Top Five Secret Warmoth Options

Blog post - The Truth Behind Warmoth's Fretwork: warmoth.com/blog/warmoth-fret...
0:00 Yacking
03:51 The Test
07:15 More Yacking

[@buckchaser4725]

You do a great job as the spokesman for Warmoth. Your videos are always very helpful, thanks.

[@OgamiItto70]

Warmoth Secret Option Number Zero: The Kahler Rout and Neck Pocket Angle. ($10 last time I asked about it.)

[@robertparker8282]

I love my Warmoth Explorer. I wish I had bought a couple more before they were no longer available. Thanks gibson.

[@AnonContributor]

Sure miss when we used to be able to pick our own custom tops and fret boards. Bring that back...

[@onlyfromadistance7326]

For sure! The old website was MUCH better...

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

@@onlyfromadistance7326 I agree. I love warmoth and everything and they still make sick parts. They even do some newer stuff now that's pretty dope. BUT... I gotta admit. It aint all sunshine and rainbows. I'd argue the new site changes mostly suck azz lolz no offence warmoth hehe.

[@jimsanderson9020]

The lack of being able to choose my own wood for projects has caused a complete lack of interest in ever ordering from Warmoth again

[@ryanpullin]

I don't know if it's still the case, but I read recently from a Warmoth employee that if you call/email them then they can do the unique choice that way. Their words were basically "if that's keeping you from doing an order then reach out and we can show you what we have"

[@kotla671]

If I can pick wood again - I’ll come back!

[@woodygranger2126]

These videos are so helpful and cause many of us to go for a Warmouth build over a highend custom guitar. You need a huge raise!

[@FrazySting]

Keep these videos coming Aaron. Love them!

[@TheDinosaur82]

Pickguards with truss rod access at the heel!

[@TommySG1]

You guys are always great Aaron 🤙 Spike’s always been super helpful too whenever I call to ask about something obscure.

[@DeirdreSM]

You also do *dyed* necks and matching dyed flame maple headstocks, and my neck that's all turquoisey is just glorious.

[@schmoemi3386]

😲😲

[@NickPierro]

"Dignitaries and heads of state" haha I LOL'd! Love it. Great video!

[@warmoth]

😁

[@nicksimms3771]

@warmoth three things I'd love to see available as off-menu items: 1. Baritone Scale Conversion 12 String Necks 2. Baritone Scale Conversion CBS headstock Strat Necks 3. Bass fretboard radii besides 10"- personally the big thing holding me back from ordering bass necks from y'all is that I much prefer the classic 7.25" radius for fretless jazz basses, as it feels somewhat more similar to the tight 5-6" radius that most upright basses have

[@garrettstiles7808]

Offer rolled fingerboards and I’d be buying necks from you guys…and I build A LOT of partscasters…

[@AnonContributor]

+1 on this...

[@JoelCSabo]

Solid video. Thanks!

[@jm71681]

Great video, always appreciate knowing what's on the secret menu! Something I've wanted to see is a really good example of the carved soloist top. Those contours vary so much from manufacturer-to-manufacturer, I would really like to get a good look at how Warmoth carves their soloist tops, before committing to a build 👍

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Thanks for sharing.

[@MyBassistChris]

Good to know! Just called you guys to find out more off menu options. Looks like racing stripes are no longer an option, but you do offer reverse P pickups which is nice! Will probably submit my order very sooN!

[@nobodynoone2500]

Will you guys paint my car? Surf Green please.

[@guitarfool3881]

LOVE That Explorer !!! No custom colors is a bummer ! (PLUM CRAZY PURPLE)💜💜💜💜💜 Love the Tele also .

[@sarguitars6603]

"purple frost" is very close to plum crazy. I have it on a S/P doubleneck.

[@guitarfool3881]

@@sarguitars6603 Good to know , I have a Candy Purple Tele/Hombre . Beautiful color , just a little dark .

[@WindsurfMaui]

I'd like to see the complete list of off menu items that are available in the price ranges because I may want to add them to my next build. Thank you

[@jefflevy3557]

So basically you want a menu of all the things that aren't on the menu. Nice.

