Big news regarding Warmoth Soloist bodies...

[PFDarkside]

FYI, the control layout on both the Soloist and CT Soloist were updated after many requests from customers, to better align with what you see on most Jackson, Charvel, Ibanez, and other super-Strat type axes.

Volume 1 was moved down and away from the usual Strat location to a more comfortable position. The blade switch was rotated to be parallel with the edge of the body, allowing better access the volume. The tone was situated in a better position relative to everything else.

For those who still want typical Strat controls, just reach out to our sales staff we'll be happy to do it as an off-menu option.

Just playing with the Pickguard builder, it looks awesome and exactly what I was hoping for. (No need to try to drill them myself now)

 

[Hagwood]

You still have the blade switch, so do you mean like a push/pull pot?

Yes, I could probably do everything I need with push/pull and/or super switch. Just wanted the humbucker splitting and more combinations. I do like the look of just 2 better.

 

[aarontunes]

Yes, I could probably do everything I need with push/pull and/or super switch. Just wanted the humbucker splitting and more combinations. I do like the look of just 2 better.

I freaking love superswitches! So useful.

But please make sure it will fit in this body before committing to that option. They do not fit all Warmoth bodies. I don't believe we have looked at that compatibility yet for this control scheme. There are always just SO MANY compatibility things to check when you're dealing with parts, it is literally impossible for us to get to them all.

 

[Hodgo]

FYI, the control layout on both the Soloist and CT Soloist were updated after many requests from customers, to better align with what you see on most Jackson, Charvel, Ibanez, and other super-Strat type axes.

I know you don’t like being told by forumites what to do, and how often feedback doesn’t translate to sales.

But.

If Jackson, Charvel, Ibanez, et al are the axes you’re looking at, the lack of a 24 fret repo pickguard is even more mystifying. Aside from the pre-Jackson era Charvel San Dimas, almost all of these guitars have 24 frets - including the original Soloist, Dinky, RG/JEM, etc. If you Google image search “Superstrat”, 90% of the results are guitars with 24 frets. The Wikipedia article for “Superstrat” even mentions extended fret ranges.

Again, I’m not trying to egg you on. I really think yall are SO close to having something really great with the new top rout Soloist that is unfortunately going to fall short of some buyers expectations.

 

[aarontunes]

I know you don’t like being told by forumites what to do, and how often feedback doesn’t translate to sales.

But.

If Jackson, Charvel, Ibanez, et al are the axes you’re looking at, the lack of a 24 fret repo pickguard is even more mystifying. Aside from the pre-Jackson era Charvel San Dimas, almost all of these guitars have 24 frets - including the original Soloist, Dinky, RG/JEM, etc. If you Google image search “Superstrat”, 90% of the results are guitars with 24 frets. The Wikipedia article for “Superstrat” even mentions extended fret ranges.

Again, I’m not trying to egg you on. I really think yall are SO close to having something really great with the new top rout Soloist that is unfortunately going to fall short of some buyers expectations.

The foundation of our biz is compatibility with Fender's vintage/original 2-3/16" heel specs, and it takes a LOT to get us to deviate from that.

For a 24 fret option, the closest we come is our 24 fret extension. It doesn't give you the best access to those higher frets, but it does manage to stay compatible. You can use a neck with the 24 fret extension on a Soloist body if you go rear rout, or if you go top rout/pickguard without a neck pickup.

Adding a 24 fret repo option to the neck pickup cutout on pickguards raises massive compatibility issues with the alignment of the pickguard cutouts to whatever rout pattern the customer may have selected on their body, which is why we've never done it, and have no plans to do it any time soon.

I think these new Soloist body top rout and control options are pretty great and will make a lot of customers very happy. People have been asking for these things for a long time.

 

[stratamania]

Great news.

 

[Hodgo]

Adding a 24 fret repo option to the neck pickup cutout on pickguards raises massive compatibility issues with the alignment of the pickguard cutouts to whatever rout pattern the customer may have selected on their body, which is why we've never done it, and have no plans to do it any time soon.

I can appreciate that on any other model, but the top rout soloist is a universal swimming pool only. What am I missing here?

I think these new Soloist body top rout and control options are pretty great and will make a lot of customers very happy. People have been asking for these things for a long time.

I agree, and I hope I’m not coming across as rude or downplaying the work that goes into a product launch. I’m thrilled to see the top rout soloist, and would probably be buying one now if I wasn’t biding my time for the Meadowhawk launch.

 

[aarontunes]

I can appreciate that on any other model, but the top rout soloist is a universal swimming pool only. What am I missing here?

The neck and bridge pickup cavities are slightly enlarged to accommodate a range of pickups, but it's not a swimming pool. Do you know for certain that a pickguard with a 24 fret repo would work in that cavity? Neither do we, but my guess is would not. (Remember, you have to check for single coils, humbucker, P90, TV Jones, mini humbuckers, etc. They all have to work in that cavity, or you have to change the cavity.) So there is R&D time to suss all that out.

But let's say we decide to do that additional R&D to enlarge it, and make sure it works with all pickups. What's next?

The pickguard templates have to be reworked at a fundamental level to include a brand new option. Because of the way they are built rules would have to be written to exclude this option for every single pickguard except Soloist. New images would have to be created for 24 fret repo, for every type of pickup.

