Warmoth neck = dead e string

[unclegrandpa]

So this is the second Warmoth guitar I have put together that sounds like crap. My first guitar was a Korina strat. When I strummed the strings it produced almost no sound - plucking the string caused it to "thud" rather than ring out.

So I tried again...

I just put together another Warmoth strat and the low e string is completely dead. It literally makes no noise when you pluck it. I am ready to give up on Warmoth. I have put together other guitars and NEVER had this problem.

I am no guitar tech but I suspect it could be a couple of things. First, I had a graphtech nut installed by Warmoth and I wonder if that is the problem. The string slots are cut VERY deep - like the e string is sitting well below the top of the nut. Also, I am using Sperzel locking tuners and they don't pull the strings down very much. By this I mean that after the string leaves the nut it travels in almost a stright line (perpendicular to the neck) until it reaches the tuner. I am going to make a bone nut and replace the tuners. If that doesn't work then I will buy parts somewhere else. I have never had these problems with parts from other manufacturers.

I wonder if anybody else has had these problems. Some people just tell me that Warmoth necks are junk and to get something else? Is this true? I am really not sure what to do here and advice would be appreciated.

 

[Rickgrxbass]

I wonder if anybody else has had these problems. Some people just tell me that Warmoth necks are junk and to get something else? Is this true?

(emphasis added)

Ha, nice troll.

In the off chance you're not, though, check your set-up. If you're not comfortable with things like truss rod adjustments, bridge saddle adjustments, setting intonation, etc., take it to someone who does. As good as a manufacturer Warmoth is, it doesn't mean the guitar will come together and magically play great. I will, however, say on my Warmoth Strat neck with locking  sperzels, the break angle is an appropriate 30 degrees on the low E.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Is this being played open or fretted?

 

[mayfly]

Before you get into a new nut or new tuners, I'd have a close look at that e-string.  DBU's suggestion of trying it fretted will guide you to the problem.  If it rings clear and true at the first fret, the problem is the nut.  If it does not, then it's the action / relief.

From the nut, I would try some more down angle on the string.  I would experiment with something that presses down on the string just behind the nut and see if that helps.  Something like a finger, or a clamp of some kind - a capo might work.  If that cures it, then you need to look at how the string winds around the post of the tuner.  I know you're using locking tuners, but you could try a wrap or two of string around it anyway.  That may lower the string just enough to get the right angle.  The sperzel tuners that I used didn't hold the string low enough IMHO, so that may be your issue.  I also assume that you have not done a nut setup - is that correct?  Then my friend it's time to invest in a good set of nut files and learn how to do a good one.  I personally find that the warmoth nuts are cut a little high, so I always re-work them.  This includes filing down the top of the nut so the slots are not so deep.

If the string does not ring true at the first fret, then break out those feeler gauges and have a look at your action and relief.  Post some measurements and we'll go from there.

Finally, and I'm almost joking here but also serious, if you still have that first warmoth strat that turned into a dud - send it to me.  I'll pay shipping.  It will have a happy home at my place 

 

[QehQeh]

...I am ready to give up on Warmoth. I have put together other guitars and NEVER had this problem.
... First, I had a graphtech nut installed by Warmoth and I wonder if that is the problem. ....
...I have never had these problems with parts from other manufacturers.
...Some people just tell me that Warmoth necks are junk and to get something else? Is this true?

DON'T FEED THE TROLL

 

[Rickgrxbass]

...I am ready to give up on Warmoth. I have put together other guitars and NEVER had this problem.
... First, I had a graphtech nut installed by Warmoth and I wonder if that is the problem. ....
...I have never had these problems with parts from other manufacturers.
...Some people just tell me that Warmoth necks are junk and to get something else? Is this true?

DON'T FEED THE TROLL

Hey now, it sounds like he has a legitimate problem. His world-class Warmoth parts aren't fitting together as nice as his made-in-krplakastan eBay special pine and balsa kits, and he's confused, talking out of frustration...  :icon_tongue:

 

[Jusatele]

Let me understand this

he takes a Neck out of the box and bolts it on

knows nothing about truss rods or fret setup

and is telling us Warmoth parts are crap

seems to me he knows nothing about what it takes to get a guitar play right, and is blaming his ignorance for the guitar not being setup.

The only thing I see is a nube who is drawing a line in the sand

get a clue guy, bring it to a professional for a complete setup, it will be the best neck you ever had once set up properly.

 

[line6man]

I've never heard anyone say that Warmoth parts were junk.

I've heard people bitch and moan endlessly about the price, the weight, the thickness (Of bass necks.), etc., but no one has ever said they weren't top notch necks, in terms of quality. Warmoth has even manufactured necks for many companies that a lot of people insist are the best of the best.

 

[Wyliee]

Maybe a troll, maybe someone who needs some help.  After spending more than a few years in tech support, I can say it is not uncommon the angry person is just frustrated and this is nothing personal.

We know those little setup tweaks can make a big difference. OP, take a step back and read some of the suggestions thus far.  Let us know what you find out.

 

[unclegrandpa]

Thanks to the people who have given serious replies.

The string still does sound dead when I fret the note although not nearly as bad as when it is open. I have changed the strings and this did not help. I have had a Fender certified technician (I work at a music store) take a look and he is not sure what is going on. This is why I am asking here.

Yeah I am frustrated. I like the feel and the look of my guitar but I just cannot get it to play properly. I have also built a guitar using Allparts stuff and did not have this problem. The only real difference I have been able to figure out between my working guitars and this one are the nut and tuners, which is why I mentioned them.