[@UTubeHandlesSuck]

How about a full list sometime? Please? 😇

[@WalterStoermer]

Great video! I have done the painted neck and peg-head option, and it is incredible. I will run for Congress (hopefully in 2026) and see if that "heads of state" thing pans out (*laughing*). I believe in music education and kinetic learning (like a shop class)-Warmoth products are great for both. My skills as a musician rose after I built my first guitar. Knowing your instrument and building it places more personal value on it. I now cringe when I see bands smash their equipment. Custom options make it more your thing, and people ask me what kind of guitar I play, and I tell them, "I built that." I like telling people about Warmoth. Thank you!

[@zigzagrz]

i'm digging that Matthias Jabs tribute explorer

[@lloydkreiser3052]

I have a soloist with the VIP controls, love it. I agree, that strat volume position is for strats! My second soloist, I picked my own volume and tone positions and popped some holes in there with a forstner bit, no problem!

[@warmoth]

I don't understand why more people don't drill their own holes. It's so easy!

[@LockRocker]

I've got a rosewood lam top Z with lightweight roasted alder going on at your place RIGHT NOW! It couldn't hurt for you and Christian to step back there, put in a good word for me and "Keep on Picking"!

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

I'm gunna do me some roasted alder soon haha.

[@topfloorstudio2684]

Dignitaries & Heads of State *lol* I love you Aaron!! *WARMOTH* RULES

[@geraldponce8336]

Those are awesome options. But I could name a few options I wish Warmoth had. 1. Rounding the finger board edges before the frets are installed. Have like a few options of round overs. Light, medium, heavy. I can do it on a finished rosewood neck no problem or an unfinished maple neck. But to really do it right I am going to have to start ordering necks without a finish, frets, or a nut. 2. Speaking of nuts, bone nuts would be the next one. 3. Nitro finishes. 4. Would be a heavier poly finish option. While sonically a thin finish is great. But a really flat high gloss finish is the sacrifice. 5. Would be more 9.5-14 compound radius' in the stock choices. Seems like all 10-16 radius ' like half and half would be awesome. That being said. Warmoth still provides a great service. Where else can you pick and choose parts? Unless you have a CNC machine or you are a highly motivated builder at least they get you halfway there. Me personally I find myself assuming more and aspects of the build with each build. Making my own nuts, soon to be installing my own frets after reshaping the finger board. And doing nitro finishes. Doing my own humbucker over routes as well. Still appreciate the freedom they help provide to build our own guitars. And not be so dependent on the mega guitar corporations. Not going to drop names. Am much happier building my own guitars.

[@Riverdeepnwide]

Aaron has brought my attention to Warmoth since he started doing these vids. Great work there A.

[@aiaiaaooe]

Don't forget about one of my favorites: no contour cuts on bodies! I affectionately refer to one of my Strats as "The Slab" because it's like a big ol' Seafoam Green chopping block!

[@jrsmoots]

For that Mathias Jabs-style guitar - TAKE MY MONEY!

[@warmoth]

haha! I built that because I play in a Scorpions tribute band. That guitar has made me more money than all my others put together!

[@kilhattrick]

Second Sting! And if I remember correctly, your action is very, very low. Sweet guitar.

[@trance9158]

Great video.... Now I need to go check the site for bass guitar stuff

[@sunn_bass]

I have used Warmoth bass necks and have built my own bass necks. I find that if the fretboard is perfectly flat and the frets are carefully pressed, a full level and crown are generally not required. Maybe a few frets might need a minimal amount of work, not every fret. If they are hammered in or if the fret wire is poor quality, then all bets are off. At least that's been my experience. So far I have been pleased with the 5 Warmoth necks I have.

[@CalanReichel]

25.5" or 26.5" scale for 7 strings? The 7 string community has avoided warmoth because of the 25" or 28" scales only. Really need something in between the two for only mild drop tunings and maintaining 16# of tension per string

[@spastickitchen]

In my humble opinion, 25.5" is on the short side for a low B. I have a 28" Warmoth 7, and I love it, but I know that is crazy long for most people. What is so weird to me is that nothing else Warmoth makes is 25" or even a 25" plus or minus any number of frets, so it's just such a weird choice to me.

[@TheFlutecart]

Love my Warmoth Strat-Thing.

[@jason.braatz]

My personal favorite off-menu option is the double control cavity route on J and P basses, where you get both the top-side traditional route AND the rear route with cover plate. Never have to stuff a rats nest of wires behind a pickguard again!

