Pickup suggestions for a 1996 Warwick Corvette

SUNNyday r. · #1 11-11-2006, 06:53 PM

I have a Warwick Corvette 4 made in 1996 with an ash body and all Wenge neck. Original brass adjustable nut. Pretty much all the goodies on older Warwicks. The pickups are the original passive MEC's and passive tone control. It is a beutiful Warwick but it just sounds so dull and lackluster. I have thought of getting rid of it but when I do I stop myself. It is very comfortable to play. I think a new set of pickups would breathe life into it. Maybe the wood combonation makes it have the dense, lifeless sound? I have tried all manner of strings on it and nothing helps.Anyway, any suggestions?

staccatogrowl · #2 11-12-2006, 04:31 AM

I replaced the MECs on an older wenge-neck Corvette with DiMarzio Js. It was a no-risk change that makes my Warwick my favorite bass.

I get compliments on my sound all the time. Make sure you change the pickups before you judge the wood composition of your Corvette. You may be in for a happy surprise.

I had plenty of reasons to change from stock MECs: hum, weak output, brittle tone.

The Js are an affordable and significant upgrade.

The only reason that I would reinstall the MECs is if I decided to sell the bass.

SUNNyday r. · #3 11-12-2006, 12:47 PM

I have had DiMarzio pick ups in mind for awhile. They have been recommended at my local shop. It was that or active EMG's which don't appeal to me. I don't think I am an active pickup kinda guy although it is hard to judge how they would sound without trying them. The wood combo is awesome and I hesitate to sell an older Warwick as I don't see them for sale very often and DiMarzio pickups are affordable. Should I keep the original tone,blend and volume pots or go all out and redo the whole thing?

staccatogrowl · #4 11-12-2006, 02:12 PM

I replaced the output jack, and volume, blend, and tone pots with new ones from Warwick, because my stuff was well worn.

I like the stock Warwick setup, except the MECs.

SUNNyday r. · #5 11-12-2006, 08:13 PM

I see. The input jack is loose but the pots still seem doable. I was thinking of getting the more traditional volume/volume/tone like a fender but I like the warwick arrangement too.

epoxo57 · #6 11-13-2006, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUNNyday r.

I have had DiMarzio pick ups in mind for awhile. They have been recommended at my local shop. It was that or active EMG's which don't appeal to me. I don't think I am an active pickup kinda guy although it is hard to judge how they would sound without trying them. The wood combo is awesome and I hesitate to sell an older Warwick as I don't see them for sale very often and DiMarzio pickups are affordable. Should I keep the original tone,blend and volume pots or go all out and redo the whole thing?

You shouldn't be disappointed in the J's. I have the bubinga body 'vette and it really brings a "bite" to the tone indeed (great mids....plus D'addario Chromes). As in my other post I am having a buzzing issue, but once thats resolved, I'll be quite satisfied. I did replace the original MEC V/B/T harness with 500K V/V/T and an Orange cap (0.047) and sounds great. I had no idea the Orange cap was THAT big! Anyway you look at it, the price for the sound is worth it!

Scott

SUNNyday r. · #7 11-14-2006, 12:49 AM

Interesting that you went with the V/V/T. I was trying to save a few bucks and use the original harness but I would rather spend the cash and get it done right. I too have a More recent Warwick with the bubinga body and newer ovankol/wenge neck and would like to get new pickups in both. I really like the Warwick vibe even though I have other basses. Since you mentioned it, how do you like the Daddario Chromes on it? I am getting sort of tired of the roundwound sound no matter how nice of a string it is(mostly DR's) and had a light set of DR Chromes on the newer Wick for a bit. Have Tried TI's for a short bit too but found the Chromes to be more suited for coaxing a more modern rock sound out of. Maybe because they are brighter. How do you feel about the Chromes on your Warwick? Maybe I should start a seperate thread in strings about this subject.

epoxo57 · #8 11-14-2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUNNyday r.

Interesting that you went with the V/V/T. I was trying to save a few bucks and use the original harness but I would rather spend the cash and get it done right. I too have a More recent Warwick with the bubinga body and newer ovankol/wenge neck and would like to get new pickups in both. I really like the Warwick vibe even though I have other basses. Since you mentioned it, how do you like the Daddario Chromes on it? I am getting sort of tired of the roundwound sound no matter how nice of a string it is(mostly DR's) and had a light set of DR Chromes on the newer Wick for a bit. Have Tried TI's for a short bit too but found the Chromes to be more suited for coaxing a more modern rock sound out of. Maybe because they are brighter. How do you feel about the Chromes on your Warwick? Maybe I should start a seperate thread in strings about this subject.

The Chromes are my first set of true flats and am really digging them on the Warwick! They have a great mid bark punch to them that sits well in the mix (could be a combination with the Dimarzio J's too). Not that I will from now on with them, but a few slaps and pops didn't sound bad either. They are a little brighter, but that doesn't bother me and could go away after time as they age. And they are tight, tension wise, which I like too.

Give em a try and let us know what you think. I decided on them from the good reviews on here....and, of course, my fellow TB'ers did not disappoint!