looking for some honest advice from people who have actually built or owned partscasters

[kimwr11]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for some honest advice from people who have actually built or owned partscasters.

I have been going back and forth on a Warmoth/Musikraft-style project for quite a while. At first, I was really excited about building my own guitar, but the more I priced everything out, the more I started wondering whether I should just buy a good factory guitar instead.

Here is where I am at:

I found a very light swamp ash body, about 3.13 lbs, with a grain pattern I really like.





I originally wanted a more Richie Sambora-inspired build.




But once I started l looking at the total cost, the project started feeling less like a fun build and more like a very expensive custom exercise.
The neck cost in particular is a big concern for me.
I am also wondering whether I should just stop trying to “force” a partscaster and buy something like a Fender Ultra Luxe Floyd Rose, or even a Kramer Jersey Star, or Charvel So-cal since those already have a lot of the vibe I want.





The main reason I am posting is that I keep hearing the usual anti-partscaster arguments from regular guitar communities:

“money pit”
“bad resale”
“can’t guarantee quality”
“poor value compared to a production guitar”

And honestly, I understand why people say those things.

To be honest, this is not even the first time I have gone through this cycle.

I have started planning partscaster projects several times before, and almost every time I eventually stopped once the total cost started approaching high-end production guitar territory. At that point, factory guitars start looking like the more rational option.

But somehow I keep coming back to the idea again.

At this point, it honestly feels almost like a syndrome or a mental illness — not in a serious way, of course, but more like something that keeps pulling me back in no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise.

Part of me feels like I may never fully get over it unless I actually build and own one myself.

I understand that partscasters are usually not the “smart” financial decision. But I also know that many people here build them for reasons beyond pure logic or resale value.

So I would really like to hear from people here who actually like building these guitars:

What made the project worth it for you?
At what point does a partscaster become a bad idea financially?
Do you think a light, good-looking body like this is enough reason to keep going?
Would you personally keep building, or would you pivot to a production guitar in this situation?
If you have ever felt “why am I doing this instead of just buying a good guitar?”, what did you end up doing?

I would appreciate any honest experiences, especially from people who have built Warmoth-based guitars or have gone through the same kind of hesitation.

Thank you.

 

[WrongPickguard]

I build stuff that I can't buy, and I'm at the point where I know what specs I like the most. You'll probably mess up your first partscaster or two if you're still not sure what the perfect guitar is for you.

I have to have light guitars now with contoured heels, so I order them chambered now with extra light bodies from Warmoth. I have a 3lb jazzmaster body with a strat jack, gotoh 510, and a Musikraft neck with my favorite profile, and I have a hard time putting it down.

My opinion: If you can find your perfect guitar out in the wild, then get it. You might be able to find a color or wood that Warmoth doesn't have as well. A high-end guitar like the Fender Ultra Luxe won't need any fretwork done like a Warmoth neck as well. That said, nothing beats lightweight guitars in my opinion, and I'm very picky with my specs, so I doubt I'll ever have a non-partscaster again.

 

[JohnnyHardtail]

It is smart to buy a guitar off-the-shelf if you find one that suits your requirements. That way there is less risk, less work, and you can flip it more easily if you have second thoughts afterwards.

My suggestion is the look closely at all the various features. Look at the neck specs, such as radius, back carve, nut-width, fret material and fret size. Check whether these things are ok for you, or if it even matters to you. Check the body contours and styling, and finish options that suit your preference. Then look at the type of bridge, see if you like the type of bridge and it suits your style and usage. Also check the overall quality of the guitar, whether they have a reputation for imperfections or playablility issues. So there are a lot of choices. The point is the custom guitar has a advantage if it allows a combination of features that are not avialable off the shelf. If you buy a guitar and you want to make modifications, such as changing the pickups or do a neck-swap, then you could re-examine the cost and benefits of the parts-caster alternative.

Building a partscaster is not a good financial decision in itself. You are basically spending more money on something specialised and custom. It only provides value if you are seeking something unique that is not avaiable off the shelf.