[@warmoth]

Or remove the pickguard to work on stuff!

[@skidogbill]

Wish I knew about the upper bout toggles. I have added them to all 3 of my Warmoth guitars!

[@KahnuevsKrake]

So would the painted necks include staining too? A flame maple neck in a custom colour like on a PRS would be pretty cool.

[@Timanator]

Very cool LP switch option. Hopefully AANJ soon too?

[@Granite165]

That 5A flame neck is gorgeous! Do you do the "skunk stripe" as an option? My main guitar has had a Warmoth CBS Strat neck since 2015, plays like lightning and the nitro is starting to age real nice 😁 Cheers and thanks for the great neck!

[@ghost_java35]

Very cool to know. I’ve been trying to get a neck with no radius like Shawn lane used and haven’t had any luck. Maybe I can get it as an off menu option.

[@pentalfakos]

Amazing video. Do you do set neck construction guitars or only bolt on?

[@schmoemi3386]

What about a Contoured Heel on a Jaguar body? 🤔

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Love the "Matthias" explorer.

[@MercutioUK2006]

This is relevant to my needs. I'd also love a true 24 3/4" scale neck that doesn't require a 7/8 body.......they certainly used to be made (you do some of them occasionally on Reverb). Cheers Aaron :)

[@monsterram6617]

This!

[@schmoemi3386]

The Gibson Scale Conversion necks don't require 7/8 bodies... but they're on menu, not off... 🤷‍♂

[@MercutioUK2006]

@@schmoemi3386 They are, but not the 24 fret version, which I should have said initially.

[@schmoemi3386]

@@MercutioUK2006Ah ok, I see. So you want a 24 3/4" scale neck with 24 frets!

[@MercutioUK2006]

@@schmoemi3386 Indeed, that doesn't tie me to a Warhead body ^^ I like the Warhead headstock, but I'm not a huge fan of standard Strat shapes. I know, bloody pain in the neck :)

[@nickmizell1141]

Thanks for posting weekly.

[@briankoenig8923]

I was bummed out when I ordered my 24.75" conversion neck. I wanted dots with a 12th fret skull and crossbones. I got some song and dance and settled on all dots.

[@VicMorrowind]

I have a Warmoth guitar. Bought the body and neck back in the 90's. Love it. I have a question about retail acoustic and electric guitars. For under $200 I can get a Yamaha acoustic guitar with a 52mm nut. But I cant find an electric guitar with a 52mm nut for, seemingly, any price. I have to go to a custom shop, like you all, and have a custom neck made. Why is it so easy to get acoustic guitars with varying nut widths? But so hard to get electrics that way? All I can find are 42 or 43mm nuts (under $500).

[@curlzwalk]

Yes the strat volume knob is TOO close to the pickup! 100% correct!!

[@domoniquebrooks816]

I'm wondering if there is an off-menu option for a 69 Thinline control route on a solid telecaster. I love the look of that pickguard style, but have no need for a hollow guitar or F-hole.

[@horse_dog]

what i wonder is say i was in the market for a fretless bass neck, would you guys be able to satin finish the back of the neck and lacquer finish the fingerboard?

[@moparbryan]

I wish you could do 2 1/4 neck pockets

[@182jUlieN44]

Do you offer a LP toggle on a strat body? I always wanted a super strat with a LP toggle for the two humbuckers

[@RedArrow73]

Mustang BASS, Aaron!

[@UTubeHandlesSuck]

Oh yes indeed, _this this _*_THIS!_*

[@J-Rock75]

Can yall do P or J Bass bodies without the vintage neck truss rod adjustment body notch?

[@ReVeRbx-fe5wr]

Does Warmoth do square neck heel like a Tele on Strat pickguards? I can choose tele neck heel on strat body and whatever neck, but I can’t choose square neck heel if Im designing a strat pickguard. Is than an option that is available?

[@Scott__C]

I never understand "off menu" items anywhere. If you offer them, list them. If you don't want to do them, don't offer them at all. It's off putting to have items you have to just somehow know about to ask for.

[@warmoth]

One of the reasons our off-menu options are off-menu is because we can't always offer them on a consistent basis. For example, we may not have a reliable source of some wood species and can only get it when some is available. Other things are off-menu because they are impossible to wrangle into our website.

