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Warwick vs Ibanez vs ESP. Let me hear your opinions

C

cliff em all

Jul 6, 2012
102
1
#1
Okay so I am back on the market for the next bass. I have about a 1000$ and room to budge. I am usually playing various genres of metal and want to dabble in prog for reference on what kind of tone I am after. I currently have a 5 string Jackson so was looking to go back to a 4 string however after visiting all the music shops in my area I found a sweet spot for a 5 string Warwick fortress that I believe is a euro but I'm not too up to date on warwicks so I wouldn't know.
Prior I was looking at the ibanez sr1400te because of its beautiful looks and neck thru build however I couldn't find any premium ibanez's with the nordstrand pick ups to get an idea how it sounds so I would have to purchase it blindly.
Finally, I am in the also looking blindly at the new fanned fret ESP B-1004se due to the fanned frets and beautiful build.
So anyways what is your guys opinion on these brands as how they compare to each other tone and value wise.
Here are links and pics of the basses

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warwick.jpg
 

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#4
TMARK said:
Warwicks are fine basses. I had a Thumb for years. I played one of the Ibanes basses with the Nordstrands, I think a 1400, and thought it on par with my Thumb but more versitile. It really sounded and played great. I preferred it to my Thumb.
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Never been a fan of the Warwick Fortress body shape but I do love my Warwick Streamer Stage II 4-string & 5-string basses and they have been my go-to basses for over a decade. However, ever since I acquired my Ibanez SR1400TE & SR1405TE basses last year, I have been favoring them for playing gigs. I believe a lot of that has to do with the amazing sound of the Nordstrand Big Single pickups in the Premium Ibanez basses. Also, the Ibanez basses are lighter weight and have slim comfy necks.
 
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#5
I assume the Warwick you're considering is second hand? Did someone really screw a white thumb rest on in that ridiculous position? Must have devalued that bass by 50%. Never been a fan of the fortress, Thumb and Streamer yes, but, heavy. Ibanez looks amazing, but how does it play. The ESP makes me think I need to see an eye surgeon. I don't believe fanned frets is the future, we've managed without them for 60 years so I reckon the resale value on that will plummet .
 
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#6
Graham Douglas said:
Ibanez looks amazing, but how does it play.
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My Ibanez basses play just as well as my Warwicks due to the slimmer necks and they sound amazing with the Nordstrand Big Single pickups! The Ibanez's that I have are from the Premium series which have a much better fit and finish than the Standard SR basses. I was never really an Ibanez fan until I discovered the Premium series. The Premiums are actually made in a different factory than the Standard SR models. The stock preamp in the Ibanez Premium basses was not that great, so I replaced the preamp in both my Ibanez basses with Aguilar OBP-3 preamps and they sound even better now.
 
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#7
I've owned all 3, I hated every Ibanez bass I ever owned or played (but I LOVE their japanese guitars), love the Warwick sound of my Thumb BO but not very ergonomic for metal, the ESP's are the metal machines I really like my ESP Horizon for metal. Unless your tuning down past A, I wouldn't go with the fanned fret, but if you are, def get it.
 
#8
Of all the basses I've own(ed), ESP has been an eye opener. The quality and tone is superb and they have a variety (if you can locate a dealer) of basses that can meet your needs. I'm a huge advocate of Ibanez basses and I too believe that they can cover a variety of needs within their product line. For your budget, I would recommend getting a Premium or Prestige level model. Ibanez would probably get my vote for Prog, as they are very clean and modern sounding.

I've never played a Warwick and would love to. If you can afford a German one, I would say it's worth it for the investment alone.
 
#9
For metal I can tell you firsthand that you will want to think about a few things. The first is tone. Do you want to sit around the kick or on top of it? Both have benefits. Think Job For a Cowboy (Warwick) vs Cannibal Corpse (Spector). These are both amazing bases for aggressive music. There is the Dingwall which is really great for low tuned stuff like A tuning..etc. then there is always the Fender Jazz bass, perfect for sitting around the kick. Most producers will boost it at around 80hz and 3k in metal. A Pbass is amazing as well because it can be molded to do both. It is the most versatile option.

Second is playability. Thin neck, thick neck..what do you want? Ibanez has real fast necks, but thats not always a great fit for everyone's hands, believe it or not. Tonally, an Ibanez can be a bit sterile, but it really shines through an OD like a dark glass. The 2016 American Standard Pbass has a thinner neck so it may be worth a demo. It sounds freaking awesome.

Third is looks. I believe the looks matter a lot, because they narrow the decision down so you are not overthinking and indecisive.. Playing metal with a Pbass is totally cool and gives off a different vibe than a Warwick or more modern looking bass. Thats personal preference.

If I was playing technical death metal or prog, I'd probably go for something like a Peavey Cirrus or a Warwick Dolphin. There are used Peavey Cirruses out there that slay for the cost. They have that tight focused tone in the mids that is like a Ken Smith or Warwick. Very very cool for technical or prog metal.

