How I saved thousands on Custom Shop Guitars

Sometimes finding the features you want in a guitar takes you into the manufacturers custom shop. Want bigger frets or a different neck profile? Go custom shop. Want different tone wood or different pickups? Go custom shop. Theres a great way to do things differently and save yourself a boatload of cash.
Watch this video to see how I shop Warmoth to build my guitars for reasonable prices. • How To Build A Custom ...

[@JonBingham]

To see the build process watch this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKuVqql9mtyiotU

[@maddog3902]

how many times do you blow on the instrument during assembaly?

[@JonBingham]

They get dusty :)

[@nckncknck7408]

Hi Jon! May I know what is your neck finish for your blue strat?

[@Ratso_DeLynch]

@@JonBingham Hey Jon! It's sweet demo, builds, reviews and comparisons like yours right here and several other videos/research that made me finally pull the trigger on my own however I'm a little stuck on the neck/net width... : *Burning question about warmoth necks for you* say you can ONLY choose a standard thin neck option not a large neck, boatneck or 59 profile etc, just the closest thing to what you think is a C shape neck. - now what would be your *GO TO* *nut width* to compliment it ? Should I go with *1- 11/16ths (43mm)* as a safe starting point? That's what is considered standard nut width I believe and it matches up with most of my favourite guitars and probably those of other players really because.. . *I know for SURE i cant go much lower in terms of nut width especially the vintage fender size *41mm* will probably too tiny feeling! Im 6"1 and on necks like that in the past with my moderate sized hands (yet smaller pinky finger lol) *the high e string slips off the fretboard when playing fast/soloing* maybe you've experienced the same kind of tendencies on a thin nut yourself? . And Important note is I'm *NOT going with a floyd rose, instead a gotoh 510 bridge* SO basically I'm stumped there and not sure what nut width to settle for. Even on the opposite end of this, going *TOO large width wise* so higher than *43mm* will likely feel way too wide I don't want playing between strings to feel like a massive "leap" either . Anyways, with all that in mind my guess is it's safe to lean towards a *standard thin shape neck + 1 11/16 nut* it sounds like the safest recipe so far and for that area I'm really OK with "vanilla"/safe nut width and neck combo since if that one aspect is off, we can surely both agree that it can drastically compromise the feel of a good neck! . I'm very interested to hear if you agree or what your advice would be for a newbie first time builder like myself. I cant tell over video but something tells me we might have similar size hands! . Apologies for the novel and I hope to hear back from ya whenever you get the chance! Cheers from Niagara falls Canada and please stay safe and healthy during this time🙏🤟😊 - Adam

[@keithperkins3798]

Mr. Bingham, your Warmoth builds are gorgeous. I have four such builds (one is a twelve string that I did a matching six string for it) plus five other guitars with replacement Warmoth necks. I love my Warmoths.

[@MisterRorschach90]

I have literally never seen someone blow on their guitar so many times in one video.

[@timbuk1126]

I swear 😭🤣

[@hjmism]

I was looking for this comment. My god, just use a fucking paint brush. He also didn't tell us how he saved money, just showed us his gear and specs. I get it! Warmoth is cheaper and has more accommodations, but don't waste my time with your clickbait just because you want to show off your guitars.

[@ClemsonJohnson]

😂

[@kendallhall2159]

Every time he looks at the guitar you can tell he's thinking "I should blow on it"

[@scottschulze3568]

Had to scroll the comments to see if anyone else said it lmfao!

[@ags5696]

I kept thinking that he should take a dusting cloth and polish it

[@0kiguess]

Before I clicked on the video I would’ve swore you had a British accent

[@jeffgoldblum474]

Same... There is a british dude that looks like him but I can't get the name

[@CM-yg2pk]

jeff goldblum true geordie?

[@jeffgoldblum474]

@@CM-yg2pk close but no it's another dude that does custom builds I believe and he's also tatted up but has blue eyes

[@jeffgoldblum474]

@Donatto yessss bingo thank you

[@JO-bz4kc]

I thought that too.

