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Post by SteveM on Jul 22, 2020 19:07:02 GMT -5
When this first appeared, I dismissed it based on price, but with american strats at $1,449, I’m looking at these more carefully.
Has anyone gone this route?
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jul 23, 2020 9:03:08 GMT -5
I don't own any, but I've handled a few mod-shop guitars and they're fine. You get what you want!
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Post by Joe Potts on Jul 23, 2020 10:18:19 GMT -5
I also have thought the mod shop guitars were pricey, but it does seem the extra dollars could make some sense now, with regular production Fenders being so high.
Having said that, I probably wouldn’t pull the trigger unless they offered a matching painted headstock. I believe you can get a black headstock on at least some of the models, but that doesn’t interest me. I’ll also say that I’ve had such good luck with MIM models over the past ten years that I’m not that eager to spend the extra bucks on MIA, especially now that they don’t actually say it’s made in the USA.
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Post by Leftee on Jul 23, 2020 10:54:29 GMT -5
They seem to be a good where they sit - between production and CS.
I’ve known a couple lefties who’ve bought them as it’s a great option for us.
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Post by Blacksunshine on Jul 23, 2020 11:37:10 GMT -5
They seem to be a good where they sit - between production and CS. I’ve known a couple lefties who’ve bought them as it’s a great option for us. I would have loved this option back in the day when I was collecting/gigging with Fenders. |
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Post by Leftee on Jul 23, 2020 11:41:53 GMT -5
But now you’ve moved up to truly great guitars.
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Post by SteveM on Jul 23, 2020 18:09:16 GMT -5
As a lefty, the color choices alone make it worth looking at. It all started when I got an itch to get some version of a Highway One in Daphne Blue that I had sold. The finish was satin, frets medium jumbo, rosewood board with large style headstock.
I can’t quite get there, as these details aren’t available.
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Post by stratcowboy on Jul 23, 2020 18:20:26 GMT -5
Sounds like you're a candidate for a Warmoth build. Probably cheaper that way, too.
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Post by LTB on Jul 23, 2020 19:39:39 GMT -5
I’ll also say that I’ve had such good luck with MIM models over the past ten years that I’m not that eager to spend the extra bucks on MIA, especially now that they don’t actually say it’s made in the USA. I was in Guitar Center a few years ago and there was a guy that played Telecasters. He was in the used/vintage section and he said he thought the MIM's played better than the American series...Maybe so?  ? |
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Post by Vibroluxer on Jul 23, 2020 20:25:46 GMT -5
I've never had an issue with MIJ/CIJ or MIM.
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Post by SteveM on Jul 23, 2020 21:01:17 GMT -5
here's a link to what I've been looking at. Mod shop strat
Warmoth got me very close to this, with a satin finish and CBS neck, for a little under $1,100. But, do they assemble it? If not, could I just buy the body and transfer everything over? (Never done this...) |
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Post by stratcowboy on Jul 23, 2020 22:14:39 GMT -5
Warmoth does not assemble. This requires basic tool skills (not necessarily a "master" though), and some soldering skills. I have a Warmoth body, American Fender neck, some Callaham bridge parts, Fralin pickups, etc., etc. Fun to put all this stuff together to make your own "custom." Been a while since I've done much of that, but it really is a blast. So, yes...you can certainly buy a Warmoth body and move stuff over into it from another guitar. The neck pocket will fit just fine.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Jul 24, 2020 11:28:58 GMT -5
As a lefty player, I've "assembled" 8-10 Warmoth guitars (one was a righty I built for my son for H.S. graduation).
The parts will all transfer over easily, as the bodies and necks are Fender spec. You can even have Warmoth install the nut for you, making that part of the process a little easier as well (it will still need some nut slot filing by you or someone to get the slot depths where they should be).
If you have basic tool skills (and you can easily learn how to handle a soldering iron), you can put a Warmoth together. I went overboard when I built my first one - and it had two coil tap switches on the volume and tone controls! Lots of little wires to deal with, but I got it done, and it turned out great! I've rewired that first Warmoth a few times, and I actually wish I would've left the original wiring alone - it was very versatile and toneful.
Go for it! Money well spent - IF - you don't plan to resell any time soon. Warmoth's do not have resale value as finished instruments, that's just the sad fact of the matter.
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Post by SteveM on Jul 24, 2020 17:20:47 GMT -5
Great info, Rev, thanks!
How are the lefty volume and tone controls?
The only thing that concerns me about building one is setup and neck adjustment, I’ve been soldering since my dad taught me at age 8 in 1968.
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Post by SteveM on Jul 24, 2020 17:25:32 GMT -5
Do both the American and MIM necks fit Warmoth bodies?
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Post by Leftee on Jul 24, 2020 17:26:14 GMT -5
Do both the American and MIM necks fit Warmoth bodies? Yes, no problem either way. |
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Post by Leftee on Jul 24, 2020 17:33:25 GMT -5
Great info, Rev, thanks! How are the lefty volume and tone controls? The only thing that concerns me about building one is setup and neck adjustment, I’ve been soldering since my dad taught me at age 8 in 1968. You can buy reverse taper pots and reverse knobs. Or just wire up the regular pots righty. The latter is what I do. Building would be a nice way to step in to setup and neck adjustment. And you’ve got plenty of help here. |
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Post by SteveM on Jul 24, 2020 17:37:06 GMT -5
Getting tempted...
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Post by Leftee on Jul 24, 2020 17:47:20 GMT -5
It’s addictive. 😂
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Post by stratcowboy on Jul 24, 2020 23:24:01 GMT -5
Again...I haven't done any "under-the-hood" stuff on my guitars in a while. But I've gone through phases (including building from scratch) where I'm working on all the guitars and tinkering with this or that. It really is a blast, partly 'cause it allows you to easily experiment with different wiring setups and the like to see what kind of tonal differences you can make. Trying volume or tone controls with different values and/or capacitors in the system, etc. Makes for a great education and allows you to dial-in your guitars just how you want 'em. Every one of my guitars has some kind of special wiring/component thing going on just so that they truly mirror my own tastes really well.
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