My first Warwick was a 99 Streamer Standard 4-string single pickup with an ovankol neck that I got in Jan 03, and I've never owned one newer than that, and that's the only one with an ovankol neck I've owned. So I can't speak for the newer stuff they're putting out, though I'd be willing to bet it's still great.urb_munki said:
After that first one, I got a 94 Thumb BO 5, then a 96 Corvette Std 4 w/ EMGs, then my beloved 98 Streamer LX 5, then a 95 Corvette Std 4 w/ passive (boo) MECs, and finally the 98 Thumb BO 6 w/ Seymour Duncan Basslines that I just got a couple weeks ago.
As my Streamer Std was passive, I don't like to use it as a basis for judging the ovankol neck vs. all the wenge necks I've played (though I loved that bass more than any I'd ever played before it). I will say, though, that both Streamers I've owned have had the newer Wilferite Just-A-Nut II, and I like it better than the Brass Just-A-Nut that has been on my Corvettes and Thumbs. I think the brass ones add to the visual appeal of the basses, but I haven't noticed any significant difference in tone or anything. I also think the brass nut is sharp, and in the moment at a gig, slamming down to a 1st-fret F is no picnic.
I much preferred the recessed straplocks on the older Warwicks (they were on my 94, 95, 96, and my LX) to the standard strap buttons on the newer ones. However, the guy who had this 98 Thumb BO 6 before me put Schaller straplocks on it, and they're pretty nice. I'd still prefer the recessed Dunlops, though.
The easy-access truss rod cover they use now is a nice addition (only my 94 Thumb BO 5 had the regular style with access screws) but I don't find it all that useful, since 1. it doesn't need adjusted often enough to really be a big deal to unscrew the regular covers and 2. you need the strings off (or at least detuned to a flappy status) to adjust the trussrod anyway, so unscrewing a regular cover isn't that inconvenient to begin with.
I never really noticed a difference in the old trussrod system (on my 94 and 95) and the new system, except that little heel on the back of the neck right where the nut is (the 94 and 95 had no heel). I think the newer system is probably easier to use, and more functional, as the old truss rods were 1-way. When you tried to go the other way, it would just unscrew and come right out. But I never had any truss rod problems with either of those older basses, so I never had to adjust anything.
All in all, there are a good bit of major label bassists who endorse Warwick, and a lot of them use the newer ones with the ovankol necks and such. They all have great tone, in my opinion. If I wasn't such a thrift hound and eBay addict, I might actually buy a new Warwick. Maybe someday when they wanna give me an endorsement deal I'll get a new one... but even then I'll probably get one made with a wenge neck and recessed straplocks. Go with what ya know, as they say.
