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What's YOUR experience with a Warwick?

#21
Full disclosure: I've never owned a Warwick. This is my limited experience, although I feel it's relevant to the discussion. Take from it what you will.

I played an Infinity LTD at NAMM and it was one of the best playing/sounding basses at the whole show, even against instruments twice its cost. If they'd accepted kidneys or plasma or first-borns as payment, it'd be in bed with me right now. Now, this is where it gets sour.

As others have pointed out, the resale value is staggeringly low. Normally I wouldn't mention it, but it is truly horrendous. Like, "CONDOM - LIGHTLY USED!" bad.

A few years back a regular brought in his five string Thumb NT to sell on consignment in the shop I worked at. I hated how it looked. It was crazy heavy. I didn't want to like it. The playability......... was unreal. My fingers were literally tripping over each other, expecting more resistance. In spite of the the pickups being relatively close to the bridge, you could dial in any tone you dreamed of without so much as looking at the amp. It had more sustain than could ever be used.

By the grace of god, the seller was a realist. He understood he'd be taking a pretty heavy loss. He'd paid around $5,000 for it, and treated it accordingly. It was pristine. We started doing some research (not being a Warwick dealer,) checking completed eBay listings, what comparable models were selling for at other stores, calling people "in the know," etc. Bearing in mind this was when the recession was significantly worse, the best resale value we could find was $1,800. To save you the mental math, that's a $3,200 loss.

It didn't take long to sell (I up-sold a customer from a $200 Dean, which I'm pretty damn proud of and still perplexed by) but the buyer managed to haggle the seller down to $1,500. After our 30% commission, the seller left with ~$1,050. A three thousand, nine hundred and fifty dollar loss. He could've bought two copies of the instrument he'd just sold with the money he'd lost.

Obviously this is an extreme example - an isolated one at that - and the economy is doing better. But from a financial standpoint, it's something to keep in mind. In short...

BUY USED.
 
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#22
I love Warwick's, and have owned about 12 of them or so (still own two currently). There are certainly some differences from the "usual" or "traditional" basses out there, and whether that's a good or bad thing is subjective for each player. For me personally, I loved the differences. The tone is unique, and I have yet to find another bass that gets the same tones I want (not saying they don't exist, but it's not as common. With a Warwick, however, you can fairly comfortably know you'll get that tone). The playability for me is great. There is a longer reach to the first fret, but once I got used to it, it's a non-issue and is actually quite comfortable for me. Then again, I also play guitar and ran through multiple basses over the years, and have learned to adapt to just about anything except 6+ string basses! There was a range of years (about 1999-2009 or 2010 I believe) where the necks were quite chunky. Pre-99 and post 2010 models have much thinner necks. I prefer the fat necks, others say it bothers them too much and they can't play them. Again, to each their own. Different models will balance differently though. Streamers nearly always balance very well, Dolphins and Fortresses balance very well (haven't played either of them on a strap, so I can't verify this, but have heard it often), Corvettes can be a little hit or miss though. My first Corvette 4 bubinga was perfect, my Corvette $$ 5 was pretty good, Corvette Std Ash was horrible, and Corvette 5 bubinga was slightly neck heavy (but not enough to be a bother). Thumbs are very neck heavy typically, but if you alter your playing style (raise it up close to your chest and let it sit slightly above horizontal and it's great) you can get by. I couldn't ever get fully comfortable playing that way though, and decided to stick with Streamers now since they're the most comfortable to me.

Finally, as many have said, price can be an issue. Even the ones I've owned have been expensive, but I would never buy new (except the one Streamer LX I bought new, but I managed to snag it for the cost of a used one at the time). They do not hold value well at all (a Streamer Stage II or Thumb NT, for example, would sell for nearly $5,000 new, and can be bought used for around $2,000 +/-). Do some searching, have some patience, and you can find a near mint example used for a much better deal (or, especially if you have the money to buy a brand new lower-end 'Wick, you can probably by a model or two higher used for the same price!).
 
#25
Bought a used Fortress years ago for $350, then put another $150 into it, plus new strings. If I sold it today it would probably get most of that back. Currently Warwick is selling a 2014 Fortress 5-stg for $4,000 new. I probably will never sell my Warwick because I got it so cheap and it does sound good. I'm used to the neck and as others have said I can dial in pretty much any sound. Mine is a 94 German with MECs. About 10# but I play in an orchestra so I sit most of the time. With rounds it gets great lows and highs. With flats it gets more mids.
 
