Question about Warwick basses!

[Erithon]

Warwick are well-built instruments and I like them quite a bit. Over the years they have pioneered the use of many non-traditional woods. Not only has that given them some unique tonal and aesthetic characteristics, but it is also a sustainable practice. And the company has continued to innovate, experimenting with different features, hardware, electronics, body shapes, materials, etc. I respect that.

I've owned a Corvette Standard (2008), Fortress Masterman (1995), Streamer Stage I (2014), and Thumb SC (2010). I still own and play the latter. All these basses have had their own sounds--which isn't surprising given their different electronic configurations and woods--but they have all had one thing in common: they are on the heavy side. That has never bothered me, but it is a trend I've noticed.

I've heard the same things the OP has about large necks, but only my Fortress MM had a neck I'd consider in the chunky ballpark. And it was my favorite neck. I wish the current necks were bigger than they are. So it goes lol. Anyway, I don't think you can go wrong buying a Warwick, but I would strongly suggest you pick up a used German-made one. The new prices these days are ridiculously expensive.

 

[BritBass 2]

I’ve owned several 80’s Kramer/Spector NS 2 basses and find the necks generally slimmer than the current US Custom models . Still have my favourite from ‘87.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hi everyone,

So I have a question about Warwick basses.
I think they're supposed to be pretty good according to what I read and heard about them.
But I'd like to hear other people's experience with Warwick basses.
And with that I'm especially curious about what you guys think of the necks on Warwick basses.

Because I found messages on this forum, older posts from like 2008 or so.
And back then some people seemed to be complaining about how thick the necks on Warwick basses felt.

BUT, if I watch review videos on more recent Warwick models, people seem to really like the necks and say it feels very comfortable.
The one I'm looking at has a nut width of 38.5 mm (which is 1.5'' I think?)

If you have some knowledge or experience with Warwick basses, please help me out here!
The thing is, if I want to get one I probably have to order it before I can actually try it because the only store that sells it in their physical store is like 4 or 5 hours away!

Also, how do you think they are compared to Spector basses?

They're alright. I mean, the quality is pretty great among all their lines. I dont care for their looks or sound. But, the necks on the ones I've played felt right at home to me.

 

[Dincrest]

Warwicks and Spectors are good solid instruments that yield amazing tone and are unique/highly recognizable in the bass world, but I would highly recommend slinging one on first before pulling the trigger. (Which I know is near impossible in these COVID days).

I once had a German-made Warwick Corvette Standard 4-string (with wenge neck) and a Czech-made Spector ReBop 5-string. Both were easily two of the best sounding basses that have come through my possession. Unfortunately, I didn't like their ergonomics. When I strapped them on standing, they didn't sit right on my torso. Those basses balanced too horizontally on me and their compact bodies made the necks jut out rather far to the left making first position (the "money notes") an uncomfortable reach. Whether I slung them low or high, I couldn't get it on with either (and I prefer to wear my basses somewhat high).

From what I've seen, people either love or hate the ergonomics of Warwicks and Spectors; there's little to no middle ground. Warwicks were my dream bass when I was starting out. I spent my teenage years drooling over their ads in Bass Player magazine. But like I said, I could never get that Corvette to nestle against me "just right" when I strapped it on.

It's like Harry Potter. The wand chooses the wizard. I never thought my #1 would be an ESP/LTD with the very "metal" F body shape, but that bass chose me and nestles just right.

 

[moon-bass]

My first Warwick was a 93 fretless Thumb bolt on. It's an amazing instrument. Light, resonant, incredible neck. I spent literally years trying to find a similar fretted (finally found one last year). The neck changed in the latter half of 98. I didn't care for the chunkier neck profile after that, but I do known it's changed since then. I've owned quite a few over the years, but only Thumb basses.

I also have owned quite a few Spector's and just never found one that I liked. Tone was always amazing, but never could gel with the necks.

