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Warwicks
- Thread starter JBoucks
- Start date
A lot of people like them. A lot of people don't. I'm very fond of my Thumb Bolt on 5 string. I've owned it for going on ten years and it fits in on a lot of gigs.
P-Nut uses Streamers and has recently acquired his own signature model.
P-Nut uses Streamers and has recently acquired his own signature model.
I've owned three - a Streamer Stage 1, Thumb neck-through 5 and a Thumb bolt-on 4. I sold the Streamer and Thumb 5 and I don't miss them a bit. The thumb 4 I'm still sitting on, partly because of sentimental reasons and partly because it actually sounds really good (I didn't care too much for the sound of the Streamer or Thumb 5). One thing I can tell you is that Warwicks are not what they used to be. The company has become too big for its own good and cuts corners where it can. Of course you're going to come across people who will defend Warwick to death and, well, who am I to say that their good experiences aren't valid? I have personally felt let down by the company (long story involving a faulty $3000 Thumb that Warwick would not take responsibility for) and cannot recommend them with a clear conscience. The worst customer service I have encountered in my 20-plus years of playing bass.
I bought a fretless Streamer LX5 and loved it so much I sold my Euro Spector 5 and Alembic Epic 5 and bought another fretted Streamer LX5 (both with MEC PUs and preamps) . The 2 are different in that one has the original Just A Nut and the other has the JAN II (I think, could be an early III, not sure of the difference). The fretless has a shallower maple neck with laminated strips and the fretted has what appears to be a full wenge neck with a rounder feel. Both feel great to me even while they are different. Neither has the wide spacing. I have not felt an overwhelming urge to buy more Warwicks of a similar configuration, but I would like one with the MM or single $ configuration.
Do a search - there are *tons* of posts about warwicks here - or any other brand you can think of.
I've had a FNA Jazzman 5'er for about a year and a half now, I bought it off someone from this website. I must say that I've used it in a bunch of contexts: a jazz fusion quintet, in a pit band for an 80's musical, on several recording gigs, and most currently a Karnivool-esque alternative band project. I've been very satisfied with the sound I got in each context- each of which was very different tonally.
(Dunno if the pic'll work, but thats from the fusion band)
*Plug* If you go to my myspace in my sig, Anything At All was recorded with that bass.
(Dunno if the pic'll work, but thats from the fusion band)
*Plug* If you go to my myspace in my sig, Anything At All was recorded with that bass.
I got into warwick through P-nut. I had the priviledge of chatting back and forth with him years ago, before they became famous and he turned me onto the company.
PROBLEM - if you go to GC, they dont carry Streamers. You will see thumbs and corvettes but not streamers. I HATE thumbs but i would buy it over a fender anyday. I digress.
Like I said it depends on you. I followed his advice, bought a used Warwick Streamer Stage I 5trs Broadneck.... man I love it. The sound, the feel, the look, amazing. Recently I was able to buy a Streamer LX frettless, loved it. I say loved cause it was stolen, why, cause I was busy playing the Stage I. But it looks similar to the Stage II and now I have GAS for the Stage II which would be the only bass to make me retire my blond beauty.
Advice, see if someone near you has one and play it. I have also owned Dean, Fender, Schecter... nothing beat my Warwick. Not even the spector I was forced to play.
PROBLEM - if you go to GC, they dont carry Streamers. You will see thumbs and corvettes but not streamers. I HATE thumbs but i would buy it over a fender anyday. I digress.
Like I said it depends on you. I followed his advice, bought a used Warwick Streamer Stage I 5trs Broadneck.... man I love it. The sound, the feel, the look, amazing. Recently I was able to buy a Streamer LX frettless, loved it. I say loved cause it was stolen, why, cause I was busy playing the Stage I. But it looks similar to the Stage II and now I have GAS for the Stage II which would be the only bass to make me retire my blond beauty.
Advice, see if someone near you has one and play it. I have also owned Dean, Fender, Schecter... nothing beat my Warwick. Not even the spector I was forced to play.
a magg,...as much as I love my Warwick I find myself salivating to see your pedalboard.
There are other basses out there that I'd love to own,...a Jazz or "Super" Jazz (Sadowsky or a Bacchus) and I'd love to get my hands on a Maple Fingerboard Percision Elite II but I've been so settled on my Thumb that effects have become my new addiction.
