Matt_UK

Woah there... It was more a hypothetical question dude... I've seen a few basses (incl SSI's) with EMG's and Aguilar elecs etc and I was just asking people's general opinion as to whether they would replace broken/faulty parts with original parts or aftermarket alternatives . EMG pickups from Warwick would cost a tonne anyway and it would more than likely be a "Custom Shop" jobbie and cost twice as much as the bargaintastic, freakin' awesome growl machine SSI I've bought

Hi guys Just ordered a Streamer Stage I (as some of you may know!) and obviously it has the MEC P/J pup set up. I was thinking of maybe replacing them with EMG's or something of that ilk. It got me thinking; If something went wrong on your bass (electronics or hardware wise), or you just wanted a change for new - would you replace it like for like and maintain its originality or go for aftermarket parts from other manufacturers which may be more powerful/better made etc? Just a little question I was intrigued about ! Thanks Matt

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='248937' date='Jul 27 2008, 03:18 PM']BC must have done more for their sales figures than any other form of advertising could have done... any chance of them bunging us some freebie competition prizes [/quote] Well they've made £1800 out of us...on a SUNDAY!? Freebies ftw!

Thats the best photo I've seen in such a long time, gave me a proper chortle ! There was a black Jazzman?! That would be sweet...in Glasgow they had a Natural Jazzman for £599...but it had a "sheared off switch" (WTF?!?!?!) Seriously, how hard must someone have pranged that (and not damaged the rest of it) to shear off a METAL switch!? Still, cheap price if you factor in a new switch (£20)!

Ive gone and done it as well...SSI being delivered Tues ! Wooop! Tried everything on, asked for stuff...didnt get anywhere, paid..then got a call saying he'd throw in some Ernie Ball strings ! Result ! The search is over for a new bass...and yet I feel the need for that Roscoe Beck IV...hehehe ! Impressed with Reverb/Sound Control Glasgow, they seem pretty sound guys ! (Sorry to hijack thread!)

[quote name='simondee' post='248769' date='Jul 27 2008, 09:08 AM']My credit card [b]hates[/b] you BassChat.[/quote] lol, mine too Its going to take a biiiig hit tomorrow () my GAS will subside momentarily...

Blimey! £650? I feel sad Reverb are crazy for letting this stuff go so cheap! Jealous Matt.

So... Has anyone got a Streamer Stage I in pretty much mint condition (depending on age) for sale?! Age doesnt matter, I'm open to any year but I'd really love one in as near perfect condition as possible! I'll post in wanted as well Just for clarity and to be proper ! Thanks for all your responses guys, its been a great welcome to the BC Forums Thanks again

Cheers Ben I think the Brass Nuts look better as well, really special Hope to find a nice vintage one late 80's early 90's in good condition...unlikely as that is! People need to sell more...we're in a recession...and I want to take advantage with my student loan ! Cant wait to hear it growl, I just need to find one now !

I dont think thats going to put me off, as you said its a rare occurrence and most of them have been fixed by now ! I think im gradually getting swayed by the SSI, its such a beautiful bass and your comments have pretty much firmed up my thoughts . Im glad that with your experience you can only find one or two (quite minor) problems in an otherwise amazing bass thats been around for a long time now ! Another quicke quessie; obviously Just A Nut III's are all the rage now and seem to be a well designed, well thought out bit of kit. I've heard that the JAN II's could get uncomfortable and/or painful if you catch your hands on them and that the JAN I's were subject to a bit of buzzz. Do I need to pick this aspect of the bass carefully and could you tell me which years each JAN was implemented? Thankyou again!

LoL, that sounds like a great idea, coffee all the way ! Interesting about the sustain, I always thought the benefit of NT was the sustain...does it pose any problems having an NT bass? Any issues I have to be aware of? Are they more prone to warping? Is it harder/different to adjust the truss rod? Anything like that? I've literally been a member for a few weeks and I've found the people on the forum incredible! not a bad word to be said ! I cant stop checking it! Work? What work?!

Wow, thats incredible Warwickhunt, you truly do know your instruments! I am very impressed I know that there is usually greater sustain in NT models, which can only be a good thing and for the money, an SSI is probably a much better proposition if I want the "Warwick Growl™"...which, of course, I do . It is a bit of an impossible question to ask to put a finger on why they are different as every bass is ever so slightly different in so many ways (even identical models!) but thankyou for the informative replies! One of my mates (a drummer ) said he thought that P/J pup configs are for beginner basses. I told him he was wrong and he should stick to drumming - I really love the look of them on the SSI and they obviously produce a much different sound to the MM's on the Jazzman (or the $$). Thanks for the tip by the way Warwickhunt, I usually do my best to try the basses through the same cab and head/combo if I'm doing a direct comparison in a shop but I've never tried the unplugged tip! Sounds like a great idea and I will enjoy frustrating the assistant! Thanks again guys

Thanks Warwickhunt Thats some really great advice - unfortunately I havent played enough Warwicks to comment, but as I would guess you've played most of them, its good to hear from someone with some experience ! If you know, could you tell me why the Jazzman would sound so different? Is it merely the pups or something else? I keep flittering between Jazzman and SSI - looks wise at least! Thanks for all your replies so far, its soo so helpful for me

yeah, theyve got a sweet FNA Jazzman but its £945! The one ive been offered is £245 cheaper....but with a bit of wear.... Hmmmm, whats a fair price for them in this economy? Does the MM of the FNA Jazzman sound similar in anyway to the $$? It looks so awesome and I'm really tempted!

