Hello,
You may have first met me here, http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=3585.msg37918#msg37918 when I expressed surprise that Warmoth wouldn't/couldn't actually build and deliver a complete axe. I ended up doing a Warmoth build, and here are some pics:
(pay no attention to the trashed living room. our 8-month-old skipped crawling and just up and started walking the other day, we we've had to danger-fast move everything up to higher ground)
Pretty run-of-the-mill for Warmoth, from what I've read--hollowed/heel-cut Quilt Maple / Alder body, burst finish, qtr-sawn maple neck w/ ebony fretboard. I'm using a Wilkenson vibrato with that and the tuning machines having the satin finish, which I think is elegant as hell.
Build was uneventful, except the fact that I did such a good job of forgetting that I had a guitar on the way that I forgot to order my pickups from Chris Kinman, so I'll be waiting a few more days on those. In the meantime, I pulled some other Kinmans out of my box with some pots and other various screws and washers and temp. rigged something (this is the reason for the random gold screws you see in the photos) I could play for the next week or so until the Kinmans that are slated for this guitar arrive. Neck took a nice firm squeeze to get it in the pocket, but once there, it seemed as though I could pull strings up to concert pitch and play the thing w/o neck screws. As it happens, I did screw down the neck, wired up a pickguard, applied strings, raised the action a bit, and off I was.
Only a lefty knows the type of guitar frustration that we go through if we are cursed with knowing what we like / want. The sad fact is that you either play it upside-down, or you choose between vanilla/chocolate/strawberry. So, when mom and dad asked what they could give me for a graduation present, I decided to have a custom guitar made. Little did I know I'd be doing the home-stretch of the build by myself, but I seemed to have gotten off light in the problems department, since I don't really have any. The guitar is a real player that at this early date feels and sounds like it has potential for greatness. This axe almost plays itself, and I've spent less than ten minutes adjusting it just so the strings would fret. I'm pretty stoked about it, overall. It is very light, yet feels no different than any other Strat', just lighter and more . . . . dangerous. I almost felt weird pointing it at people, as if it was some exotic German rifle.
If I had to criticize Warmoth, I would say 1)They should have a better response to people who ask them to build a guitar 2)Make relationships with high-end machine shops that will do one-off custom work, and point their customers to them when the need arises 3) Don't put a stupid warning sticker on the fretboard! It's tacky enough as it is w/ the finish residue on the frets.
Overall, I give Warmoth an A, right down to "Spike," who did a good job taking the order over the telephone. When you run a business that deals directly with the public, you want people like "Spike" interfacing with customers.
You may have first met me here, http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=3585.msg37918#msg37918 when I expressed surprise that Warmoth wouldn't/couldn't actually build and deliver a complete axe. I ended up doing a Warmoth build, and here are some pics:
(pay no attention to the trashed living room. our 8-month-old skipped crawling and just up and started walking the other day, we we've had to danger-fast move everything up to higher ground)
Pretty run-of-the-mill for Warmoth, from what I've read--hollowed/heel-cut Quilt Maple / Alder body, burst finish, qtr-sawn maple neck w/ ebony fretboard. I'm using a Wilkenson vibrato with that and the tuning machines having the satin finish, which I think is elegant as hell.
Build was uneventful, except the fact that I did such a good job of forgetting that I had a guitar on the way that I forgot to order my pickups from Chris Kinman, so I'll be waiting a few more days on those. In the meantime, I pulled some other Kinmans out of my box with some pots and other various screws and washers and temp. rigged something (this is the reason for the random gold screws you see in the photos) I could play for the next week or so until the Kinmans that are slated for this guitar arrive. Neck took a nice firm squeeze to get it in the pocket, but once there, it seemed as though I could pull strings up to concert pitch and play the thing w/o neck screws. As it happens, I did screw down the neck, wired up a pickguard, applied strings, raised the action a bit, and off I was.
Only a lefty knows the type of guitar frustration that we go through if we are cursed with knowing what we like / want. The sad fact is that you either play it upside-down, or you choose between vanilla/chocolate/strawberry. So, when mom and dad asked what they could give me for a graduation present, I decided to have a custom guitar made. Little did I know I'd be doing the home-stretch of the build by myself, but I seemed to have gotten off light in the problems department, since I don't really have any. The guitar is a real player that at this early date feels and sounds like it has potential for greatness. This axe almost plays itself, and I've spent less than ten minutes adjusting it just so the strings would fret. I'm pretty stoked about it, overall. It is very light, yet feels no different than any other Strat', just lighter and more . . . . dangerous. I almost felt weird pointing it at people, as if it was some exotic German rifle.
If I had to criticize Warmoth, I would say 1)They should have a better response to people who ask them to build a guitar 2)Make relationships with high-end machine shops that will do one-off custom work, and point their customers to them when the need arises 3) Don't put a stupid warning sticker on the fretboard! It's tacky enough as it is w/ the finish residue on the frets.
Overall, I give Warmoth an A, right down to "Spike," who did a good job taking the order over the telephone. When you run a business that deals directly with the public, you want people like "Spike" interfacing with customers.