[@PhillipNeal]

Louis C.K started his career over I see...

[@joelewisband879]

I like the fact..thst he takes pride in his builds....I'm not a one pickup guy I prefer more options for tone but he is clearly happy with his results...good on him.😎👍👍

[@markferguson3745]

Everyone looks a little like somebody.Such observations are about as useful as the " first" comments.

[@switchmuso]

That’s actually a “push-push”, in case anybody wants to order one.. far quicker live

[@lordmanshaft1112]

They last longer as well, since the upward force applied by the spring is way more consistent than sweaty hands yanking the knob upward.

[@stratolestele7611]

​@@lordmanshaft1112 that's not been my experience. I prefer the ease of use with the push-push, but they get scratchy where my push-pulls do not.

[@mightyhammerhead]

😂

[@joehernandez3538]

That truss rod placement is absolutely a must have for my next guitar

[@brenlouissurio2404]

Right? It's my first seeing that, that's extremely beneficial for anyone.

[@anthonyrosa5006]

Their necks are rock solid. I have never needed to adjust them once they are set because of their neck construction using either steel or carbon fiber rods alongside the truss rods.

[@butteredbiskit3497]

With that truss rod adjuster, there's still the Allen @ the end of the fretboard. You have to straighten the neck before you bolt it on. The Allen on the side is a fine adjustment.

[@jubjub905]

Its not for major adjustment

[@IrateWizrd]

@@anthonyrosa5006 They only do that for their bass necks right?

[@warmoth]

Nice! Thanks Jon!

[@therangersinger]

I have built 4 warmoth guitars. I have nothing but great things to say about their quality and craftsmanship. Great video and explanation for those who are unfamiliar with the warmoth company.

[@eljefeguapobarbon]

Just built a Jazzmaster Warmoth hardtail with a single/direct mount humbucker and this video was my motivation! Great builds, thanks!

[@fedestrat2caster]

That strat is a dream come true! Well done!

[@WhiteNacho]

Those are some of the best looking guitars I have ever seen!

[@derekhenderson1730]

Been assembling my Strats and Tele's for nearly 40 years since Mighty Mite and Schecter brought out kits in the late 70s. My Signiture on the "rear" of the headstock, no backplate, cts pots, hovland and jensen caps, schaller and kluson tuners, Duncan, Dimarzio, Kinman, vintage early 70s Guild HB1 pups among others. Its great fun and in the end you have something of very high quality that is all your own . Iv'e been encouraging other players for many many years to take the plunge as there is so much enjoyment and great satisfaction when you see the end product . Nice guitars Jon .

[@753Jackson]

This was very interesting and an eye opener. I really liked the builds discussed. Excellent content and well worth the time 👍

[@DougE.phresh]

I put together a Warmoth guitar with a 1 piece rosewood neck, the stability is crazy, I haven't had to adjust the truss rod once since i first put it together your guitars look great, I love the simplicity

[@garycoates4987]

great video! I've built several warmoth guitars all the way back to 1987 when you had to order from a catalog to get the parts just amazing quality and unlike a lot of so-called kit guitars even buying the body and neck years apart the guitars always feel solid and the always really feel like customshop quality

[@shaunw9270]

Excellent. That's something I have considered but was worried that if I had a neck for a few years before buying a body for it ,would it still be a good fit? You answered my question. 👍

[@reddblurr]

Thank you for sharing man! these are beautiful works of art

[@bobbyberetta4206]

That is almost exactly what i been wanting since i was 12. Im definitely going to look into this, thank you.

[@alexoftheway8169]

There are some sweet design ideas there, especially the truss rod adjustment. The solid wenge neck is also a nice touch.

