I have no problem with the necks.
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Warwick prices?? Sweet Geezuz!
- Thread starter graphics1988
- Start date
Some folks prefer a Warwick neck; not me, but some folks. I'm failing to see how this is an unusual price for a product of this quality. I see these prices all over. Ken Smith, Fodera, Ritter, Warwick, Alembic. They have similar prices. They all build quality products. Buy a used one, save a little scratch, then you'll see why folks pay these prices.
Warwick prices are insane. I have a 4 string NT Katana that I had finished in transparent blue high-polish and all gold hardware. I was working at Guitar Center then and got it at cost, which was about $2400.00. That would have made it at least $5k MSRP. And prices have only gone up since then.
If I ever want another one, I'll either have to buy used, get wealthy or go to work for Warwick.
If I ever want another one, I'll either have to buy used, get wealthy or go to work for Warwick.
I prefer his sig Jazz . Having said that , it doesn't take a $10,000 bass to just play open notes like he does 
I think thumbs sound really cool but I hate the neck dive...that's all I've got. Price is price.
My Thumb BO5 was 1500 used. It's a 93 with a big fat baseball bat neck that's great for me. It neckdives but nothing sounds like it. Their new custom shop prices are extremely high but they're affordable if you buy them used.
you know what is really funny? BO is just as expensive, if not more expensive to make nowadays when you start making the high end stuff. I heard the same thing from 3 different luthiers and one reputable dealer.
BOs major cost is the time it takes to perfect that connection between the socket and neck. When you get into the high end stuff, this is where many people look at, so they can't just do some sloppy job. Time equals money.
Yeah, I could never pay that much for any bass regardless of how good it's supposed to be. I could buy a nice car for that much for crying out loud...
Warwick basses are fantastic and the build quality, workmanship and the materials they use are first class. You won't find a better built product at any price.
Saying Warwicks are too expensive is just like saying a Mercedes S-class is overpriced. They're expensive, but they give you your money's worth.
They could sell a lot more if they didn't cost so much, but if they were made cheaper they wouldn't be as good as they are.You don't have to spend $8K to get a good one.
Saying Warwicks are too expensive is just like saying a Mercedes S-class is overpriced. They're expensive, but they give you your money's worth.
They could sell a lot more if they didn't cost so much, but if they were made cheaper they wouldn't be as good as they are.You don't have to spend $8K to get a good one.
I got a mint 04 thumb nt 6 string converted to fretless epoxied the neck and put all bartolini stuff In it including a 3 band preamp. I will say the tone is absolutely amazing. I love the sound and I got used to the neck feel after a while but I can say it is not as bad as some say. Probably way different than the earlier stuff but keep in mind people these are absolutely gorgeous basses made to a top quality. I only spent about 4300 all in with conversion but I feel as though it was worth every dime I'd do it again if I could. I can honestly say I would put them in the same category as fodera, zon, or modulus any day. They are fantastic instruments made to a high caliber high level of detail and if you look at their practices with build and how they manage their company you know they put as much love into it as I love to hear and play it everyday. Nothing beats a fretless thumb that's epoxied with rounds for me it just sounds absolutely right. And it's a plus that it is a dead sexy looking bass
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- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
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- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I've owned 5 Warwicks, all German:
Corvette
Streamer Pro M
Streamer Jazzman
Fortress Flashback
Fortress One
Sold them all except for the Fortress One, which is my favorite. I only paid $440 for it, too
.
I got RIDICULOUS bargains on all my Warwicks actually, except my first - the Corvette. Paid $999 new for that, in 1998.
I've been a lucky Warwick guy actually. Just (for the 1st time) recounted all the money I spent and gained on my purchases and sales, and after all those basses I only wound up putting out $200. And still have the Fortress.
Shop patiently and wisely when buying Warwick.
Corvette
Streamer Pro M
Streamer Jazzman
Fortress Flashback
Fortress One
Sold them all except for the Fortress One, which is my favorite. I only paid $440 for it, too
.I got RIDICULOUS bargains on all my Warwicks actually, except my first - the Corvette. Paid $999 new for that, in 1998.
I've been a lucky Warwick guy actually. Just (for the 1st time) recounted all the money I spent and gained on my purchases and sales, and after all those basses I only wound up putting out $200. And still have the Fortress
. Shop patiently and wisely when buying Warwick.
This is true.. I waited while I saved pulled the trigger on one in good condition. Can't stress it enough I know it's like porn looking at em but jus save it up and wait for the one. LolI've owned 5 Warwicks, all German:
Corvette
Streamer Pro M
Streamer Jazzman
Fortress Flashback
Fortress One
Sold them all except for the Fortress One, which is my favorite. I only paid $440 for it, too
I got RIDICULOUS bargains on all my Warwicks actually, except my first - the Corvette. Paid $999 new for that, in 1998.
I've been a lucky Warwick guy actually. Just (for the 1st time) recounted all the money I spent and gained on my purchases and sales, and after all those basses I only wound up putting out $200. And still have the Fortress
Shop patiently and wisely when buying Warwick.
Resale is not so great here in Europe for Warwicks I'd say. However you can always check the bigger German stores, most will ship to Canada I think, and even with Import taxes it might be less expensive ( Thomann, Musicstore, Musikproduktiv). Cheers
I prefer his sig Jazz . Having said that , it doesn't take a $10,000 bass to just play open notes like he does
surprised it took so long!
