Great deal on a Warmoth body and Neck

[SlartiBartfast]

Good god, if this had a different headstock, I'd snatch this up right away:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290686473735?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619#ht_500wt_1202

I mean, $300 for a koa body and ebony neck without any ugly-ass inlays? Suh-weet! I really, really hate that headstock though  :-\

 

[AutoBat]

It has the perfect headstock for the body shape AND it's pointing the correct direction!

 

[MSP]

Ooh, I like it!  Wonder what the story is with the finish.  Can't even tell on this computer if it's finished or not.  The headstock has 'Warmoth' on it, which makes me think he finished it himself.  Hmm.

 

[SlartiBartfast]

I e-mailed the seller for more info, and here's what he told me:


Scale: 25 1/2
Nut width: 1" 11/16
Profile: 10-16'' compound radius
White side dots on the neck

Switch is a stewmac five way prs style switch that still works but is starting to look ratty.

Pot and knob are included, pot should work but no gauruntees.

Neck plate is included and very clean.

Frets are stainless steel jumbo

Wilkinson trem studs are still in the body

I found the backplate and it will be included.

No truss rod cover

This guitar was completed with dimarzios and Goldhardware and was a great player. I bought Duncan's and black hardware for it but never got the black bridge and then kind of let it sit. The Duncan's and tuners will b auctioned next.

No scale at the moment to weigh, but not heavy, not light, just about right. Feels like a typical solid ash or alder soloist

 

[Cagey]

$710 won it. I'm kinda surprised. I didn't bid because that headstock was just death and the body wasn't a carved top. Plus, that finish is going to need a lotta clean-up. I haven't gone through the builders, but doesn't that price seem kinda high? I know it's Koa, but still. Nice parts, if you like that style. Hope whoever got it enjoys it.

 

[SlartiBartfast]

Wow, $710 seems obscenely high. This was a steal when it was $299, but I wouldn't have gone a cent over $500 for this. Hopefully the winning bidder doesn't have buyer's remorse!

 

[MSP]

Yeah, that's high, IMO.  I was interested at $300, but not at that price. 

 

[Cagey]

Well, that neck is a guaranteed $575+ if you buy it finished. Not surprised - I have an Ebony over Koa neck here that I think I paid almost $700 for. Can't currently build a body out of Koa, at least not on Warmoth's web-based builders, so I have no idea what that would cost. From what I understand, the wood is getting pretty rare in larger sizes because it only grows in Hawaii and they've logged out all the good stuff. So, maybe it's not a terrible deal if you have your heart set on an all-Koa guitar.

 

[bagman67]

If memory serves (and it serves less well than ever, so excuse me if I'm mistaken), it's illegal to cut down koa trees - the only way to get it is to harvest a fallen tree.  If you want want koa lumber, you'll have to find a fallen tree, or wait around for a tree to fall on its own.

 

[Cagey]

Wouldn't surprise me. According to the Wiki, most of the old-growth Koa has been logged out so it may be or is at risk of becoming an endangered species.

 

[SlartiBartfast]

If memory serves (and it serves less well than ever, so excuse me if I'm mistaken), it's illegal to cut down koa trees - the only way to get it is to harvest a fallen tree.  If you want want koa lumber, you'll have to find a fallen tree, or wait around for a tree to fall on its own.

Yeah, I've heard this as well.