I have on order an LP maple neck, fatback contour, 25.5 in scale, gold frets, bloodwood fretboard. I would like to build an L5S. I like blues jazz and currently have an Carvin SH550. This warmoth build will be for times I don't want to put the Carvin at risk, maybe even a different sound. Is it really worth it to build the semi-hollow versus the solid body and which is the best wood choice?
Wood Type For Warmoth L5S
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bagman67
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It's very likely to be a different sound (maybe not hugely so, but distinguishably so), since presumably (a) you'll use non-carvin p'ups, and (b) you' might choose some lumber Carvin doesn't offer, and (c) you'll recognize the construction of the Warmoth L5S is going to differ significantly from the set-neck Carvin. My guess, however, is that you'll get into the Warmoth for a pretty penny, too, so you'll feel cautious with it just as you feel cautious with the Carvin. You could easily drop a grand or more on the body and neck, if you get a swank finish and some sexy lumber - and then of course electronics and such will put you further into "oh my god it's so expensive but I can't deny myself" territory.
If you want to duplicate the Carvin as closely as possible, I think you're looking at mahogany back and figured maple top; but why limit yourself? How about some sexy black korina, or get really out there with a wenge or cocobolo top?
Have fun, anyway. I'm jealous of your SH550 - they're very pretty guitars.
Bagman
If you want to duplicate the Carvin as closely as possible, I think you're looking at mahogany back and figured maple top; but why limit yourself? How about some sexy black korina, or get really out there with a wenge or cocobolo top?
Have fun, anyway. I'm jealous of your SH550 - they're very pretty guitars.
Bagman
bagman67
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And to answer the other question, i.e., is it worth it, well, you're the only one who can answer that. Hollow vs. solid is likely to be one of the most significant tone-changing decisions you can make, so I'd linger over that one - it's not like you can swap one for the other mid-build as if it were pickups or tone pots.'
Bagman
Bagman
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AutoBat said:
I have a feeling Pletcrum is also supposed to be Plectrum.
Anywho, welcome. There is no best wood choice. It's all about preference.
Thank you, I stand corrected, and informed. I will use Carvin pickups, I substituted a set of Lundgrens in the SH550.The Carvin played well stock but I like the sound of the smooth-operator neck and sucker-bucker bridge. I will stay with standard woods, so I would be very unlikely to exceed $1000 on this build. I will do my own finishing. Yes finally a forum where some members are simply amused, well, rather simply. :rock-on:
O
OzziePete
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Plectrum said:
I wasn't familiar with the Carvin range so checked out their site first.
The SH550 is a semi hollow with a 25" scale and presumably mahogany body and set neck (mahogany) as standard. Is that what you have?
You have ordered a maple neck witha Bloodwood fretboard....that is a noticeably brighter combination of neck wood/fretboard wood over the usual Mahogany/Rosewood combination (which you probably have on the SH550). So, for a start, you are departing from your Carvin's tone....
For blues, this new guitar will be possibly have more treble bite and with split coils, some more defined funk sounds and ice pick bridge tone.
BTW, I notice you mention 25" scale Warmoth neck....I wasn't aware they offered that. Have you managed to get them to build it for you specially at 25" scale, or are you meaning 25.5" scale (the standard Fender scale, or 'full' scale)?
Jusatele
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L5s or L6s, wow they may have the same body shape but talk about 2 completely different guitars, I think I would go for the vibe of the L5s myself, I thought the L6s had fell through the cracks of history.
go with a mahogany back and maple front, burst it and add the humbuckers, however the neck will not be the same, L5s necks are like the old L5 line, they have a multi layer binding and it has a very distinctive shape at the body end, do not know if it is even a custom order option from Warmoth. You could call and ask though.
L5s were sweet axes, would be killer to see a build of one done right.
go with a mahogany back and maple front, burst it and add the humbuckers, however the neck will not be the same, L5s necks are like the old L5 line, they have a multi layer binding and it has a very distinctive shape at the body end, do not know if it is even a custom order option from Warmoth. You could call and ask though.
L5s were sweet axes, would be killer to see a build of one done right.
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