[@davidfauremusic]

I, too, find that homebrew guitars are really sweet ! Mine are lovely and not only sound really good but also have a special place in my heart ! All the best

[@JohnnyGuitarRocks]

Hi, thanks for making this video. Your builds are fantastic. I love the string through body Strats with the tune-o-matic bridge. That's a brilliant design. I have to Warmoth Strat necks and love them both. Keep on picking :-)

[@rudemooddudehamburg]

More videos please! Love it! You are so authentic! Thats very refreshing! Greets from Hamburg, Germany :)

[@chrisw7642]

I’ve built two Warmoth basses (medium scale). Boutique quality at off-the-rack prices and absolutely unique. No one else in the world has one exactly like it. Love Warmoth!

[@KainzMusic]

You nailed it. Warmoth finishes are on par with PRS, excellent high quality woods, options galore on the neck alone. Plus all that at a fraction of the costs of ESP or Jackson.

[@Locoandchooch]

Love the truss rod adjustment position.

[@caseykittel]

I LOVE that the volume knob is actually out of the way. I am a strat man, but the volume knob has always been in the way of my natural picking posture.

[@Bdegan68]

Agreed! I love the feel of the strat. I just can't play one with that volume knob there. Maybe that's why I built a Tele LOL

[@rickfennell7849]

Me too. Thats why all my strats have replacement pick guards with the volume pot put right where i want it. Got them from warmoth too.🤘🏻👍🏻

[@angusorvid8840]

I absolutely love those guitars! Just my kind of thing. String through body, tree or hardtail, one bucker, two at most, and a push/pull single volume for coil spilling or pickup switching. Brilliant simplicity. And the blue strat is great. When I use a trem it has to be a good, standard trem with excellent saddles, not those tin things. You're right, you don't have to go broke building a decent guitar. I've thrown together Chandler and Warmoth guitars man times since the 80s. Great value.

[@MichaelMcGlynns]

Great looking guitars and great aesthetic. You really know what you're doing.

[@ibrajimenez2098]

Love the single pickup configuration . I was looking at the fender pro because they have full rosewood necks but thanks to this video i know warmoth is the way. Thank you

[@jeshely]

Excellent choices.

[@baradalamasa]

Wow...so beautiful! Now I'm craving more for single pickup Strats!

[@lucaswilkinson6441]

Thanks for the great video! I just discovered warmoth and was curious about how they do things. Probably going to have to build one in April

[@jamesfetherston1190]

I have only one Warmoth build under by belt, but the experience and result were well worth it. Look forward to making another.

[@realtruenorth]

I have a warmoth telecaster that just sounds and plays so great. With a lot of sustain and punch. Great stuff.

[@Chad-fh3su]

John,i had Warmoth 1 piece blueburst strat body,1 piece quilted neck,matxhing stock,long story short it cost about 2 grand in 1999,i had them do all the work tho,i kept it 16 years,i got rid of it because...,I put a Schaller Floyd and locking nut...so oh and the David Gilmore EMG set..I didn't want to put more money in it.Love yours!!!you put way more thought in your build,i was young and crazy(a strat with 3 singles and a Floyd Rose,oh and PRS locking tuners)I traded it for a Gibson Les Paul

[@plapnab]

Think I’m going to do a Warmoth build this summer. Definitely going to use the Charvel inspired one as a reference. Love the neck.

The Mahogany one is almost what I'd build. Very, very nice tips. Thanks!

[@pskemster]

Another single pickup effectionado!. Well done! Beautiful guitties

[@mauricecasey5556]

Just came over from Guitar Talk! Great content from you both. Thanks,

[@joechou34]

Great video! Easy to watch. =) One of these days, I'm going build my own from start to finish! Keep up the great videos. Subscribed!

[@pistolpete7280]

Great video. Those are some beautiful guitars. I especially love that blue Strat.

[@chicagoray1972]

When it comes to strat/superstrat/soloist style guitars Warmoth is the best. I have two, dual humbucker strat style and a dual humbucker tele style. They play and sound incredible. My friend played the strat and went and ordered him one he loved it so much.

[@Gummibri]

Great use of off the shelf parts.