[@thomaslutro5560]

How about a Leland Sklar producer switch, would you do that? 😇

[@3rdmm]

Side-mounted Strat-style jack rout? Often seen on signature instruments of the stars, but too tough for Warmoth?

[@shatteredsquare]

can yall do an LSR nut prep on a baritone conversion neck?

[@pastedtomato]

It would be awesome if you could offer a Jag-stang bass body

[@jupjuck]

Hey Aaron, Can you overroute a 24fret neck humbucker onto a 22 fret HSH body?

[@sarguitars6603]

I Have 2 Warhead bass necks, one of which is on a S/P double neck ( with reverse warhead on the guitar neck ) . Can a warhead be put on a five string bass neck?

[@Unchainedmaple888]

Would you guys do reverse VIP controls where the toggle switch it closest to the bridge? I find myself switching pickups much more than I mess with the volume. Also would a pickguard/front routed Soloist be possible at some point?

[@warmoth]

We don't do that, but you always have the option to order no control holes and drill them exactly where you want them yourself.

[@028fn48dne]

can you do paddle headstocks on necks that the website won't let me get a paddlehead on? like a bass VI with a paddlehead? 8 string bass with paddlehead?

[@Bigoleb0y.]

do competition burgundy mustang bodies/headstocks

[@89ji76]

I wish there was an option for a more contoured heel with one bolt moved further in for the high fret access. Don’t need any wild Ibanez type contouring just what modern fenders have would be great.

[@bigkahuna100]

Is Warmoth able to drill the Hipshot hardtail bridge holes on the Regal or VIP, and is there a way to omit binding if needed? If so, how are those requested? Also, when will Warmoth add black limba for neck woods?

[@ianfurqueron5850]

I see a Carved Tele body and a Carved Soloist body, but would a Carved Strat body be possible? That said, I have a VIP body design I've been pondering once I get the rest of my current build/assemble/repair projects finished.

[@jonataspassos3004]

Do you do 'secretly' a painting job similar to the black widow les paul (black to red burst)? It's one of the pretiest painting schemas out there!

[@warmoth]

Nope, not typically. It is a cool paint scheme though!

[@MisterRorschach90]

Is it possible to get a vintage style neck in a wizard profile? It’s not an option on the website, or at least it wasn’t last time I customized a neck. And is vintage toner an option across the board or just for certain woods? Because there have been times where it wouldn’t let me choose that option with certain woods, but I feel like that should be a simple thing to do. Finally, are you ever going to upgrade the configurator to include all body types and options? I dream of a tele shape tele strat hybrid with a pickguard, but I want to see what it would look like before committing thousands of dollars to it.

[@PFDarkside]

Are any of the special run dyes or flakes available off menu?

[@warmoth]

Typically yes. ATM our paint department is pretty backed up, so you'll need to call and see if we are taking custom paint orders right now.

[@donald-parker]

I'm curious about the attraction of an LP-style PU selector on a tele. I hate them. I find them to be noisy (at least the old-fashioned relay sort of switch - maybe they have modern look alike switches that are better now?) and it makes custom wiring mods (for example, series option) harder. And they are prone to turning at wonky angles if they get a bit loose over time (which they all do), whereas the tele and strat style blade switches never do. Of course, everyone has their preferences but I'm wondering if I am missing something.

[@stevechambers500]

What if someone wanted a Regal body that had a clear back with a flake finish (clean line) on the front? Would Warmoth do it if it was called in?

[@bigoldSupaD]

Still waiting for a 25" scale option 😊

[@onlyfromadistance7326]

Pretty reasonable...

[@BCyr1991]

I just want to know how to get a squared off fretboard end ala Charvel, as opposed to the rounded Fender type fretboard end.

[@Gremlin48]

Are stingray body/necks off menu 👀

[@bullyakker]

Matching headstock to body color (and wood overlay) when ordered at the same time? Stains? Dyes?

[@warmoth]

Yes, yes, and yes.

[@elstoof]

I always go for the double double animal style

[@teuast]

strawberry shake 😋

[@Ryan-kw7gj]

How about a rosewood 72' tele body? Or a true Flying V body with firebird pickup routs? Zircote top?

[@scott2369]

Would love a universal/swimming pool route Jazzmaster

[@alexiezante3663]

Reverse P Bass pickup? (Left hand pickup on a right handed body?)

