neck wood:ovangkol vs. all wenge (for warwicks)

Porcelain · #1 11-30-2012, 06:28 PM

Trying to find out weather it's worth it to wait for a used wick from the 90's to come out on ebay with an all wenge neck or buy new with ovangkol neck/wenge fingerboard.

Zooberwerx · #2 11-30-2012, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porcelain

Trying to find out weather it's worth it to wait for a used wick from the 90's to come out on ebay with an all wenge neck or buy new with ovangkol neck/wenge fingerboard.

Wait for something like a Streamer Pro M or LX with the 3 piece wenge neck. I believe I've seen some Fortress / Masterman (?) models in the classifieds. Just my 2 cents.

Riis

pickles · #3 11-30-2012, 08:57 PM

They are different, both great. The wenge has more attack and immediacy, the ovankol is rounder and smoother. Both are growly an woody but in a different way.

Templar · #4 11-30-2012, 09:31 PM

I like both. I was surprised at how much I liked the ovankol, I prefer the feel and look of it over wenge.

dreads311 · #5 12-01-2012, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porcelain

Trying to find out weather it's worth it to wait for a used wick from the 90's to come out on ebay with an all wenge neck or buy new with ovangkol neck/wenge fingerboard.

I have a custom Thumb NT 5 broadneck w ovangkol neck and wedge fingerboard. The feel is phenomenal. The look is classy. The sound is warm and full with the signature Warwick growl.

Obviously, it's a matter of personal taste/preference. However, I LOVE this neck/fingerboard combo and vote that you buy new. Just my 2 cents.

WarwickOfficial · #6 12-01-2012, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porcelain

Trying to find out weather it's worth it to wait for a used wick from the 90's to come out on ebay with an all wenge neck or buy new with ovangkol neck/wenge fingerboard.

Porcelain - As I stated in the other thread, in 2013 most models will be going back to using all Wenge necks. Please let me know if you have any questions or need assistance in any way. Thanks!

MarthaSamira · #7 12-01-2012, 10:35 AM

Wenge is more stable.

WarwickOfficial · #8 12-01-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarthaSamira

Wenge is more stable.

Based on the extensive testing we have done, this is not a fact I would back you on. Both Wenge and Ovangkol are extremely stable wood, especially when cared for, and constructed, properly.

Mr_Music90 · #9 12-01-2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarwickOfficial

Based on the extensive testing we have done, this is not a fact I would back you on. Both Wenge and Ovangkol are extremely stable wood, especially when cared for properly.

And when it comes to the difference in sound?

oddgrowth · #10 12-01-2012, 11:32 AM

my vote is for all wenge.

'94 corvette owner right here.

WarwickOfficial · #11 12-01-2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Music90

And when it comes to the difference in sound?

They are very, very similar. Wenge has a low mid growl, barky mids, clear and tight bottom and a pretty nice top. Ovangkol has a lot of the same, but with "The Growl" centered in a higher freq of the low-mids than Wenge. Lows and highs are about the same. Ovangkol has a slight bit more tightness in the lows, where Wenge has more clarity in the lows. Because of this, Wenge is a bit more warm, with Ovangkol being a bit more bright.

Overall, there is not much of a difference between the two. They are both amazing tone woods. The biggest thing you will notice with the two is mostly in the low freqs. And the brightness difference. Other than that, we feel they are close to identical.

Mr_Music90 · #12 12-01-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarwickOfficial

They are very, very similar. Wenge has a low mid growl, barky mids, clear and tight bottom and a pretty nice top. Ovangkol has a lot of the same, but with "The Growl" centered in a higher freq of the low-mids than Wenge. Lows and highs are about the same. Ovangkol has a slight bit more tightness in the lows, where Wenge has more clarity in the lows. Because of this, Wenge is a bit more warm, with Ovangkol being a bit more bright.

Overall, there is not much of a difference between the two. They are both amazing tone woods. The biggest thing you will notice with the two is mostly in the low freqs. And the brightness difference. Other than that, we feel they are close to identical.

Great

Thanks for the info

Well, maybe this is something you can't really discuss, but if the Steve Bailey signature bass, would get a Wenge neck instead of the Ovangkol neck it has now, would you hear a difference clearly?

WarwickOfficial · #13 12-01-2012, 11:40 AM

In my opinion, no - you would not hear a discernable difference. Thanks!

MarthaSamira · #14 12-01-2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarwickOfficial

Based on the extensive testing we have done, this is not a fact I would back you on. Both Wenge and Ovangkol are extremely stable wood, especially when cared for, and constructed, properly.

Care to elaborate on the testing procedures?

M.R. Ogle · #15 12-01-2012, 02:22 PM

Do not feed.

Joshua Alexander · #16 12-01-2012, 02:36 PM

A bit off topic, but has anyone tried both the older thumb neck through model with wenge neck and wenge fretboard and the newer ones with ovangkol neck and ebony fretboard? I've only been able to try the older model and was curious as to how the change in neck and fretboard woods has altered the sound of the thumb.