 

[dpaul]

I think Spector are about to add some new basses to their line up too.
I'm not sure though, I'm not that familiar with Spector and what all the ones they had. But this one says available in a few months on this website and I kinda like how it looks and what it seems to have on it.
EMG Pickups, those are supposed to be pretty good I think!

[This invalid link has been removed]

No affiliation, but here is a Czech made Spector for $1k (shipping is extra, you may be able to haggle the price, as I’ve seen these sell for lower)

Spector NS-2JA-R 2008 Natural with bag | Empire Guitars | Reverb

 

[PWRL]

I have a 98 Streamer LX with a 3-piece wenge neck that is slim and solid as heck. Very comfortable and stable. My only complaint about it is that it takes longer for an adjustment to take compared to my maple-necked Fenders.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Between Warwick and Spector I would look into the Spector, and I’m a Warwick guy at heart. I have had a record amount of money lost purchasing used Warwick Basses that had irreparably warped necks, wack electronics, and mismatched non factory parts. Like custom USA Spector amounts of money lost. I have a $3k 6 string streamer in my closet with a warped neck that I can’t give away for $700, coincidentally how much money I had to spend to fix the electronics. Specters do not seem to have these issues. Used selectors are almost always clean and mean.

I'm literally stunned by your story... I've been a Warwick owner for many years and have owned basses made from the 90s up to my current pair (fretless 5 '08 and fretted 5 '09) and never had any problem with any part at all. Nothing. A warped neck seems unimaginable on a German-made Warwick unless you kept it next to a sauna. And $700 to fix those simple electronics? You were stiffed there by someone I think.

I can 100% recommend German-made Warwicks from any era. Supposedly the Korean-made instruments were just as good and if my hand-made Korean Dean acoustic is anything to go by I believe it. Can't comment overly on the necks but I do remember a 90s Corvette 4 having a very shallow profile, my later Corvette 5s are just right though.

 

[el murdoque]

I'm looking to spend about 1k, give or take.

My preference definitely goes out to a bass with PJ- pickups. Also, I don't know if a Streamer or a Fortress model would be better.


Warwick seems to have slimmer necks with their newer basses, but do you think they won't last as long and that they'll eventually go warped?

I really do think it's either going to be Warwick or Spector for me!

You can easily get a German made Streamer LX for less than 1k on the German used market.
Try "eBay Kleinanzeigen" and search for Warwick, there are a few that fit the bill right now.

These things are built like tanks and don't age much through the decades. I've recently played a '89 model that was in heavy use for about a decade and then got played by a hobby player. You could have told me it's a 2018 model and I would have believed you.

 

[Slappy Daniels]

I have owned quite some Warwicks, most of them used market. The newer Warwicks are back to a thinner neck profile. Up till 1992 the necks were also pretty thin mostly, then from the mid nineties till around 2008 neck profiles were all over the place. Mid nineties Warwicks with 5- or 6 string bridges usually will need those bridges, strap locks and tuners replaced as tuners break and bridges collapse. Yes they were that bad back then on the hardware side of things. Nowadays though, the new Warwicks play REALLY well and are superb quality.

But neck profiles is not all there is to it. There's also tone. Kinda important I'd say.

Warwicks have a sound all their own. They are so articulate it is actually hard to make them blend with the mix. In some music types this is awesome, in others it is a pain.

Thanks for all this information! Very helpful.

And you are absolutely right, tone is very important too!
But usually when I ask something specific about a bass, or a brand like I did here I'm already a fan of their tone and sound. So that sometimes leaves me with some questions like about the necks and stuff!

 

[Slappy Daniels]

No affiliation, but here is a Czech made Spector for $1k (shipping is extra, you may be able to haggle the price, as I’ve seen these sell for lower)

Spector NS-2JA-R 2008 Natural with bag | Empire Guitars | Reverb

That is a great looking bass!
And I don't want to be that guy that keeps complaining, but. I do think that I'll prefer to have a PJ style bass!

 

[Slappy Daniels]

I just wanted to thank everyone for responding and help me out!
There is no way that I expected this many people to take the time to respond and give me this much information.

