Rayman

As a professional musician I mean? A generalised question I guess, as some of you are professionals, but I’ll wager most of us aren’t. Did you think you’d be famous? Did you thing you could be a session pro? Did you wait for the call that never came? When did you realise that it was never going to be any of those things? It’s…… just…… a……………. hobby 😳

*update* HPW from Warwick replied to my email this morning with a full and detailed spec on the bass, what it originally was built as and all other relevant information. Superb after care from Warwick, and details on the EQ, from them that would return it to stock. It was built as an active bass with passive pickups, and frankly it’s a mystery to both of us why the modest Thomann Pre is currently in it. Next…. will be to replace said parts with something decent.

Presumably I can go back to passive? Any suggestions?

So a cheap pre…. That’s disappointing I feel something considerably better is required

Alpha pots…. Artec board??

I guess that because it had stacked knobs…. it looked like an aftermarket job. I don’t know if this EQ was available as standard. It’s certainly a neat and tidy job.

Awesome sir thank you for the info. The EQ….. I thought it looked right too…. but some bloke on the Warwick forum said… “definitely aftermarket” ….. 🤷🏻‍♂️

It’s a ‘94 Fortress One. I think Maple body, Ovankol, Wenge neck. However it appears to have an aftermarket EQ, that I can’t identify. E-002676-94 I think, although it’s difficult to read.

Damn sure it’s been covered before… I’m trying to find details of a mid 90s Warwick bass. The serial number finder on the website only covers post 2000 instruments. So does anyone know how to find the information on older instruments?

Fabulous bass, I’d be happy playing any genre on that. I’ll make do with a thunderbird for now. Ever since seeing Chris Glenn with one in the 80s, I’ve often wondered if I should try one.

Yes I’m sure you’re right and thanks, hopefully I’ll have chance to play later today

Mate I’m slightly embarrassed to say that I haven’t spent any quality time with it yet…. I developed kidney stones earlier this week, and I’ve been in agony since! So hopefully I’ll get to it over the weekend. The details from the seller were, Volume, Blend and bass/treble controls, but as you can see they’re stacked knobs, so I need spend some time with it and figure it out. I haven’t touched a bass since last weekend…. so hopefully later.

I guess, like the ‘redistribution’ of anyones life long collection, I find it quite sad. There are people in the world with obscene amounts of disposable income who can afford to massively over pay for someones cherished possessions. Meanwhile children drown on sinking inflatable dinghies while desperately trying to negotiate a freezing expanse of brown sea, to a land where nobody wants them. Cliche, yes, it has always been thus, and will always be. What a world we live (and die) in.

Closest I came to the one, was a Kinal MK5 and an Overwater Progress 5 and a ‘78 Precision and a Shuker 6 and a …… You get the point, they all came, they all went. I realised a long time ago that I love buying, selling, trading, and the fun is in that process rather than a need to own any of them long term. That, and financial pressure that forced me to let some of the basses go that I wish I hadn’t. I’ve never been a wealthy man, so buying anything is a big deal, even a modest bass. Some of those modest basses have been some of the best I’ve had. Price and origin are not important when the instrument is just brilliant regardless. Anyway, the fun goes on….. it’s the journey not the destination.

Could be….. apologies if it’s been done

I’ve turned into a bit of a Frank Bello fanboy (we’re actually the same age). I totally dig his style, tone and vibes. I was never an Anthrax fan….. but I just like him, his playing style and his back story, I’ve read his book twice, but I can take or leave his band? Anyone else get this? Love Flea, can’t be doing with his band either? Other examples?

Soz if it’s already come up previously… Has anyone seen Fripp and his Mrs Toyah doing a couple of covers at recent festivals in YT? Musically (of course) they’re great, however, (and I was a fan in the 80s)…. Mrs Fripp doesn’t seem best suited to singing Led Zep or Lenny Kravitz covers……

For me, there’s no #1. They’re tools. I’ve had hundreds of them over the years, some a bit crap, some sublime, and everything in between. I gave up looking for the bass many years ago, because all of the basses I’ve had that were awesome ‘keepers’ have been sold. There’s a few I wish I still had, but mostly I’m not bothered. I think the thrill is in the chase rather than the ownership of the instrument.

YES!! There you go….. it sounded absolutely fantastic

Yeah me too! My old one had a bizarre double J pickup configuration, both right next to each other in the bridge position. Sounded amazing though, and the action was crazy low with no buzz at all.

Finally, I get my hands on another awesome Warwick. A ‘94 Fortess One, to partner my Streamer. I love these things, I had one maybe 10 years s ago, and regretted selling instantly. So comfortable to play, love it. I’ve already got my eye on a Corvette too…. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Great basses, great company. Very well put together and they play and sound superb.