Warwick streamer stage II??

TheBassHorse · #1 04-19-2011, 08:50 AM

Hi all,

what are your honest opinions on this bass?

And what is the reason for the disparity between the $4500-5000 price tag and the value of this bass on the used market. I purchased mine almost brand new with case candy included in the original shipping box for just under $2000 from someone on craigslist. At the time i thought i just got lucky, but ive since then ive seen one sell on TB for around 1500, etc. They routinely sell for just around $2000 on ebay (if they do sell).

Why doesn't it maintain its worth on the used market? Could it be that for the astronomical price of $4500 many would rather have a Sadowsky or something similar? To be honest, i probably wouldve bought one instead had i known more about basses back then.

Not to say that its not a great bass, ive been happy with the way it sounds and plays. Wish it was a little lighter

but thats my only complaint! it sounds great on the rock stuff i record.
YouTube - "She"- Sun of Sound

just wondering what the general consensus is on these instruments...the behavior of the used market seems to indicate to me that most people dont think they are worth it.

Thanks!

TheBassHorse · #2 04-19-2011, 08:52 AM

and apparently they are discontinuing this bass? Is this because of the changing Warwick US distributor thing that is going down?

CapnSev · #3 04-19-2011, 08:57 AM

I highly doubt that Warwick would ever discontinue one of their most iconic basses.

TheBassHorse · #4 04-19-2011, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I highly doubt that Warwick would ever discontinue one of their most iconic basses.

me too, and hopefully that is false. but thats what musician's friend seems to think

Buy Warwick Streamer Stage II 5-String Bass | 5 String Electric Bass | Musician's Friend

Fishbrain · #5 04-19-2011, 09:11 AM

While I was over at the Warwick factory I had a chance to play all of the streamers they had to offer and I was convinced I wanted either a BO Thumb or Dolphin until I played the SSII, apart from the tone which goes without saying, it is probably the most playable bass I've ever played!

CapnSev · #6 04-19-2011, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBassHorse

me too, and hopefully that is false. but thats what musician's friend seems to think

Buy Warwick Streamer Stage II 5-String Bass | 5 String Electric Bass | Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend/Guitar Center has drastically scaled back their Warwick offerings since Dana B Goods left as the US distributor and the exchange rates went up. You probably won't see much more than a few Rockbasses left with the Friend/GC.

My local GC doesn't even carry Warwick anymore.

KNURRR · #7 04-19-2011, 09:18 AM

great bass imo!
i'd like to purchase it as a fretless version as soon as i find a nice used one... because 4500-5000 is quite a bit out of my price-range.

"Why doesn't it maintain its worth on the used market?" i guess there is no reasonable answer to that...

btw, great warwick tone you got there!

KsPiNeSh · #8 04-19-2011, 10:28 AM

Best bass I've ever laid hands on - love, love, love mine.

KNURRR · #9 04-19-2011, 10:31 AM

better then your thumb nt ?!

echoSE7EN · #10 04-19-2011, 10:34 AM

"Why doesn't it maintain its worth on the used market?" i guess there is no reasonable answer to that...

Seriously, I've bought and sold numerous Warwicks. The only manufacturer that has a similar "loss" factor is G&L -- especially their guitars. Both companies make terrific products. It defies my logic...

KsPiNeSh · #11 04-19-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KNURRR

better then your thumb nt ?!

Construction and quality-wise, no. They're both stellar. Tonally and feel-wise, yes - the SSII *exactly* what I want.

Quote:

Originally Posted by echoSE7EN

"Why doesn't it maintain its worth on the used market?" i guess there is no reasonable answer to that...

Seriously, I've bought and sold numerous Warwicks. The only manufacturer that has a similar "loss" factor is G&L -- especially their guitars. Both companies make terrific products. It defies my logic...

Warwick's biggest problem here in the US is that their retail prices are just too high, period. No one would question that a Streamer or Thumb NT would be a great $2400 bass new, which is right around where they clear for and what the typical used price (60% of new or so) would indicate. It's kinda like the housing market right now...

Discharge · #12 04-19-2011, 04:24 PM

Warwick always have a poor resale value, I couldn't tell you why though, maybe it's because not many popular bands play with them?

Lesfunk · #13 04-19-2011, 04:33 PM

My Streamer Stage II is the only bass I know I will never sell.
It's only drawback is it's heavy weight. Other than that it's golden.

bassictraining · #14 04-19-2011, 05:51 PM

Les, I see that you have a dolphin and a stage 2. I have a dolphin, but haven't had the pleasure of playing the stage 2. I am curious if it sounds similar to the dolphin at all, or how would you describe the differences if not??? Thank you!

Not trying to derail the thread though...i would blame any recent price drop on the economy and numerous changes in distributors.

Papersen · #15 04-19-2011, 06:25 PM

I`ve owned and played many basses in my life, but the SS II remains with me. No other bass I have gives me "that" sound.
A unique bass on its own.

TheBassHorse · #16 04-19-2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KNURRR

great bass imo!
i'd like to purchase it as a fretless version as soon as i find a nice used one... because 4500-5000 is quite a bit out of my price-range.

"Why doesn't it maintain its worth on the used market?" i guess there is no reasonable answer to that...

btw, great warwick tone you got there!

thanks a lot

i appreciate it!!

TheBassHorse · #17 04-19-2011, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KsPiNeSh

Construction and quality-wise, no. They're both stellar. Tonally and feel-wise, yes - the SSII *exactly* what I want.

Warwick's biggest problem here in the US is that their retail prices are just too high, period. No one would question that a Streamer or Thumb NT would be a great $2400 bass new, which is right around where they clear for and what the typical used price (60% of new or so) would indicate. It's kinda like the housing market right now...

haha yeah, thats kinda what i thought might be going on!

Thanks all for chiming in, i am still very nonplussed about how poorly they seem to hold their value!

But at the same time, its pretty amazing that people seem to come to a consensus about how much something is actually worth, for better or for worse!

TheBassHorse · #18 04-19-2011, 07:37 PM

im pretty satisfied with the bass, i thought it made that tune and the others sound pretty good. But i guess if i had that much money to spend now i might wait and get something more customized. There are some other really great basses in that range!

seungkoo · #19 04-19-2011, 07:39 PM

The only reason why ihave my ssii on the market now is because I want a 4 string version instead of 5.
It's the perfect bass, perfect tone perfect playability. I don't think it weighs alot. Mine is under 10lbs.
Feels like a fine German made car. The Japanese cars feel flimsy and light. Even though their great bargain but the German cars feel more refined, heavy stable bodies. Perfection!

Lesfunk · #20 04-19-2011, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassictraining

Les, I see that you have a dolphin and a stage 2. I have a dolphin, but haven't had the pleasure of playing the stage 2. I am curious if it sounds similar to the dolphin at all, or how would you describe the differences if not??? Thank you!

Not trying to derail the thread though...i would blame any recent price drop on the economy and numerous changes in distributors.

Dolphin is good. Streamer is better. To my ears anyway. The Streamer has more character to it's sound . Dolphin is more polite sounding
It's all subjective

BTW I think Warwick pricing is crazy. I bought my SSII new in 1995 for $2,600.00 and thought it was a LOT then. 5k is ridiculous.