Okay, I'm a Huge Fan of Warwicks. (Obviously!) But I have found a Quite unusual Fortress One. Looking at the serial number it is a 1993. And from my searching they started making them in 1991. But the oldest ones I can find are from 1993. So, is this the 1st year they were REALLY available? Is this a One Year run before they became the Fortress One that we all know and love? I see some feature that are typical of Early Neck-Through Thumbs & Streamers.
Typically a Fortress One has a Satin or Oil finish, where this one has a Translucent Gloss finish.
Typically a Fortress One has a 2 piece Maple body, where this one has a 2 piece Ash body. (And not Swamp Ash either!)
Typically a Fortress One has fairly SLABish body, where this one has some Hand Carved features. (On either side of the neck pocket, and also on the back were the body transitions down to the neck pocket)
Typically a Fortress One has MEC preamp & pickups. This one has Seymour Duncan electronics.
Controls are Vol (Pull for Passive!), Blend, Treble, Bass...
Typically a Fortress One has a Volute on the neck behind the headstock, where this one does not. (Warwick necks that were Pre-Volute have an Easy to Change Truss rod, aka Early Neck-Through Thumbs & Streamers)
Typically a Fortress One has a cover that Pops Out so you can adjust the truss rod, where this one has 3 screws that hold the truss rod cover onto the Wenge Neck. (Also reminiscent of Early Neck-Through Thumbs & Streamers) 1.5" at the "Just-A-Nut".
This bass weighs in at 8 Lbs on my Bathroom Scale. And with the Fortresses XLNT balance it feels even lighter! The pickups sounds Incredable! The P alone gives a Growl that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up! And the Jazz pickup soloed cuts like a Razor. Using them together gives a variety of unique tones. The Neck is Thin, Fast, and all Wenge! The Bell Brass frets have only the Slightest hint of wear. Overall this unusual bass is in XLNT condition. I will deliver it to you in a Warwick Gig Bag for $750.
I'm not Really looking for trades, but if you think you have something that would interest me more than this does, run it by me.
Looks like this one is $old Locally
