• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Where to test drive warwicks?

K

kdjord

Apr 29, 2006
21
0
#1
Alright fellas, I am graduating from college in one week! And my graduation gift is a new bass. I've been playing for 4 years. Started out as a 6-stringer, now I reside on bass almost exclusively. Just recorded an album (with my ibanez 505 unfortunately).

I *think* I want a Wick based on the tones I have heard in various recordings and the sight of one seems to jive with what I'm looking for.

The problem is, where the hell do you find these things to try them out? The local guitar centers (I don't buy from them anymore anyway) only have some korean corvettes.

I would prefer to play a wide selection of warwicks to get a feel for what works for me.

Unfortunately, it seems that may not be possible.

What should I do? Is their quality high enough that I could order one online and send it back if it doesn't knock my socks off?

Personally, I like the tones coming from the corvette zebrano $$, corvette $$, streamer $$, maybe thumb BO (worried about ergonomics. I'm 6'5")

I'm also looking into lakland 55-94s, but they seem to be carbon copy industrial basses. Necks feel damn good to me from what I remember, however.

Any ideas?
 
#7
kdjord said:
Alright fellas, I am graduating from college in one week! And my graduation gift is a new bass. I've been playing for 4 years. Started out as a 6-stringer, now I reside on bass almost exclusively. Just recorded an album (with my ibanez 505 unfortunately).

I *think* I want a Wick based on the tones I have heard in various recordings and the sight of one seems to jive with what I'm looking for.

The problem is, where the hell do you find these things to try them out? The local guitar centers (I don't buy from them anymore anyway) only have some korean corvettes.

I would prefer to play a wide selection of warwicks to get a feel for what works for me.

Unfortunately, it seems that may not be possible.

What should I do? Is their quality high enough that I could order one online and send it back if it doesn't knock my socks off?

Personally, I like the tones coming from the corvette zebrano $$, corvette $$, streamer $$, maybe thumb BO (worried about ergonomics. I'm 6'5")

I'm also looking into lakland 55-94s, but they seem to be carbon copy industrial basses. Necks feel damn good to me from what I remember, however.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I moved from an SR505 to Warwick and have not regretted it for one second. As for the Thumb ergonomics, I'm 6'2" and think that my Thumb NT5 is one of the most comfortable basses I've ever laid hands on. Nothing to offer on trying them out - the Guitar Centers around me don't carry squat anymore.
 
#8
You want a Warwick, that much is for sure ;)

Personally I'd go with a thumb or streamer, for the concave ergonomic body shape. Whenever I play a 'Vette now I feel like I'm playing a butcher block, because I'm used to my Thumb's body shape. So then the decision is Streamer $$ or Thumb, two basses that have pretty different characteristics, so it's about which type of sound you want.
 
#9
I am in the same boat, been wanting to try a streamer, but between the two GC's i visited today, i found one 5 string corvette. I want to try a streamer specifically because i think its interesting that Inez from AIC rocks one out, and Zender from Jamiroqui played one, 2 great but far different tones.
 
#10
I went through my "gotta have a Warwick" phase ever since I tried one out and couldn't remember which model it was. I tried out lots of them. And even though they have a signature sound, each model is different.

I got over that phase. But for you ... do a dealer search. What city, state are you in??
 
#16
Well, if you don't mind meeting with Strangers, hit CraigsList. I live between Indy, Cincinnatti, and LouisVille (Pronounced Lou-A-Ville!) For an Hours Drive I've been known to go "Test Drive" whatever for 20 minutes or so to see what some unfamiliar bass plays like. Usually the people I meet with are pretty cool, but there was a group of Mutant Bikers that were less than thrilled that I wasn't taking the Bass with me. I was Armed, but Alone...:help:

Anyways, that Might be one way.:smug:
 
#20
Yup Charleston SC it is. I also spend sometime in Cleveland, OH. The only wicks I have seen at any GC's are corvettes. And they're usually suspicious-looking.

I guess what I'm wanting to know is where do you test drive high end warwicks...streamers, thumbs, etc?

I guess you don't. I might just order a streamer $$ online and hope it's a winner. If not, return it...

What is the difference tonally between a streamer and a thumb?

Would you guys recommend this strategy?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back