From: rblander@watdragon.uwaterloo.ca (Robyn Landers)
Subject: Re: Stratocaster a'la Warmoth?
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 22:07:49 GMT

In article <1992Oct1.204808.1570@intelhf.hf.intel.com> dcovell@intelhf.hf.intel.com (David Covell) writes:
>ohtonen@tnclus.tele.nokia.fi writes:
>
>>I got a catalog of Warmoth guitar products.
>>They seem to sell every part what a bolt-on neck guitar
>>requires except microphones. The changing neck radius got me interested.
>>Has any of you or your friends made or played a guitar using Warmoth's stuff?
>>I think Warmoth makes quality, but is that just a slogan?
>
>  [David Covell says he really likes his Warmoth compound radius neck]

	I have a Warmoth compound radius Strat neck too, with ebony
fingerboard and I agree with David that it works really well.
Other advantages: fingerboard is 1/4" thick so you've got a lot
to work with for future refret jobs over the years.  Also the truss
rod is very massive.  Workmanship is excellent in my opinion.

	I just bought a Warmoth one piece swamp ash Strat body.
When asking around about having it finished, one luthier told me
it would cost less to finish a Warmoth because they are better
prepped from the factory (quality of sanding) than other brands
so they don't need as much work.

>>Is it (building) worth the trouble?
>
>It's not that much trouble. The only tricky part is the critical neck-heel
>fit, and you may want to have a luthier tweak that for you. 

	Definitely recommended for best results.
I think it's worth the trouble too; the question is, is it worth
all the money it will cost?

>color you want and then apply a tung oil seal coat. 

	Note that for the Warmoth warranty to apply, oil finishes
are NOT adequate on certain woods.  An oil finish on maple for example
voids the neck warranty.  Similarly for body woods.  Exceptions
are woods that are naturally oily, like rosewood.

>>Is there other comparable guitar part manufacturers?
>
>WD is pretty similar, though I doubt they make compound radius necks.

	Stewart-MacDonald sells Strat parts too, including compound
radius necks if I remember my catalog details (drat I wish I had
them here).  Stew-Mac is much much less expensive than Warmoth.
For example:
				Warmoth			Stew-Mac
Strat body, alder		$136			$87
Strat body, swamp ash		$190 ("swamp ash")	$94 ("ash"-likely hard)
finished Strat body		not available		$130
Strat body, alder/maple cap	$240			$125
Strat neck maple/maple		$175 (radius)		$84 (non-radius)
Strat neck maple/ebony		$218 (radius)		$90 (non-radius)

	Note however that with Stew-Mac you get almost NO CHOICE.
There is ONE routing pattern (standard Strat), one tuning machine hole
diameter, one fret wire size, etc.  (The "finished" Strat bodies
come in either 2 or 3 colour sunburst.)  With Warmoth, you get almost
COMPLETE choice.  Routing pattern, front or rear, tuning machines, fret
wire, compound radius or not, etc.   And Warmoth has a much greater
choice of woods for necks and bodies too.

	Note also that there is more selection from each company than
I have excerpted above.  Get a catalog from each and choose carefully :-)

>Good luck, and have fun!

	And have a big bank account before you begin, too.


-----
Robyn
rblanders@math.uwaterloo.ca
	"I'm just doing my rock'n'roll duty." -- Dubois

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