maldy

Nice!

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1380926558' post='2232640']


The neck on my Streamer is really slim, but mine is an early model. The necks became chunkier later on (not sure what year). Also, it very light. Only 8.4lbs, so the hot rod is not an anomaly!

I'd recommend that you try an early Streamer (stage 1 or 2). Slim neck, light in weight, neck through body. They are the Holy Grail of Warwicks, to be sure.
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Absolutely. Totally agree with you and it seems to be what many others say. With regards to the hot rod being an anomaly, I meant within the small selection of W basses I've owned or tried. I've heard many legendary things about early streamers! :-)

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1380900051' post='2232182']
I don't appreciate EVERY bass that Warwick do but certain Warwick basses have a cracking sound and their playability and ergonomics are (IMHO) superb. The Streamer (I or II) is a lovely thing to play (as is the Spector NS but I have tended to find them a bit more 'bloated' ergonomically and tonally) but I can appreciate how Fender-Heads can't get away with where the neck hangs (short horn on the W means that Fender top horns have the neck pulled back toward the body), same scale but W necks can 'appear' to be longer. I also love the Dolphin for tone and aesthetics, likewise the Thumb BUT I can't get away with the even shorter horn on the Thumb.

Another point of note is that the W neck profile has changed over time and some folks pick up a W from a certain period and may have an instant like/dislike to the profile and they never bother trying a different period bass to see if that is better/worse. Oddly enough people talk about Fender J and P basses as though the necks only come in 2 profiles (P = full & J = skinny) yet I've tried some 70's J basses that have chunky profile necks... worse than any W! LOL

Horses for courses though and I never actively try and convert folks to liking Warwick basses; though one or two have been surprised when they have tried mine!
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Totally agree with this. I don't like every W shape by any stretch. My favourites are the thumb, streamer and corvette.

Having recently bought a couple of Fenders, there is a noticeable quality difference. However, I like the fact these basses are so different in feel and sound. And I totally agree with the comment that warwicks sometimes feel like a longer scale as compared to a fender.

I've owned a thumb, std corvette fretless, corvette hot rod and streamer $$. I like the feel of all of these. The body on the streamer was superb, but the neck was a little too chunky for me. The others have/had great necks. Apart from the hot rod, they all had a very similar sound. $$ had countless of settings, but all very warwick in my mind. Also if you don't like heavy (in weight) basses, warwicks do tend to weigh a ton! The hot rod is the anomaly. It is light - has tone chambers and consequently has more warmth that most of the warwicks I've tried.

Every time I pick my warwicks up I'm impressed by the quality. I also think the thumb is a good recording bass. So I have big love for Warwick. However, these days I'm happy exploring other basses. I've never tried a thru neck warwick and that might tempt me to get another.

Finding all these comments very intersting. I like the fact that the people posting no love for warwicks have their reasons. It seems you guys have at least tried a Warwick and found it not suited to you. Can't argue with that.

Before Internet forums I gigged for about 10 years with a Warwick thumb and watched countless of live local bands. Not once did I come across another Warwick bass player. Nice to finally 'meet' some!

So far a lot of love, or at least respect, for Warwick basses. So how come they lost their fashion appeal? Change of music scene and the bands associated with them?

Very much enjoying everyone's thoughts.

Are the MEC pickups an issue for people as well? Are they considered a decent pickup?

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I heard a few people around here talk about Warwick basses falling out of fashion a while back. Was there any reason for Warwicks falling out of fashion, or is it just one of those things? I've also noticed since being on this forum a few people really not liking Warwick basses. I can understand people having different preferences for a shape, or a sound of bass. That's the way of the world and I get that. I've always thought warwicks seemed to be a high quality produced instrument with a good sound. Naturally they may not be for everyone. [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]However, some people really seem to loathe them and that surprises me! [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I would genuinely be interested to hear why people either love, or hate these basses. [/font][/color]