#26
In 1994 I bought a German made Warwick. Can't remember the model. Nice bass. I liked the way it played quite a lot and used it almost exclusively for about a year. For some crazy reason I decided that it should be fretless. Took it to a pro shop, had them remove the frets and put in ash fret line fillers. They did a great job of it, but I never liked the bass after that and sold it. It was solid quality and sounded very good but just didn't work as a fretless.
 
#27
I have a 4 string Thumb. Prices are reasonable on used Warwicks, they have a much different feel then Fender style basses, not much variability in tone, service for me has been fantastic, best i've ever had at the Warwick custom shop in NYC. They are good basses if a little iconic.
 
#28
i have never owned a "normal" warwick ... the warwicks i own/owned are:

1.) vampyre darklord (used, still have it)
2.) vampyre SN (used, i sold it)
3.) vampyre LTD (used, still have it)
4.) buzzard BO5 (new, sold it)

i guess you might say i am a big warwick fan ...

i agree with a lot of things said here:

1.) tuning heads not fitting right - my vampyre darklord had this problem. i replaced them with hipshots (not cheap!)
2.) hard to find/expensive parts - always have a spare switchcraft female input jack, cause its a matter of time before they crap out. i also lost some of the bridge allen screws. i just did not bother replacing them.
3.) terrible resale value. i am just glad the buzzard was a rare bass with a few fans, and i managed to sell it with only a $500 loss.
4.) hard to sell. especially vampyres. i bought them used, and if i were to sell them, i'd still have to take a $500 hit before anyone would be slightly interested with them.
5.) heavy.
6.) while the quality is good, the brand new buzzard i got did not feel as solid as the used musicman stingray i got or the MIA fender precision. the used vampyres were also not as solid feeling. and they also do not come with a flight case for the most part. just a crappy gigbag (yes, the warwick rockbag sucks)
7.) unique tone. the warwick tone for me is the bubinga or the ovangkol. my other warwicks do not have that "signature growl" apart from the darklord, but they still sounded good and unique nonetheless. my vampyre SN sounded like a rick and a stingray, while my vampyre LTD sounded really bright and biting (but not in a stingray kind of way). the buzzard sounded dark, like a Pbass with the tone set low.

the only thing i do not agree with is "changing the way you play." i never changed the way i play for a warwick... i have to deal with a lot more adjustments with a pre-EB stingray and its wide fretboard, or a Pbass not having a bridge PUP for me to anchor my thumb on, or an epiphone thunderbird where i had to set the strap higher and had to really reach for the first fret.

perhaps vampyres and buzzards are easier to play compared to the common wicks; vettes, streamers and thumbs.

if i'd go back in time would i still own them? yes! vampyres are awesome basses if you can get over the shape. perhaps i wouldnt say that 20 years from now when i am 50 ... cause a 50 year old with a gothic looking bass just might not be a good sight.
 
#29
Another fan here. They've done their own thing and made a very individual line of instruments. I've got three Streamers at the moment: an old Stage one, a LX and most recently a fretless LX Jazzman. They feel great and there's just something about that Warwick sound which is invigorating in an increasing sea of Ferderesque anonymity.

That being said, definitely buy used. They're definitely not in vogue at the moment and, as a result, there are some astounding deals to be hand in the second hand market.
 
#30
I changed my previous Korean-made Spector NS 2000/4 for an older (and much more worn out) German made 1995 Streamer bolt-on. Never regretted it. The sound is just awesome, I can chose between active and passive, the tone controls offer fair amount of flexibility. In my case, "re-engineering" the technique was not an issue, probably because the two basses are quite similar in the ergonomics regard.

My input jack is giving me some trouble though, as it has gone somewhat loose, so I will have to look for a replacement. Any suggestions on that?
 
#31
I used to go to a GC like 3x a week for 6 months and play a Corvette FNA jazzman they had for as long as possible. I wanted that bass so bad but could never afford it. The feel and sound was a dream. Then they sold it and the replacements that came in were not nearly as nice. The feel on that bass was amazing. I had no trouble going from a fender to that bass
 
#32
I played a Corvette Std. 5 for a few years. The main reason I quit playing it was a switch back to 4 string basses. I found it well balanced around my neck, all kinds of tonal options, sounded very good in several groups, from R&B to classic rock, and was very good in the studio. No it isn't a fender ( I mostly play Jazz basses) but I found it to be a very good alternative. Yes you can get the growls sound, and a lot of other tone options too. I think they are a great buy on the USED market.
 
