NBD: Warwick Hellborg Signature

[f64]

Well, some of you know I've been chasing one of these for over 3 years. They are genuinely “Hens Teeth”. In 2011 there were two used ones sold – one on the West Coast (that I missed) and one in Italy that I found out about a month after the sale.

I've been scouring the Warwick board and every commercial outlet looking for a used one. All the major shops knew I was looking. In late 2012 one came up for sale on the Warwick boards but the owner wouldn't ship it and I wasn't in the mood to fly to Paris to pick it up.

There has been one listed on a commercial site for private sale in the US since early 2013 but the price wasn't in line with my budget. I started a dialog with the owner back then and made offers every three or four months but none were acceptable. Over time, as the bass didn't sell, they further understood the somewhat limited market and their price lowered. At the same time I realized I’d have to pay more than I was originally willing to.

Well, after some dickering and including a 08 Star Bass II plus cash in a package it’s now mine.

Right now I’m pressed for time but in the next few weeks I’ll post better pics, some internal pics and sound comparisons. I’d had the opportunity to briefly use one of these a few years back and all I can say is that my impression hasn't changed – totally blown away.

The pic of it with the Star Bass II’s is for size comparison.

 

[CoR Bass]

Congrats on finally getting your hands on it. It's a sweet lookin bass.

 

[Classic69]

Always wanted to play one;
Nice grab!

 

[faulknersj]

Man....she is purtty! That is really cool that you finally tracked one down!

 

[Gizmot]

I heard Jonas himself play one at Warwick's display at NAMM and it sounded like a good Warwick. I bet you'll love it.

 

[DWCJR]

I love that bass. I was researching it a night or two ago night while listening to Octave of the Holy Innocents (I know Hellborg didn't use this bass fore that recording). I was wondering why there were none of these for sale online. Guess they must be pretty rare. How does it sound? I have never actually met anyone who has played one, but I am intrigued.

 

[anavar]

hhhnnnngggg

mirin.

 

[IronLung1986]

And you still have two Star Basses even after trading one away!

 

[circuitspore]

That is an impressive collection of Warwick hollowbodies!

 

[TonyP-]

Stoked for you...These basses have a interesting tone...
Cello richness in a fretted punchy bass format.

 

[BassHappy]

Congrats to f64! May you have lots of fun and joyful hours playing that beast! I also really like those models and I have been keeping my eyes open for a deal on one too, but I have not been as aggressive as you have been. I don't think they made very many of them. Any idea how many?

Two things concern me and Warwick was unable or should I say unwilling to address them. First of all, being a pick player, I would need to remove the ramp, or have one built for me without one. I own the top end Alien and I had to have the ramp removed from that one. It was ridiculously unplayable on the E string for a pick player. A fair amount of heat did the trick but it was very disappointing as under the ramp they had scored the body like this ///////////// with an exacto knife so the glue would stick. Ruined the top as far as I am concerned, so the next best thing in the end was to replace the ramp with an exact size and extremely thin slice of rosewood veneer. It looks fine and suits the purpose.

Also as a pick player, I find fretted necks to be on the klacky side when paired with ebony boards. I think for finger players and fretless players you just can't beat ebony, it sounds and feels amazing - but for me as a pick player the frets and the pick combine with the ebony to be unpleasingly bright in the mids. Hard to notch it out with eq and not affect the overall timbre of the bass. Just my opinion, although Rob Allen shares that opinion with me and my mouse has a rosewood board that we died black to resemble ebony to solve the problem. Warwick didn't want to make the change and basically said - this is the Jonas model - take it or leave it. With the steep price tag - I find that to be unfair, but my theory is they already made a batch (however many that is) and have them on hand but don't plan on making another run until or unless they have to. With the price tag, I don't think they are flying out of the store. Therefore, it is take it or leave it and they are unwilling or unable to make the change to rosewood for me.

All of this is water under the bridge, but I love the bass - especially in black - it is beautiful! Enjoy - sound clips welcome and encouraged!

BassHappy
www.innertainment.net

 

[TechJunky]

The signature models are built the way they are, and are limited runs typically, so I can't say I'm too surprised they wouldn't change it (yes, even given the high price tag). I'm sure they would be happy to build you a custom shop model though with the changes you wish. It will of course be even more expensive, but they seem very accommodating with the custom shop to get whatever you want. The Hellborg Signature model is a bit of a rarity, though, in that it is unlike any other model they produce, so there could possibly be some issues with tooling, which is why I'd imagine they were reluctant to alter. Disappointing, yes, but not necessarily surprising IMO.

 

[mark beem]

Well, some of you know I've been chasing one of these for over 3 years. They are genuinely “Hens Teeth”. In 2011 there were two used ones sold – one on the West Coast (that I missed) and one in Italy that I found out about a month after the sale.

I've been scouring the Warwick board and every commercial outlet looking for a used one. All the major shops knew I was looking. In late 2012 one came up for sale on the Warwick boards but the owner wouldn't ship it and I wasn't in the mood to fly to Paris to pick it up.

There has been one listed on a commercial site for private sale in the US since early 2013 but the price wasn't in line with my budget. I started a dialog with the owner back then and made offers every three or four months but none were acceptable. Over time, as the bass didn't sell, they further understood the somewhat limited market and their price lowered. At the same time I realized I’d have to pay more than I was originally willing to.

Well, after some dickering and including a 08 Star Bass II plus cash in a package it’s now mine.

Right now I’m pressed for time but in the next few weeks I’ll post better pics, some internal pics and sound comparisons. I’d had the opportunity to briefly use one of these a few years back and all I can say is that my impression hasn't changed – totally blown away.

The pic of it with the Star Bass II’s is for size comparison.

Sweet!! Congratulation!!

 

[Gorn]

Are you gonna use his signature DR strings?

 

[Doctor J]

Beautiful bass, beautiful collection of basses. Congratulations.

 

[ilikebass7]

Congrats! Always wanted to try one of these!

 

[mikezimmerman]

Sweet!

 

[D. Gallis]

congrats on your successful search for a sweet wick!