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Looking for a cheaper Warwick...

#21
FunkMetalBass said:
"Cheap" and "Warwick" will never work together, unless you want one that is missing half the body and has been gutted of all hardware, frets, and electronics...

It'll take some saving, but you're much better off waiting until you can afford a decent Warwick.
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Yeah, I would save up a bit more. In the long run you will be happy you did IMO. I paid about $900 or so for a used Warwick Thumb BO5 in absolute mint showroom condition with a hard case. I'm sure you could find a good deal on a decent vette.

It is an investment that should last you for years to come, so put some cash into something nice if at all possible.
 
#24
You'll have more headroom, output and volume w/ an active bass. Essentially the active tone is the passive tone with a 2 band (usually) boost eq-lows and highs. You also have the benefit of a active/passive bypass on the active basses. I definitely suggest the active versions. A great wick for you would be a pre-'99 Corvette active 4-these can usually be had for 400-600 bux.
 
#26
Typically the passive ones go for slightly less than the active ones. Depending on how patient you are, if you get a good deal on a passive corvette, you could always try and score a used pre-amp. If anyone sells the stock MEC preamps they sell for next to nothing, or you could probably score an Aguilar OBP-series pre-amp (a fairly common upgrade for Warwick owners) pretty cheap too.

I've been keeping an eye on ebay and craigslist for Warwicks lately and I've seen a mint active bubinga Corvette go for $425 on ebay and several for around the $500 mark on craigslist. Be patient and you'll score a bargain!
 
#27
lkngro said:
It's just a push/pull knob to switch from active to passive, right?

And any reason why pre-'99?
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Yep. The volume knob is push/pull. Just pull it out and it switches over to passive. I rarely use the passive option. I find the MEC pickups are pretty tame so running the active mode gives it some more drive and volume.

Like willyrep, I would also suggest getting an active Warwick.

The thing with the pre '99 ones (I believe) is that they have a wenge neck instead of the newer ovangkol neck. Some people prefer the wenge necks. Also, the earlier ones use a brass 'Just-A-Nut' instead of the newer plastic one. I think they might have a removable truss rod too?
 
#28
I'll echo the advise to wait it out and find an active Corvette Standard in your price range. Shouldn't take too long.

I'm personally not picky about wenge vs ovangkol, but there is a slight difference, I'll admit. Mostly in feel, to me, as wenge is more porous and has a more...organic? feel. It has a thicker grain. I prefer the smoother feel of the ovangkol, but that's just me. Sound-wise I could go either way.
 
#29
itsalljustaride said:
I'm personally not picky about wenge vs ovangkol, but there is a slight difference, I'll admit. Mostly in feel, to me, as wenge is more porous and has a more...organic? feel. It has a thicker grain. I prefer the smoother feel of the ovangkol, but that's just me. Sound-wise I could go either way.
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That is exactly my opinion too, but I didn't want to add any fire to that debate :ninja: I think the neck shape is different too, but I don't have enough experience with one to be sure. It was years ago that I last got to try a wenge version.

I wouldn't mind a brass nut though!
 
#31
KarateKid25 said:
That is exactly my opinion too, but I didn't want to add any fire to that debate :ninja:
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haha, I think as long as there are wenge-neck 'Wicks out there, even if in legend, the debate will rage on.

100 years from now, when Warwick is building basses out of space-age polymers because all trees have either died or been marked as forbidden to cut down, people will still post threads with the title "Which is better, Wenge or Wilferite?" regardless of the fact that by then a full wenge neck 'Wick will cost a fortune and only be available at Sotheby's auctions.
 

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