There are other basses out there that I'd love to own,...a Jazz or "Super" Jazz (Sadowsky or a Bacchus) and I'd love to get my hands on a Maple Fingerboard Percision Elite II but I've been so settled on my Thumb that effects have become my new addiction.
It boils down to what you think of Warwick. Just find some in a GC and sit down and play them for a while and get a feel for them.
As for me, I don't particularly care for them for a few reasons, including their weight, balance, and hardware, not to mention the poor customer service I receieved during my 2 1/2 years or so of ownership of a Corvette STD 5. (It's kind of a bummer, really - they actually sound nice.) Additionally, I think they're terribly overpriced.
Just my $0.02.
As for me, I don't particularly care for them for a few reasons, including their weight, balance, and hardware, not to mention the poor customer service I receieved during my 2 1/2 years or so of ownership of a Corvette STD 5. (It's kind of a bummer, really - they actually sound nice.) Additionally, I think they're terribly overpriced.
Just my $0.02.
i love warwick. i really love thumbs, but im not willing (right now) to shell out alomst 2 grand for one. i really love the contoured back, makes it so comfortable to play high up on the body.
I'll post it up soon in the EFX forum, I'm waiting on an OC-2 a good friend bought for me as a surprise.
EDIT:
I posted it in PYP17, same setup as then...
I own 2 warwick corvettes, both in a 4 and a 5 string. I also have a schecter and a some cheapo fender wanna-be that I pulled from the trash (yes this was my first bass that got me started).
What I can say is, the tone of a warwick is very distinct as some warwick owners will call it the warwick "growl". I find it cuts through really really well in live situations and has a great tone compared to other basses I have tried out. I really do like a musicman, but I have yet to find one that is comfortable for me (the single humbucker I didnt like that much).
The one thing that most people complain about with warwicks is the weight of the bass, which for some might be a problem if you have a bad back. I dont mind the weight of it since I know the bass is made from bubinga which is not your usual material you see on a bass. It catches people's attention every time I take it out my gig bag. People either dont know its a warwick or find it to be an attractive bass. I never really got that with my schecter before.
Last thing, the neck has a bit of an unusual shape. Kind of narrow and thick and isnt good for people with really big hands. I find the neck on my 5 string to be good for my hands and comfortable whereas the 5 string musicman and fender was way to big for me and kind of uncomfortable.
About the build quality, I dont know about previous generation warwicks as mine are both 07-08 models, but I can say they are TOP NOTCH. Very well put together.
-Chris
What I can say is, the tone of a warwick is very distinct as some warwick owners will call it the warwick "growl". I find it cuts through really really well in live situations and has a great tone compared to other basses I have tried out. I really do like a musicman, but I have yet to find one that is comfortable for me (the single humbucker I didnt like that much).
The one thing that most people complain about with warwicks is the weight of the bass, which for some might be a problem if you have a bad back. I dont mind the weight of it since I know the bass is made from bubinga which is not your usual material you see on a bass. It catches people's attention every time I take it out my gig bag. People either dont know its a warwick or find it to be an attractive bass. I never really got that with my schecter before.
Last thing, the neck has a bit of an unusual shape. Kind of narrow and thick and isnt good for people with really big hands. I find the neck on my 5 string to be good for my hands and comfortable whereas the 5 string musicman and fender was way to big for me and kind of uncomfortable.
About the build quality, I dont know about previous generation warwicks as mine are both 07-08 models, but I can say they are TOP NOTCH. Very well put together.
-Chris
The poor customer service must be a recent trend.
When I bought my bass in the year 2000; it sat in mom and pop store in Virginia Beach for two years. The JAN II (Warwick's Adjustable Nut) sagged in the middle and required card stock wedged between the bed of the nut and the nut itself. I contacted Dana B. Goods a few days later took the moment to register my bass and tell them about the issue. They sent me a replacement nut free. I had the replacement within a few days, installed it and fixed the issue. Ultimately I had the nut replaced with a bone nut (I had this done literally 3 months ago, after my bass had a fall). I'm actually much happier with the bone nut.
The JANs seem to be more of a selling point than anything else. In the 9 years that I had the JAN on my bass, I never once adjusted it.