Anyway. Thank you for the kind replies. I am a little surprised and dissapointed  by the number of dickheads though. Grow up. Even TGP isn't this bad and I sure won't be back. I love Warmoth btw. Why the hell do I keep buying their stuff if I don't?

 

[Jusatele]

if a tech can not say what is going on you need to hire a new tech

 

[Death by Uberschall]

It sounds like it just needs a good setup. Take it to a qualified luthier/tech. Most retail stores don't have expert luthiers on staff, just guys who can barely get past restringing a guitar properly.

Get the neck relief right, then have the nut and string height off the frets adjusted properly and see how it does.

I have 3 Warmoth Pro necks now, with a 4th on the way. They all came out of the box great. Just had to adjust the truss rod a little (they come out of the box loose with no tension applied) and file the nut slots a little deeper to fit my set-up and playing style (basically as low as it can go without buzzing). Having to file the nut slots is no biggie, I'm sure Warmoth leaves them high on purpose for a proper set-up. You can always take away material, but never add it back.  :icon_thumright:

 

[Rickgrxbass]

if a tech can not say what is going on you need to hire a new tech

This! I just had a tech at a big box guitar store completely c*ck up the saddle on my acoustic 12 string and had to redo it myself (I bought the guitar there used and was being lazy, lesson learned, plus now I have a nice Tusq saddle).

It honestly does sound like a truss rod adjustment issue from what you're describing. The nut probably just looks like it's cut deep because graphtech nut blanks are huge and they didn't trim back the extra on top. I don't have a Fender setup guide handy, but for some reason I want to say the nut slot should be cut so the strings are 0.030" from the first fret. (a quick check on my own strat seems to corroborate).

 

[Strat Avenger]

You obviously don't know what you're doing (like how to set up a guitar), and want to blame Warmoth. Oh, and the word is "parallel", NOT 'perpendicular'. Strings cannot run perpendicular to a neck.

 

[RobR]

Hey guys,

Lets dial this back a notch.

This sounds to be a legitimate problem.... and rather than jump all over him.. please direct him to contact Warmoth.

Remember not everyone on here is from the US or native in the English language... Intent can get lost in interpretation.

Thanks.

Rob

 

[Wyliee]

K gang, let's chill.  We tend to dogpile on the newcomers, particularly if the question or comment is not phrased in a manner to our collective liking.

The OP has a couple things to check and get back.  Let's turn this into a positive learning experience.

 

[Cagey]

You obviously don't know what you're doing (like how to set up a guitar), and want to blame Warmoth. Oh, and the word is "parallel", NOT 'perpendicular'. Strings cannot run perpendicular to a neck.

Hehe! Maybe that's the problem.

But, seriously. Warmoth doesn't ship their necks set up to play. They're very well done, so it's not unusual to be able to bolt one on and have it work if you're not too picky, but that's not something you can count on, nor is it anything they claim to deliver. At the very least, the truss rod is off because they're shipped somewhat relaxed.

Plus, I have to say that if somebody is "Fender Certified" and can't tell what's wrong with a dead neck, I'd seriously consider getting a second opinion. The first is clearly incompetent.

Interesting story, in which I pat my own back...

Last Christmas my brother asked me to bring my guitar toolbox along to the party so we could mess with one of my niece's guitars. She'd had three different "luthiers" set it up, and still wasn't happy. As it happens, they were all Guitar Center setup "specialists", all of them having some years experience. But, as it also turned out, the neck was a wreck. Frets were up and down all over the place, relief and intonation were wrong... Spent some time with the files and polishers making it as right as I could given the situation, and she ended up simultaneously pissed and pleased. Pissed because she'd lived with the thing being a pain in the ass for so long and wasting so much time with the jukebox heros, and pleased that her aggravation had finally been relieved. It still wasn't perfect, but it was a million miles from where it was.

The moral of the story is this: just because you know righty-tighty lefty-loosy when it comes to running screws in and out does not make you a "luthier". Not that I make any claim on the title, but I swear by the dusty balls of Methuselah that most guitar techs who call themselves "luthiers" are not much more than turd polishers and when you get back what they've worked on, you end up with much the same thing as what you started with.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

I have had to help out friends guitars that have come from a tune up at the local shop.  I know the owners, and they are competent.  The set up was not.  It is not out of the question to say that some techs are better than others, how much better can be left for discussion.  I would ask around to find the guy with the best reputation in the area.  The professional musicians, or semi professionals that are in bands that play in the areas should know.  If not them, the sound guys are also reasonable places to get ideas for who is good.

I would like to add that these are only places to get ideas for good set up guys.

If you are interested in setting up your own, there are several well written books out there to help guide you.  That is another place to start, if you want to look into doing it yourself.

Finally, if the rest of the strings on the neck ring out, there is a good chance that the neck is working properly, just not set up correctly.  One of the big difficulties with DIY is there is no real safety net, other than time, patience, and humble pie.
Patrick

 

[Jusatele]

I apologize
and took the word troll out of my last post
if he is a customer, he needs to take this to Warmoth

I hope he gets this handled

I reacted the way I did because way to often you see guys slamming a product or manufacturer before doing what needs to be done to resolve an issue.
As I see it, just screwing on a neck is just the first step.

Again, I apologize

 

[swarfrat]

Before blaming the neck, you'd always do well to check:
1) the nut
2) the saddle
3) setup - make sure it's not fretting out
3) the neck joint