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Warwick advice.

popinfresh

popinfresh

Dec 23, 2004
3,812
39
38
Melbourne, Aus
www.mp3.com.au
#1
Hey guys, after saving a whole lot for an engine build on my car, then unfortunately stumbling upon many youtube etc clips of warwick's being played, i've got the hankering for the 'wick sound again (something i've wanted for a long time).

I've always loved the sound of Streamer St II's, and thumbs the most, and have thought about picking up a used Stg II.

One question, I play with one guitarist and drummer and need to fill the sound out quite a bit. Do any of the Stg II users have a problem filling out the sound with their basses? Thumbs have that darker fuller sound, but that tends to find them sitting under the mix a lot of the time IMO, where from what i've heard from live shows and recordings the Stg II comes forward better.

Will I have any problems filling out the group with the Stg II (5 string), or should I perhaps look closer at thumbs or other warwick's such as 'vette's?

Tracks can be found here;
Link Removed

Opinions?
 
#5
bassfacekevin said:
Well, in my experience, I've found that thumbs tend to "punch through" the mix, where streamers sit back a little more. Honestly, I don't think you'll have a hard time getting through with either bass, so I think it all comes down to other factors: comfort, looks, tone etc.

~K
Click to expand...

I'd like to endorse that. You should also try and get your hands on a 2006 LE 'Dirtly Blonde' Thumb BO and try that too. It has serious through-mix punch, with a great range of tones given its pu configuration and choice of woods. Pu's are a split p-bass type at the neck and twinned J's under one fat pickup cover at the bridge.

This bass is unlike standard Thumbs in that is is much lighter thanks to its swamp ash/poplar body. The neck is also much more slender and faster than the standard, and does not suffer from neck dive at all.

Slaps like a monster as well. Good luck.;)

(I love mine):bassist:
 
#6
I have both a Thumb and a SSII. They both cut through well. For cutting through loud guitars and drums I'd say the Thumb does a little better. Take in mind, a Thumb and a SSII DO NOT sound alike. They have considerably different tones. A Thumb has a very mid-heavy, farty, nasally, growly tone which is great for what it is but very one-dimensional (in my opinion). A SSII has a rounder tone and is more even across the frequency spectrum. It's tone, to me, sounds like a cross between a very modern Jazz bass, a Fodera (or the tone that most people would typically think of when they think Fodera, and a Thumb. Considerably more versatile due to the pickup placement. It has a very tight, defined low end, a pronounced midrange (that's nowhere near as nasally and farty as a Thumb), and a very smooth and sweet top end.
 
#7
I agree with most of what's being said. The Thumb is a monster at cutting through a mix. Especially if your running more a vintage overdriven sound. The SSII will get alot of bottem and smooth highs, unlike the Thumb where they are a tad more abrasive due to the pickup placement. The Thumb is capable of good lows as well but it's the mids that really shine when pouring on a good tube compression.

With either bass your not going to be buried in a mix unless your amp just can't hang. They are both great instruments so good luck and post pics when you decide!
 
#9
spade2you said:
As long as you don't scoop your mids and tune to Z flat, you can get just about any bass to sound nice, provided you have an adequate amp.
Click to expand...

True for the average bassist. But this guy is looking to get a Warwick, which means he is after a certain sound, not just getting any bass to sound good for what it is. Hell I can get a good tone out of my Bronco but I'm not going out gigging with it. :ninja:
 
#10
I think the Thumb bass might be the way to go for what you describe. It punches through like no other, given the right amp/cab set-up. The SSII won't have problems either, but you'll be a little more felt/heard with the Thumb I think...
 
#12
Hmm, cheers guys. Whenever i've heard a live band with a thumb the darker sound to me tends to make them sit lower in the mix, and with heavier bands all you tend to hear of the slap etc is a click sound. Anyone got some clips of a live thumb I should check out?

I just got told that a store in Melb has a SSII in, so i'll try go and compare them next week anyway.

I'm looking to buy an early 90's wenge neck model though, so should there be much difference sound wise?
 
#14
This is a great summary.

The Award for the Best Celebration or Prose Description of the SSII Tone (2007) goes to...

LifeIsBass.

Congratulations.

LifeIsBass said:
I have both a Thumb and a SSII. They both cut through well. For cutting through loud guitars and drums I'd say the Thumb does a little better. Take in mind, a Thumb and a SSII DO NOT sound alike. They have considerably different tones. A Thumb has a very mid-heavy, farty, nasally, growly tone which is great for what it is but very one-dimensional (in my opinion). A SSII has a rounder tone and is more even across the frequency spectrum. It's tone, to me, sounds like a cross between a very modern Jazz bass, a Fodera (or the tone that most people would typically think of when they think Fodera, and a Thumb. Considerably more versatile due to the pickup placement. It has a very tight, defined low end, a pronounced midrange (that's nowhere near as nasally and farty as a Thumb), and a very smooth and sweet top end.
Click to expand...
 

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