EDIT: I always like to mention that neck dive (which only seems to be an issue with Thumbs) and weight issues can be solved with either a good wide (4") strap or what I use which is a Dimarzio elastic strap which works for me YMMV. I would also mention that the neck on may bass would only dive to a position that is parallel with the floor,...no further.
When I bought my bass in the year 2000; it sat in mom and pop store in Virginia Beach for two years. The JAN II (Warwick's Adjustable Nut) sagged in the middle and required card stock wedged between the bed of the nut and the nut itself. I contacted Dana B. Goods a few days later took the moment to register my bass and tell them about the issue. They sent me a replacement nut free. I had the replacement within a few days, installed it and fixed the issue. Ultimately I had the nut replaced with a bone nut (I had this done literally 3 months ago, after my bass had a fall). I'm actually much happier with the bone nut.
The JANs seem to be more of a selling point than anything else. In the 9 years that I had the JAN on my bass, I never once adjusted it.
EDIT: I always like to mention that neck dive (which only seems to be an issue with Thumbs) and weight issues can be solved with either a good wide (4") strap or what I use which is a Dimarzio elastic strap which works for me YMMV. I would also mention that the neck on may bass would only dive to a position that is parallel with the floor,...no further.
I've got a 1998 Warwick FNA. I like it a lot. It has gotten lots of play. I have owned it 6 years maybe. I can never remember how long. Anyway, I am VERY pleased with it.
Now, mine has the slimmer neck profile. A lot of people complain about the huge necks. They changed around 1999 or 2000, or so I am told. I strongly prefer the slimmer profile. However, that is just preference. I also prefer the Wenge neck. It feels better to me.
The sound is very punchy. I have a friend who has a Warwick FNA Jazzman that was made after the neck profile had changed. It's a very similar bass to mine, but his has the jazz pup in it and the fatter neck. Having played them side by side, the sound of mine is much punchier, all tone controls set the same. I have had several people comment on that. With that said, I don't know if that was his particular bass or what. But the sound between mine and his is VERY different.
Now, mine has the slimmer neck profile. A lot of people complain about the huge necks. They changed around 1999 or 2000, or so I am told. I strongly prefer the slimmer profile. However, that is just preference. I also prefer the Wenge neck. It feels better to me.
The sound is very punchy. I have a friend who has a Warwick FNA Jazzman that was made after the neck profile had changed. It's a very similar bass to mine, but his has the jazz pup in it and the fatter neck. Having played them side by side, the sound of mine is much punchier, all tone controls set the same. I have had several people comment on that. With that said, I don't know if that was his particular bass or what. But the sound between mine and his is VERY different.
I actually received good service from Dana B. Goods. I was referring specifically to Warwick in Germany.
I like them even though I felt they treated me pretty bad. I owned a Streamer Jazzman and their very first Corvette LTD model.
I ordered a custom 4 string Infinity from BassNW years ago when they first came out....paid it in full! Birdseye top and birdseye fretboard with a piezo bridge and gold parts. Should have been incredible. I also wanted the headstock covered with birdseye maple to match everything...Warwick refused. They said the satin black headstock was their trademark and would not budge from this. A year later and still no bass....I contacted BassNW, they contacted Warwick. They have not even started on my bass....go figure. I cancelled my order and purchased something else....and now I see all kinds of Warwick's without satin black headstock. But with something that actually matches the body.
Yes, I know...I'm a nobody. Had I been a famous dude...I'm sure the bass would have been built quickly and with a birdseye headstock. But, I don't hate them....I like their stuff. They have a unique tone.
I ordered a custom 4 string Infinity from BassNW years ago when they first came out....paid it in full! Birdseye top and birdseye fretboard with a piezo bridge and gold parts. Should have been incredible. I also wanted the headstock covered with birdseye maple to match everything...Warwick refused. They said the satin black headstock was their trademark and would not budge from this. A year later and still no bass....I contacted BassNW, they contacted Warwick. They have not even started on my bass....go figure. I cancelled my order and purchased something else....and now I see all kinds of Warwick's without satin black headstock. But with something that actually matches the body.
Yes, I know...I'm a nobody. Had I been a famous dude...I'm sure the bass would have been built quickly and with a birdseye headstock. But, I don't hate them....I like their stuff. They have a unique tone.
