Warwick Streamer Jazzman vs Corvette $$ double buck

yach · #1 06-27-2011, 04:22 AM

Hi there,

After having tried a Sandberg Basic Ken Taylor, a few models from Fender and MusicMan and Spector, I'm convinced that Warwick was definitely my favorite tone : all together warm, deep, and with a very precise definition and clarity though. I own an active Corvette Standard (made in Germany) for a couple of years (swamp ash body, ovangkol neck and wenge fretboard), and I'm looking for a more "high-end", powerful and versatile bass.

I've been looking into those two models (because I really like the look and extra power from the visible plots on the pickups) :
* Corvette $$ double buck
* Streamer Jazzman

Pros and cons I see :
* the Corvette's head tends to fall a bit to the ground. Not that annoying but the Streamer is a bit more balanced thanks to the wider horn
* I like the Corvette's body though
* the double buck scares me for slap space

So my questions are :
* coming from a Corvette Standard, is a Streamer Jazzman really better and worth the price bump ?
* won't the different body shape be really annoying ?
* will I get even warmer and punchier tone I have on my Corvette Standard with extra versatility ?
* should I go for a Corvette $$ double buck and stop being scared for nothing => I will have space for slap !

So, is it worth it, and if not, what would you advice ?

NB : I was thinking about the same wood combination with an extra flamed maple top (I guess it won't change the tone).

Thanks a lot for any help about that.

mmbongo · #2 06-27-2011, 04:52 AM

I wish I could give you a good answer, but I've never played Corvette Standard so I can't give you a direct comparison.

I just wanted add that I love my Streamer Jazzman. That ultra thin neck and concave body are just bliss. And of course the sound. It basically does everything, and I rarely use the neck pickup. These things are amazing.

TechJunky · #3 06-27-2011, 05:29 AM

I vote for the streamer jazzman. I've had several corvettes, including a double buck, and a few streamers as well. The streamer is much more comfortable in my opinion. It balances better, curves to your body, and to me at least, makes playing easier as a result. As for space for slap, neither should be a problem. I didn't find the double buck to getvin my way at all, and the jazzman configuration doesn't either. I won't comment on tone as I don't have enough experience with both to fairly judge, but from what little experience I do have and have heard with the streamer jazzman, it wins for me. Now, all that being said, the corvette double buck will be cheaper, which makes things difficultnnif you prefer the corvette style, then I say get it. There is certainly nothing wrong with the corvette, and it's just as well made as the streamer and sounds amazing like every other Warwick. You'll save a fair amount in the end, which is always good. Personally, however, I'm willing to spend a bit extra on the streamer for the reasons listed previously.

yach · #4 06-27-2011, 06:09 AM

I have a 2 500 - 3 000 € budget maximum (sold a lot of stuff recently) so money shouldn't be a matter for this kind of basses.

I've been told Streamer is better balanced than Corvette and more comfortable to play with for a long time.

If the double buck doesn't take too much space, I can consider buying a Streamer double buck then...

But for versatility, isn't it a better idea combining two pickup styles like it is with the Jazzman (a J and a MM I think) ?

yach · #5 06-27-2011, 06:12 AM

However I have to say I really love "thump" sounds, so maybe a J mic won't be very helpful here...

I may also add I play mostly funk (I love the Stuart Zender tone and groove) and a bit of rock/pop to please my band

mmbongo · #6 06-27-2011, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yach

But for versatility, isn't it a better idea combining two pickup styles like it is with the Jazzman (a J and a MM I think) ?

Well, with the $$, if you flip the neck pickup to single coil you basically have your Jazzman config. The difference is with the $$ you also have series and parallel to go to, so for versatility you can't beat the $$. I prefer the Ovankol neck and flamed body of the Jazzman, but I probably would have been just as happy with a $$. I sure wouldn't trade, though

yach · #7 06-27-2011, 07:40 AM

True... and why not going with a custom Streamer with Delano or Seymour Duncan pickups ? Would it really be worth it ?

TechJunky · #8 06-27-2011, 07:49 AM

Custom would be big bucks, and there's nothing wrong with the MEC's at all. Personally, I love them and have no desire to change them (though I do know of at least one person recently who got Delano's installed in their Streamer Jazzman because they weren't a fan of the MEC's). I could be wrong, but I believe Seymour Duncan pickups would/could be a direct replacement, so I'd save some money and just buy the stock bass and do the pickup swap yourself if you're not happy with the stock setup. I think you'll be very pleased though!

Are you able to test these basses out prior to buying? If so, the obvious choice is play them back to back (or at least as close as possible) and see which you prefer.

Pappasgrind · #9 06-27-2011, 07:51 AM

the streamer would be the better choice UNLESS you get the nt $$. nt warwicks are a whole other bass. i had a bo thumb and it was awesome. then i got an nt thumb my relationship with bass became more spiritual for lack of better words.

yach · #10 06-27-2011, 08:51 AM

I'm not fan of NTs... I tried one and found it has a whole lot of sustain but lacks a bit of attack for my kind of playing
Something I could work on with electronic but I don't really like it.

However I think I get your point, as you feel the neck vibrating throughout the whole bass

yach · #11 06-28-2011, 04:35 AM

OK I'm going with a Streamer $$ double buck custom with Seymour Duncan SMB4-D pickups and 3 way Seymour Ducan electronics. I hope I can live with only one limber though as this thing will cost me more than 3 000 €... ARGHH

That way I will have the more balanced and comfortable body of a streamer, the two MM nice pickups without the need to change them afterwards (I've never done it and they're not that much cheaper elsewhere), a truly amazing piece of beauty (going for amber oiled color finish) and a fight with my banker...

Thanks for your help.

seungkoo · #12 06-28-2011, 05:34 AM

Don't let the $$ fool you. Plenty of space to slap. I usually do it more towards the last fret anyway. I prefer the jazzman personally because I don't use the neck pickup much. Just a slight mix. But having owned all the $$ varieties I think my nt $$ fretless was the most beautiful sounding Warwick.