to choose or let Warmoth choose

[bagman67]

I notice that the price you pay for picking your own wood varies, which makes me think that you're paying for the quality of the wood, rather than for their time looking for an exact piece.  Or maybe a bit of both.  It also makes me wonder what level of quality you get when they choose, compared with picking your own piece, since the pieces you can choose from can vary in price.

The showcase abounds with wood they chose, and a lot of it is pretty dang entertaining.


On the other hand, this is what the unique choice got me:

 

[Updown]

The showcase abounds with wood they chose, and a lot of it is pretty dang entertaining.

I'll say ... this one ... http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=19131.msg282133#msg282133

and some of Mine ....

 

[Loomi]

perfection is good but it can immobilize [me] at times. ;-)

After finishing one build and planning another I know exactly how you feel... and I thought analysis paralysis was only a problem for me in board games...

 

[MSP]

Those are beautiful guitars, for sure.  And the showcase contains some very nice ones, too.  But still, if one top in the guitar builder is $200 extra and the next one is $300 extra, I do wonder how that compares to whatever you get if you don't pay any extra.  Is a $300 top that much better than one they choose for you?  That would double the price of some unfinished guitars.

 

[Cagey]

Your numbers are off by quite a bit, but we'll let that slide for now. The difference between what you choose and what they choose has nothing to do with quality, it has to do with individual choice and the added aggravation of tracking something unique through production. That costs money. What you end up with won't be any better, per se, but it'll be exactly what you contracted for.

The reality is that they are very good at what they do, very proud of it, very sensitive to public opinion and won't put anything together that's less than gorgeous. So, unless you're a control freak, I'd let them have their head. It'll cost you less and you'll still be happy.

 

[Smpl9]

those are some very beautiful pieces. nice to share them.  i'll revisit this thread after i get the new neck bolted on and adjusted.

Warmoth folks will do ok for me and what my current needs are.  they and this forum couldn' t be more helpful & that's a good sign.

thanks all...

 

[line6man]

Those are beautiful guitars, for sure.  And the showcase contains some very nice ones, too.  But still, if one top in the guitar builder is $200 extra and the next one is $300 extra, I do wonder how that compares to whatever you get if you don't pay any extra.  Is a $300 top that much better than one they choose for you?  That would double the price of some unfinished guitars.

Better is subjective. There are types of figuring that, when present in wood, increase the price considerably. This is either due to rarity, uniqueness or grade. (All of Warmoth's wood is top notch, though.) Not everyone cares about picking exact pieces, and not everyone wants something special. Some are happy with any cut of wood.

As far as the cost, like Cagey said, there is also the trouble of keeping track of inventory, instead of just letting the shop crew pick something from the pile. Additionally, it's a way to make money by offering customers the choice of their exact cut of wood. Some people will pay anything for that option. Warmoth probably makes a LOT of money off of unique choice options, considering that the upcharges for certain pieces can be twice the actual material cost.

 

[Smpl9]

my new neck arrived. must say i like it. i like it the more i look at it though i haven't bolted it on. kingwood fingerboard is lighter than the current kingwood and shows more stripes clearly.

i know this has been asked a bunch as i can see from searching, but gotta ask, i have some gerlitz guitar honey, and wondered if general advice is its ok to put on this raw bulbinga neck? it doesn't need any other treatment, right?

happy with warmoth's selection.

 

[Cagey]

Doesn't need any treatment at all. All those various oils and lubricants the guitar stores want to sell you will just empty your wallet and gunk the thing up faster than your own hands will, forcing you to clean it more often.

 

[line6man]

my new neck arrived. must say i like it. i like it the more i look at it though i haven't bolted it on. kingwood fingerboard is lighter than the current kingwood and shows more stripes clearly.

i know this has been asked a bunch as i can see from searching, but gotta ask, i have some gerlitz guitar honey, and wondered if general advice is its ok to put on this raw bulbinga neck? it doesn't need any other treatment, right?

happy with warmoth's selection.

Bubinga does not take oils and finishes like most other woods.

 

[Smpl9]

glad i asked. ;-)

what is suggested to keep this raw neck/fingerboard clean?  just buff it once in while?

thanks!

 

[Tipperman]

Just let that grime build up. It's good for you.

 

[line6man]

Just let that grime build up. It's good for you.

I don't care what the vintage purists say, that's gross!

The body looks suspiciously pristine, btw.

 

[Tipperman]

Just let that grime build up. It's good for you.

I don't care what the vintage purists say, that's gross!

The body looks suspiciously pristine, btw.

I like the grossness of it. Gives it some nasty, vile character. Yeah, the body is in good shape. Every now and then you come across a vintage like that. Really weird when you do, but it happens.  Especially weird for a '57.

 

[JCizzle]

I think that looks cool if that is just wear, but I hate grime on my fingerboard. It gets all over the strings and kills them and gets all over my hands.

 

[Smpl9]

i think it looks good, certainly has character played into it. nice case too, btw.

 

[Tipperman]

i think it looks good, certainly has character played into it. nice case too, btw.

I agree. The grime on that one is likely just down in the wood from the finish going away. Thats how a lot of my one-piece maples have been. Regrettably, that's not my guitar. If I had a  57 strat I'd be too busy playing it to get a job, work for a living, get married, or post here.

 

[Jumble Jumble]

Your numbers are off by quite a bit, but we'll let that slide for now. The difference between what you choose and what they choose has nothing to do with quality, it has to do with individual choice and the added aggravation of tracking something unique through production. That costs money. What you end up with won't be any better, per se, but it'll be exactly what you contracted for.

None of that goes anywhere near talking about why one top might be $200 and another $300. What, the second one is harder to track through production?

I assumed it was just because the figuring was rarer and more in demand on the more expensive unique choice pieces tbh.

 

[keeper006]

Just let that grime build up. It's good for you.

That board has been "SRV'd"  :icon_thumright: