• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Should i be gassing for a Warwick?

#21
Funny, I was in this situation just last year and went for it. I bought a Warwick Streamer LX 4 SE Redwood. It was pretty cool, loved the bass for a while since it was stunning but the novelty wore off really quickly.
The bass felt awkward and kind of clumsy. It balanced OK but something just always felt "off" about it. It was also a total pain in the ass to setup properly. The adjustable bridge height, nut height, etc. is IMO just a gimmick and leads to far too many potential adjustments in an otherwise simple process. Frustrated, I took it to a luthier but even after that it still didn't feel right to me. Then to add insult to injury, you have to lovingly polish it with beeswax so the one good thing about it doesn't get ruined. I would not buy another one based on my experience, and I really wanted to love it. You may really like it, but definitely try it before you buy it.

I replaced it with a Fender American Vintage 75 Jazz bass, and I couldn't be happier with it. For a company that "sucks" now, they sure know how to build a good quality instrument. I actually get to play this bass, instead of wondering why it feels so awkward to play and remeasuring things time and time again.
 
#22
Other than the thumb bass I haven't played a Warwick that has neck dive.

I love my Warwicks they seem to fit me just right. And my active Corvette seems to get any tone I am looking for. It cops a pretty good pbass tone using neck pickup only and jazz tone on steroids with both on.

But that's my opinion. :D
 
#23
Very cool guys... and as helpful as a forum could be.

corvette seems to be the stereotypical ww tone for cheap... but every ww model on my local CL is between 99 and 07 so likely the thick neck.

Thing is.... what IS thick? I played a fender precision in the 80s for 5 years and adored it. Is it chunky like that or is it chunky like a classical guitar or....

P chunky is fine. Carvin thin is awesome but not a requirement.

Uber thick might suck.
 
#25
For what it's worth, the neck on my Warwick was not thick at-all. A little wider than most maybe, but it was pretty easy to get used to and this is coming from an Ibanez SR500. I still have the Ibanez though.
 
#26
If you like the Streamer style, check out a Spector Euro. They are the "original" Streamer. Euros are half the cost if not less. Easily comparable construction. Plus they are not boat anchors like every experience I have had with ANY Warwick.
 
#27
GlassOnion said:
If you like the Streamer style, check out a Spector Euro. They are the "original" Streamer. Euros are half the cost if not less. Easily comparable construction. Plus they are not boat anchors like every experience I have had with ANY Warwick.
Click to expand...

I would but am only looking in local used ads and vancouver canada isnt the most spector-prevalent town....

Leaning to either lx5 or jazzman 5 ... both streamers. Does one cop thumb/vette tone better than other?

Maple body versus maple top only....
 
#28
dkelley said:
I would but am only looking in local used ads and vancouver canada isnt the most spector-prevalent town....

Leaning to either lx5 or jazzman 5 ... both streamers. Does one cop thumb/vette tone better than other?

Maple body versus maple top only....
Click to expand...


Oh man that is a bummer. You are opposed to getting an instrument shipped to you?
I would say its all relative when it comes to tone. Warwicks are famous for certain said growl but once you step into different pickup configs and more importantly strings, the tones will vary from each instrument.
 
#29
dkelley said:
I would but am only looking in local used ads and vancouver canada isnt the most spector-prevalent town....

Leaning to either lx5 or jazzman 5 ... both streamers. Does one cop thumb/vette tone better than other?

Maple body versus maple top only....
Click to expand...

Thumb will sound completely unique than just about anything else out there. Corvette has a unique tone as well, but not quite as much.

Between LX and Jazzman, I can tell you the LX's I've had were super growly. Awesome tone (and neither were boat anchors. The LX 4 was a little too light for me even). I haven't played a Streamer Jazzman, but from what I've heard, they can still get that growl, but also several other tones. I do have a P-Nut which has jazzman pups, and it sounds killer and I love the pickups. But different woods and construction doesn't lend itself to a head to head comparison.
 
