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The Warwick Workout...

Knavery

Knavery

Feb 24, 2004
1,691
1,773
Westminster, CO
#1
Ok... I've read a lot of posts about Warwicks being heavy, and I'm started to get confused. Could someone explain to me why people think this of Warwick basses? I have had three of them, and now own a Thumb NT, and I don't think it's heavy at all. For the size of it, yes, it is heavy, but the body is tiny.

Does anyone know if your standard Fender American Jazz is heavier or lighter than a Warwick Thumb? I swear both of my jazz basses are heavier, and when I pick up my Thumb, I feel like I can twirl the thing around.

Maybe I've just had heavy basses all my life, and have no idea what a light one feels like. And I honestly don't think I could tell a two pound difference.

Could someone explain what all this means? There's a lot of knowledeable people here, and I am astounded at the subtleties that many notice on the bass that I have yet to figure out. Thanks.
 
#3
I think it has more to do with balance than real weight. If a bass doesn't balance in a comfortable manner a lot of people will perceive that as being heavy because the weight is hanging off their shoulders or neck instead of being centered more in their back.
 
#4
Tash said:
I think it has more to do with balance than real weight. If a bass doesn't balance in a comfortable manner a lot of people will perceive that as being heavy because the weight is hanging off their shoulders or neck instead of being centered more in their back.
Click to expand...

Ah ok. So what people are referring to is the neck-dive of the Warwick? I haven't really noticed that much, but it could be due to the position I wear my bass, which is pretty high. If that's the case, I understand. I would guess that the Thumb would have considerable neck dive when you take into consideration the heavy neckwood and the small body.
 
#10
I have a corvette 5 that is quite heavy. This is the picking up weight too, not just the playing angle. Compared to my geddy jazz and my (strangely light for it's year) 78 Pbass, it is MUCH heavier. It is uncomfortable to play four hour gigs with, but I agree that it is the price you pay for that sound.
 
#12
Knavery said:
Ah ok. So what people are referring to is the neck-dive of the Warwick? I haven't really noticed that much, but it could be due to the position I wear my bass, which is pretty high. If that's the case, I understand. I would guess that the Thumb would have considerable neck dive when you take into consideration the heavy neckwood and the small body.
Click to expand...

You get it exactly. Thumbs bass are made to be straped quite high. People who prefer to wear their bass quite low would so find them neck diving.
Personnaly, I also wear my bass fairly high so Warwick have never cause me any problems.

Shiveringbass
 
#13
My Corvette 4-string is heavier than an alder-bodied 6-string Samick Fairlane I used to own...and the Fairlane had a larger and thicker body. Still, my Corvette doesn't really feel like it's weighing me down thanks to a fairly high strap height and a 3.9" wide padded strap. Still, I can't sling it about like this agathis-bodied Soundgear I keep at my parents' house. That bass is light, but it feels cheaply light. I like the dense feel of my Warwick. It feels solid, like a quality instrument rather than flimsy. Granted, it's possible for an instrument to be light without feeling flimsy, but prior to my 'wick, all I've played were cheapies.
 

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