Not Warmoth but vaguely Warmoth-inspired?

[rhysmusique]

Hey all!

I'm a long time lurker, longer time admirer, occasional poster and 2-for-2 Guitar of the Month winner (haha) of some lovely Warmoth content.

Just writing this post to document my progression into scratchbuilding my first guitar out of timber - while attending luthiery school here in the UK (Crimson Guitars if you know you know).

it's a Mahogany Body and Neck, Walnut top and Rosewood fretboard, Thinline Telecaster with Filtertrons, 24.75" scale and a Tune-O-Matic. A bit of sacrilege but its my hybrid!

Take a look at the photos and let me know what you think of my first attempt - again I 100% wouldn't have had the confidence to try this without having 2 Warmoth builds in the past so I feel indebted to everyone here for what I've achieved!

Thanks!
Rhys

 

[supertruper1988]

That looks great!

 

[Tretgeraet]

Good work!

Just out of curiosity: Is there any particular reason for leading the strings over the stoptail and the resulting flatter break angle?

 

[supertruper1988]

Good work!

Just out of curiosity: Is there any particular reason for leading the strings over the stoptail and the resulting flatter break angle?

There is much debate about it. Google "top wrapping stop tail" for some fun and errr "scientific" reading hahaha

 

[Hagwood]

Beautiful work ! Keep us updated on the progress.

 

[rhysmusique]

Good work!

Just out of curiosity: Is there any particular reason for leading the strings over the stoptail and the resulting flatter break angle?

Thank you!

So - I did it this way because I’m a weird guitar player and I use my fingers as a pick, as if I’m holding a pick but using my nail/forefinger as the picking surface - I feel it gives me more feel and control over my dynamics. I’m not a shredder and I get by. Also worth mentioning also heart I’m a Fender guy.

Bought a Gibson SG recently and for some reason immediately found the strings to be quite stiff near the bridge when they’re traditionally loaded in a tune-o-matic. The unscientific reason is (whether it’s a placebo or not), the top wrap makes me feel like there’s a little more ‘give’ and softness to the picking hand, a bit more like a hard tail strat bridge. And in turn this saves my fingers from bleeding - haha

Of course, I’m also an engineer and I categorically know that with the same string gauge and tuning tension, there should be no technical reason for this slacker feeling to be present. I just feel more comfortable with it like that, weirdly weird magic. As long as your strings stay on the bridge saddles you’re good to go with a top wrap method. If they don’t, you need to revert to a traditional setup.

 

[Tretgeraet]

Thank you!

So - I did it this way because I’m a weird guitar player and I use my fingers as a pick, as if I’m holding a pick but using my nail/forefinger as the picking surface - I feel it gives me more feel and control over my dynamics. I’m not a shredder and I get by. Also worth mentioning also heart I’m a Fender guy.

Bought a Gibson SG recently and for some reason immediately found the strings to be quite stiff near the bridge when they’re traditionally loaded in a tune-o-matic. The unscientific reason is (whether it’s a placebo or not), the top wrap makes me feel like there’s a little more ‘give’ and softness to the picking hand, a bit more like a hard tail strat bridge. And in turn this saves my fingers from bleeding - haha

Of course, I’m also an engineer and I categorically know that with the same string gauge and tuning tension, there should be no technical reason for this slacker feeling to be present. I just feel more comfortable with it like that, weirdly weird magic. As long as your strings stay on the bridge saddles you’re good to go with a top wrap method. If they don’t, you need to revert to a traditional setup.

Thank you for the explanation!

Interesting! I was asking because I'm usually aiming for the steepest possible angle, putting more downward pressure on the bridge. Just works better for me. Good thing you found what works best for you.

I'd be the last to tell anyone what's right or wrong, I just noticed that detail and thought "oh, I would change that if it was mine!"

 

[rhysmusique]

Thank you for the explanation!

Interesting! I was asking because I'm usually aiming for the steepest possible angle, putting more downward pressure on the bridge. Just works better for me. Good thing you found what works best for you.

I'd be the last to tell anyone what's right or wrong, I just noticed that detail and thought "oh, I would change that if it was mine!"

Yeah I agree - play whatever’s best for you! I’m the same I’ll never preach that any way is best but find the best solutions that apply to me haha!