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The Official Warwick Club (Part 6)

#1,561
That makes sense. I"ve never had a bass with this configuration. So the tone pots range from bright to full bass, unlike separate ones in an active bass.

Still think one of the pots isn't working correctly, but it could just be very subtle and I'm not hearing it.
 
#1,564
OldSchool50 said:
Fortress one question.

I just picked up a 1994 Warwick Fortress one and trying to get a handle on the electronics. Does anyone have on from that era that that could post of photo of the preamp, innards. Mine if active, very clear but no push/pull pot for active passive. Doesn't seem to have the passive option. The schematics on Warwick site show three different configurations, passsive/active, active/passive and passive/passive. Mine doesn't seem to be any of the above so I wonder if the preamp was changed at some point. So I"m hoping to see what an original looks like.

Also the bass control doesn't seem to work and a wire inside is definitely creating a crackling sound when moved. Could be a pot or a short, but I'm assuming the controls are Neck pu, bridge pu, separate tone and bass controls.
Here are photos of the controls . The control nearest the input jack and bridge at the more rear of the bass is the one not working.
Also pic of the control cavity and preamp. Thanks for any helpView attachment 962331 View attachment 962332
Click to expand...
Strictly a guess on my part but I'd guess either vol, vol, tone, tone or vol, blend, tone, tone. I'm not seeing any preamp guts in there. If the bass has EMG pickups or some other brand of active pup that would explain the battery. Which would also mean you have an Active pup Passive bass.

It looks like all the wires are connected so try replacing the battery first. Then turn the pot marked V all the way off. Now turn the pot nearest the bridge pup all the way on. If you don't get any sound when you play the bass you have a vol/blend set up. If you do get sound you have a vol/vol set up. Next put the pot marked V at the mid point and do the same for the pot nearest the bridge pup. Turn the other two knobs all the way off. If they are tone knobs you'll either have a very bright tone with lots of top end or a very dull tone with no top end.
 
#1,565
Like the other said :
That is a passive control board. You have two volumes and two tone pot (I don't see a double pot for blend, so I'm really thinking VVTT). Each tone pot has it's own capacitor (beige disc and green thingy).
Although it looks fairly well done, I'm curious about the capacitors value. If you ever had a Passive P-Bass, you have the same controls here, but for each pickup.
EMG's are active piclup, so they do require a battery.
You can easily find an EMG BTC system that will be easy to install and give you full control, and bass/treble boost/cut.
 
#1,566
Looks like I'll be officially in the Official Warwick Owner's Club in short order!

My mint condition bubinga 2010 6-string Corvette Pro should be on the way to me in the next day or so. I have lusted after a Warwick for years, but I have never even had my hands on one, being relegated instead to Yamaha, Ibanez, Dean, Schecter, etc. in the areas in which I have lived. To this point in my playing career my Ibanez SR506 is far and away the nicest bass I have ever owned.

Don't get me wrong - I love my Ibby and it's a great bass for the money, but I am *really* stoked about the Warwick. It has just had a brass Just-A-Nut installed and a fret dress, so it should be good to go for some time.

This is my Grail Bass - I won't say I'll never buy another bass (as though I think anyone on here would believe that kind of a load of crap anyway), but I will say it is going to take a *really* special instrument to get me to purchase another bass after finally scoring a Warwick.

----------------
BritFunk (Kurt)
 
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#1,567
BritFunk said:
Looks like I'll be officially in the Official Warwick Owner's Club in short order!

My mint condition bubinga 2010 6-string Corvette Pro should be on the way to me in the next day or so. I have lusted after a Warwick for years, but I have never even had my hands on one, being relegated instead to Yamaha, Ibanez, Dean, Schecter, etc. in the areas in which I have lived. To this point in my playing career my Ibanez SR506 is far and away the nicest bass I have ever owned.

Don't get me wrong - I love my Ibby and it's a great bass for the money, but I am *really* stoked about the Warwick. It has just had a brass Just-A-Nut installed and a fret dress, so it should be good to go for some time.

This my Grail Bass - I won't say I'll never buy another bass (as though I think anyone on here would believe that kind of a load of crap anyway), but I will say it is going to take a *really* special instrument to get me to purchase another bass after finally scoring a Warwick.

----------------
BritFunk (Kurt)
Click to expand...
Congrats on the NWD! And welcome to the club! We love to see new acquisition pictures as well. :thumbsup:
PS - I'm going to bet this won't be the last Warwick you buy. ;)
 
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#1,569
My Friends,

My first Warwick arrived last night, and after a quick clean up, string change and setup she growls menacingly!

FB_IMG_1476233410534_zpsbzotwwmd.jpg


BritFunk (Kurt)
 
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#1,574
I played / owned a 1994 Warwick Fortress One 5-string for about 8 years. On mine, w/4 knobs. Far left knob is push/pull active/passive. Second knob is balance. Third is treble and fourth is bass. However, the control/battery compartment in mine was absolutely crammed with electronics. Yours is almost empty. Yours has EMG. I'm making a guess here that yours is passive only. Does the volume knob pull up/push down? If not, yours is passive only. Mine had 5 ply wenge neck and fingerboard, and an ash body. Loved mine, but my new Corvette $$ ovangkol/wenge/ash bass is sooooo much more than the Fortress.
 
#1,575
OldSchool50 said:
I just picked up a 1994 Warwick Fortress one and trying to get a handle on the electronics. Does anyone have on from that era that that could post of photo of the preamp, innards. Mine if active, very clear but no push/pull pot for active passive. Doesn't seem to have the passive option. The schematics on Warwick site show three different configurations, passsive/active, active/passive and passive/passive. Mine doesn't seem to be any of the above so I wonder if the preamp was changed at some point. So I"m hoping to see what an original looks like.
Click to expand...

Warwick - electronics.jpg


Here is a photo of the inside of a 1994 Warwick Fortress One with active/passive MEC gold pick-ups. Note the battery. Since yours doesn't have the battery it's passive. Which can still sound pretty aggressive on this bass. On the passive/active models, active gives you the bass and treble options using the knobs - in passive on the same bass all you get it volume and balance. Not sure how yours is set up but possible the passive just removes the treble and bass tone controls from the mix. Not sure as I never knew Warwick had a passive Fortress One. Still a good bass.
 
#1,577
Bassoballs said:
View attachment 973966 ... Amazing bass.
Click to expand...
Beyond amazing - it's beautiful!
Might just be the way the picture was taken but when you get a chance get some oil on that fingerboard.
Love my Warwicks but of all my basses they are the ones that require the most regular care and upkeep. Mostly due to the types of wood and finishes they use on many of their basses. But no complaint here, those woods are what make Warwick unique in sound and looks.
 
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#1,580
GBassNorth said:
Beyond amazing - it's beautiful!
Might just be the way the picture was taken but when you get a chance get some oil on that fingerboard.
Love my Warwicks but of all my basses they are the ones that require the most regular care and upkeep. Mostly due to the types of wood and finishes they use on many of their basses. But no complaint here, those woods are what make Warwick unique in sound and looks.
Click to expand...
The bass was absolutely filthy when I got it. The fingerboard had so much crud buildup that the open pores in the wenge were filled. I believe I took that picture after its initial cleanup but rest assured I've kept up on oiling the board and waxing the body.
 
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