Got mine in '98 for my 40eth birthday my little woman let me buy this one ... music store had had it for years, it was down to half the price it should've taken - nobody plays a fretless bass, do they??
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Warwick Fortress Footmen, unite!
- Thread starter RCCollins
- Start date
Finally acquirerend a Fortress, I waited for years for one to pass by at the right price. A few weeks ago one did.
Replaced all the chrome hardware with black to turn it in 'the black beast II'.
Replaced all the chrome hardware with black to turn it in 'the black beast II'.
Fortress One Question:
How do you know if you have an active pickup version or a passive pickup version? From what I've read, even though mine has an active/passive switch the pickups could still be active and the switch just removes the preamp....
I'm wanting to mod mine to add a passive tone control, but if the pickups are active then that makes the idea lots more expensive!
How do you know if you have an active pickup version or a passive pickup version? From what I've read, even though mine has an active/passive switch the pickups could still be active and the switch just removes the preamp....
I'm wanting to mod mine to add a passive tone control, but if the pickups are active then that makes the idea lots more expensive!
Quickest way to tell is that the MEC pickups with the Gold label are usually the ones that are part of an active system. The Silver label pickups are typically passive.
Also, on an F1, if the tone knobs have detents they are active. The passive version has 2 tone knobs that are passive roll off and have no detent.
Good question - I wonder what the width is on the adjust a nut.
On a related note, I just dropped mine off at the tech to convert my 1993 4 string fortress 1 to BEAD. He said he didn't think Warwick will/can supply different sizes for the adjust a nut screws, so he's just going to fit a normal replacement nut to it.
On a related note, I just dropped mine off at the tech to convert my 1993 4 string fortress 1 to BEAD. He said he didn't think Warwick will/can supply different sizes for the adjust a nut screws, so he's just going to fit a normal replacement nut to it.
Question for the Footman. If you had to choose between the Masterman and Fortress One model, which direction would you go. I've revamped my gear and I'm "Warwickless" for the first time in over 20 years, and quite frankly don't know how I feel about it. Looking at the Fortress this time around. I have a jazz style bass so those tones are covered. Was leaning towards the Masterman but hesitant that it'll be too unique of a sound (or is it?). I probably can't go wrong either way; just looking for some additional opinions from those who have owned or gigged both.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I had a Streamer Masterman, and I have a Fortress One. I sold the Streamer, still have the Fortress. I think the Fortress is a lot more versatile, and honestly - there wasn't a whole lot I liked about the sound of the Streamer. It was a while ago, so I can't pinpoint what I didn't like, but I just remember being completely underwhelmed. I think I may have wanted it to sound like a Musicman, and that wasn't happening.
My vote is for the MM. it’s set up like a hyperactive Stingray so it’s not as versatile as the P/J configuration you get on the One. But it does Stingray killer like no one’s Business.
For the sake of accuracy, those basses were called the Streamer Pro-M. I agree that they do not sound like Musicmans at all.
However, I'm a huge fan of the sweet spot pickup and I've always loved the Warwick sound, so I lean more towards the Masterman over the Fortress One. The Masterman is 2 Js mashed together into one MM style pickup and you can control them separately. I haven't found that messing with the tone controls really changes the sound a lot compared to the Fortress One. Again, as someone that loves the Warwick sound that isn't a problem to me because the sound is thunderous. If you're the type of person that shifts from playing bridge to neck pickup for certain songs or you like messing with different tone settings to get a variety of sounds then the One is probably the better bet.
IMO, you can't go wrong with either (though my post history will reveal a bias for Fortresses).
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Thanks RE the Pro-M stuff. I knew sumthin was weird there
. I think my age is beginning to show.As far as the sound goes I'm remembering that now to be true. Lots of knobs and things to fiddle with, but they didn't seem to do a whole lot to change the sound. Especially in a loud band. Kind of a one trick pony that you could tweak a little.
Can I join? Just picked up this beat-to-hell beauty
Well, here's the update! Still need a stacked knob, but I'm pretty happy with how
Thanks to all for the feedback. I'm kind of a set it and forget it kind of guy. As long as the Masterman has a fundamental tone that I like, I'll be fine.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I HAVE a PJ, and HAD a Flashback. Flashback was awesome and I would have kept it if it weighed 20 lbs less
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