[quote name='XB26354' timestamp='1380607815' post='2227622']
It is worth waiting for the right one to come along. I've bought and sold a lot of Warwicks over the years and have snagged a Thumb NT5 for £650, a Streamer Stage 1 5 for £750 and a Streamer Jazzman 5 for £500. Warwicks fell out of fashion and used prices tumbled a while ago, to a fraction of what it would cost to buy one new (if indeed anyone buys a new high end Warwick nowadays!) Looking at recent FS threads it seems Warwicks are being priced up now - no more £300 Corvettes - which can only be a good thing for owners. They are still brilliant instruments, and £1K for one of their NT instruments is a very good price when you compare the work to make one compared to a Fender, for example.
Personally speaking I'd say £1000-£1200 in a private sale, £1300-£1500 from a shop for the Thumb you spec'ed.
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Aside, but was there any reason for Warwicks falling out of fashion? I've noticed since being on this forum a few people really not liking Warwick basses. I can understand people not liking the shape, or the sound, but that said they seem to me, to still be a high quality instrument. However, some people really seem to loathe them and that surprises me!

I'm not sure about hanging basses on my wall (although I'm not opposed to others doing it). However, I totally agree that some basses, as well as being instruments, are beautiful works of art.

Sorry is this is a stupid question, but what is the significance of splitting the pickup in a P as opposed to not?

When I first started playing bass I, shamefully, came to the premature conclusion that people who played with a pick weren't very good. There were many reasons for this, most out of ignorance.

Many years down the line, I realise that there is actually I huge skill to playing with a pick and making it sound good. I'm absolutely rubbish with a pick and I sound like a bag of sh*te. I can slap the bass, which is supposedly a complex thing, but can't pick for toffee! So if the pick is so inferior, why do I find it so hard!

I realise my error in judgement and one day hope to get decent with a pick. But at the moment I've got a long way to go.

So respect to all you pick users. I really don't know how you get such a smooth and even sound. Hats off to you and keep doing what you are doing.

This is a really intersting thread. I bought a Jazz and thought the neck was wow! Then a bought a RW P and was pleasantly surprised. The neck wasn't as chunky as I feared. In fact I kind of really like it. I have a few other basses with slightly different size necks and I just can't decide which I prefer. I think the jazz may be easier to play some things, but I really do like the feel of the P. I'm come to the conclusion, for me at least, that they are just different and sometimes I'm in the mood for one or another. That said, I'm not gigging at the moment, or playing a lot. Maybe if I was doing some serious playing I would start to lean to one, or the other.

I once owned a streamer $$ and the neck was a little wide and very fat. Looking back I didn't find this comfortable at all (for my size of hands). Thanfully my P and stingray are nowhere near as chunky as this one was.

Aside, but sort of related I now find after switching from 24 frets to 22/21 and going back to 24 a little odd!

That's a good description of the sound. Couldn't have said it better.

I was more wondering about the science of it. What is it in the physical make up of the pickups that causes the different sounds? Coil turns, circuitry, magnets...? I pretty much know nothing about all that!

Can anyone explain the importance/difference between a P and J pickup, in terms of how it produces a sound difference? How does the split coil affect things?

I used to be a hoarder for sure. Found it very difficult to get rid of things. But I find as I get older it is easier to part with things. Sometimes the only thing that holds me back would be a significant loss of money (on a bass that is). Even so if I don't use I'm more of the mind of selling it these days.

Although must admit I'd find it hard to sell my warwick thumb as I did so many gigs with it in my twenties. Lots of sentiment there.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1379192713' post='2209766']

Gawd, yes! We played at a beer festival last year, with lots of enticing ales and though it paid OK, they also gave us beer tokens. I was driving, inevitably. If only you could get doggy bags for beer...
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A barrel of beer to take home would be nice!

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1379158315' post='2209233']
I think it happens to a lot of bands - when you're ready to start gigging, anything seems like a good offer because, if nothing else, it gives you a chance to test out the unit, see what people think, etc. After a while, you become more confident that the band is competent and liked, and you don't really need those gigs any more - that's when various band members start considering the cost:benefit ratio. Looks like you're just the first one to reach that stage. I'd hope that, as long as everyone's polite and upfront about it, it shouldn't do any lasting damage to put your foot down occasionally!
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Totally agree with this and this happened to me in an old band. There was one member who would accept any gig. Sometimes ones that would pay us in beer. This was good for him because he didn't drive, but not so good for the rest of us. I talked to the rest of the band and we all agreed it was not on. Next time it happened I spoke up expecting the rest of the band to back me up. The buggers didn't and I looked like the spoil sport for turning down the gig!

