Talk me into my first build!

[michael_winston]

Hi all.  I'm looking into starting my first build and have a few questions/concerns.

I'm a full time musician with a variety of guitars.  Gibson R7, 62 RI Tele, Gretsch Duo Jet, and an Elitist Casino on the way right now.  I'm thinking of building a Jazzmaster style guitar.  My main goal with this guitar is to have a single coil sound with great intonation and playability.  Something on the scale of a high end custom guitar.  Having never played any warmoth builds, I'm unsure if this will get me there (I'm really particular).  Also, having always bought and sold guitars in the past the lack of resale value is a concern as well.  That being said, if I like a guitar I stick with it for a long time.

Here is my basic layout for the guitar:

Body:
Jazzmaster body (Alder)
Jazzmaster pickups routes (for Novaks)
Strat trem route 

Neck:
Vintage Construction
Q sawn Maple with rosewood fretboard
12" radius
SS6105 Frets

Thoughts?  Experiences?

 

[Cagey]

You can certainly get the raw specs of a high end guitar that way, but as you probably know feel/playability is heavily reliant on a good setup. You've already addressed the main faults of the Jazzmaster design so you should be in good shape, although you don't mention the controls. I'd suggest some modernization there as well - the original scheme was more than a little goofy.

As for resale, I'm afraid you're going to lose fairly big. Figure 40% or more, even new, since you're paying retail for all the parts. Build costs for Warmoths range from $700-$1500, sometimes even more if you go crazy with the exotic woods/finishes. You'll end up with a guitar that compares well or better than many high-end units, but sell prices range from $400-$800. Most people part them out and get better returns that way. Watch eBay.

 

[mark1178]

Do it! I've played a ton of guitars, and my first build is my number one and best playing guitar without a pro setup. Which I will get soon.

 

[mrpinter]

Well, you're probably not going to get many nay-sayers here, re your first Warmoth build. I have three, and I love each one of them. There's a 72 thinline, a traditional tele, and a soloist. Your specs - including choice of woods - is pretty conservative, and there's nothing wrong with that. But you might want to study some of the exotic wood choices before you settle on maple, the first two guitars I mentioned above have goncalo alves necks - a rarely seen but great neck wood that has the benefit of not needing a finish, and they feel great in the raw. The thinline has a goncalo alves fingerboard, and the trad. tele has a wenge fingerboard (more often seen on high end basses than guitars). my soloist has a more conventional maple neck but with a pau ferro fingerboard, which is similar to rosewood in color and tone qualities. My Hamer, coincidentally, also has a pau ferro fingerboard. You'll find it sometimes on custom and high end guitars.

I'd compare the quality of my Warmoth builds favorably (at least as good) as my '92 USA Hamer T-62, which is a fantastic guitar that is essentially a custom shop instrument. I did elect to pay professional guitar techs who are experienced with building from Warmoth parts to build and set up my guitars. For me it is worth the expense to guarantee getting the best guitar I can. I personally don't care about the bath I would take if I ever had to sell them - as I don't ever foresee that happening.

I would encourage you to add a Warmoth guitar to your stable, but only if you plan on keeping it for a good long time.

 

[michael_winston]

Thanks for the responses guys! 

I'm fairly traditional with my guitars.  Tried and true designs and materials.  I will have my tech do the final set up to get it playing great.  Also, I'll be going with a 3 way switch (les paul style) with Volume/Tone contol (tele style).

 

[guitartom]

All of the builds I have done hold a special place in my heart.  They not play up there with the suhrs and fender custom shop creations, but I seem to tinker with them the most.  They may not be worth the $ when trying to sell them as a complete guitar, but selling parts usually nets you a good deal back on pieces that don't work like you thought they would.  In my case I hold those parts for the next build.  I think playing around trying to get a good setup is where you learn the most.