We all love music, don’t we? While listening to music is a great experience, nothing feels better than playing it yourself. The guitar is one of the most widely played instruments that has been an integral part of the music industry for centuries. It is inexpensive, portable, and can play all the genres that you can possibly think of.
With that out of the way, any expert guitarist will tell you the importance of high-quality necks. They are paramount for a smooth playing experience, affecting the alignment and sound quality. A beginner guitarist may think of a guitar neck as an unnecessary extra.
However, it can make a whole lot of difference to your guitar playing experience. This is why all expert guitarists invest in necks and bridges. Among all guitar necks in the market, Musikraft and Warmoth stand tall. They have helped millions of guitarists ace guitar playing.
However, you may feel confused if you want to buy a guitar neck for your guitar, especially if it is your first time. They both are pretty popular and have many similar features. This article intends to compare the Musikraft and Warmoth guitar necks in detail to help you make an informed decision.
Let’s delve further without any further ado!
Comparing the Musikraft vs Warmoth
Musikraft and Warmoth guitar necks resemble and differ in many areas. Let’s have a closer look at Musikraft first.
Comparison Table
| Features | Musikraft | Warmoth |
|---|---|---|
| Fret size | Medium jumbo | Medium jumbo |
| Nut width | Medium | Medium |
| Wood options | Multiple | Multiple |
| Sharp edges | Yes | No |
| Price | Moderate | Moderate |
Musikraft
Manufactured by Musikraft, the Musikraft neck is one of the best guitar necks on the market. The company has been in the business for over two decades now and has a history of manufacturing top-of-the-line guitar gears and necks. It is prized by millions of guitarists all over the world.
The Musikraft neck is an excellent choice for those guitarists who want a vintage look and modern feel in the same guitar. As for looks, it is a modern C-shaped neck. It is pretty thin and won’t make your guitar cumbersome.
According to many guitarists, the 9.5 mm radius fingerboard of the Musikraft neck hits the sweet spot and is ideal for a great guitar-playing experience. The Musikraft guitar neck comes with medium jumbo frets. They result in smoother tones and also help you bend the strings easily.
They have the correct width and height to make bends and vibrato easy for you. However, the fret size is totally your own preference, and you can choose any depending on your liking. The Musikraft neck comes with big holes at the headstock so tuners can easily fit in.
You even get the luxury to change the finishing based on your preferences. Whether you want a natural finish or an oil-based one, Musikraft offers it all. Although most Musikraft guitar necks are made of maple wood, you can choose the wood type according to your preference.
Maple is usually a preferred option, thanks to its outstanding characteristics. It is anti-rust, environment-friendly, and highly durable. A guitar neck made of maple can serve you for years if taken care of appropriately. This fine wood quality also impacts the sound quality and will surely take your guitar playing sessions up a notch!
If you want your guitar neck to look good, consider choosing maple wood. No doubt, Rosewood also looks good, but the class and elegance of maple wood remain matchless. The old grey tint looks good on pretty much every guitar color and shape. On the other hand, Rosewood starts looking rough after some time.
The Musikraft guitar neck is as good as anything when it comes to the build quality. As mentioned earlier, the company uses quality materials to manufacture the necks. The thickness of the fretboard has also impressed many guitarists. It remains consistent as you go all the way down to the headstock.
However, it is pertinent to mention that the thickness does not matter much, and it is not usually a deal-breaker when buying a guitar neck. The Musikraft necks are designed with cutting-edge precision technology to deliver durable and vintage construction with a comfortable feel.
Musikraft offers two types of necks, i.e., one-piece and two-piece necks. The one-piece neck is made from a single piece of wood and includes a skunk stripe on the backside. It also has a teardrop plug integrated into the headstock.
On the other hand, two-piece necks are suitable for guitarists looking for a separate fingerboard. Apart from that, the frets of the Musikraft are also well-constructed. You will surely experience amazing intonation. The company has kept the ends sharp so that they will shrink after some time.
One thing that may offend you is that the truss is not up-to-the-mark as you may need to tighten it every once in a while. Removing the beck and tightening it is nothing but a hassle.
Warmoth
Warmoth guitar necks are manufactured by Warmoth, a well-known company specializing in manufacturing quality musical instruments. Be it construction, frets, or quality, the Warmoth guitar neck checks all the boxes and is one of the best guitar necks on the market.
Warmoth constantly works with musicians and other companies to ensure quality. The company uses highly advanced technology and equipment to deliver the best performance. This is the main reason why Warmoth guitar necks have been such a great success.
Talking about the nut width first, the Warmoth guitar necks feature the perfect-sized holes. It goes without saying that the feel of a guitar neck can change drastically depending on its nut width. If you have huge holes, your guitar neck may feel chunky, even if it’s not. Fret size is another important consideration when buying a guitar neck.
Most of the Warmoth guitar necks come with medium-jumbo frets for excellent playability. This makes bending the strings an absolute cinch, and you will surely get an outstanding tone. With the right nut width, you will be able to install the tuners easily in the headstock.
And yes, you can rest assured that the wood won’t chip out no matter how often you install turners. Warmoth offers guitar necks of different dimensions and wood types. This is because the dimensions are a very personal choice. What works for someone may not work for you.
If you are buying for the first time, consider choosing the standard thin size. However, you can opt for a more oversized guitar neck if you have big hands. No matter which dimension you choose, you won’t have to compromise on its quality. Most Warmoth guitar necks have a consistent thickness throughout their body.
However, you can buy one with slightly thin shoulders if you want to have a more firm grip. The Warmoth guitar necks come with a perfect sharpness for better playability. Of course, you won’t love a neck if its fret ends are too sharp.
Thankfully, the Warmoth guitar necks have just the right sharpness so that you can hold them easily. They are quick and substantial at the same time. Warmoth offers a wide range of wood options, so you can choose depending on your personal taste. From maple to Bubinga, you get lots of options to choose from.
Although it is your personal choice, it is recommended to buy one that is made of sturdy wood. For a neck to hold everything together, it has to be sturdy enough.
I have a Warmoth 5A flame maple neck on my Fender Jazz Bass. LOVE IT!