 

[Bruce Campbell]

I only built something after 25 years' playing, which included gradual learning and acquisition of tools to first work on setup & electronics, then eventually frets & nuts. By that point I had a need to do a custom neck carve, in order to help my fretting hand from chronic issues (which persist). I started with the neck, and once I liked it set up on my actual Strat body, I got a Warmoth body and it's been my main guitar since then. I didn't feel confident going about a lot of it at first, and don't have craft anywhere near the level of many fellow Warmoth enthusiasts, but I can't regret the journey since it's helped me keep playing as much as possible and helped me more effectively utilize available tones.

If I was faced with trying to build a custom guitar without having lived through all that, though, I'd be in a similar scenario to the OP. You have a few specific ideas of guitars you'd like that satisfy a lot of your requirements, so I'd think at least trying one or more of those first would be smart. At that point, if you feel like you want to get even more specific or hone in on certain details, you could certainly continue the process/journey, but you know what you're in for, basically (IMO of course).

 

[stratamania]

If you have real considerations about cost, whether it is something for you etc and so on, do not have already a good guitar, perhaps just buy something you like.

Then if you want a fun project, perhaps having a second cheaper guitar that can be modded over time might be something to consider.

Otherwise...

At this point, it honestly feels almost like a syndrome or a mental illness — not in a serious way, of course, but more like something that keeps pulling me back in no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise.

 

[rauchman]

IMHO......

The magic of what Warmoth, Musicraft, etc., brings, is the idea of spec'ing the body/neck to exactly what you want. For me, this is especially important for the neck. Warmoth, and the other parts makers, offer for the neck a variety of shaft and fretboard woods, contours/profiles, nut width, frets, radius, etc., and allows for a possible mix of specs that you'd be hard pressed to find elsewhere. For the body, a variety of core woods, top woods, routes, bridges, shapes, etc.

If this is important to you, then I'd encourage you to try your hand at a build. If you're doing this yourself, you'll need a minimum of knowing how to do a setup and decent soldering skills. If starting from unfinished bodies (this is the way I roll), some knowledge of finish work. The neck, while very playable out of the box, will likely benefit from fret work. Short of having a custom builder make your dream guitar, this is the next best route for a "custom" guitar.

However, if you're already considering resale of what you're going to build, you'll likely not get your investment back.

I've made 3 Warmoths and 1 from another manufacturer, all starting from unfinished bodies. My 1st build turned out to be the best, but all are very good and I play them all. All are creative expressions of what I want from an electric guitar, and some have evolved a bit over time. I'd be hard pressed to by another OEM bolt on, vs putting together another Warmoth, as I have yet to find a Fender, Charvel, Ibanez, etc., that "nail it" for what I'm looking for. Set neck/neck through is another story entirely.

 

[NedRyerson]

People who've built/owned Partscasters: well, that would be this community! It is Warmoth's gig, after all

I've heard those same waggling-fingers-of-disapproval/I-know-better-than-you admonishments about building vs. buying. And as such, given both the arguments plus the nature/motives of the arguer, I can say this:

• “money pit”
• “bad resale”
• “can’t guarantee quality”
• “poor value compared to a production guitar”

It's notable that each of those statements has its root in money.

If you're getting into building a guitar to save money, you're doing it wrong. If you expect that whatever you build will sell, that's naive. If you're getting into building a guitar to become your own brand, you've got to have actual business experience and at the very least understand the concept of "economy of scale" let alone the skills and knowledge of building a guitar.

So many horror stories in other music communities of boutique builders who get orders for thousands of dollars then quickly find themselves underwater because they lacked the acumen to manage the business, not just assuming their skills in crafting would be sufficient.

As for quality, that's gonna be on you. You could choose to buy the generic, no-name economy parts. You could choose to splurge on top-of-the-line hardware. But then there's the risk of measurements & dimensions. Will it fit? If it doesn't, how do you fix that? You also learn how to critically evaluate the wood itself. Is it warped, twisted, cupped? Are the joints square? If not, can you fix it? Is it worth fixing yourself?

We on this forum at least build because we like to. We're not in it for the profit. We're not in it for the resale as a primary motivator.

Some of us build to learn a new skill. Until 2019, I was never a woodworker. I've been an IT guy professionally for the majority of my adult life. Since 2019 and starting with my first kit guitar, I've evolved my guitar building scope and grown in woodworking skills. I rarely buy a body anymore. I just make them now (and I've made some really goofy shapes, most of which were failures of form and function in real life ). I'm getting into making my own necks. The woodworking experience has helped me expand into non-guitar areas.

