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Damaged Warwick Question

tycobb73

tycobb73

Jul 23, 2006
3,744
807
Grand Rapids MI
#1
I'm looking at a Stage II for a great price for an obvious reason, there is a crack in it. If you look in the photo, it starts at the bridge and goes to the end of the bass above the E string. I've been told this is probably due to not oiling the bass and it looks like it hasn't been dropped. I asked if it was 1/8 in deep and they said well under that. Will this worsen over time? Can it be repaird? I've heard both it can and it can't. And what would you expect to give in this condition?
 
#4
I'm afraid that that bass is going to be nothing but trouble. Even being really diligent about oiling the bass and keeping it well humdified (including living in a really humid area like Seattle), there is still going to be a crack there. That will lead to vibrations and eventually the bridge coming loose.

I have to agree with KeithPas, avoid it like the plague.

THat is unless you plan on keeping it behind glass (as in as a showpiece/conversation starter etc..). Even then I would pass unless it was dirt freakin' cheap.

It looks like a neck-thru. If by chance it is a bolt on, for the right price, you might score it for the neck. Warwick necks are fanastic, and if you look around hard enough, you might find a body to match that isn't fubar.

...my two cents...
 
#6
If a bass body can crack from simply not waxing it as often as you should, then there's something seriously wrong with the manufacturers design scheme. I don't know about you but if I had to rub wax into my bass constantly to stop it from falling apart I'd get incredibly annoyed after a while.

Anyway, I'd say steer well clear!
 
#11
tycobb73 said:
Its a 98 and they're asking $750.
Click to expand...

It`s a great price. Try to play it first and see if it`s OK. If the damage has been there for a long time, it shouldn`t go further. I agree that the wood looks "thirsty". Oiling and waxing it would help a lot.

If you don`t like the bass, sell it to me. I`ve been looking for one for a long time.
 
#14
MoD_Scotty said:
Not only can your treatment of the bass effect that crack, but so can weather (changes in temp, as well as humidity can really effect that wood). I'd avoid that bass like the plague. Unless it was really, REALLY cheap.
Click to expand...

+1. I'd be worried about a climate change too. Also mentioned was something about the bridge getting loose. There are a lot of questions about any crack, and I wouldn't touch it.
 
#15
Have you people never seen a Gibson guitar with a broken headstock? Any good repair will result in a much stronger joint than before. This bass is not going to fall apart mid-song because of this crack.
To the OP: Any respectable luthier should be able to seal this for you. I'd check around with luthiers in your area, but you should end up with one hell of a bass at a fantastic price!
 
#18
I bought it. It was at a GC and the sell price was $800. The best I could do was get them to through in shipping and tax was 5% so around $840 delivered. Papersen, if I don't like it I'll PM you.

I'm also looking at a streamer lx.

No I'm not going on a spending spree. I'll flip my cirrus and P bass plus plus for them. I just miss the feel of wicks.
 
#20
My guess is that the body halves have swelled/contracted or otherwise shifted over time, forming a slight separation at the visible edge of the seam. This happened to a nice Thumb BO 4 I had, & Dana B. Goods told me it was not a structural problem(I also waxed it regularly). The differences in climate in Germany, the east & west coasts of the US & the wood's settling/expanding/contracting/drying make this happen. Of course w/o seeing the bass in question of course this is only a guess, & again- entirely moot at this point.
 

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