Warmoth as good as Fender and Gibson?

[tfarny]

The wilkinson 2-point bridge that W sells is a really good bridge, probably a lot better than a standard fender trem. The saddles lock into place, it glides very smoothly, and its just generally pretty well-made. Tons of guys on here have it.
I haven't tried the hipshot 2-point trem but it gets great reviews from others. I think it requires a little different rout than the wilkinson.
If you want a more vintage look, check out the callaham 6-hole trems. Gotoh also makes one, check stewart macdonald for that one. String spacing may be too wide for you (2 7/32 is very wide), I believe Callaham sells a 'narrow' spaced strat bridge that has a string spacing more similar to modern Fenders.

 

[rgjmce]

well i want a modern look

 

[rgjmce]

so what bridge do people suggest?

 

[blue313]

For a more modern look, the Wilkinson or Hipshot should do the trick.  Like Tfarny mentioned, they get both get good reviews.

http://www.warmoth.com/Gotoh-Wilkinson-Tremolo-VS100-Chrome-P621C699.aspx

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar_tremolos/Hipshot_Tremolo.html

 

[rgjmce]

i'm liking the wilkinson cause the practically infitine intonation, not crazy about buying anything from stewmac dunno why

 

[Nando Vallart]

Stewmac is a good shop... I've never had a problem buying with them

 

[Keyser Soze]

The products you get from Warmoth will be - at a minimum - as good as the parts that Fender or Gibson would use to assemble their products.  

My own experience has been that the Warmoth parts are substantially better than Fender, particularly the quality of the wood and the fit of the neck pocket.  Plus, as you noted, there is a whole range of products that you cannot get from the big boys (different fretwire, body woods, neck woods, etc.)

However - this is a major caveat - once you get those quality parts from Warmoth the rest is up to you.  

If you assemble them with at least the knowledge, skill, and attention to detail as Fender/Gibson then your finished project will be at least marginally better than their typical effort.

If you go the extra step and show more care and attention to detail (e.g. a full set up including the nut, frets, action; have the ability to do custom finishing; carefully match the pickups to the native tone of the instruments; or other aftermarket tweaks) then your project will be significantly better than an off the shelf brand, and it will be exactly the way you wanted it.

Just don't be surprised that, having succeeded at creating your very own magnum opus, nobody else finds it all that special...

When you play it you'll know. :guitarplayer2:

 

[m4rk0]

your first Warmoth will make you a spoiled bastard... you will never be excited about an off the shelve guitar again..
not only are the parts of very high quality, you will also realize that there is nothing better than a totally custom guitar..
make sure to find out exactly what your favorite neck is: nut width, radius, profile, fret size, etc.

 

[tfarny]

Those guys above are right. Also, Stew Mac is a great company. They don't always have the best prices but their service and selection are the best overall, I've found. If Warmoth doesn't sell something, Stew Mac is a good place to try.
Also, 'infinite intonation' is not useful - I'm sure both of those bridges will intonate equally well. You don't need a wide range  for intonation - look at a $3000 Martin acoustic - it just needs to be right.

 

[rgjmce]

thanks for comments i do understand that it will totally be to my taste and i am picking everything that suits me.
I think the wilkinson bridge seems to be what i'm looking for, sort of like floyd rose without annoyingness lol.

 

[bbl4ck]

I think the wilkinson bridge seems to be what i'm looking for, sort of like floyd rose without annoyingness lol.

Ohhhh... 
Did you ask Doug to cover his ears before you threw that out there?  :laughing7:

 

[Mor Paul]

Let's see a chainsaw/machine gun emote, Doug.

 

[rgjmce]

sorry but floyds are a bitch to re-string and tune

 

[Orpheo]

your first Warmoth will make you a spoiled bastard... you will never be excited about an off the shelve guitar again..
not only are the parts of very high quality, you will also realize that there is nothing better than a totally custom guitar..
make sure to find out exactly what your favorite neck is: nut width, radius, profile, fret size, etc.

exactly. after my first, I just wanted to have a second, and third, and look where I ended up right now?! 10 WARMOTH les pauls. once, I had 9 GIBSON les pauls, and 12 gibsons in total, but I only retained 2; my first (be)loved one, and one my grandmother gave me. I can't sell them, not without turning into a emotional wreck... too much feelings and history. they play and sound shitty compared with my warmoths, but still.

 

[Kvebbs]

I have just finished my first Warmoth - http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=9802.0

I had to choose between a warmoth VIP, and a PRS Custom 24.... I'm really glad I chose warmoth, and from now on I doubt I'll buy from anyone else...... Also, I was recommended Black Korina instead of mahogany - its mostly the same sound, only more mids in the korina. You should consider that, I think there are several korina-body strats on the forum!

 

[rgjmce]

well korina i think is heavier then mahogany. really what i want is a strat/sg soundwise, i know it will be quite bright but still relatively meaty

 

[rockskate4x]

strats are alder/maple most times while SG's are mahogany. I don't know where you get the idea of a strat/sg. Korina's a great wood, and I definitely recommend it no matter what guitar pickups you are using.

 

[rgjmce]

well i got the idea from a mahogany fender strat i seen, i want something quite versitile but generally rockin', the pups i am going for is a seymour duncan jb in bridge
with a 59' in neck and also probably a gfs neovin single coil in the middle

 

[rockskate4x]

that sounds great! Korina should work just fine for that.

 

[rgjmce]

yeah but isn't korina more middy then mahogany, not a big a fan mids