Is a Warmoth guitar worth $2k?

[oppressedLefty]

I've been considering doing a Warmoth build for a while now, but I've never seen or played one in person. How is the build quality compared to higher end guitars (since that's the price point the Warmoth ends up being in). Do they look and feel like a higher end guitar?

Also, If you build a good looking one, how do they hold up value wise in terms of resale?

 

[SustainerPlayer]

1. That is pretty much up to you and your (or your builder of choice) skills. But if you have that down - yes.

2. Forget about resell value.

 

[Cagey]

I've been considering doing a Warmoth build for a while now, but I've never seen or played one in person. How is the build quality compared to higher end guitars (since that's the price point the Warmoth ends up being in). Do they look and feel like a higher end guitar?

Also, If you build a good looking one, how do they hold up value wise in terms of resale?

I've been watching Warmoth since they started in business and always wanted to take advantage of them but couldn't stand the pricing. Then, about 6 months ago I found myself disgusted with what I had, but couldn't justify what I wanted due to pricing from the major "quality" builders. Gibson, Fender, and PRS make some fine instruments, but they're very dear. What makes a Strat worth $3,500 fer crissakes? So, I went the Warmoth route.

I can't tell you in words how happy I've been that I did so, but I'll try. The guitar I have now is the envy of everybody who's seen/played it. The quality is second to none, and it looks/plays/sounds like something you'd pay the $3,500 for. It wasn't cheap - I probably have $1,400 into it - but I wouldn't trade it for anything from anybody's "custom" shop. Whoever they have doing their finishes are magicians, and their neck builders are golden. You might have to have a dressing on the fingerboard, but from what I've read the chances are it'll show up perfect. Mine certainly didn't need any attention. The finishes on the bodies are stellar - I'm on my second build now, and I'm amazed at what they delivered. I've never seen such fine work. They also seem to have the inside track on wood suppliers, and get only the best of the best. If they say it's AAAAA flame maple, you may rest assured that you'll get something you've never seen before. I mean, they're no bullshitters. You can order their stuff blind and not worry about it. It'll be great. They're also very reasonable about things that some manufacturers aren't, such as premium frets. Stainless steel is only a $20 adder, which is a no-brainer. First time you play SS frets, you'll go "WTF? Why doesn't everybody do this?"

I don't have any links handy, but there are some threads here where people show off what they've built. Nothing short of amazing in the lot.

Unfortunately, the resale value is not good. Not that you'll have to give the thing away, but it's not going to get the big bucks a name brand will. I've watched numerous very fine units either not sell or sell cheap on eBay. The great majority of players or wannabes want what their heros play, and that's almost invariably a Gibson or a Fender. Those companies see to it. You almost can't be famous and play anything else. The won't let you. Everybody has a price, and the big manufacturers can afford it no matter what it is. So, if you think you can build a $3,500 guitar for $1.200 and sell it for $2,000, fuhgeddaboudit. You'll have a $3,500 guitar, but it's for you to enjoy.

 

[shanejw]

Warmoth should be right up your alley if you're a lefty.  If you want what "everyone else" is playing buy a production model.  If you want something that stands out and is truly YOURS go the Warmoth route.  You won't be dissapointed.  You get to choose everything..wood type (you can even pick out the top you want), finish, options, electronics..you name it.  When I play PRS guitars and such at Guitar Center I just don't get the feeling like I'm playing something special, and for $3500 you should get that feeling. There's always the feeling that ANYBODY could have this guitar, but I have the only one of mine.  I spent $2500 on my first Warmoth and it has EVERYTHING I wanted all in one package...I had to settle for NOTHING-something you have to do with the limited choices you have with production models.  The resale is a lot less but why would you custom build anything with the intent on selling it?  You won't be sorry with Warmoth.  Here are the four that I've built.

 

[line6man]

How is the build quality compared to higher end guitars (since that's the price point the Warmoth ends up being in). Do they look and feel like a higher end guitar?

I'm a bit curious what kind of answer you were expecting us to give you, considering this is the company's forum?

"I've built 50 Warmoth guitars, but don't waste your time with Warmoth, they are low end crap guitars..."

 

[hannaugh]

The Warmoth experience is so different from getting a guitar at a shop.  I got to pick out the top for my Les Paul.  How many people can say they got to pick out pieces of wood for their guitars?  Only people who have done custom builds.  It's a very personal and rewarding experience, and you end up with something at or (usually) above the quality of big-name brand guitars for less cash.  You end up with something that will fill you with pride every time you pick it up and plug it in. 

That said, my guitar is beautiful.  When I show it to people, they gasp when I open the lid on the case.  It plays like butter, and the sound is awesome.  I've taken it to parties and let other people play it, and they are always impressed with it and sad to see it go when I leave. 

 

[Patrick from Davis]

In some respects the, "what is the quality of their builds?" question is a loaded question.  As has been said, the quality of materials is top shelf.  My own personal quirk is wenge necks.  I can get them from Warmoth.  But, the final word on playability is the set up.  If you want a guitar that plays like a dream it has to be set up properly.  I know that my ability to do this has increased leaps and bounds since I started to build Warmoth's.  But, I personally wouldn't charge anybody for my services, because I don't think it is as good as it can be.  A qualified tech can make that beautiful guitar play like a dream, and if you are looking for that, just be prepared to pay the money.  Because of licensing reasons, Warmoth doesn't sell guitars, they sell parts.  Incredible parts, but parts none the less.  You have to understand that, work from that perspective, and then the build process will not fool you.

The Resale value is not that high, but I will say, not many of us want to resell our unique guitar visions.

Whatever happens, Warmoth makes excellent quality parts, and I have never been anything but impressed by the quality.
Patrick

 

[JaySwear]

completely worth it. it'll be a guitar you keep with you until the day you die OR you'll catch the fever, be happy with the guitar for a few years maybe, then try to sell it to start your second build :icon_biggrin: i've been lucky enough to get to assemble two guitars. neither cost me over $1200. one from in-stock bodies and necks, and the second custom ordered. the first was really a learning experience, and the second is near perfect. both are awesome guitars.

oh, and even if you buy a body elsewhere, where warmoth really shines is with their necks. the best of the best in my opinion. their clear, burst, and transparent finishes are great, but if you're going for a solid color you most likely could get that anywhere for most body styles. but an exotic wood neck (not needing a finish) is definitely best done by warmoth. i absolutely love my purpleheart neck.

 

[Superbeast520]

I built 2 Warmoth guitars with very little complete guitar build experience, I took my time and researched the details along the way and they turned out to be grade A guitars, equal to any fender of the same price range, but practically worthless on resale, but then again whens the last time you bought a guitar as a sales investment?  
If thats your bag you wouldn't even be talking about building a guitar as its a completely irrelevent venue for that. You wont find better quality craftsmanship than Warmoth made parts, which is why some of the top custom build companies use Warmoth parts on their guitars, and they treat every customer as important as the next wether you build 100guitars or its only your first, so its kinda hard to knock anything about Warmoth.



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[Cagey]

Those are absolutely beautiful instruments! It's that kind of testament that drives Warmoth's continuity.

 

[whyachi]

Also consider that while Warmoth is going to provide you with top-shelf parts, part of the quality there comes from you / your builder. Plan your purchase well and be careful if you try to dye poplar.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

You don't build a Warmoth to sell it, you build a Warmoth to keep it.  :icon_thumright:

http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=8584.0

http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=8334.0

 

[hannaugh]

I feel a little weird when people are overly concerned about the resale value of a guitar.  I remember having a conversation with a shop owner when I was building my LP and he said something like "The only down side is you don't have as much resale value if it's a custom guitar," and I thought to myself that that was like thinking about someone you are going to marry and wondering if you could get a lot of cash in the divorce.  I wanted my LP because I wanted a guitar I could grow with and always have around, something that would be my standby.  Unless you're a beginner at guitar, I don't know why you would want to get an instrument with the idea of it being a temporary thing.  But I guess if you're a collector it makes sense... it's just really strange to me.  I love all my instruments, even the crappy ones.  If I were to get rid of one, I would probably give it to someone I knew was going to be nice to it, or I would trade it for something. 

 

[-CB-]

In terms of a "player" you can get as good, or even better than, say, Fender Custom Shop quality from getting Warmoth wood.

