honestly ...i don't get it ....there are only so many body styles out there .....do you point out every company who ripped off a strat or p bass body shape? if so...you've got your work cut out for you!
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I love Warwicks. Plain and simple.
- Thread starter bongostealth
- Start date
honestly ...i don't get it ....there are only so many body styles out there .....do you point out every company who ripped off a strat or p bass body shape? if so...you've got your work cut out for you!
bongostealth said:
Yes it does. I'm going to try and get a video of it up on YouTube in the next few days.
Means2nEnd
Supporting Member
Well I started out writing a big post at first but I erased it to keep it simple. I have owned some 30 to 50 basses in my years (decades) I have found through trial and error my favorite line of basses to be German Warwicks. For attention to detail, for not following the norm, offering most everything in lefty, for being innovators and having many different designs body styles wood choices and new offerings all the time. For fretwork that is to die for and the feel of the raw wood and the way the organic wood tones come through in the mix. I love them all some more than others but I love them German wicks something fierce!
My wife is a classically trained piano player from Baltimore and took 14 years of lessons at the Conservatory in Baltimore MD. She doesnt know by looking at a bass if its expensive or even who makes it. But from playing Steinway pianos throughout most of her training and listening to crazy high end uprights and cellos and all things that must stand on their own acoustically and be heard in a symphony or with 70 or more people playing she can hear what sounds true. She listens to me practice at home and she has always commented on the clarity of my Warwicks and the true sound of the instrument that is amplified without much electronic coloring. She can pick out one of my Wicks 99% of the time sight unseen. Always asking why I insist on buying other basses. To my crazy Zon Sonus with custom options and high price tag she said Meh after hearing me play it for a few minutes and said that is clearly not a Warwick please tell me you didnt pay much for that one.
Well my go to bass for most everything is a Streamer stage II 5 string with EMG active jazz pickups and a Seymour Duncan 3 band. I tried so many different electronics and I have settled on these for this bass.
Recently been playing and recording with a Corvette Jazzman 5 and it sounds amazing no reason to change anything on that bass.
I have two Thumb NTs 5 strings one a fretless and one a fretted just insane quality great basses. I replace all tuners with Hipshot Ultralites and it cures the head stock dive with both of my Thumbs.
And as of today it shall arrive Monday I just bought a Corvette NT 2010 LTD 5 with maple board and block inlays OH MY!! I cant wait and it has the similar $$ set up which is just so versatile its awesome. The double jazz pickups are closed not exposed pole like the standard $$.
Sorry this got long anyway. Warwick rules although there are many companies making great instruments my ears and heart are in Markneukirchen Germany thank you Peter!
My wife is a classically trained piano player from Baltimore and took 14 years of lessons at the Conservatory in Baltimore MD. She doesnt know by looking at a bass if its expensive or even who makes it. But from playing Steinway pianos throughout most of her training and listening to crazy high end uprights and cellos and all things that must stand on their own acoustically and be heard in a symphony or with 70 or more people playing she can hear what sounds true. She listens to me practice at home and she has always commented on the clarity of my Warwicks and the true sound of the instrument that is amplified without much electronic coloring. She can pick out one of my Wicks 99% of the time sight unseen. Always asking why I insist on buying other basses. To my crazy Zon Sonus with custom options and high price tag she said Meh after hearing me play it for a few minutes and said that is clearly not a Warwick please tell me you didnt pay much for that one.
Well my go to bass for most everything is a Streamer stage II 5 string with EMG active jazz pickups and a Seymour Duncan 3 band. I tried so many different electronics and I have settled on these for this bass.
Recently been playing and recording with a Corvette Jazzman 5 and it sounds amazing no reason to change anything on that bass.
I have two Thumb NTs 5 strings one a fretless and one a fretted just insane quality great basses. I replace all tuners with Hipshot Ultralites and it cures the head stock dive with both of my Thumbs.
And as of today it shall arrive Monday I just bought a Corvette NT 2010 LTD 5 with maple board and block inlays OH MY!! I cant wait and it has the similar $$ set up which is just so versatile its awesome. The double jazz pickups are closed not exposed pole like the standard $$.
Sorry this got long anyway. Warwick rules although there are many companies making great instruments my ears and heart are in Markneukirchen Germany thank you Peter!
I've been rocking my Thumb BO for 12 years.
Had to replace the plastic JAN a few years back and am actually quite happy with it.
The frets are a little flat and comparing it to modern Wicks,...it seems they have a nice round crown to them,...which (I could be wrong) would provide a livelier tone. I'm considering having my bass refretted.
I need to breath some life into it and have some maintenance done to it as it's seen about 3 years of hard rehearsing and weekend warrioring,...but I'm so attached to it that I'd never get rid of it. It's seen me through thick and thin. It's been in and out of pawnshops when I had no money for gas (obviously always gotten out of pawn), no job,...no will to live. It's with me through the happiest years of my life (only getting better), my wife refused to let me offer it in trade for a newer bass.
It may not be something that any of my peers would chose to play (seriously seems like most people that would be considered part of my clique are into old Ps and Js and Rickys, but none of that matters to me),...but I love it anyway.
Had to replace the plastic JAN a few years back and am actually quite happy with it.
The frets are a little flat and comparing it to modern Wicks,...it seems they have a nice round crown to them,...which (I could be wrong) would provide a livelier tone. I'm considering having my bass refretted.
I need to breath some life into it and have some maintenance done to it as it's seen about 3 years of hard rehearsing and weekend warrioring,...but I'm so attached to it that I'd never get rid of it. It's seen me through thick and thin. It's been in and out of pawnshops when I had no money for gas (obviously always gotten out of pawn), no job,...no will to live. It's with me through the happiest years of my life (only getting better), my wife refused to let me offer it in trade for a newer bass.
