New to Warmoth - What do I need to purchase?

[Fnac]

Hi all,

I've been looking into putting together a nice Warmoth 5 string, however I know nothing about putting together a bass from parts; If I purchase a Warmoth body & neck, what other hardware do I need to purchase (Say, with active Bart P2's)?

Also, I was looking into purchasing a Black Korina body with some kind of maple top (w/ a satin finish), and pairing that with a Wenge neck (graphite rod) with an ebony fretboard. From what I've read, Wenge is considerably heavier; anything I should do to negate neck dive and such?

Thanks so much in advance.

 

[Cagey]

Welcome to the club! Specifying and putting together your own custom instrument is very satisfying.

You do need to keep in mind that Warmoth doesn't sell "kits", they're just parts. As such, it's up to you and those you surround yourself with to keep you on track. This forum tries to be part of "those you surround yourself with". Warmoth won't stop you from buying a bridge that won't work with the body you just bought because they have no idea what you're going to do with it. Also, while they try to provide things as ready to work as possible, variations in aftermarket parts mean some things won't be done. For example, there won't be holes drilled for mounting your pickguard or tuners.

On the plus side, what's not done is generally pretty simple to do. It's just stuff that's waiting on a final decision or setup.

As for what you need to build your bass, a generic list would look something like:

• Tuners
• Neck, optionally with nut and frets
• Neck attachment plate
• Screws for neck plate
• Body
• Pickups
• Pickup mounting rings
• Screws to mount pickups
• Pickguard
• Screws to mount pickguard
• Switch(es)
• Pots
• Sheilded cable/wire
• Knobs
• Tone capacitor(s)
• Bridge
• String ferrules
• Jackplate and output jack
• Strap hangers

Of course, depending on the instrument, you may need more or less of what's on that list. But, that's probably as good a starting point as any.

If there are any questions, you can always ask here. There are a lotta experienced people who hang out here who are more than happy to help.

Good luck on your project!

 

[Godzooky75]

I second Cagey's response and might add a few points...

I would decide on your electronics, or at least your pickup style first. Guitar assembly is very doable for the average DIYer; Re-routing pickup cavities is not.

I'm don't think neck dive will be that severe. I have a Warmoth guitar with a mahogany body and wenge neck w/ebony fretboard and haven't noticed an inbalance. I also happen to have an Ibanez 5 string bass with a wenge/ebony neck and the neck dive was no worse than other 5 strings I have owned.

Youtube can be a great resource. For example, see this 36-part (!!!) series on assembling a guitar. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL82F87E351853722B

But if assembly is daunting or overwhelming, you can always "cheat" (as I have done) and take it to a luthier for assembly.  But don't underestimate yourself (or overestimate your luthier). I ended up rewiring my guitar myself because I found the quality of the work sub-par.

Finally, do it! I've owned guitars from $200 to $2000 and my Warmoth is my baby. I lusted after, selected, and know every part in there and that makes it MINE!

Go make yours!  :yourock:

 

[Fnac]

Exactly the replies I was searching for, thanks so much!

I was going to take it to a luthier either way; No way I'm comfortable with doing that myself.

I feel like a nice build will sound good either way (or I'd find a way to make it sound good). I'm mostly worrying about whether they in fact play well. My Fender American deluxe jazz bass plays like butter and I'd like to keep it that way.  :icon_smile:

 

[ghotiphry]

My Warmoth bass lineup.  I built them all (Cagey did the neck work on the trans red).  It's extremely satisfying.  I also own a couple of actual Fenders.  I never play them.  I'll take any of these four any day over a stock Fender for sound and playability.

Don't dismiss the idea of self-assembly.  It's not that hard, really.

Feel free to ask about stuff.

If you are concerned about neck weight, I have a couple necks with roasted maple meat.  I can tell you they are lighter than my pau ferro necks.  They burnish up wonderfully slick.  Having said that, I wouldn't trade my heaviest neck (pau ferro/pau ferro on the right most bass) for anything.  It is above and beyond my favorite.  Ultralight tuners will help.

I'm a big fan of Lindy Fralin pickups, they are in the copperhead quilt maple (2nd from left) and the trans red.  Nordstrands in the natural flame maple and Lace alumitones in the BRY.

All of my basses were built with active electronics.  I have two Audere systems and two John East.

I'm a big fan of the original BadAss II bridges.  They can be expensive as they no longer make them.  Check out the Omega bridges.  I've also used Babicz and KickAss bridges.

There are a lot of decisions to be made.  There are a lot of options out there.  It can be confusing.  Take your time, ask questions if you want.

 

[TBurst Std]

I like that grouping.  Any basses with a MM pup type planned?

 

[ghotiphry]

I like that grouping.  Any basses with a MM pup type planned?

Thank you.  I thought once about doing a MM pickup, and did some research on it.  I veered away from it for a few reasons.  These are the main two:  I like the Fender P/J and J/J pickups, visually and sonically, and there are just a lot more of them out there in that configuration.  The MusicMan pickups seem to be a breed unto themselves, and more designed to work/sound best with a specific, original MM eq/preamp.  Let's just call it a personal choice, like the fact that I like jazz basses.

 

[Fnac]

Those are some beautiful builds. I'm still thinking about what kind of pickups I would use. I have the most experience with passive pickups, however I like both passive and actives. Is there such a thing as passive Bart p2's? I should mention I intend to use the Warmoth 5-string as my main axe along with my Fender 4-string.

 

[ghotiphry]

There's a heck of a lot of different Bart pickups.  Yes, there are. 

https://www.bartolini.net/product-category/bass-pickup/5-string-bass-pickup/soapbar-5-string-bass-pickup/

Here is one for a 5 string bridge: https://www.bartolini.net/product/p25cbc-b/
And the matching neck:  https://www.bartolini.net/product/p25cbc-t/

I've not done a Bartolini pickup, let alone the P2 format, although it was another one I considered.

I should mention that even though I'm using preamps in all my basses, they are all passive pickups.

 

[ghotiphry]

Soooo... how goes the quest?

 

[Fnac]

Soooo... how goes the quest?

Still deciding on electronics and such, but going to talk to a luthier on saturday about it. I also need to figure out all extra costs when purchasing the products since I live in Belgium and ordering from the US has tons of costs attached to it. Thanks for the help though! Will keep you posted I figure it's going to take a while but I just want to make sure I get the best build for me with as few surprises as possible.

 

[Fnac]

Just remembered something... I was thinking of doing a build with a smaller string spacing than usual. I read somewhere Warmoth recommends at least 17.5mm but not all pickups are suitable for that, right? How should I go about the right pickups for 17.5mm string spacing?

 

[ghotiphry]

I wish I had some actual advice to give you on your question.  If you're using standard pole type pickups...  I just don't know if it makes a difference.  Some people will swear it does, if there is an "off" for string to pole alignment.  Some swear it doesn't.

You could try a blade type?  Or maybe Lace Alumitones?  I don't know if that interests you.

 

[rgand]

You could try a blade type?

This is a very good idea. There are some terrific ones out there.