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Considering Ditching Warwick...

TylerDurdenPSSC

TylerDurdenPSSC

Jul 28, 2008
365
3
Waco, Texas
www.facebook.com
#1
So I finally moved back into civilization after a year of solitude in Western Louisiana.

I got out to my favorite music store here in Ohio, Bob's Music, and low and behold among their typical overstock of cheapie and crappy Dean and ESP basses, there was a Cirrus BXP.

Now, I had played a US Cirrus in the past, and absolutely loved it. I never plugged in the BXP, but I have fallen in love with it's weight, ease of play, and resonance.

About a year ago, I made my dreams come true when I purchased a Warwick Corvette ProLine, but I've since grown bored of the tone. I love maple, and I love jazz pickups, I just don't hear the "growl" in that bass that I think Warwick signifies.

So, what's the point of this thread? Basically, I want you to talk me out of exchanging my ProLine for the Cirrus BXP.

There's just so many things I love about the Cirrus, and so many things I hate about the Warwick. I've been considering getting rid of my 'Wick for awhile now, I'm just not doing this twelve-hundred dollar bass any justice keeping it locked up in it's case, and recently after adding a set of Warwick's own EMP strings, just don't want to play it at all. (Worse strings in the WORLD imo, I mean, $40 to rub the skin off of my fingers while producing crap tone? No thanks.)

I'm wanting to go back and test the BXP out on the Mesa Walkabout they have there in the next couple of days. (The only other rigs there are Ampeg, and I'm as sick of Ampeg as I am with my Warwick.)

So, come on! Warwick owners, Cirrus owners, sway me! I'm really interested in hearing everyone's input, especially those whom have experience with BOTH basses.

The only other option for dropping my Wick in my mind is for a Skyline Lakland, or a Sting Ray.

:help::help::help:
 
#3
Yeah, not of a lot of option here in LA :(

I'm not sure what you're looking for in this thread though. It sounds like you have your answer but are guilty about it. You don't care for the Warwick, but seem to love the Cirrus. Switch it out and be happy!
 
#4
Nothing wrong with the warwick bass you got. Seems you bought a wrong bass at start to suit your needs and the tone you after.

Warwick is a love or hate thing so its personally preference really. They do growl like they says but its complete different than any fender jazz bass or Lakland etc.

In term of string the EMP strings are bad, i personally would use DR Lo Rider for warwicks and also change the preamp on the bass to a better one to give better tone.

Warwick bass sounds quite bad when playing at home, but it sound fantastic in live situation and cuts in nicely with the band.
 
#5
My .02:

I know you stated that you don't like the idea of letting a $1200.00 bass sit around if you aren't going to play it. I've had numerous basses over the years that I fell out of love with for one reason or another. I've sold some, kept others and I'm glad to have kept the ones i did (Stingray comes to mind), because I'll pick them up every now and again.

The point? Since BXPs (even Cirruses) can be had at a reasonable price, why not go ahead and get one AND keep the Warwick? You would hate to regret the loss.

Other thoughts:
- If your Wick has the stock MECs, why not try a different pickup/preamp combo? Maybe try the 18-volt route? I put Barts (pickups and preamp) in my Fortress and it absolutely kills! Hated the MECs.
- You mention the strings. Those Warwick strings are the worst strings I've probably ever owned, so ditch those and put a nice set on the Warwick.

Simple mods like these are relatively cheap and they may cause you to fall back in love with a very nice bass.

Oh, and i am a Peavey fan as well. My GV is a dream.
 
#6
I'm not going to try and talk you into keeping the Warwick, because I had the dilemma a couple of years ago. Love and hate are strong words and if you use the word hate for your Warwick, time to let it go. Get the Cirrus. I had one and I really liked it, but the 35" scale was a bit too much for me. Other than that, they're great basses.
 
#11
Go for it. If you don't like the warwick then the hell with it. It's worth a lot of money so there's no point in keeping it so it can collect dust. And if you use the word "hate" when talking about your bass, I don't think it's worth putting more hard earned money into upgrading components just to see if you don't hate it after the modifications. I actually had the same dilemma with a warwick back in the day. I sold it and never missed it.

But at the end of the day all the things I wrote are redundant, if you prefer the cirrus over the warwick I don't see any point asking about other peoples opinions as it's completely your call and you're the only person who can actually make the right decision for you.
 
#14
If you're not getting growl out of a Proline, something's wrong. I had one and that thing growled like crazy. Very versatile and cut through wonderfully. Start with better strings. Personally, I always like DR Hi-Beams on that bass. If you were comparing a USA Cirrus with the Proline, I'd say it's just subjective. They're both great basses, but different. However, I have nothing against the BXP, but I don't think it's in the same ballpark as the Proline.
 
#15
I love my corvette but mine is just the bulbinia std.Dont see why the proline costs so much more than my one(got mine new for é920 or there abouts).Not gonna try and sway you though,If you like the cirrus more get it even second hand wicks sell pretty high so i doubt youl lose much cash on that end


>>Edit<<
oh yeah forgot,those strings are rubbish.i'd stay well away from warwick strings
 
#16
Wow, a lot to address.

First and foremost:

Growl is a subjective term. I love love love Maple, and I love the tone it gives off. However, I don't hear a LOT of growl from my ProLine. It does Growl, just not like a dog. (I mean, it's no Thumb.)

I am a die hard Elixir fan. I bought the Warwick strings on a dare from a fellow Warwick forumite, and I highly regret it. I'm almost afraid to ever try another string again, and i have yet to play chromes or TI's. (I hate DR's. I played them for a year straight, and just was never really satisfied. But then again, I'm sure I could go back, put on a different gauge and indulge.)

As per why the ProLine cost more than std. Pickups / Electronics is a huge factor. I have a 2004, with Ovangkol neck, and active MECs.

Which leads me to say, I had considered a set of Nordy pickups to replace the MEC's with, leaving the preamp intact. (After all, they are tuned to react with the woods they're paired with.) Though, if I were to replace is, Aguilar is high on the list.

Today, I realized, that basses don't HAVE to break your back, and that sometimes, where you started, is where you'll arrive. (My first bass was a Peavey Millenium.)

The tone I'm after, well, I don't want one tone. I'm only 21, and not an active gigging musician, so I'm searching for basses that I like to play by myself, not on stage, with noone else plugged in around me. Off the top of my head, The P Bass, and the Cirrus are numbers one and two, with a Sting Ray playing third fiddle. (I'd like to own one of each, but money is sparse for a newly positioned factory worker.)

The thing is, if I were to get rid of my Warwick, chances of me getting another are present. I'm over the Corvette, thinking of going for the NS shape... But then again, I'd also like to play a 1993 or '94 Spector NS4CR too. ;)

Basically, I think my run with Warwick is over for the moment. Now, to find a buyer, or work a deal with the shop.
 
#19
I've bought and sold 2 Warwicks and a Rockbass among my past basses. The only regret I have is that I left myself without a bass for several months when I sold 2 of the 3 at about the same time! No experience with Peavey but if it's what you're looking for, I'd do the deal. No regrets, and no second-guessing yourself.
 

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