I fell into Warwick some years ago because of the Star Bass. (Never liked the looks of the other Warwicks; would prefer a Spector....)
I got a good deal on a new black korean made pro series (roughly 1200 USD)
It was a great bass. Really good quality and great tone. But a bit heavy..
Then I spotted a Made In Germany Starbass in Bubinga for sale secondhand for about 2200 USD
They retail here for 5500 USD so I thought it was a great deal for a top notch Star Bass.
Sold the black and bought the brown one.
The finish was first class.
The wood was first class.
The tone/sound was just a bit fatter and nicer.
It was even a bit heavier
But in a band the difference in tone/sound was not noticeable to the others.
It looked different though; like some fancy furniture instead of black.
Bottom line: the MIG is not 5 times better than the Korean Pro Series, but to some it might look 5 times nicer...
I have since gone fretless and did consider a fretless Star Bass but the MIG are just too expensive, the MIK are not made anymore, and I doubt the quality of the Star Bass rock bass made in China, which is still 900 USD here.
A secondhand fretless Star Bass MIK or MIG is still to happen around here..
I got a good deal on a new black korean made pro series (roughly 1200 USD)
It was a great bass. Really good quality and great tone. But a bit heavy..
Then I spotted a Made In Germany Starbass in Bubinga for sale secondhand for about 2200 USD
They retail here for 5500 USD so I thought it was a great deal for a top notch Star Bass.
Sold the black and bought the brown one.
The finish was first class.
The wood was first class.
The tone/sound was just a bit fatter and nicer.
It was even a bit heavier
But in a band the difference in tone/sound was not noticeable to the others.
It looked different though; like some fancy furniture instead of black.
Bottom line: the MIG is not 5 times better than the Korean Pro Series, but to some it might look 5 times nicer...
I have since gone fretless and did consider a fretless Star Bass but the MIG are just too expensive, the MIK are not made anymore, and I doubt the quality of the Star Bass rock bass made in China, which is still 900 USD here.
A secondhand fretless Star Bass MIK or MIG is still to happen around here..
This was all extensively discussed on the Warwick forums.
There are three divisions to Warwick now:
1) Warwick Custom Shop: these are the super-expensive Fodera-priced instruments. Your typical custom shop. Dream it and they can make it happen, the only limit is your imagination (and wallet), where Rob Trujillo & co get their basses from, etc. Made entirely by the small team in their workshop.
2) Warwick German Pro Series: these are the replacements for the Korean-made series. They make a smaller range of instruments with no options and standard finishes and fewer bells & whistles. I believe they don't make any neck-thru basses either, which keeps costs down. These basses are 'rough-made' in their workshop, then all finishing, fretwork, electronic installation etc. is outsourced to smaller companies in the region (hence the 'Teambuilt' tagline). So, still entirely made in Germany. Prices are very reasonable for a German-made instrument (hovering around the 1,500 Euro mark, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]). These are the realistically-ownable top-end Warwick basses today. If you don't want/need any custom options you should be pretty happy with one of these, they leave little to be desired. I guess if you really want a special feature or crazy pickups or different electronics or special finish on it there's nothing stopping you from getting one of these, then taking it to a luthier of your own to have it done. It would still work out to be a fraction of the price a Custom Shop bass.
3) Rockbass: Chinese-made Warwicks. Pretty good bang for the buck.
Of course there will be a price inflation for US/Canadian buyers, just like there is for us when we buy our GKs, Mesas and other US-made gear. So it goes.
As for the necks, that's a matter of taste. I don't mind the big chunky neck.
There are three divisions to Warwick now:
1) Warwick Custom Shop: these are the super-expensive Fodera-priced instruments. Your typical custom shop. Dream it and they can make it happen, the only limit is your imagination (and wallet), where Rob Trujillo & co get their basses from, etc. Made entirely by the small team in their workshop.
2) Warwick German Pro Series: these are the replacements for the Korean-made series. They make a smaller range of instruments with no options and standard finishes and fewer bells & whistles. I believe they don't make any neck-thru basses either, which keeps costs down. These basses are 'rough-made' in their workshop, then all finishing, fretwork, electronic installation etc. is outsourced to smaller companies in the region (hence the 'Teambuilt' tagline). So, still entirely made in Germany. Prices are very reasonable for a German-made instrument (hovering around the 1,500 Euro mark, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]). These are the realistically-ownable top-end Warwick basses today. If you don't want/need any custom options you should be pretty happy with one of these, they leave little to be desired. I guess if you really want a special feature or crazy pickups or different electronics or special finish on it there's nothing stopping you from getting one of these, then taking it to a luthier of your own to have it done. It would still work out to be a fraction of the price a Custom Shop bass.
3) Rockbass: Chinese-made Warwicks. Pretty good bang for the buck.
Of course there will be a price inflation for US/Canadian buyers, just like there is for us when we buy our GKs, Mesas and other US-made gear. So it goes.
As for the necks, that's a matter of taste. I don't mind the big chunky neck.
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As with everything else and everywhere else; depends on what you're selling.
a matter of taste entirely. How else would one judge electronics on a bass?
Here in Brazil I listened a lot about warwick necks being warped due the weather .
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I think the Big Neck thing was at the behest of their US distributor at the time, mainly from around 2000-2010. They asked for the to be the standard profile for some reason. You should try my 96 Fortress Master man, it's a pencil neck.
