What happened to the Snakehead neck?

[thesjkexperience]

I got tired of seeing only thin necks in the showcase and was going to build up a custom snakehead neck.  I do not see the option for that headstock any longer.  Is it truely gone?  Will it come back?  I need one, but not the anorexic std thin!

 

[SustainerPlayer]

The snakehead has not made it to the builder yet. Call them. (them = Warmoth  :sign13

 

[thesjkexperience]

I'm not sure what you mean.  I bought a Showcase Snakehead neck a few months ago with a 1 11/16" Fatback contour.  There are still a few in the Showcase, but no way to use the Neck Builder to build another to my specs.  All the current Snakehead necks are Std Thin which is way too small for my XXL hands.

 

[Cagey]

I got tired of seeing only thin necks in the showcase and was going to build up a custom snakehead neck.  I do not see the option for that headstock any longer.  Is it truely gone?  Will it come back?  I need one, but not the anorexic std thin!

Have you played a Warmoth "standard thin"? It's sort of a misnomer, if you ask me. They're only thin relative to some of the fretted baseball bats some manufacturers have offered in the past. They're actually pretty close to a standard Fender neck profile, like you'd get on a modern Strat. The thin neck they offer is what they call the "Wizard", and even that isn't the thinnest neck I've played.

Of course, if you think standard Fender necks are too thin for your taste, then all bets are off.

When you get right down to it, most neck styles don't vary that much. A few thousandths here and there. But, for as little difference as there is, it's surprising how different they feel. They have a page that shows/describes the difference, in case you haven't seen it.

 

[Cagey]

I'm not sure what you mean.  I bought a Showcase Snakehead neck a few months ago with a 1 11/16" Fatback contour.  There are still a few in the Showcase, but no way to use the Neck Builder to build another to my specs.  All the current Snakehead necks are Std Thin which is way too small for my XXL hands.

Disregard what I said above. I didn't know you had prior experience with the product.

What Sustainerplayer is saying is Warmoth hasn't made that neck (headstock) style available in the builder yet. Apparently, they're in the process of upgrading the site so some recent products/features/options aren't available automatically via the website. You have to call them and talk to one of the reps.

What's in the showcase is usually speculative builds/cancellations/returns; it's not a catalog. So, you typically only see what's most popular or oddballs somebody reneged on.

 

[thesjkexperience]

Thank you!  It is becoming more clear now  lol.  I guess I got lucky then.  The one I have is going on a Telemaster that I could complete today except for the pickguard which is always the pita with T-masters since there is not one set spec.  I even have the control plate wired, but I am on the fence about what to put in the neck.  It is set for a P-90 (which 10 weeks later has still not arrived) so maybe now is the time to go Esquire!

I grew up on late 1970s instruments that had 1" thick necks and 7.25" radius.  I have size 14 feet and my hands are just as long, though, thankfully not fat like B.B. King's fingers.  Since I started building a year ago I have been buying 1 11/16" with fatback and 1 3/4" with Boatneck shapes.  I have ordered a few from Musikraft and a bought a bunch from Warmoth's showcase.  At least I am not picky on fretboard radius, but I do find the 10" - 16" compound sets up with the bridge saddles almost flat and that always feels strange at first.

All my old guitars are slowly being sold off as the Fender necks are just too small!  I also have a build philosophy that has resulted in some amazing sounding, and feeling, guitars and since I play slide more and more the thicker necks really help the sound and sustain!  I do want to try a Warmoth Superwide with a Boatneck contour though it would be nice to try one first as it may be too much of a good thing for fretting, but I am sure it would work beautiful as a dedicated slide guitar.

 

[Cagey]

I do want to try a Warmoth Superwide with a Boatneck contour though it would be nice to try one first as it may be too much of a good thing for fretting, but I am sure it would work beautiful as a dedicated slide guitar.

I built a Strat for another member here that used a superwide neck. Ebony over Bloodwood, 1 7/8" nut, 10"-16" compound radius, SS railroad tie frets (6100s)...

It was a very unusual feel for me. I don't remember the profile, but it was like playing on a superhighway. Definitely a handful. I show the pics because it's an unusual heel, but you don't notice it once installed. He was used to playing a classical guitar, and this suited him just fine.

You'll notice with the Wilkinson vibrato and a superwide neck that you end up with more real estate on the outside of the high/low E strings. Most bridges are going to give you that, so if you really want a lot of spread on the strings you'll have to dig up a bridge designed for that kind of spacing or that has adjustable saddle/string spacing.

 

[stubhead]

Did somebody say "ebony-over-bloodwood", "dedicated slide guitar" Boatneck Warhead 24.75" scale, 24 frets? Or wazzit just my 'magination, running away with me....



When I realized I was buying one guitar neck for just a hair over the amount I spent on my first two CARS put together - I told Warmoth to skimp on everything as much as possible. So they used maple for the frets - but I think they maybe over-beveled them. :sad1:



Boatneck, hell - I meant to say fatback. I'm roundin' third base, all the terrifying stuff is done - instantly annihilating any warranty with zee threaded inzertz, me very own side dots (snif  :toothy11 etc. Don't TOUCH that dial....