Warwick Too Heavy (SOB!)

Sorry to burst yours, but I just brought home my new FNA Jazzman last night and it's even lighter than my Fender Jazz, and MAN!, what punch!!! I'm in heaven! Five strings, over a fretless board! No prob with the shoulder. Check out the Jazzmans! Awsome!

 

Are the Jazzman necks thinner than those baseball bat style necks of the Thumbs? I've never played a Jazzman, but I had a Thumb for a while and those necks are huge!!

Also, if you've played Thumbs, is the tone more versatile for the Jazzman? I know they've got the MM/J set-up, and I think they have the mid control, too. My Thumb 5 had no mid control and with those soap bars so close together, it seemed like I got no tonal variety at all.

Of course, if you have no experience with a Thumb, you are obviously not expected to answer this LOL!

 

Hate to kick in an open door here, but why don't you sit down while playing? Buy a bar stool so you can sit high on stage and play your heart out.

 

I like Stage IIs and they are hea-vy. The weight (density) of the wood gives it the compressed tone (which doesn't always work for me) and sustain.

 

Thank you.

The neck on my Thumb Broadneck (20mm at bridge) is a 2x4. I love it. Reminds me of my upright.

 

Of the Warwicks I've played, the Jazzman has had the thinnest neck. I don't particulary like most Warwicks tonally and also because of that telephone pole neck, but the Jazzman is pretty sweet.

 

While Warwicks are heavier than most basses; it's the solid, dense woods they use that give such a killer, distinct tone. I dig some of the Warwicks with nice figured tops, the heavier ones don't have laminated tops. My '96 Corvette Standard 5 has a 2-piece bubinga body with a wenge neck and fretboard, and the tone just kills. IMHO, the neck is as fast as my Ibanez SR505.

There is a differnce in the necks on the newer models from the older models. This guy said it best in another thread:

 

All my basses are over ten pounds, but I love the sound too much to care, or even notice while I'm playing...

 

I believe the limited edition Corvette Hod-Rods have a chambered swamp ash body for lighter weight. Isn't the Dolphin SN's body chambered as well? Those might help cut down some of the weight. The Infinity is chambered as well too, right?

It would be nice if Warwick offered the chambered bodies on more than just those few basses.

 

I have fibromyalgia, butI had to have a Warwick. Fortunately being skint much of the time as well, that Corvette Standard ash bodied 5 was cheap and pretty light too. I know the tone isn't the same as the heavy stuff but it's still really nice. ( I do think another time I would have had the 4 but still...)
Good luck with your playing fellah, whatever the bass.

 

I currently own a MM Stringray but I'm thinking about getting a Stage I or II. Can anyone tell me how their weight compares to the SR?

 

Dave,
How would you describe 'compressed tone' with the denser wood?

 

I describe compressed tone as really well defined, tight sounding notes. Not a lot of messy overtones.

 

alas, i share your pain, both in the heart and in the back. that's why i'm selling my SX SJB-75.

 

you'll like a rob allen

 

Exactly, I'm the happy owner of a Warwick corvette Hotrod LTD 5 strings which is chambered and it is one of my lightest instrument. While it is all made of swamp ash and maple, it is an incredibly growling instrument plus more sparkly in the high-end than traditionnal wenge neck Warwick.

Shiveringbass