Newbie Question

[flienlow]

Newbie question -Please be patient 
They say if you have to ask why, it’s probably not a good idea. BUT...

Why?  Why should I buy a Warmoth LP and build it myself? After calculating the costs of what I would want, I seem to be suffering from sticker shock. Is it to save money, or just get exactly what I want and have the enjoyment of building it at the same time? Seems it’s either that, or this would be something just for artisans to do.


What is the quality like?

My though would be to build Les Paul Standard quality guitar for around a $1500 price tag. Is that reasonable?

What do I have once it’s finished? Since it doesn’t say “Gibson” on it, is the only value on it my own? In other words, If I don’t want to lose money would I be better off just buying a $2000 LP, hold on to it and sell for $2200 later (assuming that was the motivation?)

If anyone feels the urge to reflex on upon their experiences I would love to hear it.

 

[Superlizard]

The answer to your question is the answer to the following question:

Are you purchasing guitars to play them, or resell them?

 

[lafromla1]

A few things I have noticed since building my 2 (soon to be 3) Warmoth's is that you really can't compare the 'normal' off the wall Gibson/Fender/PRS to what you can make.  My reasoning for this is that if you build your Warmoth properly, you will be using the highest of quality components throughout the entire build, whereas, to get the same quality, you will be going to the Custom Shops of the respective manufacturers and paying roughly double to near triple of what the Warmoth will cost you.

Check that $2000 LP carefully for the parts that are used (i.e. tuners, pots, jacks, finish, etc...) .  If you can make a near identical looking one, but with better parts (cast metal vs. solid metal, etc...) for that price, isn't that a plus?

Buying Warmoth isn't buying discount, it's buying custom without the Custom Shop prices.  (yes, you can use it in your next advertising campaign  :icon_thumright

 

[AutoBat]

The quality of a Warmoth piece is superior, and the total price compared to an equally equipped Gibson will be cheaper.
The option of choosing what wood, what finish, neck contours, etc. will be much better than the options on an LP Standard.

Resale value will not be great. People want the Gibson name, how well it plays isn't as important in that market.

"What do I have once it's finished?"
- you have a guitar that you chose and assembled and the pride of owning a one of a kind guitar.

$1500 is a reasonable price target *depending* on what options you want, and what is all included in that price.
If you're willing/capable of painting/finishing the wood itself you can save a bit of money that route as well.

 

[B3Guy]

W is top notch material. Buy Warmoth and get it set up and adjusted by a tech that knows what they're doing, and you'll be hard pressed to find a better guitar than yours.

 

[simple]

And besides, they look killer...  :icon_biggrin:

 

[Jusatele]

Biggest reason to buy a Warmoth and build it is because..................................

HAVE YOU ACTUALLY PLAYED ANYTHING GIBSON HAS BUILT LATELY ?

I agree it cost a bit, but you will get the finish you want, or have someone do it, and that alone puts it above the finishes that Gibson is turning out for less than 5 Gs, and you get the hardware and electronics you want. In other words, a Custom LP for less than 7 grand

 

[elgravos]

One more thing: I wouldn't expect a 2010 LP standard to go up in value over time.  Given how many LPs have been churned out, I don't think there is a vintage market for any standard product Gibson made this century, or even earlier.

 

[flienlow]

Thanks for you input guys!

 

[DangerousR6]

And besides, they look killer...  :icon_biggrin:

You need a hair cut.... :icon_biggrin:

 

[scartozi]

IMO.....I would build what you want and enjoy it. If you build your own LP you can build "your" guitar, your own custom guitar without the huge price tag and get superior quality. I have a 2007 Fender Artist Series Eric Clapton "Blackie" strat that I've completely redone (doesn't resemble a "blackie" strat at all). Did I kill any resale value? Maybe.....maybe not, all depends on the quality of the build and materials used. BUT, I didn't build it worrying about resale.....I wanted to build a guitar the way I wanted and to suit my playing style. Bottom line.....you wont be disappointed in a Warmoth LP build.

 

[simple]

And besides, they look killer...  :icon_biggrin:

You need a hair cut.... :icon_biggrin:

Why? To fit in better with musicians?  arty07: 

Actually, I don't have my hair long for me. I'm doing it for the guys that can't anymore. I'm a humanitarian.  :icon_biggrin:

 

[DangerousR6]

And besides, they look killer...  :icon_biggrin:

You need a hair cut.... :icon_biggrin:

Why? To fit in better with musicians?  arty07:   

Actually, I don't have my hair long for me. I'm doing it for the guys that can't anymore. I'm a humanitarian.   :icon_biggrin:

Right.... :icon_thumright:

 

[Jusatele]

And besides, they look killer...  :icon_biggrin:

You need a hair cut.... :icon_biggrin:

Why? To fit in better with musicians?  arty07:   

Actually, I don't have my hair long for me. I'm doing it for the guys that can't anymore. I'm a humanitarian.   :icon_biggrin:

Right.... :icon_thumright:

yea, thats why I have a full head of hair, all the rest of the guys my age are balding, so I keep mine just for them, I am a giver.

 

[DangerousR6]

And besides, they look killer...  :icon_biggrin:

You need a hair cut.... :icon_biggrin:

Why? To fit in better with musicians?  arty07:   

Actually, I don't have my hair long for me. I'm doing it for the guys that can't anymore. I'm a humanitarian.   :icon_biggrin:

Right.... :icon_thumright:

yea, thats why I have a full head of hair, all the rest of the guys my age are balding, so I keep mine just for them, I am a giver.

Mine was in the middle of my back, until about 4 mos. ago...I'd had it that long for over 20 yrs, kinda refreshing to have it short again... :icon_biggrin:

 

[Jusatele]

cut mine around 98, I had it half way down the back (mullet) anyway, I went in and got a flattop, My wife got home and screamed her head off, did not recognize me.

 

[Firebird211]

My hair has been short for thirty years, and now it has been long for the last two.  I figure if I loose it, at least I grew it out while I could. :icon_thumright:  As for building your own guitar, everyone has done a great job answering you.  Outside of the Warmoth body and neck, which would be the best quality you can get, any way that you want it.  There is something about building your guitar just the way you want it according to your style and taste that just improves your playing and inspiration.  You know your guitar inside out, like a mechanic that races cars knows their own car.

 

[elfro89]

i have a banging 80s hair metal mullet. I look bitchin'

 

[rapfohl09]

i have a banging 80s hair metal mullet. I look bitchin'

:laughing7:

On the topic of resale, I always see full warmoths on ebay for like 1k+ and I feel bad because we all know that those will never sell. Well not with any regularity, maybe someone will get lucky, but even warmoth parts on resale are worth nothing close to what you paid for them, thats just the way things work.

 

[Jusatele]

resale has to much to do with name and reputation
remember there can be 300 dollars in difference of a strat by finish new, but used it defaults back to base price
and warmoths are not viewed as guitars, but parts, so you are battling that. I think the way to get around that is to use the same name on your headstocks and neck plates and claim to be a boutique guitar maker, after all you will not be lying, you just outsource and just because you are boutique dos not mean you are good as the best, you will not be Lying.