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1994 Warwick Fortress or 2010 Warwick Streamer LX

X

xantometapon

Jan 23, 2011
81
3
#1
Hi guys,

I have just sold my Streamer LX5. Loved the sound and feel, but the 5 string neck was too much for me.

I just wanted to "trade" it for an LX4 that I spotted. It is from 2010 and near mint condition.
Just about to pull the trigger, but another baby has appeared.

A 1994 Fortress One, also 4 string.
It looks to be in very good shape in the pictures, but cannot see it in person. I have to trust the seller.

The Fortress is half the price and the idea of having a slim wenge neck is appealling, but I loved the tone from the LX5 ovangkol neck and I do not know if I would me missing it if I choose the wenge.

What would you do?
Is the Streamer that much better to justify the price?
or if the Fortress is in good shape it is going to be as good as the Streamer at half the price?

I need some advice please
 
#4
I have a 1994 Fortress 5-string and it does NOT have a thin neck. The 4-string may be thinner however. But I love it! Oh, it is heavy too. Go to the Warwick website and find both bases. They have a page devoted to almost every model with tech info (weight, neck dimensions, electronics, etc. That might help you decide. FYI I got my Fortress 3 years ago and it was really in bad shape, hence a very low price. I paid a luthier in Nashville to restore it, so now it is absoultely beautiful. But I paid around $300 for that. A Streamer that doesn't need any work might be cheaper at twice the price of an older bass. If there is a big box store nearby go play the 5-string Corvette. That will be similar in neck thickness and weight.
 
#5
94! Warwick quality has only gone down hill over the years, i had a '97 COrvette and it was really nice, anything ive played post the late 90's ive never been impressed with. THey dont make them like they used too... I STILL have an '87 Thumg, i wish they still made Basses like that!
 
#6
Right. Anytime I even think of selling/trading my 94 I just go play one of the new ones in the store. They feel like the old ones (size - weight - etc) but don't come anywhere near sounding like the old ones. Now is a good time also because the Fortress 8-9 years ago would have cost you over $1,000. Today I see them for $500 - $600.
 
#8
Don't listen to the nay Sayers the new warwicks are perfectly good basses, the only major difference is the Ovankol vs wenge neck. If you like the tone of the Wenge you won't like the tone of the Ovankol
 
#10
I just bought a 4 string, 97' Fortress off E-bay last week for $750.Killer, natural Flame maple body. Gold hardware.Wenge neck is not all that thin,pretty beefy infact,which is great for me. Over all pretty heavy in weight,but so well balanced. Sustains for days.And honestly,its sound has a bit of my '86 Ric 4003 to it...but you get more low end. I like my 2006 $$ double buck better,for many reasons,but am very,very happy I bought this bass. And when I saw the original price tag for $1,595.00 laying in the case...it made me even happier. Anyways, the Fortress is one hell of a bass..Highly recommend! Good luck Bro
 
#11
RedMoses said:
94! Warwick quality has only gone down hill over the years, i had a '97 COrvette and it was really nice, anything ive played post the late 90's ive never been impressed with. THey dont make them like they used too... I STILL have an '87 Thumg, i wish they still made Basses like that!
Click to expand...

Just as a question, have you had the chance to check anything from Warwick post 2009, when they went back to their original neck shape and ramped up the quality tenfold from the previous ten plus years?

To the OP, I've had a '95 Fortress and currently use a Streamer LX, and it comes down to what you want tonally since they're both different. The Fortress has a great dry, throaty tone whereas the Streamer has a lot more under the hood. Either of them would be a fine choice.
 
#12
Thanks to everybody for their comments.

I finally got the Streamer.

I found out before buying that it was built in August 2010, so I was pretty sure it got the "new" slim neck.

The main reason for buying either the Streamer or the Fortress was to replace an 2006 LX5 that I sold.
The LX5 got an ovangkol neck and I loved its sound.

That fact and the fact that I really don´t know how a wenge neck sounds made me get the LX4.

I already have it and I like it a lot. The neck is very nice.

Anyway, I still have GAS for the Fortress.
It is still available and the price is good so who knows...maybe next year.

THANKS
 
#14
Yeah, either way you were gonna end up with a Warwick!

I love both the Streamer & Fortress for different reasons. Same for Wenge & Ovangkol.

And if you listen to your G.A.S. you will soon have both anyways!!!

Congrats on Making a Choice.
 
#15
I have really liked every wenge-necked Warwick I've played and was umph about nearly every ovangkol-necked Warwick I've played. So I recently picked up a '97 Corvette that sounds, plays and feels great. But I have to say, the Streamer is my favorite Warwick shape. Great basses - now that you have the Streamer, go get the Fortress before someone else snags it!
 

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