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Fender, MusicMan or Warwick Bass

#41
Joe Nerve said:
Corvette weighed a ton, and was really deep, and really sizzly. Never sat in the mix (except for in the studio) quite the way I wanted it to. A lot of boom and click.
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My experience is that Warwick instruments vary a lot on their weight and sound. I've got a 90's model german warwick that weighs about 8.5 lbs and has a killer tone that's always been great for live or recording (it has seymour duncans P and J in it).

There's no way I would buy a warwick sight unseen, I'd have to sit down to play it make sure we get along well.

Another thing for OP to think about - warwick's will have 24 frets vs a Pbass which will have 20. It may not sound like a big deal, but it really affects the feel for me and may be something to consider.
 
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#42
Yes.. having 24 frets makes a huge difference I believe in feel! That is one of the things I like about the Spector basses I have..

phillipkregg said:
My experience is that Warwick instruments vary a lot on their weight and sound. I've got a 90's model german warwick that weighs about 8.5 lbs and has a killer tone that's always been great for live or recording (it has seymour duncans P and J in it).

There's no way I would buy a warwick sight unseen, I'd have to sit down to play it make sure we get along well.

Another thing for OP to think about - warwick's will have 24 frets vs a Pbass which will have 20. It may not sound like a big deal, but it really affects the feel for me and may be something to consider.
Click to expand...
 
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#44
Guinness20 said:
SSSTTTIIINNNGGGRRRAAAYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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This. Without question. It's all about the tone, man! So much versatility...!
 
#46
I had been Fender and Fender clone player for over 30 years with only occasional deviations. These days I don't even own a Fender. I'm not a fan of the Music Man sound, although I've owned several of them. My new addictions are Spector and Warwick. I own a Dolphin Pro 2 and Spector Legend and Rebops. I'd take the advice of a previous poster and advise looking for a used Warwick or Spector.
 
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#48
The only place that has all the Warwicks under one roof is the Warwick shop in Nashville. I've sat in there and played many of the models. They are all in the $3,000 - $7,000 range in the shop but those are new. If you liked a model really well then you would just look for a used one. My 1994 WW has 24 frets but it's in tune all the way to the 24th - they can tune really well. Mine weighs about 11 1/2 lbs but I'm old and can sit while playing. I do stand for short gigs. Make sure the model you would be looking at is German - not the Asian WW. German used is my recommendation.
 
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#50
Have you considered a Warwick Corvette $$? $799 will get the Rockbass version new. The one I played was light enough and good enough that I went back to buy it (Sam Ash) but it was gone. $699 got me a used German $$- it would have been less, but the seller decided to sell it to GC (for $450!) before I could get to see it. Called the Guitar Center he sold it to the next day and put it on lay-away and am now waiting for the 30 hold to expire. Seller told me it weighed 9 lbs.

Anyway, you can see what my advice would be! Great neck, great and varied tones, solid hardware, and besides, I already have a P bass.
 
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#52
Spector and Warwick all the way. With Spectors, all models are great. Just an advancement in awesomeness as you go up in the model chain. And they are very versatile basses and you won't get lost in a mix with them. Warwick's are more particular in which one you want. I just recently purchased a thumb bo 5 because it has the curved body, which is a must for me, and they have a sound of their own. I play in a hard rock, metal cover band and both those basses are made to rock. I can't wait to try the thumb at rehearsal. It will compliment my Spector tremendously. Plus the build quality and craftsmanship on them are better than those you are considering IMO. Don't get a rockbass, they are not even in the same league as a German made Warwick. If you have the opportunity to try one, I highly suggest you do so. Good luck in your search.
 
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#53
This!!!!

sumgruuvz said:
Spector and Warwick all the way. With Spectors, all models are great. Just an advancement in awesomeness as you go up in the model chain. And they are very versatile basses and you won't get lost in a mix with them. Warwick's are more particular in which one you want. I just recently purchased a thumb bo 5 because it has the curved body, which is a must for me, and they have a sound of their own. I play in a hard rock, metal cover band and both those basses are made to rock. I can't wait to try the thumb at rehearsal. It will compliment my Spector tremendously. Plus the build quality and craftsmanship on them are better than those you are considering IMO. Don't get a rockbass, they are not even in the same league as a German made Warwick. If you have the opportunity to try one, I highly suggest you do so. Good luck in your search.
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#54
Stringray Slo Special HS

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#56
MusicMan sterling ! I have owned Warwick thumb next thru and bolt on models and all I can say is "very heavy". I loved my thumbs but found them a bit of a one trick pony. That being said I wish I still had them. I am a fender guy but would have to say the build quality of MusicMan is better compared to Fender. The corvette is not a bad model but if you want that signature Warwick tone you would need to go with a thumb (just my opinion).
 
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#57
I have owned some Spectors that just are fantastic and be under 8 lbs.. I personally have not seen a Wick that lite.. Usually the Spector basses that are in this weight range are the NS2A Kramer era bass.

stuntbass77 said:
MusicMan sterling ! I have owned Warwick thumb next thru and bolt on models and all I can say is "very heavy". I loved my thumbs but found them a bit of a one trick pony. That being said I wish I still had them. I am a fender guy but would have to say the build quality of MusicMan is better compared to Fender. The corvette is not a bad model but if you want that signature Warwick tone you would need to go with a thumb (just my opinion).
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#58
Joe Nerve said:
I owned a Corvette. Bought a Musicman. Sold the Corvette.

Corvette weighed a ton, and was really deep, and really sizzly. Never sat in the mix (except for in the studio) quite the way I wanted it to. A lot of boom and click. My love for MM wound up getting me a deal with them. I now own a Sterling, a Bongo, a Stingray, and a Big AL, and I love them all. Though I cheating right now and having a torrid love affair with a Rickenbacker :).
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Would you say the Sterling is lighter compared to a stingray? I have owned a Stingray in the past and it was a rather heavy bass. I currently own a SB14 (import version of the Sterling) and I love the slimmer neck and pickups. I also use the pickup selector a lot (I like the single coil position option). I also find the G string rings louder then my old Stingray. I played a bongo and I liked it but was a whole other animal.
 
#60
stuntbass77 said:
Would you say the Sterling is lighter compared to a stingray? I have owned a Stingray in the past and it was a rather heavy bass. I currently own a SB14 (import version of the Sterling) and I love the slimmer neck and pickups. I also use the pickup selector a lot (I like the single coil position option). I also find the G string rings louder then my old Stingray. I played a bongo and I liked it but was a whole other animal.
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Yes, the Sterling is lighter... but I'm not sure by how much. I got rid of my 4 string Sterling a long time ago, and have a 5 now which weighs just about the same as my Stingray 4. I think :).

I'm not good at this weight stuff.

I can only really tell if a bass is super light, or super heavy. Wish I could be of more help.
 
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