It may not be something that any of my peers would chose to play (seriously seems like most people that would be considered part of my clique are into old Ps and Js and Rickys, but none of that matters to me),...but I love it anyway.
Means2nEnd
Supporting Member
You are in WA State? Take that bad boy to Mike Lull I don't think he is too far. He specializes in repairs and fret jobs and has a PLEK machine. You can get it anyway you want it.
Bellevue is about a 5 hour drive away,...but I've considered it and he is probably the most competent person in the state. Maybe next time I head over that way.
Mike's shop is about 6 hours away from where he lives in wa though 
45mins by jet if ya like though
45mins by jet if ya like though
Looks like there is a local dude that seems highly thought of.
I could take it to Darrin Huff but he has bigger fish to fry.
I could take it to Darrin Huff but he has bigger fish to fry.
There's a boutique luthier a little north or spokane by the name of Stuart Keith Gort you could look into. He's by far the most impressively attentive and talented luthiers I've ever dealt with
me too!!! Plus...I have a true obsession and I have become addicted to their tone.
I'm selling all other basses in order to have money for another Wick...
I can see however that they are not for everyone. Just to be clear, on my Thumb ergonomics suck when you are standing, no matter the strap you use, but, man, the TONE, that TONE.
despite the ergonomics the Thumb is my first player, simply I can not give up playing it!
This is exactly how I feel! That delicious woody TONE! Ergonomics are the least of my worries compared to the tone.
I've been rocking my Thumb BO for 12 years.
Had to replace the plastic JAN a few years back and am actually quite happy with it.
The frets are a little flat and comparing it to modern Wicks,...it seems they have a nice round crown to them,...which (I could be wrong) would provide a livelier tone. I'm considering having my bass refretted.
I need to breath some life into it and have some maintenance done to it as it's seen about 3 years of hard rehearsing and weekend warrioring,...but I'm so attached to it that I'd never get rid of it. It's seen me through thick and thin. It's been in and out of pawnshops when I had no money for gas (obviously always gotten out of pawn), no job,...no will to live. It's with me through the happiest years of my life (only getting better), my wife refused to let me offer it in trade for a newer bass.
It may not be something that any of my peers would chose to play (seriously seems like most people that would be considered part of my clique are into old Ps and Js and Rickys, but none of that matters to me),...but I love it anyway.
Good for you man! Don't EVER break your bond with this bass. You WILL regret it if you do. Studies show that if you have something around you long enough, it literally becomes a part of you on a sub-conscious level. (I think I stated that correctly... not sure... but I think I've made my point)
Warwicks are just great like that. Quality that lasts through thick and thin! They're so good that you can get a used one that still kicks ass and takes names! Unfortunately, the resale value isn't always that great....but for the rest of us who can't afford a brand new one, it's awesome to know that you can get a used one for an affordable price!
Anyways, good for you man!! Also, good for you in not giving in to the typical P-bass, J-bass, and Rick mindset. Give me ovangkol, wenge, bubinga, afzelia, blackwood, all day long over regular old ash, maple and alder!!
To clarify,....I have no issue with more traditional basses,...I had an affair with a JV Squier Jazz and it was a great bass,...but when I had gas,...I parted ways with it and kept the 'wick, which was a no brainer.
I'm not opposed to modding the bass cause I have no interest in selling it, EVAR. Resale and originality are unimportant to me.
I'm not opposed to modding the bass cause I have no interest in selling it, EVAR. Resale and originality are unimportant to me.
I've always *wanted* to like Warwicks, but I just can't seem to ever bring myself to it. Not sure why, exactly, but I've never played one that felt good in my hands.
joe
joe
The neck is perfect when fretless, and I do love my Corvette Standard fretless. But with the frets I don't like the feel of the neck. So odds are the one I have will be the only one I ever have.
Hans Peter Wilfer is a very shrewd business man from what I can tell. He is also the same guy who stopped (sued them from what I've heard) Status from producing the Buzzard which Hans Peter and John Entwistle designed.
My #1 is a Corvette $$ 5, I've owned a Thumb NT, 2 Streamers, and a Corvette 4 FL. But I still think what he did to Status sucks and was not necessary. How may people on this forum actually have a Buzzard anyway, not a big seller for Warwick or Status? HP wanted to cash in on John Entwistle's death so he cut a deal with the family and sued for the exclusive rights. I'd like one because I love John Entwistle but will I ever buy one -the answer is unless I win the lottery or come into a lot of money NO!
The stories about the Streamer sound pretty close to what I've heard. My friend was Warwick artist who worked for one of the US distrubtors for many year and he told me similar stories about the Streamer. With that unnecessary rant
out of the way I love my Corvette 5 $$ and it's my go to bass regardless of what I'm doing.
My #1 is a Corvette $$ 5, I've owned a Thumb NT, 2 Streamers, and a Corvette 4 FL. But I still think what he did to Status sucks and was not necessary. How may people on this forum actually have a Buzzard anyway, not a big seller for Warwick or Status? HP wanted to cash in on John Entwistle's death so he cut a deal with the family and sued for the exclusive rights. I'd like one because I love John Entwistle but will I ever buy one -the answer is unless I win the lottery or come into a lot of money NO!
The stories about the Streamer sound pretty close to what I've heard. My friend was Warwick artist who worked for one of the US distrubtors for many year and he told me similar stories about the Streamer. With that unnecessary rant
out of the way I love my Corvette 5 $$ and it's my go to bass regardless of what I'm doing.
