I need some vital information!

[zompocalypse]

ok so ive known this website for a while and i would like to build a flying v but i have no idea how or what parts i need. also when i get everything is there a guide so i dont F*** it up? and if you want custom paint on a body how do you order that? is there a way they can assemble it for you? also im not a total idiot, i know of parts like the neck and the body and the nut etc... but i have no idea of the wiring or how to assemble things please help

 

[mayfly]

ok so ive known this website for a while and i would like to build a flying v but i have no idea how or what parts i need. also when i get everything is there a guide so i dont F*** it up? and if you want custom paint on a body how do you order that? is there a way they can assemble it for you? also im not a total idiot, i know of parts like the neck and the body and the nut etc... but i have no idea of the wiring or how to assemble things please help

First off:  welcome.  You're going to build the best guitar you'll ever likely own.

Second off:  Wow - that's a pretty tall order.  Here's an exec summary of answers to your questions:

"What parts do I need?" - well, that depends.  Are you going with a TOM bridge, a wraparound, a TOM with a Bigsby, a floyd, are you going to use a pickguard, are you looking for three humbuckers or a single p90, are you going to get a contoured heel, a 6 on-the-side headstock or a 3-on-a-side headstock, an angle headstock, a strat output jack, or a football jack or a LP style jack, are you going to get a 5 way blade switch or a 3 way gibson style, or , or, or, or.....   It depends on exactly what you want to build.

"Is there a guide?".  No.  The best thing you can get is this book:  http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Player-Repair-Guide-Erlewine/dp/0879302917.  Specific questions you can ask here.

"How to get custom paint?". Just ask warmoth.

"Can they assemble it?".  Short answer:  No.  Longer answer:  No because it violates their licensing agreement with fender and they don't make any money on it.

"How do I do the wiring?".  depends on the type and number of pickups and the tonal possibilities that you want.  The book noted above is a good place to start.  Also - practice your soldering ahead of time.

"How do I assemble it?".  Read the book above and you'll have a better idea.  Again, this forum is good for specific questions.

 

[mayfly]

I forgot to add:  assembling the guitar is pretty straight forward.  Doing a good setup to make it play well is harder and requires specific tools and knowledge.  If you're a patient person and good with your hands, you won't have trouble with a good setup.  If you're not - you're best off handing it over to a local tech to set up the guitar for you.

And if you're handing it to a tech, then they may as well assemble it for you as well  :headbang:

and yes, you can put a bigsby on a V:

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Check, double check, and triple check your list.  Sleep on it, then do it again.  You will ALWAYS forget something.  Little things like screws are hardware you can always get later, but forgeting to order a route for a battery box, Floyd prep on the neck, or specify neck radius, those are big things.  The sales reps do an excellent job, but they're people too.  And for some things, if you don't specify, there is a default that may not be what you had in mind.  So, in other words, when Brown brings that most beautiful of all packages to your doorstep and you open the box, there shouldn't be a, "I wanted SS frets, they didn't ask.  I didn't want a compound radius, they didn't ask."  Know your build inside and out before picking up the phone.  Start at one end of the guitar and work your way down assembling it in your head.  From the headstock end, tuners-what ream?  Nut-what type-what material?  Frets-what size?  Fretboard-what radius?  Neck-what finish if any-what contour?  Etc., Etc.

Oh, you'll love it too.  I'm done buying guitars/basses that didn't exist till I imagined them.

 

[zompocalypse]

ok is there a checklist or a book i can read for all those specifications? Because i have no idea about my preference on half of those things besides the fact that i want 3 humbuckers and i want it strung through the body which would eliminate the need for a bridge if im not mistaken id only need a cover but as for the nut width or the contour im totally lost

 

[Mor Paul]

String throughs do need bridges

There is a list somewhere on the forum, but like STDC said, start at the top and work your way down. Post what you've thought of, and we'll help with what's missing.

 

[smavridis]

You inspired me to write this.

http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=8678.0

 

[bbl4ck]

Hey,

Have no fear, you can and will build the best Flying V available.  My first Warmoth build was/is a flying V and it is coming to completion as we speak. 
I have had many stumbles along the way, but every one is a learning experience.  This is the link to Valentina:

http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=7890.0

Every part of the build is doable on your own.  However, some of the major aspects, such as the finish, can be done by Warmoth. 
If you have not done finish work, I would have Warmoth do that part for you.  They are experts and their work is second to none!!!