[@luisownerbr]

Man you know how a good guitar is put together! I'm dying to build a nice strat like one of yours but with a floyd. Hope I can get the money soon haha

[@maxs.5163]

Amazing stuff, man!

[@ermonski]

That natural stain one looks beautiful

[@bedroomrockstudios408]

man that guitar #1 is quite nice I built custom tele with solid rosewood neck, spalted mable top etc... for way cheaper than fender CS. Great video and nice axes.

[@SteveMavronis]

Love the Koa one. I hope to create my own Warmoth build. I already went the custom guitar route from guitar maker friend of mine.

[@wasichu66]

Best explanation ever of fingerboard radius. Even as a veteran player who knows what fingerboard radius is, I always wondered why it was called "radius", until you drew that circle in the air... So graphic and simple that, now that I know, my past ignorance is painful :)

[@image30p]

Cool video! Thanks for sharing!

[@j_freed]

That white guitar is like Kramer Beretta meets Jake E Lee Signature. Legit nice! Old and modern.

[@unfreundlich7168]

aaa nice too see that someone else likes 1 pickup guitars ;) good guitars for good money! i like that

[@EYECOMEINPEACE]

Good video. Helpful info. Glad you tube randomly recommended this for me lol.

[@pa-pyro2804]

Those are actually really nice thanks for sharing

[@shanestevens1590]

Great video .... Very well explained , very correct , likeable fella and I've just subscribed .... Thank you & look forward to watching more of your video's .... Cheers 👍 ....

[@fickbasterd]

love it dude i am building one for myself too awesome choice i also want an h s config on my guitar without the damn pickguard and a floyd rose xO it will be awesome i love your wood combo keep it up

[@ErikHeller-sg8sw]

Oh Yes, I just ordered my first Warmouth and I can't wait for it to be Delivered. After Much Research I came to the Same Conclusion that a Build By Warmouth is Way Superior to Anything Fender, unless one is willing to drop $3500 bucks as you mentiond.(I also like the idea of you putting Your Name on the Headstock. NICE) Indeed, their Choices and Quality are Far Beyond My Expensive Fenders. Now, what to do with those F-Guitars now that I Don't play them anymore.(I wish I had discovered Warmouth a Hundred Years Ago)🥇First of several more to come/build.👍👍👍

[@the-creech4790]

Nice! I'm gonna have to try that. Always wanted a guitar the way I want it.

[@JonBingham]

stratocat62 it’s a great website and great service to guitar players.

[@johngonzales8224]

Very nice builds. Your pots are push push.

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

got a warmoth neck with stainless steel frets that's specked to the shape of most modern fender strats. I LOVE IT! Won it for 320 on ebay. It's amazing. Maybe even my best guitar.

[@markinthemix6055]

I have built a few of these and currently building one with Warmoth neck and MJT body. Warmoth necks are pretty legit.

[@robinjgill]

Very nice looking guitars

[@pskemster]

Look at the floyd rose rail tail . Amazing and will solve a multiple of intonation, and tuning stability! Top shelf all the way!

[@Thirdgen83]

Big Warmoth fan here.

[@WalrusDoom]

Very cool build, cheers

[@jamesprice6381]

DUDE..N 1985 STATIONED IN DALLAS TX, MY ROOMIE IS A SEAT GUY FOR GRUMMAN AEROSPACE.., WE BOTH WORK ON F-14 TOMCATS, HE GOT A NECK THRU KOA STRAT EBONY FINGER BOARD W/EMGS..IT WAS TO LIVE FOR! I GOT A FLYING V, FLAME MAPLE CAP, AWSM, BUT GOT STOLEN, KILLER STUFF!

[@angkit216]

Love the guitar. I’m planning to custom build my next worshiper guitar

[@utubehound69]

Cool stuff Jon.

