Warwick 5 string – what should I consider?

[basslifter]

Generally speaking, this is what am I looking for:
5 string
34" scale
No super-wide string spacing
tight low B, yet smooth high G
Build Quality
9.5 lbs or less
Around $1500-$1700 max
Nice "feel"... easy player
Balances well
Active or Active/Passive


I must confess that I am not well versed in all things Warwick. I tried a couple of Rockbasses a few years ago before they underwent their last design change, so I realize that experience may not be a fair comparison to the present day.

The Corvette 5, Streamer LX, and Fortress 5 all appear very similar to me. I could be happy paying less for a rockbass if there is something significantly attractive there. Was there a Pro Series at one time that was made in Korea, but now it’s gone? Do dealers still have these models? What about the “German Pro Series”? Some of these look pretty good but they also get pretty pricey as compared to other manufacturers such as Fender, G&L, and Ibanez. Is there any certain model that you think would best might my goals above?

Should I be bothered by the lack of a mid-control on most of these models? My G&L L2500 does not have one and I don’t miss it a bit as it is very mid-focused.
Oh, and the selection of basses to try in my area is verrry limited, if you are not interested in Fender, Ibanez or Musicman

Thanks!

 

[bass12]

What is it about Warwick in particular that attracts you?

 

[GBassNorth]

Mid 1990's Warwick Thumb Bolt On 5 string is the bomb! Potential neck dive and ergonomics (long reach to first position) are the big draw backs of this bass but in my mind are far outweighed by the phenomenal sound the bass produces. Very unique and useable tones which work great in classic rock, hard rock and alternative rock settings.

The streamer is ok but if I were going that way I'd check out Spector basses as well, which I think have a lot more to offer at better prices. The Corvette $$ would be my second choice after the Thumb bass either in fretted or fretless variety.

Regardless of which Warwick you buy, I think the best deals are the used mint condition 1990's German made basses. Most of which will run in the $700 to $1500 bracket depending on the model, features and condition.

 

[bass12]

Mid 1990's Warwick Thumb Bolt On 5 string is the bomb! Potential neck dive and ergonomics (long reach to first position) are the big draw backs of this bass but in my mind are far outweighed by the phenomenal sound the bass produces. Very unique and useable tones which work great in classic rock, hard rock and alternative rock settings.

The streamer is ok but if I were going that way I'd check out Spector basses as well, which I think have a lot more to offer at better prices. The Corvette $$ would be my second choice after the Thumb bass either in fretted or fretless variety.

Regardless of which Warwick you buy, I think the best deals are the used mint condition 1990's German made basses. Most of which will run in the $700 to $1500 bracket depending on the model, features and condition.

Classic rock? Really? I always found that my Thumb was lacking the fat roundness that I would associate with classic rock. Same thing for the Streamer I owned. Perfect for fusion or styles where you want a fairly narrow sonic spectrum with lots of clarity and punch though. I probably would have kept my Thumb BO if it wasn't so ergonomically unfriendly...

 

[GBassNorth]

Classic rock? Really? I always found that my Thumb was lacking the fat roundness that I would associate with classic rock. Same thing for the Streamer I owned. Perfect for fusion or styles where you want a fairly narrow sonic spectrum with lots of clarity and punch though. I probably would have kept my Thumb BO if it wasn't so ergonomically unfriendly...

Yeah, I've found mine to be very string sensitive. I run low beams (or maybe its sunbeams, can't ever keep straight which is which) on it and favor the neck PU at about 80/20 along with the bass knob all the way up and treb less than half. Plenty of thick round fatness in that setup, then just bump up the bridge PU for more growl and midrange. Also I think the BO5 has a different PU layout than the 4 string IIRC, so that might also make a difference. Regardless, the ergonomics on these things (and Corvettes for that matter) can be deal breakers for many people.

 

[Lesfunk]

Stingray 5

 

[joebar]

for that price range you will likely be limited to BO's.
however , there is a tremendous difference in WW's regarding NT or BO. the NT's are a wonderful creature but can be heavy too
a WW under 9.5 lbs is out there but are harder to find.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I have no idea what would work for you, but I can share my Warwick experience. I've owned a Streamer Pro M, an active bubinga Corvette, a Fortress Flashback, Fortress One, and a Streamer Jazzman. The only one of those basses that didn't have a wenge neck was the Jazzman. I much prefer the wenge necks as I believe they have a lot to do with the Warwick "growl" that people often (or used to) speak of. There was a certain growling characteristic that was in all but the Jazzman.

All my Warwicks had great action and feel. Ergonomically, the streamers fit my body best. Weight wise, the Corvette and the Flashbacks were back breakers. The Corvette was hands down the deepest sounding bass I ever owned. I had the opportunity to A/B it with a bunch of other Warwicks at Rudy's Music in NY way back when that was possible with an awesome dude who used to work there. After buying and gigging it though, I felt all it had was tons of boom and sizzle. It was difficult for me to get that bass to fit right in a band mix. I desperately wished it had a mid control. Long story short, I got rid of all my Warwicks except for the Fortress One. I liked the weight, the balance, the versatility, and the sound the best on that. It sits in the mix of the bands I play in the best, with just the right highs, lows, mids and growl that I want. Only thing I'm not crazy about with that bass is the color . It's honey violin. I should really get it painted. Ironic thing about the fortress also is it cost me way less than any of the others. I scored it on Ebay for $420, which is completely insane nowadays. I got lucky cuz it was a while back before Warwick was as popular as they are now. The seller seemed a little iffy and flaky, too, but I asked enough questions to feel safe buying.

 

[bass12]

for that price range you will likely be limited to BO's.
however , there is a tremendous difference in WW's regarding NT or BO. the NT's are a wonderful creature but can be heavy too
a WW under 9.5 lbs is out there but are harder to find.