If you have additional questions, search the forum.  Almost anything can be found somewhere within the contents of the forum. 
If you don't find what you need... Post a question.  This is the best forum around and someone will have the knowledge to answer your question!!!

Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have any specific questions regarding the Warmoth V...
:rock-on:

 

[OzziePete]

Check twice and only do once!

Pre plan every step along the way almost with military shrewdness.

STOP! If you find yourself getting into something you weren't aware of. Go have a cup of coffee and THINK about the next step.

If you still can''t figure things out..... get on the net & ask here, look things up, Google for info. Get a couple of reference books like those mentioned above.

Do not be afraid to stop when you feel you are getting in too deep and take the project to a repairer to finish it off for you.

Every different style of guitar project is a learning experience for all of us, no doubt the V shape has it's challenges too. Learn to laugh at any curve balls thrown at you by the project. Oh, I have always felt that a Korina body and neck Flying V would sound yummy with some decent humbuckers, but a lot of them are made out of mahogany too.

 

[zompocalypse]

my sound ranges from clean blues, to that hendrix fuzz, to a heavy ear bleeding sound of grunge so i would love some input on what 3 humbuckers i should use

 

[Mor Paul]

I'd say PAF style.

 

[tfarny]

Agreed, get some regular-strength pickups for classic sounds, get a good fuzz pedal for the grunge stuff. Seymour duncan's website is the best place to start, but don't bother with the sound samples unless you have high-quality speakers or headphones on your computer - they'll all sound the same otherwise.

 

[mayfly]

Yea, I'd get some SD-59's or some of the groovy Lollars.  But then again, I am a Lollar slut.

BTW - are you thinking of any fancy coil taping / phase splitting / groovy pickup combinations?  Have you thought about what pickups you want activated in each switch position?

I ask because some 3 pickup guitars are wired with the bridge and middle pickups always on at the same time.  Having a switch with only one pickup on at a time is tricky with a Gibson style switch - but very doable with a strat style switch  :icon_biggrin:

 

[zompocalypse]

yeah i would use a srat style switch but id like for it to act like the Fender deluxe players strat in the sense that when the little button is pressed down the 4th position is all three pickups and the 5th position is the bridge and the neck if i can do that somehow thatd be awesome also i need a fretboard wood reccomendation, right now i play maple and id love something close in brightness to that

 

[bbl4ck]

 

Have you thought about what pickups you want activated in each switch position?

I ask because some 3 pickup guitars are wired with the bridge and middle pickups always on at the same time.  Having a switch with only one pickup on at a time is tricky with a Gibson style switch - but very doable with a strat style switch  :icon_biggrin:

Just an FYI.  Warmoth will not put a strat style switch slot on the Warmoth V.  I ran into this same problem myself.  It does not mean you cannot have it done by someone else, but Warmoth will not do it. 

yeah i would use a srat style switch but id like for it to act like the Fender deluxe players strat in the sense that when the little button is pressed down the 4th position is all three pickups and the 5th position is the bridge and the neck if i can do that somehow thatd be awesome also i need a fretboard wood reccomendation, right now i play maple and id love something close in brightness to that

I went with a Wenge/Jet Black Ebony neck for mine and was very happy I made that choice.  There is nothing like the feel and play of bare naked exotics. 

 

[zompocalypse]

also would you reccomend a laminate top? i plan to get custom paint
and i hav a fender american vg strat which is basically a standard thats tricked out and i would like the same fretwire size if you know what that is

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

If the top is a solid color, a lam top is a waste IMO.  If you're doing a burst, dye, or trans. color, definitely go lam top and show it off.  The 6130 fretwire is probably the closest to the Fender fretwire I believe.  It's still fairly tall.

 

[zompocalypse]

well the custom paint im planning on getting is a black and white version of the rising sun design but on the left side of the guitar so its the setting sun if you get what i mean so it would be paint but not a solid color

 

[mayfly]

well the custom paint im planning on getting is a black and white version of the rising sun design but on the left side of the guitar so its the setting sun if you get what i mean so it would be paint but not a solid color

Paint but not a solid color?  Sorry, but I don't understand.

 

[zompocalypse]

black and white isnt a single solid color is it? oh well im a noob anyway do they take custom finish orders now? because this is what i had in mind