Warwick Corvette upgrade

[Ro(c)kBass]

I am thinking about upgrading my 5 string Warwick Corvette standard that comes with MEC Dynamic Correction J/J pickups and MEC active 2-band electronics.
What I like about it in order of importance is:
+ the growly Warwick tone,
+ potentiometers click (you can feel it) when they are in the center position = EQ at 0dB,
+ push/pull volume knob that switches between active and passive (bass works without batteries if needed),
+ the blend control (I like it better than two volume controls or pickup switch).

What I don’t like in order of importance:
- it is far too noisy when I stand close to a PC monitor or TV,
- no tone control when in passive mode,
- (no middle control).

I was thinking about switching the pickups for some hum canceling pickups such as DiMarzio Ultra Jazz 5 or Seymour Duncan SJB-5 and then switch the preamp if needed (for SD basslines STC 2P or Aguilar OBP2).

Can you give me some suggestions regarding which pickups (and preamp) to choose so that I will get rid of the noise but maintain the growly tone that I like?

 

[GassieBall]

I'm going to jump on board here. I have a Warwick Corvette Passive Ash that I'd like to put in a preamp, yet keep the growl minus the noise. A lot of people say, however, that part of the Warwick tone is the MEC pickups and electronics. I don't know if we put in a SD or Aguilar preamp or change the pickups if it will still sound "Warwicky".

I did, a while back, try Dimarzio Model J's in the bass and that totally changed the tone, but that's an unfair statement because those pickups are so different from many Jazz p'ups.

 

[darkstorm]

For me the basslines preamps have far better center freq choices esp for treble. The dimazrio J's wou;d be my pick between those two cause the seymours are noticebly brighter when Ive tried them in basses that had them. I prefer darker tone.

 

[low on toner]

When you rewire, you should shield like crazy. I used thin, adhesive back copper to shield the pickup holes, the control cavity and then also the lid on the control cavity. Huge improvement, my bass is dead silent. I also replaced the crusty pots and put in a Aguilar OBP-2 preamp to replace the original (I think EMG).

I left the MEC pickups in (for now), but considering the Delano JMVC's.

 

[bassman74]

Delano JMVC

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I tried every brand of pickup, they are the only one to my ear who keep the warwick tone and even makes it better.

I tried them with the original mec preamp and with an aguilar obp-2. Not a huge difference, it's very subtle, i personnally prefer the warwick's preamp frequencies...

 

[TK4261]

I just ordered a set of the Delano JMVC's for my used Warwick Vette STD 4 Bubinga that I picked up a few days ago
The bass is in perfect condition but the pickups are a little chewed up...I was just gonna replace them with another set of MEC's till I found out about these pickups. Gonna give them a try and keep my MEC pre-amp intact. Ordered the Delano's from BestBassGear last night and already got my shipping notice this morning
From the sound of it...BassMan74 is in Heaven with these pickups installed in his Warwick

 

[Yahcoob]

I know it's been a while since anybody replied to this thread but my problem is similar to that of the author and it would be unnecessary to post a new one.

I want to replace the MEC pickups on my Corvette because of the hum. I really like the Warwick tone and don't want to lose it. After a quite thorough research I've decided Delano is the best way for me to go. I can't decide between models JMVC 4 FE/M2 and JC 4 HE/M2, though. I have no possibility of hearing them and that is why I ask for your help and advice. Could you tell me your opinion on both of those pickups, an which one you think will sound best with my Warwick, please?

Sorry for my rather chaotic English. I am not a native speaker.

 

[cbassman55]

I've read on a post concerning a Corvette 5 string passive having a thunky sound that the poster said he had to fight. I seem to have the same issue.
I tried different strings. I set up everything to factory specs. I tried different adjust a nut heights, neck adjustments, pickup heights. I made sure the string spacing was correct over the pickup poles, and intonation.
I still get that thunky sound especially on the D string.
I would like to know if someone has any advise with a wiring diagram installing a preamp with the two stock passive MEC pickups?
3 knobs. Neck pickup volume stacked, bridge pickup volume stacked(parallel/ series) on both and a tone knob.
9 volt preferably preamp.
Any suggestions?

 

[jallenbass]

I have to say that the best sounding bass that I have heard in a live setting is the Warwick Corvette on multiple occasions. If I had on of those I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[skier 913]

I have a Corvette Taranis 4, strung BEAD
It's passive with mm/j pickups like a jazzman, and I was thinking of installing either an MEC or Aguilar 3 band pre amp.
Its got good tone now but limited to one sound as there is no eq-ing it.
How might adding a pre amp negatively affect the sound?