I'm certainly not going to turn woodworking into a business to support myself in retirement. But it's a fulfilling diversion from my life in technology.

That's my primary motivator: the enrichment. And I get the flexibility of crafting the instrument I want rather than what the manufacturers offer me. I've also improved my maintenance and setup skills through this work, so at the very least, some of my friends know they can come to me for a quick evaluation of things that might need work on their instruments. And if I can't fix it, I can at least arm them with the knowledge of what to ask for when they go see someone who can.

 

[Spud]

I rubbed a partscaster on my face once.......................it was magical!

 

[mayfly]

I build them as tools to make music; tools that I can't get any other way. I have particular requirements (broke my left thumb years ago: need a particular neck, gotta have particular pickups and electronics, need a b-bender, etc, etc). These requirements put me into custom guitar territory and as soon as you cross that bridge you realize that making your own is a much better route that having someone make one for you.

I'm not worried about re-sale: these are music making tools specifically made for me. I play the crap out of them; that's what they are for. If you are worried about money and you don't have particular requirements, then get a Squire. Seriously! They are good instruments that will easily do the job. Paint it, mod it, go nuts. It will sound great with not a lot of $$ in it. The switches and pots will have to be replaced down the road, but that's pretty minor.

my $0.02.

 

[teleme01]

Briefly, you can build a cheap partscaster with cheap parts or you can build a partscaster with only the best parts. One will have bad resale and the other you may not want to sell. Trash in Trash out

 

[Verne Bunsen]

I liken it to gardening. Putting in and cultivating a garden is in no way cheaper than going to the store and buying a tomato. It is in no way easier than just buying a tomato. But if you like a certain kind of tomato, or if you find garden tomatoes tastier than store tomatoes, or if you are particular about the growing conditions of the tomatoes you plan to eat, or if you just enjoy the process of being out in the garden tending tomatoes, then the rewards far outweigh the investments. Same with partscasters. You are unlikely to save money, if you sell it you will probably lose money, it is going to take longer than you think, and you are going to mess up and have to learn things along the way. But the process is very rewarding, gives you total control over your specs, and can produce a one-of-a-kind result that will really mean something when you play it. If buying an off-the-shelf guitar for you means immediately replacing the pickups and rewiring and installing locking tuners and upgrading the bridge/trem, then you already have the inclination and some of the skill set. It’s a hobby, and it is only worth undertaking if you will enjoy the process. I’d say that wanting to do it should probably be your main motivator. Elsewise, you might very well end up wishing you just got something off the shelf

 

[Rick]

A long time ago I used to upgrade the guitars I bought, and that lead me to Warmoth, and after upgrading everything on a guitar I said why can't I just skip the upgrade step. I'll never be like my cousin who bought crap classic cars and upgraded them into works of art (not enough money), but still it scratches that same itch, of making something you can use that's beautiful, that you made.

So that money issue is all relative, and frankly, in my life, it's only the junkies I've met who aske the question about "return on investment" on guitar pedals for instance, and think only about the bucks. Guitar equipment is not going to make you a millionaire, unless you are roaming around the stratosphere in terms of money, thinking about a return on investment, consider only this: how will this beautiful tool that you make, make you feel; but thinking about how it's going to grow in value monitarily is delusional.

So let me ask you some questions:
Do you have that itch? Then scratch it man and get it out of your system. Let us know if the urge is big enough.
How much upgrading have you done?
Have you built guitar pedals (or kit radios, or built a house, done your own plumbing, put up a fence, or a retaining wall, repaired a motorcycle)?

If the itch isn't strong, my suggestions is, start small, upgrade the guitar you have, maybe buy a neck, get new pickups, swap out the pots, build a kit pedal .... go slow. If you like it, then make the leap and build a parts caster. Personally, I think you'll like it, but start with baby steps, if you haven't done so already.

And remember, financially, it's relative, think about people who do this with cars, or motorcycles, or any other gear or tool. Relatively speaking it's within your reach, it might not be immediate gratification, for instance it took me, realistcally, one year to save up the money to buy the parts for my current
build. The planning and saving and anticipation is part of the fun. So that's another thing, if you want immediate gratification just head over to your local guitar store, and look at used gear. Nothing wrong with that, I do it. All depends on what you want. You have to make up your own mind.

