software

I'm down to two choices for a project guitar.

The basic specs: Two mini humbuckers in a carved-hollow mahogany bodied guitar (w/ or w/o maple cap) with modified wiring.

My two choices seem to be:

Pickup a used Hamer P-90 artist (change out the P-90s, add tone pros bridge, add locking tuners, add push/pull pots and mod the wiring)

or

New Warmoth L-5s hollow (with the same hardware specs).

It seems like either of these would run in the same cost range. A used Hamer Mahogany Artist is approx. $800 and a new Warmoth body and neck is approx $800. The rest of the hardware would be the same in either case.

Would either guitar be the clearly better choice?

Thanks, Rusty

You just can't go wrong with a Hamer. My Artist Korina is an amazing guitar. The fit and finish on USA Hamers is always top notch. Unless you do the finishing, fret work, etc. by yourself, then make sure you add that into the cost of the Warmoth. Out of curiosity, why the Tone Pros bridge and locking tuners?


Originally Posted by TravisOut of curiosity, why the Tone Pros bridge and locking tuners?

I had to add these to my epiphone to get good tuning stability. I added the Planet Waves locking/cutting tuners first, they improved the stability plus I like the string cutting feature.

The tone pros improved the stabiliy the rest of the way (I could probably still use a new nut tho) plus the tone pros did improve the unplugged loudness and resonance (better coupling).

Also I'm using the tone pros tunamatic with the graphite saddles and I think the tone is smoother compared to metal saddles.

So, now that I have all this stuff, I wouldn't go back. They might not make as much of a difference on a higher quality guitar tho.

I've never noticd a problem with tuning stability on either one of my Hamers that have the Tune-O-Matic/Stoptail bridges. However, I can understand wanting the tonal characteristics of graphite saddles.

Tonally these two approaches seem very different to me. The set neck guitar will have a very different attack and release compared to a bolt on (is the warmoth a bolt on?) Both would be very playable alternatives as Warmoth and Hamer make some quality stuff.

From a quot;what you've got at the end-of-the-dayquot; standpoint, one way you've got a Maserati and the other way you've got a kit-car dune-buggy.

I realize that sometimes the playing and sound are the only thing that matters, but it would be nice to have something with intrinsic value as well... that's why I'd go with the Hamer.

GS

I'm building a p90 L5 right now- I chose it because I wanted a large mass mahoganey body with 25.5 scale-

Interested in hearing what you do-
m


Originally Posted by GuitarSandwich

The set neck guitar will have a very different attack and release compared to a bolt on (is the warmoth a bolt on?)

Yes, warmoth is a bolt-on. Can you describe the tonal difference? I've been told that the difference would be small.Originally Posted by GuitarSandwichBoth would be very playable alternatives as Warmoth and Hamer make some quality stuff.

That was my main concern, I was looking for equivalent quality in woods, finishes and construction.Originally Posted by GuitarSandwichFrom a quot;what you've got at the end-of-the-dayquot; standpoint, one way you've got a Maserati and the other way you've got a kit-car dune-buggy.

Masarati may be a bit of a stretch, I'd reserve that description for a hand-made-carved-top jazz box. But the Hamer would have the better resale of the two..

To order a custom Hamer would be a lot more $ than a custom Warmoth. If I go used, I sort of figured that when I was done I was going to be in kit-car dune-buggy mode either way. I'm guess that with the Hamer I'd get the $ back out if I put the P-90s back in.


Originally Posted by Rusty FingersYes, warmoth is a bolt-on. Can you describe the tonal difference? I've been told that the difference would be small.That was my main concern, I was looking for equivalent quality in woods, finishes and construction.Masarati may be a bit of a stretch, I'd reserve that description for a hand-made-carved-top jazz box. But the Hamer would have the better resale of the two..

To order a custom Hamer would be a lot more $ than a custom Warmoth. If I go used, I sort of figured that when I was done I was going to be in kit-car dune-buggy mode either way. I'm guess that with the Hamer I'd get the $ back out if I put the P-90s back in.

the set neck typically has a slower attack and longer release (gibson type sound) and the bolt ons have a quicker release, (punchy-snappy Fender style) because the neck joints isn't as conductive no matter how tight the fit is. Both sounds are good, just different.

ALSO: scale length will have a major impact on this as well.

Finish wise, Hamer can't be beat... just ask other makers who praise Hamer like Mike Eldred, Ken Parker and Tom Anderson!

Hamer can also be bought for righteous prices if you go for the quot;less collectiblequot; ones without fancy woods and inlays.

If you like the Fender sound, go with the bolt on, if you want warm and sweet go with the set neck.

GS