Warwick Proline 5 vs. Upgrading MIA Jazz V

tnickk · #1 01-19-2011, 09:36 PM

Was just about to upgrade the pups and preamp in my MIA jazz V when I came across a Warwick corvette proline 5. Love the sound, and it does sound a little closer to what I hoped to get from my upgraded Jazz, but the neck would take some serious getting used to. The price is so good that it's about the same as upgrading my Jazz, but I like the neck on the Jazz. What would you do?

throbgod13 · #2 01-19-2011, 11:04 PM

and where's this Proline 5?? lol..

i traded my 83 MIA Jazz for a 04 Proline 4.. it's taken about two months to adjust to the Warwick.. about a month in, i was physically hurting from playing it..

the problem for me has been the way the Warwick hangs from the strap, as opposed to the Jazz.. and having to really reach for the 1st.. i was actually getting nerve shocks in my fingertips when fretting.. it was pretty spooky, fretting and it felt like carpal tunnel..

i had to let the Warwick hang differently than what i was used to with the Jazz.. once i got the bass repositioned, the shocks stopped..

now, all the stereotypical things that people say about Warwicks are true, for me.. lol..

i keep going to my Proline, now.. the tone, growl are just too compelling..

i wish i had a Proline 5..

i'd get the Warwick..

tnickk · #3 01-20-2011, 07:23 AM

Just found out it's not really a Proline. It's an active Corvette with jazz style pups, made in Germany. Does that change the equation?

dvs20 · #4 01-20-2011, 07:25 AM

are you at guitar center in mayfield?? you better snatch that thing up, my old lady will kill me if I see that again, because I will buy it! play it through the GK 700RB and the GK neo 4x10!! pure bliss

Morning Beer · #5 01-20-2011, 08:34 AM

I love my proline 5. The neck wasn't much of an issue for me, alot like a P. Depends on year I suppose. Main bass is a EBMM SR5. They do hang very different from your average bass.

drdunwoody · #6 01-20-2011, 08:43 AM

I haven't played the Warwick's much at all. However, I have a MIA jazz V and I just upgraded to Delano JCHE5 pickups and am SO happy!

For me, the comfort factor of the instrument is HUGE. Pickups can be swapped out to change the sound but if you aren't comfortable with the neck you can't really do anything. I've sold basses because I couldn't get comfortable with the neck. On the plus side, if you get the Warwick (and hold onto the jazz) and can't get use to it, then just sell it and then upgrade the pus on the jazz. I love the feel of my jazz and now I love the tone too. As long as you don't part with the jazz to get the Warwick, you can't loose.

lamarjones · #7 01-20-2011, 08:49 AM

nordstrand or fralin single coils plus a j-retro pre will put your jazz into kill mode. It will be something completely different. I would suggest seeing if you can manage to get those components used off the classifieds so if you don't like it you can recoup and go one with life.

Warwicks are cool, but if you are pretty diverse they won't cover the same ground a killer jazz will. But they are great for what they do.

seungkoo · #8 01-20-2011, 08:54 AM

if the warwick cost as much as upgrading your jazz than thats worth it

SteveC · #9 01-20-2011, 09:12 AM

I think I would update the jazz. You like the neck - which I think is probably the biggest thing in my opinion - and the way it hangs on you - also a big deal in my opinion. There are plenty of upgrade possibilities. The J-Retro is awesome, as are many different pickups. You could also leave it passive and use a Sadowsky preamp/DI or something like that.

I personally like the sound of Warwicks but not the feel.

aproud1 · #10 01-20-2011, 09:20 AM

^^^^what Steve said.

I like warwick but most of their model's put the first fret too far away. Plus when you find a great jazz neck you need to hang onto it.

Pickups can be bought when you want or when you're ready. A great feeling jazz neck can only be found IMO.

seungkoo · #11 01-20-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aproud1

^^^^what Steve said.

I like warwick but most of their model's put the first fret too far away. Plus when you find a great jazz neck you need to hang onto it.

Pickups can be bought when you want or when you're ready. A great feeling jazz neck can only be found IMO.

dont really make sense as warwicks are all 34" scale lengths. first fret is in the same position as all 34" scale bass guitars. Its just personal preference on the warwick. If its an older model youll have that lovely slim wenge neck

aproud1 · #12 01-20-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seungkoo

dont really make sense as warwicks are all 34" scale lengths. first fret is in the same position as all 34" scale bass guitars. Its just personal preference on the warwick. If its an older model youll have that lovely slim wenge neck

Not a matter of scale length. More of how it hangs on a strap. Spector and Roscoe LG's are setup similarly. Look at the upper horn in relation to the 12th fret and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Not a problem for some people. A big one for me.

seungkoo · #13 01-20-2011, 09:50 AM

its stil the same distance between your right hand and left hand. I guess its personal preference. My warwicks and fenders all felt the same to me. I wear my bass real high near my chest.

terreseco · #14 01-20-2011, 09:52 AM

I agree with drdunwoody. Warwicks are cool IF you get the right one. The reason the 1st fret feels so far and why they dont hang well is because the horn on a typical corvett shape warwick doesn't go up to the 12th fret. The main issue with warwicks is they are dam uncomfortable to play. But like I said if you get the right one you'll dig the sound and if you can't get used to playing it sell it and upgrade the Fender.

kevteop · #15 01-20-2011, 09:55 AM

Yeah the first position on a Warwick can feel like a long way away, on the Thumb bass in particular, it's not so bad on the Corvette.

The necks are nice when you get used to them though. Going back to my Jazz it feels spindly in the lower positions and difficult to get a comfortable grip on. But they look about the same in terms of nut width.

Some have said a Jazz is "more versatile" or "covers more ground" than a Warwick - definitely bear that in mind if you would like to sound like every other bassist in popular music history.

lamarjones · #16 01-20-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seungkoo

its stil the same distance between your right hand and left hand. I guess its personal preference. My warwicks and fenders all felt the same to me. I wear my bass real high near my chest.

It's not personal preference. The upper horn relation to the 12th fret is a very big factor on where the reach is when a bass is strapped on. It's actually a common topic of higher end bass design.

aproud1 · #17 01-20-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seungkoo

its stil the same distance between your right hand and left hand. I guess its personal preference. My warwicks and fenders all felt the same to me. I wear my bass real high near my chest.

More the relationship of your should to hands? I don't know. Either way Both basses are great basses as long as they're comfortable to you.

Mekanamom · #18 01-20-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terreseco

I agree with drdunwoody. Warwicks are cool IF you get the right one. The reason the 1st fret feels so far and why they dont hang well is because the horn on a typical corvett shape warwick doesn't go up to the 12th fret. The main issue with warwicks is they are dam uncomfortable to play. But like I said if you get the right one you'll dig the sound and if you can't get used to playing it sell it and upgrade the Fender.

I agree. The right strap will make a world of difference in the comfort level, too. If you can get the 'Vette to hang right, it doesn't feel like such a reach. I have to wear mine a little higher to make it feel better.

(LOVE the Ovangkol/Wenge neck/fingerboard on mine, BTW; '08 Corvette STD... Have no idea if that is the slim neck mentioned earlier or not; whatever it is, it feels great to me!)

seungkoo · #19 01-20-2011, 10:55 AM

I love my warwicks and I love my jazz basses. I love warwicks soo much I sold my jazz neck and bought a warmoth wenge neck.

SteveC · #20 01-20-2011, 12:38 PM

Yep, it's all about the hang. I still prefer 34" scale, but where the strap button is in relation to the 12th fret has a big impact on comfort for me.