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Warrior Club Part 2

#401
rodneyat said:
Let it settle in for a few days before you go crazy. Make any simple truss rod tweaks you need to today if the neck is not straight. And/or bring the saddles up. It's winter time and these instruments go through a lot in shipping. Warrior guitars and basses do have some of the thinnest and fastest necks I have ever seen on a bass. The other side of that..the necks probably move more than some other basses. Let it settle in to your environment. If you live in a cold environment and have the heat running a lot. You probably need to get some moisture back in the bass. Leave it IN the case with a humidifier for a couple of days. And take it from there.
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I will put it in the bathroom (a trick I learned with my old upright bass)...but this instrument traveled on a truck from North of Atlanta to south of Charlote (i.e. not very far) over a 2 day period...in warm weather and sat for a day while I was out of town...I will try to adjust it...but it is going to need a lot more than a few tweaks.
 
#402
jscottmsc said:
I will put it in the bathroom (a trick I learned with my old upright bass)...but this instrument traveled on a truck from North of Atlanta to south of Charlote (i.e. not very far) over a 2 day period...in warm weather and sat for a day while I was out of town...I will try to adjust it...but it is going to need a lot more than a few tweaks.
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I know the area well. I live in Atlanta, btw. :) There is definitely validity to your statement. In theory, it should have not gone through much environmental change. But, you never know. Worst case, you call JD and see what he says.
 
#403
lsu921 said:
Yes, that was the Warrior I returned. Two of the frets popped up in transit (JD said it left the shop perfect). Wenge is very oily, so what I think happened is the glue stuck to the fret but not the board. JD says it was a 15 minute fix, and it's good to go. My tech thought there was a hump on the treble side of the fretboard, but JD did not. Can't positively tell you who's right there..

I've owned all the Warrior pickup configs, and the XJ55's are my favorite.

I think the XJ55's will get you the most clarity of all the Warrior pickup options.

Hope that helps.
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After a few days with the bass LSU returned to Warrior...

+1 on the J/J p/up config for clarity
+1 on the tone of the Swamp Ash body
+1 on the Sparkle Circuit "tink" sound
+1 on the frets popped up
+1 on the Bass going back to Warrior

Now that my Luthier has looked at this instrument...he had the following comments.
1.) Buzz between frets 1-4 on the G string (is this the High Spot?...LSU's Luthier suspected?) of the fingerboard ...I did not tell my Luthier about LSU's comments here on talkbass.
2.) Frets - are a mess...really not acceptable for this level of instrument
A.) many sharp fret ends on the treble side...some were cut-off too short
B.) you can put your fingernail under at least six of the frets (that is how far up they are)
C.) 24th fret is really bad
i.) rework on this fret is sloppy with glue on the fingerboard and hammer marks on the bass side on the side of the fingerboard
ii.) E an A strings buzz on the 24th fret when you play a fingered note on either of those strings...it is definitely popped up on the bass side...and has a very sharp exposed fret end on the treble side.

After going over it with the Luthier...I am not sure I would be comfortable getting this bass back with just a few of the frets reworked.

My Luthier said to really make this bass right...the frets should be removed, the fingerboard rechecked on the jig, and then new frets put on and done correctly.

All that said...this bass sounds great and the fit and finish (except for the frets) is very good. Also, I do hear the "tink" attributed to the "Sparkle" circuit.

All said this one goes back...and until we work something out I would say I am back in the market. :hmm:
 
#406
I would like to say I'm surprised by this, but I'm not. Honestly, I was shocked that you bought it after hearing I had issues with it. My guy told me there was a hump in the treble side from 10-14 and 17-21 or so (I can't remember exactly). When we thought it was as simple as a fret popping up he was going to fix it, but once he saw what was really going on and that it was a new instrument he suggested JD defret/plane/refret. JD said it wasn't that bad, but I trust my guy. He's toured the world with Metallica, Madonna, Shania, Kenny Loggins, etc. He's unbiased, and really knows his stuff.

Out of curiosity is JD refunding you? I know my do-over bass better be tip-top when it arrives in a few weeks, or I'll be asking for my money back. These basses are too expensive to show up with issues like this. I can't for the life of me understand how he lets stuff like this leave.

I will say this bass was the only one of four new ones that I bought from him that had any issues. The others were top notch, and on par with anything I've owned. I was starting to think he had turned the corner, and maybe he has.. Maybe this one bass is an anomaly; or at least that's what I'm hoping.
 
#408
Vic said:
Sorry, but with this many strikes, logic dictates there's a bigger problem to be solved.
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I agree. I really thought he had put the old Warrior ways behind him based on the previous three I bought, but to let that bass leave twice in that condition is both inexcusable and indefensible. We need one of those butt spanking smilies like they have on the LSU football forum I frequent.
 
#409
lsu921 said:
I would like to say I'm surprised by this, but I'm not. Honestly, I was shocked that you bought it after hearing I had issues with it. My guy told me there was a hump in the treble side from 10-14 and 17-21 or so (I can't remember exactly). When we thought it was as simple as a fret popping up he was going to fix it, but once he saw what was really going on and that it was a new instrument he suggested JD defret/plane/refret. JD said it wasn't that bad, but I trust my guy. He's toured the world with Metallica, Madonna, Shania, Kenny Loggins, etc. He's unbiased, and really knows his stuff.

Out of curiosity is JD refunding you? I know my do-over bass better be tip-top when it arrives in a few weeks, or I'll be asking for my money back. These basses are too expensive to show up with issues like this. I can't for the life of me understand how he lets stuff like this leave.

I will say this bass was the only one of four new ones that I bought from him that had any issues. The others were top notch, and on par with anything I've owned. I was starting to think he had turned the corner, and maybe he has.. Maybe this one bass is anomaly; or at least that's what I'm hoping.
Click to expand...