Do you have the will power to delay gratification?

 

[mycroftxxx]

I’ll be building my third Warmoth this summer (probably another 8 weeks before the parts come in) and I do it because:

• I can get more-or-less exactly the specs I want - scale length, neck profile, body shape, etc.
• Warmoth has a lot more wood and finishing options than, say, Fender - e.g., I can’t get a bound body Strat from Fender (I love bound bodies on my guitars!) except maybe through FCS.
• I can put whatever pickup combos I want on the guitar, with whatever switching I want
• I can get near-Suhr quality for half the cost of a Suhr
• I enjoy the heck out of the process of putting the whole thing together, both the mechanical assembly stuff and the wiring design, soldering, etc.
• And I don’t care about resale - I’m not a flipper.

YMMV, of course, but the above is why I do this.

 

[ghostrider]

Most everything has been covered, but I'll ad this...

I get something very unique that doesn't look like everyone else's guitar. If you want an SSS Sonic Blue Strat with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard, there's nothing wrong with that (I built one), but just buy a production one. It will end up looking like every other Sonic Blue Strat you've ever seen and you don't have to worry about any concerns in that list.

However, building a partscaster allows you to build something that is unique in every way and doesn't look like a cookie cutter guitar.

In addition to that, it's something that's more personal because you came up with the design choices and you assembled it. Then you can pass it down to your kids (if you have them) as an heirloom that was personal to you. "My dad built this guitar and loved it. Having it reminds me of him." The flipside of "This was my dad's Sonic Blue Strat that looks like every other Sonic Blue Strat" is a little less appealing.

 

[Wizard of Wailing]

Maybe in the future just buy a compatible neck for a guitar you already own and see how you like it? That way you can start small and see if the custom features are worth it to you. The neck is the most important thing anyway IMO.

 

[Strat Avenger]

What's a "partscaster"?

 

[vetteman]

My 2 cents worth is this. You may or may not wind up with that magical combination of parts that makes playing effortless and sounds fantastic by building your own guitar. First thing is to try out other guitars and find the neck carve that fits your hand and the body shape you can live with. I personally love the look of a telecaster but find the body too wide to comfortably play sitting down. Don't like a neck that is too thin or too fat either. (I know....the whole Goldilocks bit). I also prefer a pickup with midrange bite and can only stand single coils when somebody else is playing them. Use the best parts you can afford and build your guitar for the enjoyment of the process and to prove you can do it, not because of resale consideration. Even with the best parts and precise build you can still end up with a guitar that is a dud. So, if when you are testing out other guitars and you find that magical combo - buy it. You will be better off in the long run.

 

[Spud]

I liken it to gardening. Putting in and cultivating a garden is in no way cheaper than going to the store and buying a tomato. It is in no way easier than just buying a tomato. But if you like a certain kind of tomato, or if you find garden tomatoes tastier than store tomatoes, or if you are particular about the growing conditions of the tomatoes you plan to eat, or if you just enjoy the process of being out in the garden tending tomatoes, then the rewards far outweigh the investments. Same with partscasters. You are unlikely to save money, if you sell it you will probably lose money, it is going to take longer than you think, and you are going to mess up and have to learn things along the way. But the process is very rewarding, gives you total control over your specs, and can produce a one-of-a-kind result that will really mean something when you play it. If buying an off-the-shelf guitar for you means immediately replacing the pickups and rewiring and installing locking tuners and upgrading the bridge/trem, then you already have the inclination and some of the skill set. It’s a hobby, and it is only worth undertaking if you will enjoy the process. I’d say that wanting to do it should probably be your main motivator. Elsewise, you might very well end up wishing you just got something off the shelf

One time I cultivated a tomato.

 

[Verne Bunsen]

One time I cultivated a tomato.

If I divided the amount I’ve spent on gardening by the number of tomatoes I have successfully cultivated, I would have very expensive tomatoes

 

[Spud]

If I divided the amount I’ve spent on gardening by the number of tomatoes I have successfully cultivated, I would have very expensive tomatoes

Verne I like the proverbial “cut of your jib” !