Warwick vs. Spector - PJ Decision!

[Outshined91]

So I'm selling my 5-string because my wrists can't handle the thick neck. I'm looking to get a 4 string with a thinner neck, that can handle down-tuning well. I was originally going to go multi-scale, but my budget would not allow for that (the Ibanez SRMS800 isn't exactly what I want tonally). I'm playing jazz and heavy rock, and the PJ configuration is important to me. I narrowed it down to Warwick and Spector, because of the feel of their necks, small body shape and my overall preference for them as brands. That being said my budget is no more than $850, and I've found three options.

- Warwick Streamer Pro Series (MIG) LX 4 (MEC pups)
- Spector Legend 4 Classic (Bartolini pups)
- Spector Legend 4 Neck-Thru (Aguilar pups, OBP preamp)

Which one of these would allow me the most tonal versatility? I can't try out these exact models, but I know Spector and Warwick work for me. I've tried to use YouTube as a guide, but am still having trouble deciding.

Thanks!

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

German Warwick by a mile vs. the Spector Legend series, no contest at all. I think the new Warwick necks are slim, someone else on here can probably confirm when they changed from the crazy fat ones, but I THINK it was like 2010. I don't know that you'll find one for $850 without looking for a long time, though.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

$850 is your limit, look for a Ibanez Doug Wimbish or Verdine White model. They are nice PJ basses.

 

[Outshined91]

German Warwick by a mile vs. the Spector Legend series, no contest at all. I think the new Warwick necks are slim, someone else on here can probably confirm when they changed from the crazy fat ones, but I THINK it was like 2010. I don't know that you'll find one for $850 without looking for a long time, though.

Thanks! I was thinking European is usually better. And with a stroke of luck, I have found a 2017 MIG Streamer perfectly in my budget!

 

[Outshined91]

$850 is your limit, look for a Ibanez Doug Wimbish or Verdine White model. They are nice PJ basses.

I'll keep a look-out for those. They seem like they might be hard to find though...
Thanks!

 

[Reedt2000]

German Warwick by a mile vs. the Spector Legend series, no contest at all. I think the new Warwick necks are slim, someone else on here can probably confirm when they changed from the crazy fat ones, but I THINK it was like 2010. I don't know that you'll find one for $850 without looking for a long time, though.

Absolutely this^

Spector legend series instruments are well made for what they are, but (IMHO) a German Warwick is a significantly better built bass. I had a 2015 streamer stage 1 (5 string) and its neck was thin and fast, very different than my '05 Corvette 5er.

 

[BoomBoomOGTL]

I agree with the consensus the German made Warwick no question. A Euro built Spector would make it a much harder choice.

 

[HELLonWHEELS]

As other's have mentioned the german warwick well be the best made instrument of the bunch, however if you want versatility over everything else, the Aguilar OBP preamp will be your best bet.

EDIT: Also older warwick's have thick necks, so might not exactly be what you're looking for.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

Absolutely this^

Spector legend series instruments are well made for what they are, but (IMHO) a German Warwick is a significantly better built bass. I had a 2015 streamer stage 1 (5 string) and its neck was thin and fast, very different than my '05 Corvette 5er.

I won't even go that far. I've never played a Legend I would've been okay paying any more than $3-400 for, and I'm pretty sure they cost an awful lot more than that. You'r paying for a name and almost nothing else when you buy a Legend. At least any I've been around.

 

[Reedt2000]

I won't even go that far. I've never played a Legend I would've been okay paying $3-400 for, and they cost an awful lot more than that. You'r paying for a name and almost nothing else when you buy a Legend. At least any I've been around.

I had an early 2000s legend 6 that was a nice playing bass, (I worked for a dealer and got it for cost, around $300 then). It couldn't hold a candle to any German Warwick though.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

I had an early 2000s legend 6 that was a nice playing bass, (I worked for a dealer and got it for cost, around $300 then). It couldn't hold a candle to any German Warwick though.

I think 3-400 is a fair price for them, I edited my earlier post as it was kinda worded wrong. I'm pretty sure they're up around a grand retail, though, and that's just unacceptable to me.

 

[cableguy]

At $850 I would go with the Warwick. If you could stretch a little further I would go Spector Euro everyday. One you didn't mention was the Spector NS2A. Made in the 80's & 90's, rival the Euro's in quality.

 

[PWRL]

If the Warwick has a slim neck, that'd be the way I'd go. In fact, that's how much I got my 98 Streamer LX for, and it's a fantastic bass. It's also plenty versatile. It will always have a Warwick-ness to its sound, but I've found I can get a wide range of different sounds out of it with minimum fiddling.

 

[Gizmot]

I had a German-made Warwick Streamer and I loved it! It had a fat, authoritative sound and the neck played like a dream. I sold it a few months ago to make some room in my closet. What a shame!

 

[jmattbassplaya]

The Euro Spectors have thick necks from the ones I’ve played. Warwick is a bit of a toss up and depends on the model and the era. However, one thing I can say about both the Streamer and the Spector is that their basses sit differently than other brands. The nut is further away than any other bass that I’ve played. If you have your basses up high on a strap then it might be a deal breaker.

 

[dpaul]

Get a used Spector NS-2A, you won’t look back...

 

[Dincrest]

And with a stroke of luck, I have found a 2017 MIG Streamer perfectly in my budget!

I think you've found your answer, friend.

However, one thing I can say about both the Streamer and the Spector is that their basses sit differently than other brands. The nut is further away than any other bass that I’ve played. If you have your basses up high on a strap then it might be a deal breaker.

I'll +1 this. Having owned a Warwick Corvette Standard (which I sold to a jazz student) and being in the process of selling a Spector ReBop 5. Those were easily two of the best sounding and best playing basses that have come into my possession. Unfortunately, yeah, the compact bodies, short upper horns, and long necks made them hang on me in a way that made first position an uncomfortable reach. Otherwise, those would have been my forever basses.

 

[diegom]

$850 is your limit, look for a Ibanez Doug Wimbish or Verdine White model. They are nice PJ basses.

+1 for the Ibanez Doug Wimbish, if you can find one... Very underrated bass.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

+1 for the Ibanez Doug Wimbish, if you can find one... Very underrated bass.

I think it is very rare indeed.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I think you've found your answer, friend.



I'll +1 this. Having owned a Warwick Corvette Standard (which I sold to a jazz student) and being in the process of selling a Spector ReBop 5. Those were easily two of the best sounding and best playing basses that have come into my possession. Unfortunately, yeah, the compact bodies, short upper horns, and long necks made them hang on me in a way that made first position an uncomfortable reach. Otherwise, those would have been my forever basses.

Same. I LOVED my Euro LX in every way except for how it “sat” when I played while standing. Playing in the first position was basically impossible for me and, unfortunately, that’s where a bassist makes their money.