I'll just go ahead and say it, the past year hasn't been too easy on me and being at home not being able to get in contact with many people irl is definitely hurting me quite bad.
But to have people on here to interact with makes up for that in a nice way.
Thanks everyone, I love you all!

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

I’ve had a Streamer Stage II for about 15 years. I bought it used for $1450. 2001 model.

I’ll agree with a lot of posters before, the necks are chonky, but they have a d-shape, and they are comfortable and fantastic. It’s a comfortable, versatile instrument. Bandmates and people in music stores compliment the sound of the bass. The neck spent 10 years in the crazy Savannah GA humidity, and I took it with me to Portland and it’s been impressively stable. Fantastic fretwork and good sounding preamp. If you can get a used German one, that’s the way to go. If you could bump your budget up a few hundred bucks, you’re gonna be all set.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

I own a German, custom shop made Streamer CV (classic vibe) Jazz.
It is a very well made, beautiful instrument that feels and sounds great. Based on that experience I'd consider another German made Warwick.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

I’ve had a Streamer Stage II for about 15 years. I bought it used for $1450. 2001 model.

I’ll agree with a lot of posters before, the necks are chonky, but they have a d-shape, and they are comfortable and fantastic. It’s a comfortable, versatile instrument. Bandmates and people in music stores compliment the sound of the bass. The neck spent 10 years in the crazy Savannah GA humidity, and I took it with me to Portland and it’s been impressively stable. Fantastic fretwork and good sounding preamp. If you can get a used German one, that’s the way to go. If you could bump your budget up a few hundred bucks, you’re gonna be all set.

I hope this coming year will be easier on you! My musical hobby certainly helped me.

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

Thank you, what a nice thing to say , Kubicki.

 

[BasementWarrior]

I love my 2008 German Corvette Taranis. Best bass I’ve ever owned. Beats my American made fenders in every way. It may be the best purchase I’ve ever made, music or otherwise.

 

[Sid the Kid]

Warwick seems to have slimmer necks with their newer basses, but do you think they won't last as long and that they'll eventually go warped?

I wouldn’t worry about that if you are buying new. It is just something to be aware of if you are buying used in a situation where you can not return the instrument. The same can be said of any used instrument.

A warped neck seems unimaginable on a German-made Warwick unless you kept it next to a sauna. And $700 to fix those simple electronics? You were stiffed there by someone I think.

It did come from Florida! It’s a broadneck 6 to boot. The electronics were aftermarket EMG and they were flawed so the works was replaced with Bartolini and Glockenklang components. Bench fee was $60. Other Warwick’s have needed new nuts, tuners, electronics. Haven’t had a single used one that didn’t need something done to it.

I haven’t had as stunning of an experience with Warwick as you. I have owned many in the past 20 years and still own 2. I would not hesitate to get another one (CV Streamer 5, looking at you) but will be cautious buying used as I advise the OP.

 

[BarfanyShart]

My main BG for almost 20 years was a German Warwick STD, so I guess I liked it okay. The truss rod was just about maxed out when I sold it, and I was losing the war on neck bow. I feel like Warwicks are a particularly good fit for players that play with a heavy touch. I was mainly a DB guy, so I liked a bass that rewarded digging in. They tend to have a dark, complex tone that works for metal and jazz. I think they are among the most beautiful instruments, their designs definitely pull off that blend of modern and classic.

There's a surprising amount of variation in materials and construction over the years. So if you are buying used, you kind of have to become an amateur Warwick historian to know exactly what you are buying. Like many brands, the stuff they are making in Asia now is much better than it used to be, and the stuff made in Germany is more expensive.

 

[Gizmot]

I’ve had several German Warwicks and have enjoyed all of them quite a bit. I got my first one in 2005 and I thought the neck was a bit thick, but after a couple of weeks, it felt great and that feeling only improved with time. I think that Warwicks have a neck profile like that of an upright bass and it was very comfortable to play.