Hardtail Strat - Best Warmoth Routing Option

[RYAN1987M]

Hello,

For years I've wanted a hardtail Strat. In order to fulfil this desire, I'm planning to embark on my first ever Warmoth PartsCaster.

I'd like a conventional Fender-style kind of Bridge and I was curious which routing option would give me the most options.

So, there are three routing options for Fender-style Bridges -

1. Fender American Standard Flat Mount (2-1/16" / 2.0625 inches - 52 mm)
2. Narrow Strat Flat Mount (2-2/16" / 2.125 inches - 54 mm)
3. Vintage Strat Flat Mount (2-4/16" / 2.25 inches - 56 mm)

As far as I can tell, Option 1 is routed completely differently when compared to Options 2 & 3.

With regards to Option 2 & 3 - it seems to me that the three mounting holes are in the exact same spot.
The difference with Option 2 is that the ferrules are larger.
To me, this means that Option 2 would also support any Bridges that are made specifically for Option 3.
In other words, can Option 2 accommodate 54 mm & 56 mm spacing?

Right now, in order to maximise the Bridge choices that are available to me - I'm thinking I should choose the Narrow Strat Flat Mount routing option. Does this make sense?

It seems to me that Option 2 would support the vintage-style Fender Bridges but also the Callaham one (for example) - is this accurate?

Anyhow, any help and guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[Cagey]

Welcome to the Unofficial Warmoth forum!

Option 3 is a non-starter. Standard Fender neck heel is only 2 3/16" wide, so "vintage" spacing only works with the "Super-Wide" neck, which almost nobody orders. That leaves you with options 1 & 2. Mounting is different, but string spacing is right. So, you find the bridge you like and order the drill pattern that matches it.

Keep in mind that you don't have to buy a Fender part. Lotsa hardtails out there that are nicer that'll work. For instance, the Hipshot parts are popular...

Stainless 41200

Machined brass base + SS  saddles​

Downside with those is it's not a standard drill pattern for Warmoth, but they do offer it for an additional charge. I think it's $40. Still, very nice parts.

 

[Timmsie95]

Those Hipshot .125's are beautiful (The bottom picture). They're super stable, and there's no rough edges. I have one on a 7 string schecter, and one going on my custom RG shaped guitar that's being built (almost done!) and it's probably my favourite hardtail out there.

 

[RYAN1987M]

I saw this posted on another Forum , can anyone confirm if it's accurate -

" That said, if you opt for the 'narrow' hardtail bridge, you can fit the vintage bridge, narrow bridge, and any bridge with string spacing in-between. The narrow and vintage bridges mount the same, the narrow version just has the string holes enlarged a little bit so a wider range of bridges can fit. The Warmoth site shows you how they line up on top of each other. There's actually no real point in the vintage option even existing. The American Standard bridge rout is its own thing, however. "

 

[RYAN1987M]

Would the 'Modern' spaced version of this Bridge fit on a Warmoth body routed with the Narrow option?

http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=328

 

[Cagey]

This is the picture they're talking about...

That's contrasting the Vintage vs. the American Standard drill patterns. As you can see, they don't really line up.

 

[Cagey]

Would the 'Modern' spaced version of [the Hipshot] fit on a Warmoth body routed with the Narrow option?

The string spacing would work, but the mounting screw holes are different.

 

[RYAN1987M]

Thanks for your responses Cagey - I really appreciate them!

So, to confirm -

1. Neither of the two Hipshot Bridges that you suggested will fit with any of the three Fender-style routing options that Warmoth offers as standard?

I do appreciate you letting me know that they can still do it though (for the additional fee).

And my second question -

2. Are the three mounting holes identical between the Narrow Strat Flat Mount and the Vintage Strat Flat Mount? If I'm not mistaken, it's only the string holes that change between those two options.

Again, thanks very much for all of your help thus far!

 

[Cagey]

You can't tell from the drawings they supply. You may be able to get an answer from them directly by calling.

 

[Strat Avenger]

My hardtail Warmoth Strat has the Fender American Standard Flat Mount, and that's what I recommend, but I'm using Graph Tech "String Saver Classic" saddles.

 

[Schneidas]

A bit of misinformation on this thread... let me correct a few answers as I've built quite a few hardtail Strats with these routs.

Option 3 is a non-starter. Standard Fender neck heel is only 2 3/16" wide, so "vintage" spacing only works with the "Super-Wide" neck, which almost nobody orders. That leaves you with options 1 & 2. Mounting is different, but string spacing is right. So, you find the bridge you like and order the drill pattern that matches it.

Although I agree that Option 3 is the most un-flexible - it works perfectly well with a standard Fender or Warmoth heel. I have this on 2 Warmoth bodies with standard spec necks and it works nice if you like the wide Fender spacing (as in every single one of their vintage trems). Play any Vintage model Strat with American made Vintage trems to get a feel of the spacing.

Downside with those is it's not a standard drill pattern for Warmoth, but they do offer it for an additional charge. I think it's $40. Still, very nice parts.

Nope. THe stainless 41200M (modern spacing) Hipshot bridge works perfectly well with Warmoth's "Narrow FLat mount route" - which is option 2 of the OP.
Option 2 is the most flexible route - so I'd advise you to go with this one, as the Hipshot (modern spacing) can be mounted, both narrow and wide vintage hardtails can be mounted and a few other aftermarket bridges as well.