#33
Owned a Warwick Corvette $$, the German version, loved-loved-loved the way that thing could stand out without being overbearing in the mix. The listener could ALWAYS tell when and what note I was playing through my rig, which included my (favorite amp head) Yamaha BBT500H feeding one 4 Ohm Carvin BRX10.2 2x12 speaker and one (any) 8 Ohm PA speaker. That Yamaha loves loads UNDER 3 Ohms. :bassist:
 
#34
I've played them on several occasions and have always been impressed. As a Fender/EBMM guy, I didn't find the differences to be very intimidating. The balance felt just right for me. Somehow, despite owning many basses, I never got around to getting one. Lately, I find that I very much want a Corvette fretless. I understand Wicks can be heavy, but I figure Jack Bruce is managing at 72 and I'm nine years younger...if the right one came along I'd even consider trading my Stingray for it.
 
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#35
had a German corvette 5 string, 2 band preamp model. played nicely, had good tone. only gripe was the weight. very heavy, made my shoulders/back hurt, and that had never been an issue before. i regret selling it on the rare occasion, but I can tell you...i've not shopped or GAS'd for a warwick since.....
 
#36
I own a 96 Fortress Masterman a and I find it to be one of the most comfortable basses I have played. It has a flamed Maple body with a bolt on Wenge neck. It is not as fragile as some of the others have reported finish wise. Has a fairly aggressive tone to it.

For me its a keeper.
 
#37
I've been playing 6 string for awhile now and have an Ibanez SR406. I had a Warwick Corvette Std with the adjust-a-nut I and loved it. A good friend had a 6 string Streamer and 6 string Thumb NT that I also loved, but found the neck was huge. Then my dad passed on and I scoured ebay for one and found a '96 German-made 6 string Corvette Std with the adjust a nut I and Duncan Basslines pickups. $1000 with a gig bag.

I'd read the horror stories about the adjust-a-nut I. Never had a problem with it. Just take your time and you'll be fine. No problems with the neck or pickups but she's freaking heavy. I took a neophrene sax strap and nylon guitar strap and made a really nice guitar strap for it.

She's definitely a keeper.
 
#38
StereoPlayer said:
It did change the way I play! I feel like I'm fingering the notes in a more precise, efficient way.
I also love the tone too!
Click to expand...

This.

When I play my Squire Jazz 5 or my other (non-German) basses, I just don't have the same feeling of.. responsibility or.. I don't know how else to say it.. respect.
My Fortress demands to be played with respect to its greatness :) I don't quite get the same feeling from my RockBass corvette though so im sure a lot of it is just in my head.. or my own weird form of placebo, since I spent so long wanting to buy a German Warwick.

And when I am out on the road for my job, my little Cort Action (60$ pawn shop with slight repair) does just fine at helping me in my quest to not be such a sh*tty player.

But my Fortress? It commands a lot more. I actually like the workout that comes from the "baseball bat" kneck. Harnessing that beast allows for some awesome sounds.. And that is TRULY why i chose this hobby.

But that isn't to say that I don't like a lot of different sounds. Gretsch makes a freaking SWEET hollow body that I love the sound of. Which means I need to try an Alien...

So my experience with Warwick? It can be summed up this way.
I don't play much other than alone. It's my stress relief and it has kept me out of trouble for years. I decided when I was 14 that I wanted a warwick. I finally bought one about a year ago. And, from then on, my homepage on my laptop has been an updated search for Talkbass classifieds for anything that says Warwick. I had HIGH expectations for these basses. And they have yet to disappoint.
 
#39
An older used pro (would be German made) or new pro (Korean made)? I have owned over 20 German Warwick not what I would call an expert but know a few things. If it's the Korean newer model it's a great value if you are not buying it with the intention of selling it right away. There is the bubinga version which would be in the 10+ Lb range and then there is an ash version much lighter. I would go for the pro streamer model it has way better balance and feel unless you are heart set on bubinga. I could add a lot more but the best advise would be to look for used the prices are sick low on them as mentioned. They are at almost all GC used..More than anything just stay away from the Chinese Rockbass line.

Just remember this...


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