Best Warwick Bass EVER!!!!

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I played a used Dolphin Pro back in the late 90's iirc, that to me at the time, was the epitome of what a bass could be. The body shape was a mixed bag, but the way it hung on the body, the neck, the action, the tone....just so perfect. I didn't have the coin at the time, or it would have been mine, it was that good.

I haven't played *too* many Wicks since then, and tho they were all very nice, they didn't "speak" to me like that Dolphin did...I would very much like to try another D-Pro one day and see if I get the same reaction from it.

 

[RedMoses]

Ive owned several Warwicks from 87' - 03' Thumbs and Corvettes and played many from all vintages and models,i have to say my 87' Thumb is the finest Warwick ive EVER played. The body is made from endangered African wood called Affzelia (If i am correct) so you wont find many like this, hand made, 26 fret! Adjustable Brass nut. Ive owned it since 2001 but a previous owner had Bartolini Soap Bars installed, this Bass has the tightest low B there is, its even all around the fret board and it sounds like a Piano. Early 2000's MEC 3 band and coil tap switches. Im thinking of putting out a feeler as i havnt been playing 5's for almost 8 years now and this Bass is a player, obv is wont be the cheapest Thumb on the market. PM me if your interested.

 

[mr powers]

Wow... thread necromancy.

Up until recently, Warwick used a very different neck profile for its bolt-ons. The through-neck instruments had quite slim, slick necks, while the bolt-ons had big, thick, chunky necks. Warwick seem to have taken this criticism on board though, and they've been making the bolt-ons with much slimmer necks these past couple of years.

Since this thread was first around, yes, the German Warwicks have actually increased in price even more. With the introduction of the MIK Pro series, they took the opportunity to move the German-made instruments upmarket. A secondhand German-made Corvette can still be had for reasonable (<$1000) money though if you look around.

My Trujillo plays pretty well (8.5) and sounds pretty good (8.8) but I'm wondering if the German made Corvette would sound and play better. I can't help but wonder although...I can't find one to try. I'm thinking about taking a long drive to try one out. This one is a Streamer II. I think it was worth around 6K new.
Will mine seem skanky compared to the Streamer Stage Mec? It has some wear and she is asking 3500.

 

[TechJunky]

In my completely biased opinion, the P-Nut II sig is (to me) the best Warwick ever. It fits my needs perfectly with the jazzman pickups, and I love the thick Wenge neck (I love the thick profile, love the thick wenge neck, and love neck-though. Aside from custom shop, that's not really a combination you'll find on other Warwick models).

Beyond that, the Streamer Stage II and Thumb NT5 tie for the win. In my opinion, both basses represent the core of what a Warwick is and they capture the signature tone better than any other model.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

I had a '90 Thumb 6 with Bartolinis... also had a '96 fretless Thumb nt4, a '94 fretted Thumb nt4, and a '97 Thumb nt 6.
None of them could touch the '90, it was like a different maker all together.

 

[Rusty Chainsaw]

Ive owned several Warwicks from 87' - 03' Thumbs and Corvettes and played many from all vintages and models,i have to say my 87' Thumb is the finest Warwick ive EVER played. The body is made from endangered African wood called Affzelia (If i am correct) so you wont find many like this, hand made, 26 fret! Adjustable Brass nut. Ive owned it since 2001 but a previous owner had Bartolini Soap Bars installed, this Bass has the tightest low B there is, its even all around the fret board and it sounds like a Piano. Early 2000's MEC 3 band and coil tap switches. Im thinking of putting out a feeler as i havnt been playing 5's for almost 8 years now and this Bass is a player, obv is wont be the cheapest Thumb on the market. PM me if your interested.

Love the old Thumbs, with the carved headstock and countersunk machine heads. The newer ones are great, but the older ones were better.

 

[Session1969]

this is too easy: circa 1990 jack bruce signature thumb, with the landing lights, fretless, of course. back when they were made by hand.

I saw him play his at the Konocti Harbor Resort back in '96 !

 

[Vanja Spirin]

I'm partial to this one
View attachment 2719322

It is a beauty

 

[FNHScar17s]

My 89 thumb nt 6 fretless is fantastic wenge neck, bubinga body, ebony board.

I will say and some will say this is blasphemy but my 2004 thumb nt6 that is bubinge, with Ovangkol neck and ebony board sounds very similar to my 89. The 89 has a smoker raspier growl I will say. They both have Barts in them with bartolini 3 band eqs and bartolini buffers for the pickups. Mean as hell basses tho love the growl love it death it is the epitimy of what a fretless should sound like (both are poly'd).

 

[Nephilymbass]

In your opinion, what is the best Warwick bass to ever be produced (RockBass not withstanding)?

Ive had 5 warwicks. The thumb basses were by far my favorite. They just have a more distinct sound. A lot of warwicks have some of that Warwick growl. Thumb basses have ALL that Warwick growl though.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Dang I just realized how old his thread is lol

 

[madmaskbass]

I have a 2015 BO Thumb 5 (the quality of the new basses are incredible) and I am about to get my dream a late 80's NT thumb 5. Sooo pretty obvious but thumbs are my number one for sure!

 

[madmaskbass]

lol..I wonder how many of the original posters still say the same thing? I cant see me changing my mind in 10 years.

 

[Vanja Spirin]

lol..I wonder how many of the original posters still say the same thing? I cant see me changing my mind in 10 years.

Well, I am undecided. I own Thumb 5 BO and Streamer LX5, both '97. They are different, but equaly good instruments. I like Streamer's ergonomics, but I prefere Thumb's mighty sound

 

[JohnDeereJack]

I've never owned (or even really liked the look of) a Warwick bass, but when I saw the fretless Jack Bruce Survivor Bass I completely fell in love. I think that it's utterly stunning! drool

 

[Joe Nerve]

I've owned a Streamer Pro M, Streamer Jazzman, Fortress Flashback, Active Corvette, and a Fortress One. I've played a handful of others in stores and at NAMM.

My favorite, and the only one I kept is my Fortress one.

Reasons:

• The tone sits the best in the mix out of all the above, for me.
  
• It never gets boomy or sizzly.
  
• It has the trademark Warwick growl (I think in part due to the wenge neck).
• It weighs less than all the others I've played, and balances perfectly.
• The price was right. I only paid $440 for mine with a score on Ebay a long long time ago. And yes, it's German made, pretty sure Rockbasses didn't even exist when I bought it.

Is it the best Warwick ever?

For me, yes.

 

[franklindayala]

Warwick FNA.

 

[HowieD72]

Any of them from the 90's that still used all Wenge for necks. My faves are the Streamers and Fortresses.

Thread resurrection!!!

Yes, 90's Streamer Pro-M and Fortress Masterman with wenge necks.

Also Fortress One with wenge necks.

 

[HowieD72]

90s Streamer and Fortress models are unmatched.

Agree 100%. The ones with wenge necks are the best

 

[HowieD72]

A few Fav's:

96 Fortress Masterman, With a Masterman TRC!
View attachment 2231850

97 Streamer Pro-M
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99 Streamer STD
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91 Dolphin Pro I
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99 Dolphin Pro I
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Vampyre Dark Lord (F#, B, D, E tuning)
View attachment 2231855

Corvette 6-String
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Katana NT
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Corvette NT $$ and a 97 Streamer Stage II
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And an '87 Thumb NT in Robins Egg Blue!
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I've recently acquired an 08 Streamer Stage I. OMG!!!!

I love your Fortress Masterman and Streamer Pro-M. Do you still own and use them?