Mooncaster mods

[Hbom]

I'd like to see Warmoth make Mooncasters available with a center block.
It would cut down on feedback and allow for many more bridge options.

 

[Fat Pete]

They're made the same way as other Warmoth 'hollow' bodies, like a Tele thinline - solid wood with the 'wings' hogged out leaving the centre section. You couldn't mount a tom/stop on an actual hollow body. Even the Fender originals were made like an ES335 etc - maple ply with a centre block.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Some of Warmoth's carved tops are flat where the bridge portion is.  I'd guess if that bridge option isn't available, it's because isn't flat enough there to mount the bridge.  Such is the case with the VIP and discontinued carved top LP.  And yes, the Mooncaster isn't made like the semi hollow one it's modeled after.  It's more like the Thinline with big chambers.

 

[Hbom]

They're made the same way as other Warmoth 'hollow' bodies, like a Tele thinline - solid wood with the 'wings' hogged out leaving the centre section. You couldn't mount a tom/stop on an actual hollow body. Even the Fender originals were made like an ES335 etc - maple ply with a centre block.

Thanks FP, I should have known the answer to this already. But I called Warmoth last week and was told that the Mooncaster was a hollow body and couldn't have string through body because of it.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Because it's hollow body is perplexing answer. Yes it's hollow. No it isn't built like a traditional hollow body. And...the originals were hollow bodies with that bridge.

Imagine the learning curve involved to work the phone there.  One has to be familiar with every body style and their options.  Every neck and body wood along with their finishes. Add to that the reasons why all options aren't available on all bodies.

 

[Fat Pete]

The originals had a string-thru bridge but it was a big, stacked up thing. This one's had the original replaced with a conventional hardtail but still needs to be sitting on a 'plinth' to deal with the arch top - and the string geometry (the saddle height from the front of the body is similar to a TOM).

On Warmoth's Mooncaster, the geometry probably is an issue too, but only because the default CNC neck pocket angle is set to 'high' - unlike the VIP which can deal with trems (but not flat-surface-requiring 6-hole vintage ones) and the taller hardtail bridges. I'm not sure why the recessed TOM/string-thru option isn't available on the VIP (in the builder at least) but suspect it's because of the double-lam top.

As STDC says, I'm sure it's the curve of the top that rules out Fender-style hardtails. If you want a neater bridge setup than the TOM/stop arrangement, I think they'll drill for the Gotoh 510 or Schaller 456 if you ask - I'm pretty sure I've seen at least one go through the showcase.

The lack of tremolo routing options on the Mooncaster, Regal and Royale is a mistake IMHO. Trems may not be what most people want on those guitar styles but isn't 'custom' supposed to be what it's all about? Set those CNC programmers to work!

 

[rockandroller]

One Mooncaster mod that I would DEARLY like to see would be a "no-binding" option.

Something with a thicker "ledge" that would permit much more aggressive edge radius all around (Like a Rickenbacker 360, or even rounder!) - and perhaps even leave one corner un-hollowed to accommodate a forearm comfort cutaway. With a solid color finish, binding shouldn't really be required!

Why? Because I would love a hollowbody that doesn't chew up my strumming arm with a hard edge on the top...

 

[mark1178]

Solid body! Clap clap clap clap clap! Solid body!