Option 1 really does only work with the Fender American Standard - so you'll be limited to that.
Option 3 is limited to the wide vintage hardtail - again you'll be limited.
Option 2 is the most versatile - with both narrow and wide vintage hardtails working perfectly fine, and this one also accepting the Hipshot 41200M (modern spacing)

Would the 'Modern' spaced version of this Bridge fit on a Warmoth body routed with the Narrow option?

http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=328

Yes it will. I went with the narrow Strat flat mount route (Option 2 of the OP) on my hardtail Tele built and installed the Hipshot 41200 with Modern Spacing (41200M) with no problems - so no upcharge necessary:

 

[Schneidas]

And my second question -

2. Are the three mounting holes identical between the Narrow Strat Flat Mount and the Vintage Strat Flat Mount? If I'm not mistaken, it's only the string holes that change between those two options.

Yes the 3 mounting holes are identical. It's just the string-through holes which are enlarged on the Narrow Strat flat mount - which is why I would advise to *always* go with this route - so you'll be more flexible (you can still mount the vintage hardtail bridge with the narrow Strat flat mount route - if that's what you want)

 

[Schneidas]

By the way - on a side-note: I'm not too happy with the customer reps at Warmoth - mainly with one guy in particular who still works there (I will not name him though) for the below reasons (just as I always read that their customer support is great - personally, I don't agree):

1.)When I first emailed them and afterwards called them as well to ask about the Hipshot bridge fitting with their "narrow Strat flat mount"-route, I was told it would not be compatible. However, I checked Hipshot's drawings of the dimensions and had a hunch it might just work and ordered the bridge anyway along with Warmoth's narrow spaced hardtail bridge.
When the Tele arrived, I checked and both fitted - so first wrong of customer support here.

2.)When I emailed inquiring about if I could send them a 1-piece body blank I purchased elsewhere to use on my project - the rep told me "no, we don't do that". I had done this before in the past (send them a 1-piece Honduran body blank and got a super great Strat from them) and knew it was an upcharge - plus I had to agree to give up on my warranty as they don't cover third party woods (which is perfectly fine with me). Anyway, the rep told me - it is not being done.
I emailed another rep a few weeks later (after I had sent my custom wood to another company) - and the second rep told me: "yes, we can do that. It's an upcharge though and no warranty".
I had already given the job to the other company though - which was a bummer as the other company could not do a certain option that Warmoth does.
So, a second wrong of customer support.

3.)When ordering my 1-of-a-kind-finished-purple-haze Strat - I asked it to be routed for a certain 2-pivot Gotoh bridge
The communication with this rep was as follows:
"please drill the tremolo route for the Gotoh 510T tremolo. I accept the upcharge for this. I will purchase the bridge elsewhere and send you the bridge so you can install the bridge on that body"
got this answer:
"We do not offer this type of 510 rout. If you would like to use this type of bridge, we recommend omitting the bridge rout, which will allow you the freedom to take your body to a local tech to rout the bridge to your desired specifications. Please advise how you would like to proceed."
After pointing to the forum here where other guys had ordered the same kind of bridge and calling the rep, I was told that it was a $45 upcharge and that they could route for the "Gotoh 510 TS-RS1 2-Hole Tremolo". So, ordered my trem and had it sent to them for them to install the studs.

When the rep received the trem, I was told:

"We have received the Gotoh EV510TS-BS tremolo from ***. This is the incorrect tremolo. We will ONLY route for the Gotoh 510 TS-RS1 2 hole tremolo. The EV510TS is a different design that what we can rout for. We can omit the tremolo rout, which would allow you the freedom to have a local tech perform the rout.[...]"

Btw, this is the same trem with same dimensions - just differnt saddles!!!  :confused4:

So I replied with:
"Hi ***, This is the same type of trem, it has just a different design but it drops right into the 510TS-RS1 route that you do. So please route the body for the 510TS-RS1 that you do and install the studs which are the same. You will see that the trem drops right into that route!!"
And the great-customer-support-guy answered with:
"I have spoken with our technical manager, she advised that this is not a bridge that we have tested, and therefore will not rout for it. Please advise how you would like to proceed with this order."
Needless to say - at that point - I was ready to cancel my order!!! Anyway, took a deep breath and told him to route for the 510TS-RS1 that they do and to just send the bridge along with the body!

The result: I recieved the body routed and the trem was a direct drop-in!!!! All they had to do was unpack the bridge, and see if it fits in the route (2 seconds of checking) - and they would have seen that it was exactly the same.

Anyway - customer support wrong number 3!
This is the most unflexible customer-support I've encountered in my long list of ordering guitar parts!!

 

[RYAN1987M]

Schneidas - thank you very much for the wealth of information that you posted!

As you mentioned, I'm going to opt to have my Warmoth body routed for the 'Narrow Strat Flat Mount' (Opt. 2 in my original post).

I'll also be ordering the Hipshot 41200M (Modern Spacing) for this project.

For all of the reasons you listed, I agree that the Narrow routing option seems to be the best because it provides lots of options/flexibility (and the string spacing seems to be a nice width).

Thanks again!

Ryan

 

[stratamania]

That's odd about the 510 trem, as they did it for me. I just asked them for it and said my bridge was a variant and of the exact dimensions. It was a couple of e mails. I guess it depends on who you talk to.

Although the 510 trems pretty much are an American standard 2 post rout, and a little needs to be taken away for the clearance of the trem arm mount. Which probably could be done with a file.

 

[Schneidas]

RYAN, no worries brother! Glad that those infos helped you

stratamania, yes, the trem route has that clearance done by them with a file - it is clearly visible. However, all they had to do was check for fitting (5 seconds max) and then install the studs. They refused to do so... they did not even check - I call that pretty unflexible.

 

[musicispeace]

RYAN, no worries brother! Glad that those infos helped you

stratamania, yes, the trem route has that clearance done by them with a file - it is clearly visible. However, all they had to do was check for fitting (5 seconds max) and then install the studs. They refused to do so... they did not even check - I call that pretty unflexible.

"The shop" seems to have a lot of clout in house.