Warmoth Bass VI Project

[HNB]

Hey! I picked up this body from Tweedledee. I am planning on the color scheme sort of like a Gilmour Stratocaster. The body came in this week. I squared the tremolo bottom corners to make sure it doesn't catch or rub. I drilled the strap button holes and drilled a bridge thimble ground wire. It was predrilled for a tremolo one, but I prefer to ground at the bridge. I already ordered the pickguard, pickups and such so while I wait on those parts, I did the stain work today. Minwax "True Black." I really like it because it is really black, but you can still see the wood a bit.

20240210_113124 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

20240210_113135 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

20240210_113957 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

20240210_113740 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

[HNB]

First coat of clear wiped on shows much more of all the wood details. It is what always is amazing when using dye and stains. I love getting to see the character of the wood.

20240210_160443 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

20240210_160455 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

20240210_160447 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

20240210_160501 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

[Tweedledee]

I’m impressed by how quickly you got started on this. I tend to second guess my plan a hundred times, switching the color in my head over and over, before I finally dive in.

Absolutely love the dye choice. This build is going to be great!

[HNB]

I’m impressed by how quickly you got started on this. I tend to second guess my plan a hundred times, switching the color in my head over and over, before I finally dive in.

Absolutely love the dye choice. This build is going to be great!

Thanks! I wasn't sure if I should do black or butterscotch. Black won out.

[HNB]

Starting to build up a shine.

20240213_091736 by Christopher Louck, on Flickr

20240213_091743 by Christopher Louck, on Flickr

20240213_091751 by Christopher Louck, on Flickr

[Shadoweclipse13]

That's awesome!

So, I have to ask... Warmoth always makes a huge deal that *only* their VI bodies can work with *only* their VI necks. Did you get a neck for it from them, or do you have something else? I've always thought it was a bullshit sales thing, but have never had either to measure and check.

[HNB]

I will probably buy their neck because there doesn’t seem to be another option for a bass vi neck. I believe it is 30” scale like a regular bass vi. I am guessing it is a cover your butt statement. They say that about mustangs and jazzies and such and those work fine with fender necks so I don’t know.

[Shadoweclipse13]

I will probably buy their neck because there doesn’t seem to be another option for a bass vi neck. I believe it is 30” scale like a regular bass vi. I am guessing it is a cover your butt statement. They say that about mustangs and jazzies and such and those work fine with fender necks so I don’t know.

Yeah, I remember reading that it was always about the neck heel, but the neck pocket on yours looks pretty standard. I always figured that at worst you could just get the neck pocket and the neck heel both undrilled to make sure that they match up, but maybe the dimensions of both *are* a little different....

[JVG]

Musikraft might do one as a custom job:
https://musikraft.com/custom-one-off-projects/

[HNB]

Warmoth is less expensive and guaranteed to fit so I will probably go that rout.

[HNB]

Pickguard came so I test fit stuff. Sadly a normal five way switch is too deep to fit the stock rout. Rather than route it deeper, I opted to get a sturdy import style switch that isn't so deep to use. I know purists hate circuit board style ones, but it should work fine.

20240219_085108 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

20240219_090435 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

20240219_090431 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

20240219_090445 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

[Tweedledee]

It seems odd that Warmoth wouldn't route the body to accept a standard US spec blade switch, but maybe the have a reason for the choice. Regardless, the stained body looks great with the black guard!

[HNB]

Thanks! I thought it was strange too. Unless they intend for your paint thickness to be like two credit cards thick or something.

[HNB]

So I find this reply from Warmoth pretty silly.

Hi Chris,

We rout our Bass VI Switch depth to 32MM.

If we rout this any deeper, it will bump into the tummy cut.

Are you using the switch we sell?

The reason being is this is the sixth or so email in the thread. When I emailed them about the depth issue, you would think that would be the first reply. "Yeah normal Fender compatible three and five way switches won't work. You need to get a shorter import style switch for our Bass VI bodies." But no... I get "Did you attach the guard right?" "How tall is the switch?" "What is the order number for the body?"

I am just a little bit annoyed because they should put that on their body order page and their pickguard order page for the Bass VI that you need a short switch for the upper horn. It isn't a normal feature in a Bass VI. It is specific to Warmoth and since they offered it specifically for a blade switch, you would think they would mention it. I know they say Warmoth bodies are only set to use Warmoth parts, but that normally doesn't mean electronic components.

Am I the asshole?

[Shadoweclipse13]

Am I the asshole?

No. Needing special or specific electronic components due to cavity routing depth, needs to be stated in giant, colorful letters right near the top. That is totally on them. Weird that they wouldn't ask what switch you are using in the first email reply...