To be truthful, there are better (and more expensive) metal-work parts than what they offer on "some" things.  The Gotoh stuff, etc is ok, but some folks want special bridges and string hold downs and strap buttons and neck plates and control plates etc etc.   The stuff W has i good, but there is "better" stuff.  You can order lighter, heavier, prettier, plainer wood on bodies and necks.  You can order any kind of neck contour and fretboard radius.  You can order stainless frets in several sizes... and W always offers more and more options, most at very low cost.

Like Burger King, Warmoth lets you have it "your way", and coupled with the pickups of your choice, there is no reason you cannot have your dream guitar (within reason of course).

So, as a player, as a performing or recording instrument... absolute top shelf, best quality, second to none, perhaps equal with some.

As far as an investment and resale... forget it.  Any time you get everything "custom" it means its your way, not necessarily the way other want it.  Don't count on resale.  I dont sell guitars, I give them to deserving folks... so that doesn't bother me.

 

[Doughboy]

I've taken some of my Warmoths in to get appraised at music stores & 2 things always happen. The 1st thing that always happens is that the salesmen in the store gather around & oggle at the guitar & start to drool. The 2nd thing is that they give me a price that is so low they start to apologize.

If you're building a Warmoth to resell or trade in, forget it. If you're getting one to have your dream guitar for a fraction of a custom shop model, then you're dead on.

My last Warmoth turned out spectacular. It's a one piece mahogany body, ultra figured flame koa top, mahogany neck w/ bloodwood fingerboard & 6115 SS frets. I contoured the heel to give it a neck-thru feel & it sounds & looks incredible. There is no way I could've bought this guitar in a store & a luthier would've charged me 2-3x what I paid for it to build from scratch.

If I ever wanted to trade this guitar in, I'd get virtually nothing for it. But everytime I play it, I wonder how I ever used to buy off the shelf name brand guitars for 2k for all those years.

 

[JaySwear]

^ that top is awesome! looks like it's tie dyed

 

[Cagey]

I've taken some of my Warmoths in to get appraised at music stores & 2 things always happen. The 1st thing that always happens is that the salesmen in the store gather around & oggle at the guitar & start to drool. The 2nd thing is that they give me a price that is so low they start to apologize.

If you're building a Warmoth to resell or trade in, forget it. If you're getting one to have your dream guitar for a fraction of a custom shop model, then you're dead on.

My last Warmoth turned out spectacular. It's a one piece mahogany body, ultra figured flame koa top, mahogany neck w/ bloodwood fingerboard & 6115 SS frets. I contoured the heel to give it a neck-thru feel & it sounds & looks incredible. There is no way I could've bought this guitar in a store & a luthier would've charged me 2-3x what I paid for it to build from scratch.

If I ever wanted to trade this guitar in, I'd get virtually nothing for it. But everytime I play it, I wonder how I ever used to buy off the shelf name brand guitars for 2k for all those years.

That's a spectacular piece of work. I have a very similar body waiting on a neck right now, and everybody who sees it has the reaction you describe - drooling. "OMFG! Where did you get that?" they say.

I saw another one that's similar on eBay recently. Guy listed it 3 times, the last time threatening to not list it again. Kept dropping the price, from $2K to $1,750 to $1,500, and no bites. Never got a bid on the thing.

I think it's like CB says - you marry into these things for life. They're not investments. You can't even get back what you paid into them, let alone get good on one. They're a labor of love, an extension of our desires. Others may be envious, but they're like kids. Good for you, but they're yours. Nobody else wants to have anything to do with them, no matter how much they fawn over them. Oddly enough, I think if you were to give one away, it would be treasured for life and guarded as such.

 

[oppressedLefty]

thanks for all the informative responses.

 

[buckallred]

On a related note: I have been hesitant to bid on assembled Warmoth guitars because you never know who put the thing together. There could be screws broken off into the wood, holes that were drilled in the wrong locations or poorly done, etc. etc.

Warmoth parts are fantastic, I agree with everyone's comments. But I have seen Warmoth guitars on ebay that were obviously put together by amateurs who didn't "measure twice, drill once," you know. So really nice parts can be screwed up pretty permanently in the wrong hands.

Which is why I paid a pro luthier to assemble my beauties!

 

[Superlizard]

Worth $2K?  Sure... and the lefties are worth at least triple that of a typical Warmoth righty...

(edit:  MUAHAHAHAHAHA)