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Warwick Fortress

Hey all, I'm pretty new to the site, and i've notice that not many people use fortress basses, let alone fortress mastermans! I just recently purchased a used one and i love it to pieces. Am i being blind or is there some hidden knowledge that i'm just not privy to? Any comments would great!
 
I also have a W. Fortress, a 5 string fretless and I am very pleased with it, very fast comfortable neck and nice tonal variations are possible...perhaps you don't see alot of them around because warwick hasn't been building them anymore, and if people that own em feel the same way as I, they are holding on to em.....least thats what I choose to think
 
I own a Warwick Pro M, which has the Streamer Body
and the MasterMan Pick-up/Dual preamp.

Huge Tonal Versitility.
My all time favorite.

It's better that only a few are wise to Warwick MasterMan Basses.
Gives us the advantage.
Also up's the future collectability.

You have chosen wisely.

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I've been using a Fortress One 4 string for almost five years. when I was looking at basses, I tried several different Warwicks including a Corvette Standard, a Corvette FNA, a Streamer Pro M, and a used Thumb bass, (the only thru neck of the bunch). The Fortress was my favorite. I'm glad I bought it then. Warwicks just aren't what they used to be. Gone are the days of wenge necks, (which in my opnion was the best thing about Warwicks.

How do you guys set the tone on you bass? I almost always have the pickup pan set in the middle, and the bass and treble cut all the way off. (Sometimes I won't cut the bass, or I'll only cut it slightly, if I'm playing through a bad amp).

It's good to see another Fortress player out there. So, who else plays flatwounds on there Warwick? :D
 
I own a 1997 Fortress Flashback 5 that is sitting in its case at my parents house. I never play it because the spacing on the neck is too tight, and i no longer enjoy the baseball bat necks that Warwicks have.

Does anyone know what one of these things is worth in US dollars?

I can only guess about Aus dollars, however I would prefer to trade it with someone in the US for a bass we can't easily get here.
 
Originally posted by MAJOR METAL
Thanks finger blister, how long were the flash backs made.
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As close as I can tell from my Warwick Cataloge Archive, from Mid 1996 to late 1999.

At first the 2 TEK Bridge was standard on the Flashback, later the 2 TEK bridge was replaced by a chrome Warwick bridge with the 2 TEK available as a custom option. (2TEK went out of business at this time).

In 1996 Warwick updated their line--
with new bolt-on models (Thumb)(Pro M) (Flashback)
and 'upgrades' for old models (Corvette Proline).

Major changes again in 1998 with teflon nut, elimination of stock Recessed Dunlop Strap Locks, and the introduction of Ovangkol for Necks.

Recommendation:
1997 Flashback when 2 TEK Bridge, Recessed Dunlop Strap Locks, and Wenge Neck were standard.
 
I guess the reason why the fortress are hard to find (_besides the fact they are discontinued of course_)they really have a very very distinctive sound ,very unique and much more characteristic than the other 'wicks retaining the unick warwick growl..They can be agressive as hell and smooth as butter if you know how to touch it.There was a bass player in the bar I used to play with a corvette and my guitarist fellow used to keep asking me being both of them warwicks how our basses could be sounding so very different.
I see the other warwicks to be more easygoing more mainstream than the fortress so to say.
 
bassarch said:
I see the other warwicks to be more easygoing more mainstream than the fortress so to say.

I would love to own a Fortress, but:
- they are discontinued
- I couldnt find a used one here, especially not lefty
- not available in 6...

so I went Corvette... BTW that is the other Warwick shape that I love. These two are nice and classy, but the others i dont like... must be soome symmetrics- and upper horn-thing