye single piece from their showcase...$357 neck I got for $193...probably because of this 'blemish'.
Great workmanship and looks good except for an unsightly knot that can only be seen from the side...but VERY noticeable...

I'm debating on keeping it...I know it sounds picky but if I had known about the knot I wouldn't have bought it...none of the pictures from the showcase were of the side.

Reluctant to go through applying a finish and end up with this unsightly dark area (about an 1" long and 1/8 high right on the edge of the fretboard...a tiny section visible on the fretboard surface).

I've got a beautifully finished Warmoth body and was 'imagining' it with a nice 'clean' neck.

Frankly I'd rather have just a basic Maple neck free of knots...but this one was just a few bucks more (again...if I'd known about the knot...wouldn't have bought it).

I really don't know what to expect from AAA grade wood so I'm looking for opinions....Thanks

 

[OzOfNash]

Here is a PIC...

 

[line6man]

I wouldn't call that acceptable, but as a general note, the more figured a piece of wood is, the crappier.

Personally, I'd send that back.

 

[Cagey]

I'd like to see a picture of the neck heel, and from a real camera rather than a cell phone.

 

[OzOfNash]

Heel pic...both taken with the same Kodak c533 digital camera...not a cell phone...

 

[line6man]

I'd like to see a picture of the neck heel, and from a real camera rather than a cell phone.

Did you think it was a troll post? Seems perfectly legitimate to me.

 

[OzOfNash]

line6man

Thanks for your opinion...

Was your last 'troll post' directed at me?
Cause I don't know the definition of 'troll post'...please educate me.

 

[OzOfNash]

This thread is to educate me on what to expect from 'high grade' wood (and therefore what 'blemishes' would be acceptable)

It isn't to authenticate a return (thats for me and Warmoth...or is this unofficial warmoth forum actually officially Warmoth?).

To me, the attraction (and reason for paying more for it) of 'high grade' wood is its appearance...

So it stands to reason any blemish in a woods appearance determines its grade...

A new 'high grade' wood guitar falls over and gets a 1" long deep gouge in the neck...now it has a bad appearance...but originally it looked nice...

A new 'high grade' wood neck is removed from a box and has a 1" long knot (actually measures 1 1/2")...it has a bad appearance from the factory...never looked 'appealing'...

We're not talking about pinhead size knots in basic maple...this is 1 1/2" knot in advertise as and paid for as 'high grade' wood...

Is that acceptable?

 

[Updown]

I've never had a neck turn up that I haven't been very happy with.

But .... you do have the option of returning it, I suppose ..... I'd probably do that !!  :dontknow:

I'll suggest a email or phone call to Warmoth as they are VERY helpful with any problems etc.
Or someone from there might see this post too.

but as a general note, the more figured a piece of wood is, the crappier.

:icon_scratch:

Nice figure there, on your fretboard thou line6man  :icon_thumright:

:icon_scratch:  http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=17934.0

 

[AutoBat]

I like woods with interesting bits in them, that being said, every time you pick it up you'll see it and you'll probably think to yourself "ugh, there it is again."
I'd probably see and think "no one else has one just like this."
I'd guess that's what made it 46% off.

 

[line6man]

but as a general note, the more figured a piece of wood is, the crappier.

:icon_scratch:

Nice figure there, on your fretboard thou line6man  :icon_thumright:

:icon_scratch:  http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=17934.0

Things like burl, curl, spalt, birdseye, etc. are usually products of various stresses in the trees. It just happens to look nice.

 

[OzOfNash]

AutoBat expressed exactly how I feel when I look at it...ooooo...ahhhh...ooooo...ahhhh...ewwww...ughhhh...

That spot just sticks out like the preverbial sore thumb...I don't think I can live with it...pity...even if it was 45% cheaper...

I'll see if I can return/swap it...

Thanks for all the responses...I think the general opinion is to expect some 'defects' even in high grade wood but any defect shouldn't 'jump out' at you...

FYI: I'm basically building (assembling) a guitar around some pickups that sound superb (to me) in an alder body and maple/maple neck (beat up body and VERY old Warmoth birdseye neck). I scored a beautiful barely used Warmoth finished alder body pretty cheap so wanted a nice new Warmoth maple neck with specific frets. Current setup is pretty ugly...sounds great though.

 

[mayfly]

Hi Oz

You're the only one who can really decide if it's acceptable or not.  Based on what I've seen, I'd be on the edge.  But I didn't bother with AAA wood on any of my warmoth guitars and I'm not that fussy. YYMV.

If you don't like it, call up Warmoth and talk to them.  You're the customer - you decide.

 

[OzOfNash]

Hey Mayfly...

Yes ultimately its' my decision...which is part of the dilemma ...I'm an indecisive cuss...
Now I've concluded, with all certainty, I'm positively going to keep it...maybe ???
What the heck...its 99% beautiful...1% ugly (I didn't really do the math)...a little knot adds character...right :glasses10:

Even if it were totally perfect, one mishap and well...you get the idea...
Like you, I wasn't after a high grade neck...was actually looking at used mexican made, but those go for about the same as a new basic Warmoth.
Warmoth had this in the showcase for an extra $36...just wished they had disclosed the imperfection...I'm positively certain I wouldn't have bought it...maybe :sad:

This thread was mainly to learn a little about expectations of higher grade wood...
But advice and opinions welcomed

 

[Tonar8352]

I don't mind birthmarks on a piece of wood but personally I would reject that one. I have sent necks back for that very reason.  Warmoth has been very accommodating, that is the reason they are my number one choice!

 

[Patrick from Davis]

Even if you are indecisive, I'd call them and make sure you ask them about it.  This lets them know earlier rather than later of your question about the neck.  Also they can explain to you all that goes into a return, and you get the information first hand from them on exactly what you need to do if you decided to send it back.  It is better than getting the info from us, the collective, that sort of know.  View it as a fact finding mission, and it will allow you to make your decision easier.
Patrick

 

[OzOfNash]

For those interested in my final decision (I finally decided)...I'm keeping it.

I talked to Rob (nice guy) at Warmoth, just to determine if I could still return it (I did mount it just to check the expected string to bridge alignment) and he said he would accept the return anyway (with a little reluctance...mounting is generally a no-no).

But I still couldn't commit to returning it yet so I told him I would sleep on it (drink a few Coronas and think about it).
He called me back a few minutes later and offered an additional discount, he felt the imperfection should have been disclosed.
I honestly didn't expect that, and I really wasn't trying to 'argue' the price down.

Warmoth found a way to 'topple' my decision...give them a deserved notice...and I was leaning towards keeping it anyway...
Still going to have those Coronas...
In the future I'll probably just stay away from the higher grade stuff...

 

[AutoBat]

Is the beauty mark on the treble side of the neck? I noticed the lack of fret markers.  If so that's even better 'cause I couldn't tell you the last time I saw that edge of my guitars.

 

[OzOfNash]

Yep treble side...I can live with it...all behind me now...learned some things too...
And from now on I'm calling it a beauty mark too...

BTW...did you really win least favorite guitar award?
Whats the requisites for that prestige?

 

[AutoBat]

BTW...did you really win least favorite guitar award?
Whats the requisites for that prestige?

We used to have a Guitar of the Month competition, mine got the least votes and I wanted to have a banner, so I made it myself.
The photo quality wasn't helping me any as the pickguard is white pearloid, not aged yellow. I've thought about shopping it to it's actual color but like it just how it is.