Warwick pre 2000 vs new machine made models

[maxbass]

From the beginning (1984) till ninety-something, all Warwicks were hand-made.
In 1996 they moved to Markneukirchen; from then they used CNCs on many models; however, they are still hand-assembled and checked to this day.

Some changes:
- neck material
- neck shape (old ones had slimmer, more C-ish necks; from 97/98 till about 2001/02, the necks got thicker; and they are still D-ish)
- nut
- truss rod
- body woods (boire and later walnut on some models that now come with ovangkol)
- shapes, p-up configurations and models that were discontinued

Other important changes coming to my mind:
-glue used
-wood aging methods
-bridge material (from bronze to a cheaper and lighter league)
-standard pickups

 

[Mike Flynn]

As some of you know - I'm am biased when it come to older Warwicks:

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Mine has a wenge neck, and fingerboard, and it sounds great - the tone I'm getting out of the bass now is just so warm and punchy (go over to 'Recordings' for a couple of examples) but I don't think I'll ever buy another Warwick - despite the fact I will never part with my Thumb, and I love it to death - it's a heavy bastard and makes me wish I had something lighter - the irony is my fretless is perhaps the lightest bass I've ever played...oh weill.

 

[Frank Martin]

Other important changes coming to my mind:
-glue used
-wood aging methods
-bridge material (from bronze to a cheaper and lighter league)
-standard pickups

Well, the bridge is still a big and heavy piece of metal on my bass...
I'm sure there are many more things, but these are the major changes... I think.