[@DBSG1976]

I appreciate this video because I've always wanted to build my own Warmoth guitar. I was thinking Daphne Blue Strat with Seymour Duncan '59 neck and JB-4 bridge, two point bridge, and tinted 9.5 quarter sawn maple neck.

[@gitarmats]

I think I'll try this for my next guitar. Not too experienced with soldering or anything, but I imagine with patience and KZbin tutorials it should be very feasible.

[@chasingclothing]

Check out obsidian wire soderless kits I just used one for my first squier since I didn’t wanna mess up my first guitar and they’re great and easy to install👍🏼

[@wangsakitchen]

that is some beautiful guitar sir

[@Vortexafternoon]

Very cool. I build using old guitars. Will try a kit still.

[@trevorlawrence310]

Mahogany is nice! Looks great with the Koa top. I'm gonna try that.

[@Bullittbl]

Ive built several warmoth guitars. I love them

[@beol9715]

Amazing guitar bro😍

[@gilmarriner3011]

Nice video! I‘ve built two Warmouth guitars, one for myself and one for my buddy and I can highly recommend ordering from Warmouth. Tons of different configurations. Never thought about doing a build with just one humbucker but that might be my next build. Looks great!

[@rolandsnyder2088]

Hey man build me one! I'll be your buddy!!

[@michaelsimpson398]

love the look and finish of all the warmouth stuff i see and as a lefty it attracted me but, after i specced my choices i wasn't that much under a custom shop order and no retaining of value- so i will make from scratch

[@brookie2464]

Join the club wanted a black and gold telecaster deluxe so I found a cheap knock off tele and I'm just over hauling everything to make it what I want without paying thousands

[@thebasementgourmet3344]

I am working on my 2nd Warmoth build , I don't think I'll ever buy a brand name guitar again! I have a Les Paul , Music man JP-16 , and 1990 Ibanez Rg550 , I like the Warmoth as good or better than all of them! Warmoth's Wizard/Ibanez neck profile is just like an Ibanez!

[@markpickardlife]

super nice guitars

[@seanvanmolle7836]

Wow a wenge neck... That's awsome! (I'm a carpenter😉 so i can smell it already... Nice stuff to sand)

[@kitoyobeni1]

No finish required, so a great natural feel too!

[@ov-studios]

Beautiful guitars bro

[@joeltejada4362]

So, Warmoth is the way to go. I have a bullet strat I got for $60 and I decided to learn how to mod. I came across a used roasted maple Warmoth neck ($180 including locking tuners) which I loved so much that it became my #1 guitar. It made me sell my EBMM Cutlass because it sucked in comparison. I ended up replacing the bridge for a Wilkinson ($35) which added sustain for days. But I went crazy with the pickups a set of Schecter Monstertone SSS ($300) with coil tap (not coil split) because I like the Nick Johnston Signature guitar. I haven't play another guitar that sounds or feels that way. I am sure there are more affordable pickups that still sound great and would have make the final price much lower. But that Warmoth neck is what makes the guitar special.

[@islas357]

Did you have trouble fitting it?

[@joeltejada4362]

@@islas357 Absolutely not. I was amazed I did not need to do anything to the neck pocket. The fit is not super tight like I've seen in some strats, but it is not lose either. I did not need to do anything to the frets because they were perfect.

[@belayetsabri4880]

I absolutely love the Nick johnstone signature one. im also think of building something close to that

[@raserex]

I'm currently looking heavily on having a custom guitar built to MY specs as well. This looks like a great option from Warmoth. The only thing is the body. I have kind of a hybrid body between a Les Paul and a fender Toronado in mind. Also an arched top. I'll just have to break down and call them up. I'll tell them Jon sent me! lol. Oh yeah, and that truss rod adjustment!!!! WHAAAAAT? If it works well, what a great design! Thanks for all your info. Great video! I might be emailing ya "somehow" to nerd out on my build!

