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Warwick Katana; what is it that you don't like?

#21
Never played one, never even seen one in the flesh, but I think they're really ugly-looking. I think it's an awful design. Those grooves in the body are just stupid-looking. I usually love Warwick shapes but they've come out with some steamers recently; the vampyre, buzzard, stryker..
 
#23
To my eyes the cutaway appears less pronounced on the natural ones than on the stained ones. The natural one I saw looked lovely - big, real and Alembiccy. Looked like a boutique bass. I certainly preferred the feel of it to the usual Warwick fayre which err on the side of small to my tastes. I was brought up on Precisions though. I can feel the GAS building on this one :hyper:
 
#24
BassManPatsFan said:
There are many corvettes out there that have ash bodies; standard versions, prolines, jazzmen, plus some special edition ones. Plus, body wood is only one of the many factors that contributes to an instrument's overall sound.
-Alex
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Exactly. My Corvette $$ has an Ash body. Came standard like that. And for the record .... Digging it. :bassist:
 
#27
Hiya people

I happen to own a 4 string Katana NT among other Wicks (Streamer Stage II 5, Infinity Nt4 and Thumb Bolt On 6)

I grant you the whole taste deviation thing as it is a pretty odd shape and all. But check this: it is far more comfortable to play with from all my other Wicks except the infinity. It has a grat balance, relatively light weight for a Wick and it just feels right. As fas as the pickups positioning is concerned i cant make any comparison with the corvette as i dont own one but it's got the best Precisionesque sounnd from the neck pickup and a Jaco style bridge. Great sustain, Great definition and Bottom end.It also listens to your hand as you place on different positions on the bass. go check one out and you'll see what i mean. I haven't played a B.O. so i dont know what their deal is.

cheers!
 
#28
T-Funk said:
I like the Katana. However, with the exception of the body design/color and woods, the Katana B/O has the same electronics and pickup configuration, as well as pickup placement, as the Corvette Standard.
...

Ted
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Not true, the Katana has the neck PU closer to the neck than a Corvette and the bridge PU is closer to the bridge than a Corvette (same placement as a Streamer jazz bridge PU)
 
#30
I like mine. Seems fairly well balanced, very versatile tonal options and the neck is not what I've experienced on other Warwicks in the shops.
I'm generaly not a 'Wick fan and traded for this because it was different - aesthetically and tonewise.
Only downside is weight - which is about 10 lbs. Not as heavy as my '78 'Ray (nearly 11 lbs), but heavier than anything else I own.
Kitana.jpg
 
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#33
Most people here haven't even played one and yet they comment on how uncomfortable it is and what not. The whole ugly shape thing is untrue, I find Stingray 4's to be "fugly," but I don't go to every thread and say that. If you haven't played one then GTFO and don't comment. I hate all the bad rep Warwick gets...:spit::rollno:
 
#35
Hello all...

I actually own a Katana NT as well...I have to admit I hated the way they looked, but when I went to the Nashville GC it was the only higher-end Warwick in stock, so I had them get it down. When I sat down to play it, I was amazed. Both the body and neck were very comfortable, and the tone was amazing (first time I played it was through a Little Mark II and I think a 4X10). My wife was there, saw the look on my face and said "Oh no!" Needless to say, I picked it up and it has never disappointed. The tone is anything but subtle (it's capable of sounding like a chain saw) and is very bright and "dry" compared to other 'wicks I have played (I also have an FNA-JM-5). Other 'wicks can sound a little "boomy" to me anyway, so it's nice to start dry and add more bottom if I need it. It is balanced well, but does weigh a lot. I think the extra mass is part of the tone though. It is my #1 for now, and does well live and in the studio. Soundmen and engineers love this bass from my experience. :bassist:
 
#37
To me, Bongo and Katana are still one of best new factory basses i tried in last 10years or so. They are both overpriced, if u ask me, but i love em very much.

Katana is imo very comfortable, has great neck, excellent balance and to me, its plain design is very appealing.If they were cheaper, i'd buy one. It felt to me like Pbass-meets- warwick.

Katana is discontinued, right?
 
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#39
Dan Knowlton said:
It is ugly, looks uncomfortable, and is a Warwick - brought to you by the company that steals other people's designs and refuses to pay royalities (Spector!).

Dan K.
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+1

While Warwick's shady business practices leave a sour taste in my mouth, I always give their basses a fair play when I try them (and being in Germany, there are plenty!). I just find the Katana to be ugly, uncomfortable, overpriced and doesn't sound so great! While some Warwick basses, like the Thumb series, sound amazing, the Katana has never sounded like anything special to me!
 

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