spector vs warwick

[JimiLL]

I have both, a Euro 5 LX and a Thumb BO 5.

I prefer the warwick for sound and looks; both feel different but no one is "better" than the other.

Warwick sound is better to me, but the Spector is more diverse in its tonal applications

 

[GYang]

Warwick has distinct sound of W.
Spector is great bass.
If we talk about sonics of Thumb NT with Barts or Streamer SSII with Nordys/Villex vs. any Spector than in my book Warwick wins.

 

[ysand]

In other people's books it's exactly the opposite.

That's why these brands both survive

 

[grendle]

Apples to oranges. The NS design is shared but that's about it. They sound and play nothing alike. For me its spector. But I do want a NT thumb as well for what it does.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Apples to oranges. The NS design is shared but that's about it. They sound and play nothing alike. For me its spector. But I do want a NT thumb as well for what it does.

I'm not sure that "shared" is the right term, but yes...

I own a Spector, BTW...

 

[darkstorm]

They are both very well made. Even then new inexpensive performer basses I took a look at today. Cant really say one isn better then the other. Diff flavors due to pup types and diff fit. The spectors weigh less. But I wouldnt mind hearing a bubinga body spector with ovankol neck and wenge fretboard. Might even weigh a little less then the warwick corvette I used to have. Lol. I think a spector and a warwick could get along together well as a pair.

 

[seungkoo]

I love both with the Warwick with a slight edge

 

[pgolliher]

Probably the best answer... apart from DO A SEARCH!!!!
This topic has been done to death and it usually gets ugly once the hardcore spectorites show up

As for the designs:

Ned Steinberg designed the bass. Therefore it's the NS shape.
Stuart Spector started using it and eventually trademarked it.
An upcoming luthier, Hans Peter Wilfer started using a clearly NS-influenced shape.
Spector sued him for using Ned Steinberg's shape.
Warwick was forced to pay royalties for each bass and buy the licence.
Later, Kramer bought Spector. Warwick made the deal with Spector, and not Kramer, so they stopped paying. Kramer accepted that; however, some Spectorites still believe that's a ripoff.
End of story.
And for me, Warwick > spector. For you, only you know. Eyeryone has to decide for himself; though it can be easily seen that W has more diversity regarding shapes, body woods, p-up arrangements, etc
End of argument.

Thank you!

 

[grendle]

Yeah shared was a loose term LOL. They are totally different sound wise though, and actually compliment each other well IMO. The spector is more gutteral and even toned listen to early Alice in chains. The German Warwick's. Have a whole host of farts snorts, growls, sizzles and pops. Listen to mudvayne, he is one of the bassists who knows how to use those sounds well. The responce of the instrument from string to string is weird also and there's the hump in the neck thing too. Nothing else sounds like either though.

 

[yngwiewho1]

I'm a fan of the spector sound, I dont like the look nor feel of them. Every spector Ive played as bee neck heavy/body too light. So I go with Warwicks all the way, The only Warwick sound i dont like is that of the standard corvette.

haha a warwick fan talking about a heavy neck?? ever played a thumb? the neck dive on those is exponentially worse than my spector 6er

 

[KsPiNeSh]

haha a warwick fan talking about a heavy neck?? ever played a thumb? the neck dive on those is exponentially worse than my spector 6er

Owned and gigged my Thumb NT5 for almost 2 years and it hung about the same as my NS-5XL.

 

[dudelove]

i pick the original in this case
spector came before warwick and warwick became copy, like many others for p and j basses are to be copy for fender

 

[Kwesi]

i pick the original in this case
spector came before warwick and warwick became copy, like many others for p and j basses are to be copy for fender

Massive oversimplification. The only basses between the Warwick and Spector lines that sound close are the 4 string SS1s and the older (all maple) Spector Euros. And even there there are some pretty big differences. The SS1s has a more flat sound with a more open low end whereas the Euros are brighter, with a more "sparkly" top end and more pronounced in the mids and upper mids.

I suggest the OP try them both and if he doesn't have that option just flip a coin.

 

[Webtroll]

Comparing basses I owned, a Spector Euro 5 with EMG soap bars (I think sold it years ago) and a Warwick LX5 with MEC Js. Both full active. The Spector and Warwick weighted about the same but the Warwick neck felt more comfortable, maybe the unfinished wenge neck? Tone wise the Warwick had loads more growl which I prefer, the tone reminded me of my old P with EMG PJs. Both were great basses, but I sold the Spector and bought another LX5. Despite that I don't look down on Spectors and have considered buying another one (probably a Rebop, I'm thinking I may like bolt necks better).

 

[GYang]

Assuming both basses as being equally great, IMHO Thumb inherits more character and distinctive sounds what might be good or not depending on preferences.

 

[TheWeepingSparrow]

I saw a 1987 Spector NS 2 with EMG active pups on it for about 7 hundo and I think I have fallen in love... but for some reason I believed it was a Warwick until I got home and recalled that the Truss Rod Cover said Spector on it.... and the Logo wasn't a W.... and then I wondered who ripped off who.... and since it looks like Warwick ripped off Spector, they almost stole the logo design as well.... and that makes me want that Spector even if I have to sell the rest of my screech machine guitar gear to procure it! (I'm frugal. Nice to meat ewe.)

 

[Jazzcat]

4 year resurrection of a 10 year old thread. Nice.

 

[TheWeepingSparrow]

I just typed in Warwick vs Spector and my new favorite site gave me this thread to post in. IT IS ACCOMPLISHED!!!

 

[Jazzcat]

As is should be. Welcome to TB.

 

[TheWeepingSparrow]

*see avatar*