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Just found you. Good video. I've built a few guitars now, and warmoth makes great stuff. I am in the process of building another super strat. I'll be probably buying the neck and maybe body from musikraft. I like an asymetrical neck like my old wolfgang. I'm going with just any strat body wood that can be painted white or black with two humbuckers and a gotoh floyd rose bridge, neck of quartersawn maple unless they have something denser with ebony fretboard and either evo gold frets or stainless frets in 6100 size also..I used to have a Charvel too and love the concept. Great video.

[@MisterTee]

I did a single pickup Warmoth that is a bit similar to your Koa topped guitar. Differences are I want with koa over roasted Alder, Floyd Rose tremolo and a roasted maple neck in theirboat neck shape. It’s killer

[@QuickSticks8771]

Could you tell me Do the Koa tops need a clear poly finish or can you just use natural oil ?? Thanks

[@kenr.b.891]

The best deal on custom shop guitars are Warmoth and Carvin/Kiesel.

[@OrigenisAdamantios]

Very nice!

[@absolutless]

I love that flame koa. Ordering a Mahogany Teli with a koa top

[@lungha9827]

I concur with you, I’ll never buy off the rack, over priced and can’t get the color and accessories I want.

[@brucecaldwell6701]

My first Warmoth build was in 1985 if I remember correctly. They had a deal at the time that if you ordered a custom body you could have a neck built at half price. I got a strat in alder with a flame maple book matched top. I stained the top a sort of strawberry color & painted the alder pearl white. This was before they'd figured out how to do drop tops. The neck was highly figured birds eye maple with ebony board. It had a single humbucker in the bridge & Kahler trem. Best guitar I've ever owned but unfortunately it was stolen.

[@j_freed]

That's quite a compliment, stealing the nice guitar you put together. I hope you spot it some day and reclaim it.

[@brucecaldwell6701]

@@j_freed I know the thug who stole it, I just had no proof & the cops didn't give a shit. He wouldn't know a cheap Squier from a master built custom shop guitar. I'm afraid that guitar will remain a distant memory. I just hope it somehow wound up being appreciated by someone. Thanks

[@charles-ul9uo]

fine video. good story.

[@TheFarout69]

My Warmoth build is a hard tail Strat in mahogany -strings through to a Fender style bridge. Goncala Alves neck quartersawn unfinished with Hipshot staggered tuners. Loaded with my custom Galaxy switching circuit for series parallel and coil selection. JB jr on bridge, Duckbucker middle and Vintage rails on the neck. It's heavy like a brick but truly sounds and plays amazing. I'm presently working on a Duo Sonic Mexican body, alder, black with a Babciz bridge and an Alparts replacement neck for Jaguar, original 7.25 radius, 24" scale, rosewood fingerboard. I'm considering P-Rails on bridge and Duckbucker neck but we 'll see. Waiting on the parts now. Once you build an electric guitar- all you really want is to build another one! LOL!

[@fermacht213]

That's a sweet guitar man.

[@martymcmannis9121]

Thank you for the video. Now if I only had a grand.

[@danwilhite]

Sweet guitars man!

[@Anonymous.android]

That is exactly the guitar I want! Nice and simpke, just one bridge pickup and one knob.

[@theguitarprofessionals8584]

CRAZY GOOD CHANNEL!!!!!!!

[@pskemster]

1 bridge pickup,,,l ❤️ it!

[@anthonyrosa5006]

I have had several Warmoth basses. Admittedly I did not build them, someone else owned them but I was lucky enough to buy them from them is excellent condition. I still own a 5 string Gecko bass with a stunning walnut top on a mahogany body, THe other is a 5 string Jazz with active bartolini's. I did sell another 4 string Jazz with a purpleheart neck and a Korina body and MM pup. It played great but at the time I didn't care for the aggressive MM tone. The guy who got it loved it. If you can get a used one at a decent price, go for it. Sadly they don't hold the value that you invest in them. I wont lose a dime on the used ones and got over a decade on one already.

[@0000song0000]

the natural finish one is the sexiest "strat" ever. it looks like it only has "the necessary" yet in top quality.