Warmoth vs homemade body

[chubs]

I'm a bit torn at the moment, I have a Warmoth custom neck on order and can't decide on weather to buy a warmoth body or have a crack at making my own. Being from Australia we have some excellent local tone woods that warmoth don't offer. I don't do alot of wood work, which makes me a little nervous, but I am a tradesman and pretty good on the tools.

If I am to buy a warmoth body it would be a carve top tele, I think a carve top as a 1st attempt at a scratch build would be too ambitious and could potentially ruin some expensive timber. I can still live with a flat top, or maybe do a Jazzmaster shape instead.

Would love to hear from anyone who has been in the same situation because I keep changing my mind

 

[Cagey]

For a highly informative build tutorial by a very talented man that includes hundreds of great pictures, you might want to review this article from Ron Kirn. He basically starts with a couple/few boards and ends up with a boutique Strat. Entertaining, informative and complete, even someone who wasn't contemplating building a guitar from scratch would enjoy it.

As for Teles, Leo's original design intent with that model was to build something dead simple - an "everyman's guitar". Kinda like the Volkwagen of the guitar world. So, making one from scratch would probably be the fastest/easiest way to get your feet wet in scratch-building. It's basically just a wooden slab with a neck attached.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of the carved-top Teles Warmoth makes. I'm up to 4 of them here. Highly recommended. If you haven't ordered one yet, be sure to get the tummy cut as well.

 

[chubs]

Thanks for the link, I have seen it before but I'll have another read as it was some time ago. I built a custom T bass a little while back, that has the gut cut on it and is quite comfy to play. http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=18333.0

 

[Cagey]

That's a nice bass!

Since you've used a Warmoth body, I'm sorta surprised you'd consider making one yourself. Twice now in my life I've built up wood shops equipped well enough to turn out high-end bodies, but there doesn't seem to be any upside to it unless you want something that can't be bought.

 

[chubs]

These are the 2 main reasons

Black heart sassafras and Tasmanian Blackwood

 

[Cagey]

Well, there you are. Something that isn't available. You have to build it yourself or go without.

 

[Scuffcakes]

Won't W do the body for you if you ship them a wood slab?

 

[croquet hoop]

Since he lives in Australia, I guess it may get pretty expensive.

Chubs, you could start by making a carved Tele body out of a more common/inexpensive wood to build a bit of experience before doing it with one of these beautiful pieces of wood.

 

[leo12.]

With wood like that in your area You got my vote "DO IT", if you have seen Ron's build
you probably seen various builds on http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/
Print the drawing from here as is, no resizing.
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/74504-d-size-tele-body-blueprint-files-here.html
Here's one of mine just need to spray the neck & body.
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=18032.0
Need help just ask, Good Luck.

 

[chubs]

I see there is a cad version there, I may be able to cheat a little, I got a mate that is pretty handy with CNC, will have to discuss it with him, he may want a body for himself.

 

[leo12.]

2 for 1 day just use some of those "We don't see it around here" woods.

 

[SustainerPlayer]

OMG ... that Blackheart Sassafras ... 

Warmoth needs to have an Australian branch.

Warmate?  :icon_biggrin: :icon_jokercolor:

 

[Scotty2Hotty]

OMG ... that Blackheart Sassafras ... 

Warmoth needs to have an Australian branch.

Warmate?  :icon_biggrin: :icon_jokercolor:

Hahahaha, I love it  :icon_biggrin:
+1

 

[swarfrat]

Warmoth needs to have an Australian branch.

Warmate?  :icon_biggrin: :icon_jokercolor:

No, Warmite! But that might cause confusion with a lesser brand of guiitar components.