It's important to keep in mind that neck-throughs are in no way "better" than bolt-ons. I owned two Warwick neck-throughs and neither of them was as well built or sounded as even, clear and focused as my bolt-on Thumb.

 

[GBassNorth]

It's important to keep in mind that neck-throughs are in no way "better" than bolt-ons. I owned two Warwick neck-throughs and neither of them was as well built or sounded as even, clear and focused as my bolt-on Thumb.

This!
I currently have both a Thumb BO5 and a Custom Shop NT Vampyre 5. The Vampyre runs about two or three times the cost of the BO Thumb and to be quite honest really doesn't have much better sound. They both sound fantastic but the bang for the buck is really in a 1990's Thumb BO5 with the wenge/wenge neck and bubinga body. To the OP - if you see one of those in excellent condition for anything less than $1200 jump on it!

 

[mmbongo]

Corvette Taranis (German), $1100 brand new.

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Use the leftover to buy a new amp and install a Bartolini preamp in the Warwick.

 

[GBassNorth]

Corvette Taranis (German), $1100 brand new.

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Pounce!

 

[Slpbass81]

I owned a 5 string Warwick Thumb for a couple months then sold it. They have a great, unique sound but the neck dive is terrible and the weight over a 3 hour gig is not fun. I would look for a used Streamer Stage 2 which will probably be in the $1800-2000 range.

 

[Bass Viking]

I much prefer the wenge necks as I believe they have a lot to do with the Warwick "growl" that people often (or used to) speak of.

I love me a wenge neck. An ovangkol neck is very growly too, my Thumb bolt on has one. My Corvette $$ has an all-wenge neck. It has a "politer" growl than the Thumb, the latter has a more aggressive growl. But they are different animals.

Of the 2, my Thumb has the better B. The Corvette has better balance, is more tonally versatile, and the neck is not as fat.

 

[osonu]

I was getting some amazing sounds out of a Rock Bass Corvette $$ at a local shop. For some reason it sounded much better than the 4 string I was originally looking at. Someone else must have thought so too, because when I went back to try it again it was gone. Of course YMMV

 

[stuntbass77]

Mid 1990's Warwick Thumb Bolt On 5 string is the bomb! Potential neck dive and ergonomics (long reach to first position) are the big draw backs of this bass but in my mind are far outweighed by the phenomenal sound the bass produces. Very unique and useable tones which work great in classic rock, hard rock and alternative rock settings.

The streamer is ok but if I were going that way I'd check out Spector basses as well, which I think have a lot more to offer at better prices. The Corvette $$ would be my second choice after the Thumb bass either in fretted or fretless variety.

Regardless of which Warwick you buy, I think the best deals are the used mint condition 1990's German made basses. Most of which will run in the $700 to $1500 bracket depending on the model, features and condition.

I agree. I would go used thumb BO. I had a 5 string (it was special order for the 35" scale which I don't think was necessary I hind site) and love it! There was no music it wouldn't cut through, you will be heard The used market for these is really good and the contoured body is feel great. I think the thumb and dolphin really "are" the Warwick sound. See all this talk makes me miss mine. I had a neck through thumb but the pickup spacing and preamp are voiced different so I can't really compare the two. Either one would sound great and you'll get a lot of "what kind of bass is that"

 

[cnltb]

I'd consider a humanbase roxy instead.
Simple, inexpensive and really quite a good instrument.
Should tick all the boxes other than not being a warwick, but from a compny I really respect and like much more than Mr. Wilfer's.
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[edbass1]

I have no idea what would work for you, but I can share my Warwick experience. I've owned a Streamer Pro M, an active bubinga Corvette, a Fortress Flashback, Fortress One, and a Streamer Jazzman. The only one of those basses that didn't have a wenge neck was the Jazzman. I much prefer the wenge necks as I believe they have a lot to do with the Warwick "growl" that people often (or used to) speak of. There was a certain growling characteristic that was in all but the Jazzman.

All my Warwicks had great action and feel. Ergonomically, the streamers fit my body best. Weight wise, the Corvette and the Flashbacks were back breakers. The Corvette was hands down the deepest sounding bass I ever owned. I had the opportunity to A/B it with a bunch of other Warwicks at Rudy's Music in NY way back when that was possible with an awesome dude who used to work there. After buying and gigging it though, I felt all it had was tons of boom and sizzle. It was difficult for me to get that bass to fit right in a band mix. I desperately wished it had a mid control. Long story short, I got rid of all my Warwicks except for the Fortress One. I liked the weight, the balance, the versatility, and the sound the best on that. It sits in the mix of the bands I play in the best, with just the right highs, lows, mids and growl that I want. Only thing I'm not crazy about with that bass is the color . It's honey violin. I should really get it painted. Ironic thing about the fortress also is it cost me way less than any of the others. I scored it on Ebay for $420, which is completely insane nowadays. I got lucky cuz it was a while back before Warwick was as popular as they are now. The seller seemed a little iffy and flaky, too, but I asked enough questions to feel safe buying.

I know exactly what you mean with the corvette.. I found the solution was to change the pre amp, now I have no problems sitting in a mix with it and it's a really really great bass, where as before it was probably a pretty good bass that was hard to mix properly

 

[Bassmuzicar]

I have a Rockbass Streamer 5-string and I think it's just perfect. The string spacing is pretty narrow and easy to play and I actually really like the B-string. It doesnt feel like it woobles around when you play it. Unless you tune it down to A or G, then it's pretty floppy.

G string is like a normal G-string.

I think the more expensive Warwick basses live up to the standard much more than the "budget" version Rockbasses.

 

[ole Jason]

Keep in mind all Warwicks aren't heavy. My Corvette 5 weighs less than either of my Fender J 4 strings.