#30
dkelley said:
Thing is.... what IS thick? I played a fender precision in the 80s for 5 years and adored it. Is it chunky like that or is it chunky like a classical guitar or....

P chunky is fine. Carvin thin is awesome but not a requirement.

Uber thick might suck.
Click to expand...

i bought my first wick, a darklord vampyre BO 2007, sight unseen. before that, i got used to playing a Greco Jbass and a Yamaha BB604 (ibanez SR style neck, very thin) ... the darklord supposedly has a thick neck, but i never felt a drastic change in playing comfort. it felt natural.

now, i cannot say the same thing for my 1979 pre-EB stingray, and that 60's specs Pbass i got to jam on, along with an ibanez BTB i tried in a store. those bass necks made me not wanna play.

-*-

as much as i love wicks, i have to agree that the adjustable bridge is an annoying gimmick ... the adjustable nut though, while a pain, i found to be useful, cause i find myself wishing my fender Pbass and my Stingray 30th anniv had them.

there are some finishes that dont require you to wax the bodies; satin and high polish.

and finally, i also wont go for a corvette. i find it too bland. i'd go for a streamer LX though, but given a choice between it and a euro spector NS, i would go for the spector
 
#31
I disagree that the bridge is a gimmick. I love the adjustability. Adjustable string spacing is awesome (I push mine out to maximize the distance), adjusting individual string height is easy, as well is adjusting intonation. Best of all, when I want to adjust the setup quickly, I can raise or lower the whole bridge, maintaining the radius, and making it extremely simple during tweaks. The adjustable nut is great too, but once it's set I rarely move that one. It may take a few extra minutes up front, but saves me time after that over and over again (but I don't change string brands often, and almost never change gauge or style of string, so I'm not changing to exposed core which requires a full reset)
 
#32
The Streamer Stage 1 5 NT Wide I had was great with DR Lo-Riders, and was a great bass for church or would be good in a metal context. I had no lack of low end whatsoever, and the B was superlative. It was a heavy bass, and I used a Comfort Strap to handle the weight.

Haven't played much at church recently, and am now playing with my original band again (classic rock), so I sold the 'Wick and picked up a RW P and J. I have a feeling I'm gonna miss that bass ...

Really depends on what you want it for. For modern tone, metal, or church, it's a perfect fit, if you don't mind the weight. The tone is like a growly piano, if there were such a beast.
 
Last edited:
#33
I've had a Warwick for 10 years and have never regretted buying it. I love the chunky neck - once you get used to it. I have 3-band EQ and it provides tons of sonic flexibility. The workmanship is phenomenal.
If I was buying a cost-no-object bass, a Warwick Infinity would be mine.
Oh - my bass has no neck dive tendencies.
 
#35
I owned 5 or 6 WW's
they can be heavy
they generally have their own sound
they are well made
the older the better.
NT is in another league than BO.
the one thing that bugged me about all of them was the 20 inch FB radius; they felt nearly flat and I like some curvature.
but they sure make some beauties don't they?
 
#37
I have a German Thumb bolt-on. And some other fine basses.
YES, you should be gassin' for a Warwick. In particular, the German-made basses are tops. Take a look at the Warwick Custom shop builds, then bemoan not having enough $$ to order a couple, I do (bemoan that I don't have the bucks, I mean!:laugh:)
 
#38
The lx5 here is modded.... bart pre with switchable mid eq and aftermarket pickups. Owner doesnt know what pups are but they are exposed pole and dont quite perfectly line up with string spacing (which doesnt look like a problem). Asking a firm grand. 2003 model. Price seems good to me.... mildly concerned bout the unidentified pups tho. Will try it asap and see.
 
#40
Some Warwicks have slimmer necks than others. There was a certain year range where the necks were thicker in the mid 2000's. Maybe another member can chime in with the exact dates.

I've owned 5 warwicks. They are incredible instruments. Only consider the German built models.

shameless plug: I have a 2002 Corvette Standard for sale in the classifieds ;)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back