[@Retnu16]

Do you think y'all could do a strat body with a soloist edge radius?

[@warmoth]

Yes, I believe we can do that.

[@agt2434]

Is Warmoth able to offer small dot fretboard inlays such as those found on certain Music Man guitars?

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

Lol I hate the way those look. Those lil with thumnbail bullet lookin fret markers lol... Ew...

[@4stringz.]

Would love *abalone blocks* on a bass neck (would pay the extra $ for the materials). Also, next time I order a bass neck I’m definitely going for the Warhead headstock 🎸

[@gingataff]

How about squared off fingerboard end on 22 fret necks?

[@STORMBREAKER_250]

Can y'all do a 5-way switch on an Iceman body? Been thinking about doing a Paul Gilbert-esque "Ice Caster," but the options are a bit limited...

[@Granite165]

Stew-Mac has the Free-Way switch, you can get a 6-way one to go in a 3-way rout?

[@STORMBREAKER_250]

@@Granite165 I had thought about that. My plan was to do an SSS config, so maybe get some Bryan May tones? 😂 IDK, not sure I'd be able to navigate a whole ass dogleg shifter on my guitar tho.

[@8BRInteractive]

How about necks with a skunk stripe and a dual-action truss rod adjustable at the headstock?

[@warmoth]

No can do. Our double truss rods are always installed from the top (AKA no skunk stripe), and are only adjustable at the heel. the exception would be our tilt-back neck models, which do have a double rod that is adjustable at the headstock, but still no skunk stripe.

[@T._Matthew_Phillips]

What PAINT COLOR do we order -- on that Orangey Strat?

[@warmoth]

Candy Tangerine

[@slktrx]

What is that orange color 6:38 ?

[@SuperCeller]

I've always wanted to know, can Warmoth apply lacquer to rosewood or other dark wood fretboards? It's such an uncommon thing but I absolutely love how it looks.

[@warmoth]

No, we won't do that. Too many adhesion issues that could arise when applying hard finishes to oily woods.

[@stratoside4765]

the headstock paint thing has been a lie twice for me. I called in for my first build back in 2010, told me they don't paint headstocks. Built a second one in 2018, and once again told me they don't, even though I even mentioned one of these videos back then said they do. Not sure what happened but maybe I'll try again for the 3rd time in the future..

[@warmoth]

One of the reasons off-menu options are off-menu is because we can't always offer them on a consistent basis. For example, if our paint department is massively backed up with standing orders at the time you call, we won't have to capacity to take on custom finishing job that is outside our normal production flow. At other times it would be no problem.

[@southernpanda33]

As someone who’s tired of all the big companies basically telling us lefties to go fuck ourselves, I’m looking into building my own guitars so I’m all for these options.

[@koryjames8361]

Does anyone know if the painted headstock off menu options include dyes and transparent colors?

[@warmoth]

Yes, it does. We can do figured-wood headstock laminates, as well as dyes and trans colors.

[@xyema-mpa-ma-ma]

How about a modern construction neck with truss rod adjustment at the nut instead of the side adjuster?

[@warmoth]

That exists now on all Modern "Tiltback" necks (Hombre, Tiltback Strat replacement, Nomad, etc). On straight necks we have no plans to offer that.

[@DavidGatto]

❤

[@aravindvinayakan]

What about custom fret inlays? I've been eyeing some pink inlay dots 👀

[@warmoth]

No, we don't do custom inlays. Way too much R&D involved in that for one-off requests.

[@aravindvinayakan]

​@@warmothThat totally makes sense, I figured it was a long shot 😅

[@oonamorrioghanblackthorne]

Do you do glued in necks?

[@warmoth]

Nope. Bolt on only.

[@MoreMeRecording]

I like the roasted maple neck I bought, shame the fret markers I bought looked a lot lighter in pics and are near invisible though lol. But to sell me a neck that cost nearly $600 CDN landed, and it it doesn't have a truss rod accessible w/o removing the neck is just a bad design choice. It feels good, looks good plays not bad but I regret the purchase, for sure.

[@benc-h5269]

would you do tele pickup routes on a vip body if someone called?

[@warmoth]

Probably not. The caved top makes that problematic.

[@LeftyPem]

Are lefty bodies and necks available off-menu?

[@warmoth]

No need to go off-menu. You can order almost any part we build in lefty using the custom builders.