Warwick SSII

[LaBassGuy]

So yesterday I was at the Pasadena GC and there was a used 5 string Streamer Stage II on the wall.

The clerk told me this was made for Dirk Lance of Incubus. He had given it to a friend of the band who had then sold it to GC. Used price: $3400.

The serial number said it was made in 2002. But the neck was very thin and the spacing was more comfortable than what I remember on my FNA Jazzman 5. And the pups were Duncan, not MEC.

Are all the SSII necks this thin or was he able to get this slim profile through Warwick Custom shop?

My FNA jazzman from '06 had a baseball bat neck, but my post '09 Streamer LX has a slim neck. If all SSII regardless of year have this comfortable neck and spacing, imma need one of these.

[rockstarbassist]

If it had different than stock neck profile and Duncans, then yeah it probably actually was made for Dirk.
Wish I had the $$ for that. Nab it in a second!

[SlingBass4]

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

If it had different than stock neck profile and Duncans, then yeah it probably actually was made for Dirk.
Wish I had the $$ for that. Nab it in a second!

+1

[LaBassGuy]

I understand that, but I had seen some conflicting statements indicating the SS2 had always had a slimmer neck than other warwicks, regardless of age.

So I don't know if the neck was customized.

Either way, the thing sounded like a beast. And the B string was so articulate.

[rockstarbassist]

Unfortunately I've never had one in the stable to spend lots of time on. I've only (like you) messed with an SSII5 in a GC showroom. It reminded me more of my old Dolphin's neck as opposed to say a Thumb or Corvette.

It definitely is on my top 1 or 2 To Buy List.

[TechJunky]

I had a 5-string SSII for a brief period (one day...had a twisted neck, so I had to return it the following). I forget what year it was, but it was definitely mid-00's with an ovangkol neck. It was not a thin neck like the old wenge necks, nor did it feel any thinner than any other 5-string from the mid 2000's, at least not to me. There may be some variation from bass to bass, but in my experience they don't have any thinner profile than any other standard bass from Warwick of the same era. My 4 string is still the chunky profile as the other 4-string Warwick's I've owned as well.

[LaBassGuy]

Originally Posted by TechJunky

I had a 5-string SSII for a brief period (one day...had a twisted neck, so I had to return it the following). I forget what year it was, but it was definitely mid-00's with an ovangkol neck. It was not a thin neck like the old wenge necks, nor did it feel any thinner than any other 5-string from the mid 2000's, at least not to me. There may be some variation from bass to bass, but in my experience they don't have any thinner profile than any other standard bass from Warwick of the same era. My 4 string is still the chunky profile as the other 4-string Warwick's I've owned as well.

Then you'd love the post '09 4-string neck. Slim, very slim. I've played the chunky 4 string Warwicks as well. Trust me, the slim neck makes a huge difference. Ditto with the 5-string. Yesterday that 5 string SS2 felt super comfy in my hands.

[KsPiNeSh]

Originally Posted by LaBassGuy

Are all the SSII necks this thin or was he able to get this slim profile through Warwick Custom shop?

My FNA jazzman from '06 had a baseball bat neck, but my post '09 Streamer LX has a slim neck. If all SSII regardless of year have this comfortable neck and spacing, imma need one of these.

I have an '04 SSII, owned at the same time as my '07 Thumb NT5, and have owned an '06 Corvette and wenge-necked Corvette, all 5-strings. To my hands, the SSII had a differnet neck profile than the Thumb or '06 Corvette - sleeker feeling, rounder, and less "hefty". The profile is much closer to the profile of the wenge Corvette, although I prefer the feel of ovangkol. Might just be an SSII thing.

[TechJunky]

Originally Posted by LaBassGuy

Then you'd love the post '09 4-string neck. Slim, very slim. I've played the chunky 4 string Warwicks as well. Trust me, the slim neck makes a huge difference. Ditto with the 5-string. Yesterday that 5 string SS2 felt super comfy in my hands.

Actually, I prefer the thicker profiles. I had a 2009 Corvette 5 string with the thin profile neck and hated it. I also had a 97 Streamer Pro M 4 string with a thin profile wenge neck, and hated that too. I don't have huge hands by any stretch, but I get on much better with the chunky profile. I also prefer ovangkol over wenge. Though the first SSII I ever played was a wenge neck model and it was heavenly, but that may have just been because I was finally playing my dream bass for the very first time...

[LaBassGuy]

Originally Posted by KsPiNeSh

I have an '04 SSII, owned at the same time as my '07 Thumb NT5, and have owned an '06 Corvette and wenge-necked Corvette, all 5-strings. To my hands, the SSII had a differnet neck profile than the Thumb or '06 Corvette - sleeker feeling, rounder, and less "hefty". The profile is much closer to the profile of the wenge Corvette, although I prefer the feel of ovangkol. Might just be an SSII thing.

So the safest bet if to look for a post '09 SSII, since that's when they slimmed the necks on all their basses.

[bassbooty]

Originally Posted by LaBassGuy

So the safest bet if to look for a post '09 SSII, since that's when they slimmed the necks on all their basses.

It is true that the slimmer necks became available again at this time. However, some of the slimmest Warwick necks are from the 80's to mid 90's. Take a look at my signature and it's obvious what I prefer. The necks got chunkier after the millenium up until 2009. I believe Warwicks can be ordered with either profile now. I prefer the tone and feel of the wenge neck models but it really is personal preference.

[JimiLL]

Originally Posted by bassbooty

It is true that the slimmer necks became available again at this time. However, some of the slimmest Warwick necks are from the 80's to mid 90's. Take a look at my signature and it's obvious what I prefer. The necks got chunkier after the millenium up until 2009. I believe Warwicks can be ordered with either profile now. I prefer the tone and feel of the wenge neck models but it really is personal preference.

The slimmer necks were always available; it was an option with the Custom Shop

[bassbooty]

Originally Posted by JimiLL

The slimmer necks were always available; it was an option with the Custom Shop

Yeah, I guess I didn't think about that. I meant as standard from the factory without having to special order.