My guy had the same comments as your guy (and I did not tell my guy anything about your guy's comments.) My guy suggested the same repairs / redo.

JD said he would - defret/re-radius (plane) the fret board and then refret and make it perfect. He said in hindsight he should have used acetone to clean and prepare the fingerboard to receive the glue on the frets. So I will re-evaluate this bass when it comes back. I figure that (not asking for a refund) should by me some Goodwill in case I want to ask for a little something extra.

I suspect that the "fast-track" rush did not help...along with the fact that he is trying to complete several instruments before he leaves this Wed for the Orlando Show. I can tell that the instrument was perfect up to the point that the frets were done.
 
#410
I will add this positive note...

If he truly gets it right, and (IMHO) if you pull that Sparkle circuit out, you should prepare to go through some underwear when you plug it in and play it. My Nitti is a fantastic bass. I don't have any plans to ever sell it.

Full disclosure tho... ironically, it also has a very minor fret level issue, but it truly is very minor, and hasn't changed in the entire time I've had it. So while it's enough that I will get it dealt with someday, it's not enough to make it a short term priority.
 
#411
jscottmsc said:
My guy had the same comments as your guy (and I did not tell my guy anything about your guy's comments.) My guy suggested the same repairs / redo.

JD said he would - defret/re-radius (plane) the fret board and then refret and make it perfect. He said in hindsight he should have used acetone to clean and prepare the fingerboard to receive the glue on the frets. So I will re-evaluate this bass when it comes back. I figure that (not asking for a refund) should by me some Goodwill in case I want to ask for a little something extra.

I suspect that the "fast-track" rush did not help...along with the fact that he is trying to complete several instruments before he leaves this Wed for the Orlando Show. I can tell that the instrument was perfect up to the point that the frets were done.
Click to expand...

I'm glad you're willing to give him the chance to make it right. Too bad he didn't do this when I sent it back, and save everyone some time. Hindsight is 20/20 as they say, and I'm sure he regrets trying to build that bass so fast for me. I've told him to take his time with my new one. ;)

Vic said:
I will add this positive note...

If he truly gets it right, and (IMHO) if you pull that Sparkle circuit out, you should prepare to go through some underwear when you plug it in and play it. My Nitti is a fantastic bass. I don't have any plans to ever sell it.

Full disclosure tho... ironically, it also has a very minor fret level issue, but it truly is very minor, and hasn't changed in the entire time I've had it. So while it's enough that I will get it dealt with someday, it's not enough to make it a short term priority.
Click to expand...

I never noticed that Vic, but I only had that bass for about a week. I think it made it to one practice and that was it.
 
#412
One a positive (for me) note, here's the neck for my new build (getting FRETS coincidentally!).

gettingfrets.jpg


..and on another positve note (for me again). :D

I bought this today. I had an AN6 a few years ago, and it was the best playing 6 I've ever touched. Now, many of you know my track record of keeping basses (6's are usually in/out in record time), so I doubt this one is a long term toy but I will enjoy it for now. I'm going to have the sparkle circuit removed from it once it gets here. Buckeye Burl is either love/hate with me, and this is one of those tops that I love. Also, the alder and soaps should be a nice little changeup from my usual JJ/Ash fetish.

222063c9.jpg
 
#416
Want some opinions. I am thinking about another warrior build. these are my thoughts.

body-swamp ash with a walnut cap

neck-wenge or rosewood

fingerboard-ebony or ?

pickups-carboy-jazz or stacked singles?

I play difficultly and like low end

current warrior is swamp ash with maple neck, birdseye fingerboard, bacote inlays. sounds good.

recently bought, great fit and finish no issues (providing some positive to LSU's recent return)

I am very happy with the bass-(potentially)a former higher end warwick player
 
#417
brotherbassj said:
Want some opinions. I am thinking about another warrior build. these are my thoughts.

body-swamp ash with a walnut cap

neck-wenge or rosewood

fingerboard-ebony or ?

pickups-carboy-jazz or stacked singles?

I play difficultly and like low end

current warrior is swamp ash with maple neck, birdseye fingerboard, bacote inlays. sounds good.

recently bought, great fit and finish no issues (providing some positive to LSU's recent return)

I am very happy with the bass-(potentially)a former higher end warwick player
Click to expand...

In 3-5 weeks I'll have my new bass, which is almost the exact same specs.

Swamp Ash Body w Burl Walnut Top
Wenge/PH/Wenge Neck
Gaboon Ebony Board
X55 JJ's

I'll let you know how I like it. I expect the fit and finish to be like my previous three (before the burl maple debacle), and the tone should be fantastic. The new preamp seems to have more bottom.
 
#418
lsu921 said:
I expect the fit and finish to be like my previous three (before the burl maple debacle), and the tone should be fantastic. The new preamp seems to have more bottom.
Click to expand...

+1 on the combination of woods with the XJ55's

I am hoping the Burl Maple will be returned with "perfect fit and finish" as well. I played it for about 11 hours before I sent it back (string buzz everywhere) but other than that it sounded great.

Low "B" was really strong...much stronger than my MTD 535.
 
#419
lsu921 said:
I bought this today...I'm going to have the sparkle circuit removed from it once it gets here.

Also, the alder and soaps should be a nice little changeup from my usual JJ/Ash fetish.
Click to expand...

Before you remove the Sparkle circuit could you describe the differences (tone) between this bass and your typical Warrior bass configuration.

Also, previously in this thread, we had discussed that the Sparkle circuit may be included specifically to improve the tone and high end of the soap bar pickups (and not really needed for the XJ55's)...something to consider on this instrument.
 

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