The body templates would also have to be reworked, because every cavity image that now exists, in every wood species, would be wrong.

Info pages would have to be made to explain this new option. Educating our customers on how all this stuff fits together is a big deal, and pickguards are already one of the most frequently returned items we sell.

There are other concerns as well, but I won't go into all of them. The bottom line is that yes, it's all doable, but it takes time and we have to ask ourselves every step of the way if we think the potential sales justify the cost.

And the nano-second after we finished someone would be challenging us because it's not available on Strat. LOL.

I agree, and I hope I’m not coming across as rude or downplaying the work that goes into a product launch. I’m thrilled to see the top rout soloist, and would probably be buying one now if I wasn’t biding my time for the Meadowhawk launch.

If things go as planned you don't have too much longer to wait.

 

[rauchman]

The foundation of our biz is compatibility with Fender's vintage/original 2-3/16" heel specs, and it takes a LOT to get us to deviate from that.

For a 24 fret option, the closest we come is our 24 fret extension. It doesn't give you the best access to those higher frets, but it does manage to stay compatible. You can use a neck with the 24 fret extension on a Soloist body if you go rear rout, or if you go top rout/pickguard without a neck pickup.

Adding a 24 fret repo option to the neck pickup cutout on pickguards raises massive compatibility issues with the alignment of the pickguard cutouts to whatever rout pattern the customer may have selected on their body, which is why we've never done it, and have no plans to do it any time soon.

I think these new Soloist body top rout and control options are pretty great and will make a lot of customers very happy. People have been asking for these things for a long time.

Terrific info. I was planning on a 24 fret Tele with pickguard. Glad you mentioned this.

 

[Hodgo]

There are other concerns as well, but I won't go into all of them. The bottom line is that yes, it's all doable, but it takes time and we have to ask ourselves every step of the way if we think the potential sales justify the cost.

And the nano-second after we finished someone would be challenging us because it's not available on Strat. LOL

Okay okay, I’ll relent. I didn’t realize the new universal rout wasn’t a swimming pool, and I definitely understand all the customer facing issues you mentioned.

And to be fair, I have said at least twice on this forum that there are no good notes above the 21st fret, and that high pitched weedly weedly playing kills record sales, so I’m definitely not your target audience anyway

 

[aarontunes]

Okay okay, I’ll relent. I didn’t realize the new universal rout wasn’t a swimming pool, and I definitely understand all the customer facing issues you mentioned.

And to be fair, I have said at least twice on this forum that there are no good notes above the 21st fret, and that high pitched weedly weedly playing kills record sales, so I’m definitely not your target audience anyway

Ok, wait....so you're backing me into a corner on principle alone?

I respect that.

 

[jjwu]

Ok so we know it's not a more sculpted heel. I'd guess deeper cutaways so you can use their 24 fret extension with better access.

Btw why do y'all call it Soloist and not Dinky?

 

[Hodgo]

Ok, wait....so you're backing me into a corner on principle alone?

I respect that.

LOL okay, I sincerely apologize. Don’t think it’s lost on me that you actually come here and swing in the trenches with us - I really do appreciate the dialogue.

For whatever reason it was the “we want to appeal to Soloist enthusiasts” that got me curious… I should probably stop and reflect on whether or not I actually have a dog in the fight more often.

Thanks for playing along Aaron, you’re awesome.

 

[gutter0909]

Ok so we know it's not a more sculpted heel. I'd guess deeper cutaways so you can use their 24 fret extension with better access.

Btw why do y'all call it Soloist and not Dinky?

If I'm not mistaken, a Jackson Dinky is actually 7/8 and a Soloist is not.

 

[supertruper1988]

If I'm not mistaken, a Jackson Dinky is actually 7/8 and a Soloist is not.

Nope. Soloist and dinky are the same shape. Soloist is neck through dinky is bolt on.

The WM soloist is technically a dinky but it also doesn’t match the Jackson shape.

 

[aarontunes]

LOL okay, I sincerely apologize. Don’t think it’s lost on me that you actually come here and swing in the trenches with us - I really do appreciate the dialogue.

For whatever reason it was the “we want to appeal to Soloist enthusiasts” that got me curious… I should probably stop and reflect on whether or not I actually have a dog in the fight more often.

Thanks for playing along Aaron, you’re awesome.

No apology required.

"The spirited exchange of ideas is the currency of true knowledge." ~ George Warshington, 1217 A.D.

Also....trenches? Is that what that smell is?

 

[supertruper1988]

https://warmoth.com/guitar-bodies/soloist?p=3&product_list_order=weight_showcase

Wow these look great. Too bad someone decided that a modern guitar still has to have a strat jack

 

[supertruper1988]

And even more confusing, you cant even select top jack in the builder

 

[aarontunes]

And even more confusing, you cant even select top jack in the builder View attachment 64400

Aha....that's an oversite that will be fixed shortly!

 

[aarontunes]

https://warmoth.com/guitar-bodies/soloist?p=3&product_list_order=weight_showcase

Wow these look great. Too bad someone decided that a modern guitar still has to have a strat jack

Not my favorite choice on a modern body either, but that's why the custom builders exist!