Warwicks---Yay or Nay?

[oldirtymoney]

I love warwick. They have good tone and are good for any style of playing.

 

[FungusHumungous]

What's the story behind the Streamer Pro-M being discontinued?
Was it just because it wasn't selling well as compared to the other streamers?

Glenn

 

[john turner]

every one i've ever touched felt like it had a baseball bat for a neck.

no offense to any warwick owners, and of course, your mileage may vary.

 

[Moe Hickey]

I'm gonna try one again. I had a Rockbass that I ended up selling. My teacher plays them and I have noodled with his. So I got a Streamer Standard (not a Rockbass) on Ebay over the weekend.

 

[Finger Blister]

Originally posted by FungusHumungous
What's the story behind the Streamer Pro-M being discontinued?
Was it just because it wasn't selling well as compared to the other streamers?

Glenn

No, they weren't selling.
They originally retailed for $1799, and then
in 1999 the retail went past 2K. Finally, when retailers were dumping the discontinued stock in 2001 prices plummeted to $900 to $1,200. Of course the older Wenge Neck models selling for more then the newer Ovangol necks, even though the retail pricing was the opposite.

It got rave reviews in the US, but not as good in the UK.
Go figure.
It's considered a "Funk Machine."
I guess the UK reviewers forgot the funk.

With "Taps" carried on a distant wind and a tear in the eye....

Warwick Pro M -
4 Years Old
---R I P ---
Retired to the Pantheon of Great Collectables

Production began: late 1996
Production ended: 2000

Wenge Neck, Brass Nut, Inset Straplocks: from beginning of production until late '98.

Ovangol Neck, Teflon Nut, Strap Buttons: late '98 - 2000.

 

[apparatus]

I generally dislike their designs.. not that I think they're too modern - I'm not much of a classic style fan (old, chunky fenders are pretty boring in my opinion). they're just too whimsical or something.

apart from that, I don't really know. I haven't tried many warwicks but I know that they sound good and all that. I just can't get over the design of most of their basses.

 

[Only]

Good:

Sound about half the time

Bad:

Sound the other half of the time
Neck profile
Weight
Appearance
Balance
Price
Waxing requirements

So I'm gonna go with "Nay" on this one...All this is IMO of course.

 

[tplyons]

I love their sound and feel, but the look isn't right for me, that upper horn on some of them tends to get in the way while sitting, and besides, I like a nice black finish that I can get all sweaty, etc.

 

[NJL]

the balancing problem that i have with my corvette six is really getting to me.

i may make a new body and use all of the old hardware and neck, i may try a bolt on single cut

 

[Masamax]

I dunno. Warwicks have a pretty neat tone that is a LOT differnet from my Stingray, and I can't say I dislike it, although I know what I perfer. But my main issue that causes me to not like Warwicks is their balance and shape. The shape of that body just makes me vomit. I need a bass that doesn't just sound good but feels good and has a shape that I won't gag everytime I see. Warwicks just can't help me there.

 

[GrooveMonkey]

Invalid Link Removed

I fixed the balance and reach issue with a cool little doohicky called "the bass balancer". It's a chunky brass peg that screws into the upper horn (the screw is 3X the size/depth of the original straplock screw). It's really sturdy and it made the Thumb playable with comfort. People really don't see it when your playing the bass.

 

[WOOFMAN]

Great invention Groove Monkey. You should apply for a patent. What's it called?

 

[cumbersome]

I got a corvette standard last april, and it was tremendously better than the korean washburn xb-400 that i learned bass-playing on. the substantial neck was something to get used to, but it eventually felt comfortable and natural, considering that it was radically different from the sleek washburn neck, or the traditional fender necks i've tried. point is, everything is a matter of learning, of getting used to. for those who can't stand the bat feel of warwicks, then it's just an issue of just wanting to stay with the familiar.i think warwicks are very well-made and versatile, and quite reasonably priced compared to a host of other CNC-manufactured basses.

as for the waxing part, i think every bassist should be, say, affectionate enough to their instruments to give them some tender, loving care once in a while. good day.

 

[GrooveMonkey]

I didn't think of it. I ordered mine on Ebay. Try a google search for "Bass Balencer".

 

[FretNoMore]

http://www.bassbalancer.com, doesn't seem to respond at the moment though.

 

[Figjam]

Warwicks are my favorite brand of basses, especially the corvette. I wil buy oe when i get the money.

 

[By-Tor]

I'm not a big Warwick fan.

I played a $3000 Warwick the other day and the playability wasn't too good, as a matter of fact that's the reason I didn't even plug it in.
I played it dry for about 3 minutes and put it back on the rack.

so, nay.

 

[funkslapped]

Warwick basses are fantastical. Granted, the balance issue of Warwick basses cannot be overlooked and pup placement can make it difficult to run around the low end. These are facts that I cannot argue. However, I have become exponentially more comfortable on my Thumb5 with time and adamantly believe that anyone can assimilate to play one, if they want the sound bad enough. And let's face it, Warwicks sound great! And I agree with the plethora of others on the earlier models being superior to the new.

 

[Piezoman]

I agree they have a great tone but I find them rather heavy. They look nice as s***.

 

[spaz]

I've always liked the look. Huge fan of the sound. Hate the feel of the neck. Every time I get a chance to play one I REALLY want to like it, but...