I can see both sides of this, but must admit that doing it for enjoyment with like minded people is my preference.

My first band was purely a passion for me as I believed in the music we were playing. All the members initially had the same ideas. We gigged because we just wanted people to hear our music. As we got more gigs it sometimes got expensive travelling around for not much money. It was not fair on some of us. Some of us were driving, some were not (and on the beer), some had less free time. Consequently we started doing only the gigs that paid well. We started playing music that would get us well paid gigs. We started doing stuff that we didn't like and started individually not enjoying the experience. We broke up! I guess we all grew to want different things.

I really want to meet up with my old comrades just for a one of jam; we always had good spontaneity and chemistry. Sadly the guitarist doesn't want to. He said he is concentrating on forming a wedding band, because 'that's where the money is'. His aim is to eventually become a full time musician and give up his job. I can't knock him for following his beliefs. It is not what I want though and we have to agree to disagree.

What I've learnt is that it is wise to be aware what each member wants when you start a band. It surprisingly gets more difficult as you get older - it seems people have so much more on their plates.

I had a very lengthy ongoing email conversation with Mark before purchasing a classic stingray from him. I could have been perceived as a time waster, but every step of the way he answer all my questions and was very helpful.

I must admit when I first spoke to him (before emailing) he kind of scared me! He was a bit unimpressed about me buying a stingray! And when I asked him what it sounded liked (I live hours from his shop), he replied, 'like a stingray'! I see what people mean about asking the wrong question now!! I was kind of interested how it compared to other stingrays, but I came across as asking a dull question! To be fair he told me how it was and that stingrays were not his thing. I kind of liked this honesty, even though it is contrary to the usual sycophantic sales assistant. It threw me to be honest. But then he was superb with everything else that followed. And I was totally pleased in the end.

I get the impression I would have really enjoyed a visit to his shop. I think he would have been intersting to talk to in person.

Had one just like this. My first bass in fact. Brings back memories!

Hi, this bass looks great and I have always fancied one, but never seen one in the flesh. What is the history of this bass? Did you buy it from new?

I first came across him on the Lucy Pearl album. Great and tasteful player.

[quote name='John Cellario' timestamp='1376223251' post='2170899']
This has been bugging me for years now and I'm getting very OCD about it...... when I go to play above the 12th fret to step out with the band and put in a tasty little fill, which I hope will jump out in the mix, the D and G string notes seem to die volume wise and be of far less prominence than the other two strings, which is highly disappointing. I'm sure in my younger days, when a high fill like this was played, other band members would turn round and notice!

In my efforts to address this, I've gone through one Jazz bass, one custom and now a Sandberg thinking it must be the guitar but it has made no difference..also have bought a 2 x 10" cab to bring out the highs which didn't help. I've got good gear...EBS amp, Hartke cabs etc and go for a Jazz boppy back pick up type sound so not much if any treble EQ wise. Years ago, I had a 3" horn on a crossover on top of my 15" cab which really helped.

Anyone have similar problems? My other thought is as I'm getting more senior in years, my hearing may be worsening...a friend of my with hearing problems, reckons you lose the top end in the hearing spectrum as you get older.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
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I used to get a perceived loss of sound on the few occasions that I switched between finger style and slap during a song. The slap got completely lost in the mix for me. Before trying lots of things, I thought it was the bass. What I came to realise was the sound on the stage was not the same as the sound for the audience (as another member mentions in this thread). I think it is really important to either have someone you trust to inform you of your front of house levels, or somehow get out the front your self (either have someone sub on the bass, or have a long lead, or fancy wireless device!). The bass surprisingly carries well into a room and I got frustrated when people said I was too loud, either though I couldn't hear myself sometimes! If I had continued playing I think my next step was to look into adequate on stage bass monitoring.

How does this bass sound? It has a completely different pup arrangement to the standard thumb. I'm imagining a very beefy sound. How does it compare to your classic stingray (the reason I ask is because I have one of those too and it is a good reference point for me)? Either way the bass looks stunning. Did you buy it from new?

Looks amazing. If only I had the cash.