Streamer Jazzman tones from Warmoth build?

[MikeyB]

So, I got to thinking about a Warmoth build that would emulate a Warwick Streamer Jazzman tone-wise. Here's what I'm thinking for starters:

• Wenge neck
• Wenge fingerboard
• Ash body, flame maple top
• MM and J routes made at correct location & orientation
• MEC pickups
• Preamp -?

How far off 'can' it be? (I know! loaded question!)

Anyway... thoughts?

Thanks, -Mike

 

[cjmodulus]

Seeing as how warwick puts so much emphasis on the woods they use, my guess is that it'll sound pretty similar. I'm curious to see how it will turn out (if you decide to build it).

 

[Darkstrike]

Add in a MEC pre-amp, can't see it being wildly different.


Can even pick up a Just-A-Nut for it easily enough.

 

[Musiclogic]

Should be in the neighborhood

 

[MikeyB]

So, for you luthiers, how would you rank the importance of:

• Neck Shaft
• Fingerboard
• Body Wood

...to the tone?

 

[vibhas_2310]

Just a thought . I know many people are not happy with the MEC pickups and preamp . try and search different pickups and preamp and various combinations u can use . Personally I like Bartolini, Aguitar and Nordstrand preamps and also like Bartolini and Nordstrand pickups .

Some of the combinations that are popular are :

Barotilini Pickups + bartolni Preamps
Bart pups + Aggie pre
Nord pups + Aggie Pre
Nord pups + Nord pre

For some reason many people hate Nord pups + Bart pre

Also, one of the things to consider is the quality of wood . Warwick uses some unbelievable wood . So talk to warmoth and get a nice piece .

Another thing about the combination u have mentioned is that will be a VERY VERY neck heavy bass . So be prepared for that .

Good luck !! and keep us posted on what u do !!

Cheers !!

 

[MikeyB]

Thanks for the info. and yep, I'll keep TB posted if I take the plunge!

For looks, I love this combo that I saw in Warmoth's gallery... very classy.

I'm wondering how much an ebony fingerboard vs. the wenge would affect tone. I probably won't do that though... I think a lot of magic is in the wenge!

 

[Musiclogic]

The sound of a warwick is the MEC pickups and electronics, and the wenge FB is also a contributor. You can use different electronics, but think of it like this. Warwick uses MEC and you want the Warwick sound. It's about what YOU want and not what someone elses opinion of that sound is, they don't matter unless you base everything in life on others opinion.

 

[MikeyB]

The sound of a warwick is the MEC pickups and electronics, and the wenge FB is also a contributor. You can use different electronics, but think of it like this. Warwick uses MEC and you want the Warwick sound. It's about what YOU want and not what someone elses opinion of that sound is, they don't matter unless you base everything in life on others opinion.

I am planning on the MEC electronics. Flirted with a different preamp, but am planning to stick with the MEC for the initial build at least.

What's your thoughts on switching the wenge fingerboard to ebony? Drastic tone change? I prefer the look of the ebony FB, but won't sacrifice that growly tone for looks.

Thanks,
-M

 

[Darkstrike]

Warwick fretless axes use ebony, and growl like heck, but that may be a different story, I'm fairly sure they've done ebony fretted ones too though.

 

[Musiclogic]

The ebony will add some snappiness, or attack and may be audible. Wenge is visually more appealing, Macassar Ebony would be closer in sound than Gabon or Madagascar ebony. From my experience

 

[MikeyB]

So, we see both wenge and ebony on Warwick fingerboards, and various dense african woods and ash for the bodies.

Warwick's all have a similar compress growliness too them - does this come from the wenge neck? (or ovangkol?)

 

[Darkstrike]

I'd assume it's a combo of wenge & MEC.

 

[Beej]

Considering I've A/B'd Warwicks and Rockbasses with folks listening outside the room and no-one could tell the difference, I'd say its more MEC than anything...