Hopefully that helps a little. You have a good budget to score a used instrument that will service you for years.
 
#10
AngelCrusher said:
For metal I can tell you firsthand that you will want to think about a few things. The first is tone. Do you want to sit around the kick or on top of it? Both have benefits. Think Job For a Cowboy (Warwick) vs Cannibal Corpse (Spector). These are both amazing bases for aggressive music. There is the Dingwall which is really great for low tuned stuff like A tuning..etc. then there is always the Fender Jazz bass, perfect for sitting around the kick. Most producers will boost it at around 80hz and 3k in metal. A Pbass is amazing as well because it can be molded to do both. It is the most versatile option.

Second is playability. Thin neck, thick neck..what do you want? Ibanez has real fast necks, but thats not always a great fit for everyone's hands, believe it or not. Tonally, an Ibanez can be a bit sterile, but it really shines through an OD like a dark glass. The 2016 American Standard Pbass has a thinner neck so it may be worth a demo. It sounds freaking awesome.

Third is looks. I believe the looks matter a lot, because they narrow the decision down so you are not overthinking and indecisive.. Playing metal with a Pbass is totally cool and gives off a different vibe than a Warwick or more modern looking bass. Thats personal preference.

If I was playing technical death metal or prog, I'd probably go for something like a Peavey Cirrus or a Warwick Dolphin. There are used Peavey Cirruses out there that slay for the cost. They have that tight focused tone in the mids that is like a Ken Smith or Warwick. Very very cool for technical or prog metal.

Hopefully that helps a little. You have a good budget to score a used instrument that will service you for years.
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I have to disagree with your first point about the comparisons between the Warwick and the Spector. The engineering of the album has way more to do with how the bass and kick interact than what type of bass you use. Once the engineer starts EQing, things are being manipulated where you high pass the kick drum to punch while the bass fills the lower spectrum and all kinds of other neat tricks.
 
#11
castlev said:
I have to disagree with your first point about the comparisons between the Warwick and the Spector. The engineering of the album has way more to do with how the bass and kick interact than what type of bass you use. Once the engineer starts EQing, things are being manipulated where you high pass the kick drum to punch while the bass fills the lower spectrum and all kinds of other neat tricks.
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I know all of that, trust me. I sat with many engineers while a lot of these records were being made and tracked with them as well. The point is that there are certain basses better suited for certain kick interactions. The last thing you want to do is over EQ a bass to change it's characteristics. Especially in metal. Some of the roughs I have heard from huge acts already sound mixed simply because of proper instrument selection and performance.
 
#13
thank you all for the responses! Yeah for tone I'd like a more gnarly punchy tone. last night i found my dream bass for sale on ebay, an 80s bc rich eagle for $1200 with the koa top double P's and everything but i was stupid and didnt buy it immediatiely so it is someone elses now. But while looking around Ebay I saw a couple Ibanez musicians and I really dug the alembic/bc rich sort of vibe it had does anyone have anything to say about the tone of those and what they sound most similar to? If not that then I'll still be stuck between the Ibanez and Warwick. Sorry if i'm going all over the place with this post I got a lot on my mind.
 
#16
Wàrwicks are superb basses and I believe their build quality and the materials they use will deliver much longer life. The bodies are heavy and the necks have the profile of upright basses, but are comfortable to play once you get used to them.

Ive only owned one Ibanez bass and I thought it was okay for the price but ultimately unfullfilling.

I dont consider ESP to be in the same class as the others. I wouldn't buy one
 
#18
bassbooty said:
My Ibanez basses play just as well as my Warwicks due to the slimmer necks and they sound amazing with the Nordstrand Big Single pickups! The Ibanez's that I have are from the Premium series which have a much better fit and finish than the Standard SR basses. I was never really an Ibanez fan until I discovered the Premium series. The Premiums are actually made in a different factory than the Standard SR models. The stock preamp in the Ibanez Premium basses was not that great, so I replaced the preamp in both my Ibanez basses with Aguilar OBP-3 preamps and they sound even better now.
Click to expand...
Why not the nordstrand preamp? Have not seen anyone complain about the stock sr premium preamps.. I really think that they are just active EQ! p
 
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#19
Josh GP said:
A lot of ibanez basses are good for metal but I'd recommend a Warwick FNA or an FNA Jazzman if you really want to have a good sound for metal.
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I agree, I really dig Warwick basses but I don't think the 2-gold J PUs are a great match for heavy tone. I've got an fna jazzman 5-string and it really growls but is also versatile. Here is a friend's doomy, riff rock project I tracked with it (running passive, favoring the humbucker slightly, through an old Sunn tube head)
 
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#20
That Warwick looks like the real deal. Should sound equivalent-ish to a Corvette Proline (not pro series - much better). I love Warwicks so that would be my choice. Ibanez isn't a bad choice, it's just not as good as the Warwick.

Like others here, the fortress isn't my fave Warwick body shape but it's not horrible either.
 
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