So I've never been a huge fan of Warwicks. Their necks are too thick for my tastes, they're heavy, and their aesthetics aren't my thing either. A shame, since I think they sound pretty good.
Anyways, last month my buddy picked up a Warwick Corvette standard and he got a great deal on it. However, it desperately needed a setup, so he came to me asking for help.
Now, I just spent the last hour or so giving it a thorough setup, adjusting relief, nut height, string height, pickup height, and intonation. It was my first time working on a Warwick, and I have to say, after having owned 20+ basses at one point or another, Warwick hardware has to have some of the best, most adjustable hardware around!
A nut with adjustable height? Bridge that has height adjustable saddles, as well as an overall bridge height adjustment with locking set scews? Locking saddles? I never really understood the need for a two piece bridge, but it works on the Warwick and I have no complaints, especially since it's a quick release bridge for easy string changes. Also, I liked the truss rod cover with the quick snap-off "lid." It's a nice touch compared to leaving the hole exposed or right under the neck like many fenders that can get the pickguard marred when trying to adjust it.
Does anyone share similar feelings about Warwick hardware? I think back to the countless hours I've spent doing setups on Fender-style instruments (including the Sadowskys, Fenders, G&Ls, and Musicmans), and how tedious it can be, especially when adjusting neck angle to compensate for a bridge that doesn't leave enough for lower string height, or something like having to sand down the nut or cutting deeper slots in the nut.
I still won't buy a Warwick any time soon, but it was awesome working on one. They're built really well, and these adjustment features made the bass so easy to setup really well. In no time at all, I was able to make this Warwick play better than many of the boutiques I've worked on!
Anyways, last month my buddy picked up a Warwick Corvette standard and he got a great deal on it. However, it desperately needed a setup, so he came to me asking for help.
Now, I just spent the last hour or so giving it a thorough setup, adjusting relief, nut height, string height, pickup height, and intonation. It was my first time working on a Warwick, and I have to say, after having owned 20+ basses at one point or another, Warwick hardware has to have some of the best, most adjustable hardware around!
A nut with adjustable height? Bridge that has height adjustable saddles, as well as an overall bridge height adjustment with locking set scews? Locking saddles? I never really understood the need for a two piece bridge, but it works on the Warwick and I have no complaints, especially since it's a quick release bridge for easy string changes. Also, I liked the truss rod cover with the quick snap-off "lid." It's a nice touch compared to leaving the hole exposed or right under the neck like many fenders that can get the pickguard marred when trying to adjust it.
Does anyone share similar feelings about Warwick hardware? I think back to the countless hours I've spent doing setups on Fender-style instruments (including the Sadowskys, Fenders, G&Ls, and Musicmans), and how tedious it can be, especially when adjusting neck angle to compensate for a bridge that doesn't leave enough for lower string height, or something like having to sand down the nut or cutting deeper slots in the nut.
I still won't buy a Warwick any time soon, but it was awesome working on one. They're built really well, and these adjustment features made the bass so easy to setup really well. In no time at all, I was able to make this Warwick play better than many of the boutiques I've worked on!
