Size difference between Velocity and Soloist

[Mincer]

I am trying to decide on the next project. I want a light guitar, and one that is fairly small-bodied. I don't see many comparisons between a Velocity and Soloist. The Soloist seems narrower in the waist, which the Velocity has less wood behind the bridge. Anyone have any insights as to which one would have a physically smaller (and lighter) body?

 

[rauchman]

I just went through this same process and went with a Velocity.  I had an extra 24.75" neck laying around that I wanted a body for.  Went back and forth between the Velocity and Soloist. 

From what I've gathered, the Velocity is a lot like a Tele, but a little rounder and smaller.  I think the upper horn is roughly the same length as a Tele from the neck pocket forward, while the area behind the bridge is a smidge shorter.  The Soloist is a Strat with deeper cuts in the horns and slightly more streamlined.

In looking at Soloist and Velocity bodies in the showcase, they are both lighter than most other offerings using the same woods.  I'd wager the Velocity is more compact and smaller, while the Soloist is physically longer but more streamlined.

If you want a "fairly small-bodied" body, I think the Velocity is the way to go.

 

[Rick]

The best thing is to get whatever body you choose chambered.

 

[stultzies9]

The Velocity is a much smaller body than the Soloist overall. As previously mentioned, it's basically a redesigned Tele type body. It's shorter than the Soloist by a solid amount.

I own one, and I absolutely love it. The upper fret access is fantastic. It balances nicely on a strap. It's my current favorite of my Warmoths.

 

[Mincer]

The Velocity is a much smaller body than the Soloist overall. As previously mentioned, it's basically a redesigned Tele type body. It's shorter than the Soloist by a solid amount.

I own one, and I absolutely love it. The upper fret access is fantastic. It balances nicely on a strap. It's my current favorite of my Warmoths.

Well, that was the next question...the balance. I was planning on a chambered body, but haven't decided on the scale length yet. Balance is more important to me than scale, and I don't want a 25.5" scale to be neck heavy at all.
BTW, I appreciate all the insights here. I've built a Strat before, but these body shapes are new to me.

 

[rlefty]

Is is really true that the velocity body is much smaller than the soloist? I'd be curious to know the lower bout width of the Velocity. The soloist is about 12" across.

 

[Mincer]

Is is really true that the velocity body is much smaller than the soloist? I'd be curious to know the lower bout width of the Velocity. The soloist is about 12" across.

It does seem shorter top to bottom, but maybe not so much side-to-side. I need one of those 'outlines on top of one another' things to see the difference. Body weight seems about the same, looking at the showcase.

 

[aarontunes]

Is is really true that the velocity body is much smaller than the soloist? I'd be curious to know the lower bout width of the Velocity. The soloist is about 12" across.

It is really true.


The Velocity is one of the smallest bodies we offer. Maybe even the smallest.

 

[aarontunes]

Oh....also....another teaser: The Redshifter body size sits right in between the Soloist and the Velocity.


I just hand-signed the serial numbers on five Redshifter necks today. Now they are going to finish. We may even release the first five in December. Be still, my beating heart!!!

 

[Mincer]

Coming in late to the discussion, I gather that the Redshifter is something new that is coming. Searching for that term, there is pretty little info around about it. Is that right?

 

[aarontunes]

Coming in late to the discussion, I gather that the Redshifter is something new that is coming. Searching for that term, there is pretty little info around about it. Is that right?

Warmoth had planned to release two fully-built limited run guitars in 2020, to celebrate our 40th Anniversary. The universe had other plans, and we ended up spending most of our energy this year doing the Covid Hustle.


Originally there were to be twenty of each....twenty Redshifters and twenty Meadowhawks. At this point we're hoping to maybe release five of each in December. The first five Meadowhawks are done. Just waiting on the Redshifters.


Meadowhawk:

Redshifter:

 

[Mincer]

Nice! Thanks for catching me up on that. It looks like a great project.

 

[rauchman]

Coming in late to the discussion, I gather that the Redshifter is something new that is coming. Searching for that term, there is pretty little info around about it. Is that right?

Warmoth had planned to release two fully-built limited run guitars in 2020, to celebrate our 40th Anniversary. The universe had other plans, and we ended up spending most of our energy this year doing the Covid Hustle.


Originally there were to be twenty of each....twenty Redshifters and twenty Meadowhawks. At this point we're hoping to maybe release five of each in December. The first five Meadowhawks are done. Just waiting on the Redshifters.


Meadowhawk:

Redshifter:

It lives!!!!  Awesome!

 

[dmraco]

To the OP...the Velocity is very small feeling.  A 24.75” neck fits it perfect.

@theaaron....how about some full body shots of those 2 new guitars?!?!?

 

[rlefty]

It is really true.


The Velocity is one of the smallest bodies we offer. Maybe even the smallest.

Like previously mentioned, it may depend on what you measure. Can you provide a lower bout width for it?

 

[Mincer]

To the OP...the Velocity is very small feeling.  A 24.75” neck fits it perfect.

Yeah, my initial plan is 24.75" neck, which I think would balance better weight-wise, as well as visually. What I need on the website is something like the 2 silhouettes of the Soloist and Strat overlaid on top of each other to show the cutaways. I'd love to be able to pick any 2 body shapes and compare the dimensions that way. Normally, I play a headless, so I am good with smaller, compact, light bodies. But my last Warmoth I built ran into some balance issues with a chambered ash body and wenge neck, which I'd like to avoid this time.

 

[Mincer]

I figured that I would keep the Velocity questions in one thread I had already started.

I'd like to know if the pickup positions (if it were an HH) are the same as you'd get from a Soloist, or an HH Strat body. Looking at finished Velocity bodies, it looks like the neck & bridge pickups are closer together. The big thing for me is that the neck pickup is the same distance from the bridge as other body styles. It could be an optical illusion. If anyone has a Velocity, could you measure from the bridge saddle to the screw pole of the neck humbucker?

 

[Wolfie351]

When W released the Velocity I threw up a little in my mouth when I saw it.  Then it kinda grew on me, I ended up ordering a carved top and now it's probably the guitar I reach to most often.

 

[dmraco]

When W released the Velocity I threw up a little in my mouth when I saw it.  Then it kinda grew on me, I ended up ordering a carved top and now it's probably the guitar I reach to most often.

It looks much better in person

 

[aarontunes]

When W released the Velocity I threw up a little in my mouth when I saw it.  Then it kinda grew on me...

Mouth throw-up has a tendency to do that.