Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

[Number Of The Priest]

My buddy recently finished building his own guitar from parts he purchased from Carvin and I am talking to him about him building me a custom guitar from parts as well.

Who should I go with for the parts: Carvin, Warmoth, or Stewart-Macdonald? Who has the best quality, prices, etc.? Can you interchange parts? I'll most likely have a neckthrough done so maybe this question isn't too relevant.

Since I'm not real picky about body shapes, I'll probably go for something simple like a Strat body, perhaps something like this:

[btx109]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

Don't forget about USA Custom Guitars. I've never dealt with them before, but I know that the company was formed by former Warmoth employees and have a great reputation for customer service. Not to denigrate any of the other companies you've mentioned, but I know that Warmoth has been getting some complaints lately about the quality of their service. Just another option to consider.

www.usacustomguitars.com

[lerxstcat]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

I'd go with Carvin. Their neckthrough guitars are outstanding, and they probably also have the best price. They
come stock with the Carvin headstock, but
I think you can get a "paddle" shaped headstock so you can make your own headstock shape, at no extra charge.

Your custom guy will have to make the wings and do the routes himself though,
and it will be a 24-fret neck. I saw your mockup had a 22-fret neck, and if that's what you want I think you'll have to go bolt-on if you're buying a kit.

Check products and prices at all three (four?) to decide what you want. I reccomend Carvin just because the quality
is on the same level and the prices are lower for that quality.

[Twisteramps]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

I love the neck I just got from warmoth... do the other companies offer stainless steel frets? That feature alone made this neck waaaayyy cool.

Pete

[Hotrodder]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

Another vote for USA Custom Guitars.

I was planing to use them myself.

[Hotrod]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

I can't speak for the others, but if you go with Warmoth, there's options for every level, and there's no need for you to not put it together yourself. It'd be a great learning experience for you and would help *de-mystify* guitar mechanics. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Ace]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

I am in the process of stripping a Charvel done to the bare wood to build back up. Next I want to build a guitar from actual lumber stock, with some help from friends. It all depends on how involved you want to get with making it. I have a book called "Build Your Own Electric Guitar" that gives you every step from picking the right trees!! I am up all night tonight working on that Charvel, and I can't get myself to stop, even when I'm doing something as boring as sanding. Working on guitars is addictive for me.

[lerxstcat]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

Call me crazy, but when I read NOTP's opening post he said he'll probably have a neckthrough done, and mentioned liking his friend's work and wanting his friend
to do his guitar. So a neckthrough neck
means either Carvin or Stew-Mac, since I
don't see neck-through necks at the USA Custom or Warmoth sites, though I may have missed them. Anyway, he's asking for advice for the project HE wants, not for us to change his mind to the ones WE want, right?

Stainless steel frets would be cool though; I don't think anyone but Warmoth
offers that though!

[jr73]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

Ace i hear ya im in the middle of a few MUTT projects made from SD charvel parts. & yes its addictive but i have a 10month old who usually gets more attention than my projects. so my building has really slowed.
Carvin neck thrus are really nice if they are anytihng like there necks. Warmoth is real nice tho i dont like there control route, i think its way too big. BUT there necks are great compound radious & now SS fret option, thats great & they arent silly priced.

[Chuckracer]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

Warmoth all the way.

[slayer]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

I love the Carvin necks, and you can get them with any fret size and regular or locking tuners and a locking Floyd nut already attatched or....... Carvin will do alot of hidden stuff they don`t advertise, just ask them to do your specs and they just might? Jack.

[lerxstcat]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

Originally posted by Number Of The Priest:
Who should I go with for the parts: Carvin, Warmoth, or Stewart-Macdonald? Who has the best quality, prices, etc.? Can you interchange parts? I'll most likely have a neckthrough done...

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">So once again.. DOES Warmoth make a neck-through for do-it-yourselfers? If not, then it seems you guys are telling him to go to someone who can't provide
what he wants! [img]graemlins/bs.gif[/img]

Maybe a course in reading for comprehension is needed here? [img]graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img]

[Chuckracer]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

I'll most likely have a neckthrough done so maybe this question isn't too relevant.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">"So maybe this question isn't too relevant"
As if to say, "out of the companies listed above, whose parts are best, and can they be interchanged, etc, but then again I may have a custom neckthrough made, so perhaps I'll post this and let folks help in any way they can concerning neck and bodies, then wait for Lerx to quote me out of context and leap to a conclusion..."

Maybe a course in reading for comprehension is needed here?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I would have to agree, Lerx. Lemee get a phone number for you...

[img]graemlins/poke.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/nono.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ May 26, 2003, 11:33 PM: Message edited by: Chuckracer ]

[RacerX]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

[img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[ChickenScratch]

Re: Kit guitars debate: Carvin VS Warmoth VS Stewart-Macdonald

Originally posted by Hotrod:
I can't speak for the others, but if you go with Warmoth, there's options for every level, and there's no need for you to not put it together yourself. It'd be a great learning experience for you and would help *de-mystify* guitar mechanics. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">"There's no need to put it together yourself."

Wait, does Warmoth have an option where they put it togethere for you? I'm seriously asking because I'm not good at that sort of thing.