Warmoth Soloist Bodies & Necks

[Eggy]

Do any of you have any experience of these bodies and necks?
I've been checking out the website and it seems I can get a HSH basewood body (with contoured heel and Floyd route) with a maple/maple Wizard profile neck (with jumbo fretwire) for realy cheap.
Of course it's all down to the current pound/dollar exchange rate but this is looking like a real possibility for my next guitar. I was wondering if you guys had used this company before or even better if you'd bought the soloist body/neck ?
Thanks in advance,
Ben

[whatshisname]

I have a Koa Soloist body, with a maple neck/Strat headstock. It's been used for probably close to a hundred shows, since I put it together, and I've been very happy with it.

I've heard people complaine about their fret work, but I can honestly say that at least in MY case, everything was fine. I was a hardcore Fender man for several years, and I'd put this guitar up against any high end production Fender. (Of course, that doesn't mean much, if you don't like Fender! )

[the.godfather]

I have heard many people complain about sloppy work. Stuff like rough frets, sharp edges, and just general sloppiness. Dont get me wrong, I like the stuff they do, and for that "parts project" they are perfect. They sell some great stuff. But dont go expecting high-end production craftsmanship, cos you aint going to get it.

I have also heard stories of people having to re-drill certain parts and adjust certain parts that dont fit correctly. For example, a strat neck on a certain body may not fit perfectly.

[jim777]

I've heard the "fret issues" story like everyone else, but not from someone who actually had a fret issue; it's always been anecdotal. Warmoth is generally considered to be a very high quality vendor of necks and bodies, and the few Warmoth necks I've played were very nice to outstanding.

[whatshisname]

Right on, Jim. I've read plenty of stories online, but I've never actually seen a Warmoth neck with a problem.

[JESTER700]

I've had fret "walking" issues. But they were Warmoth made Yamaha Pacifica necks. I assume there shouldn't really be a difference, but there ya go.

Also, they note on their web site that they glue their frets now (I assume to address this issue); this wasn't the case 15 years ago.

[Eggy]

Thanks Guys !!
As you can imagine I'm a bit concerned about some of these issues raised. A $300 dollar custom finished/spec'd soloist would be great but I'm not on the market for a $300 wall flower that I never pick up....
Perhaps I'll go back to the RG idea.....?

Ben

[lloop9]

U might want to try this site: http://usacustomguitars.com

Its run by ex-warmoth employees & I heard the quality is way ahead of warmoth; tho' I've never seen their products. But I plan to do a project soon wif their stuff....

Good luck.

[universalcalvin]

Warmoth has good quality but its all based on fender specs. This limits what you can do with them however i have 3 guitars I built and they are awesome guitars!

[bonehead189]

Can you get them routed with the HSH pickup config and the Edge III or Floyd Rose trem? Will the Edge III or Floyd fit into the Fender spec body (the Warmoth Soloist)? Thanks!