Ok guys, quick update... I've been offered a slightly used FNA Jazzman for £699. It has minimal wear where your arm rests and a few scratches on the pups and headstock...is it worth this price instead of a new Corvette $$ or used Streamer Stage I??

I'm gonna ring Sound Control this lunchtime, see if they can give me some more info on what they've got. If theyre in such a hurry to get rid of stuff, they might be willing to accept crazy offers...I'll see if I can blag a bargain ! Apparently, their stocklist is getting updated every day on the clearance of Sound Control...so they must be actively getting rid of it...though some of it is ex-demo, pre-owned or possibly a bit dinged, so when I investigate what theyve got, I'll see if they can let me know of the condition etc of the basses. I'm starting to sway towards an SSI or a FNA Jazzman big time...I know theyre different to the Corvette $$. But theres no way of me trying out either an SSI or an FNA . Im worried about buying blind, and being disapponted ...the MM pickups sound awesome on the $$, will the sound be similar on the FNA Jazzman??? Does the P/J setup on the SSI give the trademark Warwick growl? G'ah...choices choices choices! Any advice would be welcome guys! Sorry to be a questiony question asker all the time, I'm not experienced enough with Warwicks ! Thankyou all in advance! Matt

[quote name='simon1964' post='246012' date='Jul 23 2008, 12:34 PM']Very good question! The market for used Warwicks is very poor (for sellers) at the moment. You can pick up used Streamers and even Thumbs for well under the cost of a new Corvette $$. On the other hand, the $$ is a very different beast to the Streamer and Thumb. Incidentally, Reverb in Birmingham (the old Sound Control) have got a new Streamer in at under £700 at the moment - presumably they're looking to shift some old stock. You might want to give that a look if you're nearby. I would have been very tempted if I hadn't just got myself a used Thumb![/quote] Cheers for the advice Simon I've found a stocklist for Sound Control of all their stock at the moment, but I cant see the Streamer at £700 on there...is it instore only? As theyre going through a rebranding at the momento (and im in Dorset ) I cant get on their full website or visit their shop Do you have any way I can see it, or a link I could visit? Sorry to be vague! Sounds like a stonking bass

lol Made me chuckle for a good few mins there Sy... I live a sad and meaningless life heehehe

Oooooh! I'm soo glad you got your $$ in the end matey, she looks like a beaut! I hope you're very happy together hehehe! It might sound a bit weird, but cheap secondhand basses are a great result of the crap economy right now :wacko: LoL

[quote name='Brave Sir Robin' post='244834' date='Jul 21 2008, 09:27 PM']The corvette $$ is a nice bass, worth the money. The streamers are more expensive due to the contoured body (harder to machine) andf they are in general neckthrough. I dont know any bad warwick model tbh. They are all solid quality and each pretty unique compared to the other manuafcturers. It's a love / hate thing. The Streamer Stage 1 is brighter (maple bass), less low-mid oriented than the others, the Thumb is a very peculiar beast, the corvettes are the meat and potatoes of the line. The corvette standard bubinga has more attack and sharpness than the ash version, which is mellower and more fender-like. The $$ is a great sort of 'swiss' army knife' and then some. The jazzmans are similar in some way, but I'd prefer a $$. They all come with strap locks as standard, and the gigbag is well padded. imo, things that are not so good in general with warwicks are their passive pickups (not a fan of the mecs they are a bit bland), the jan2 nut is fragile and the string spacing on the 5ers is on the tight side. In general, they are on the heavy side (heavy woods). The finish is stained so light, and the natural models require regular maintenance. The neck profile is relatively thick (which doesn't bother me). You can get great deals on them second hand. Two models of my interest, the corvette $$ neckthrough, and the old Streamer pro-m.[/quote] Wow Robin, thats a huge amount of info Easily the most understandable, comprehensive lowdown of all the basses I've seen ! Thank you soooo much! ! I think if I was to buy secondhand it would have to be a Corvette FNA Jazzman, they look beautiful but I'll keep my eye out for any $$ neckthrough's as I know they're rather popular! One quick question to anyone: If you were in my position (with the current state of the economy etc) would you buy a new $$ for around £700 ish, or wait (possibly a long time) for something incredible (i.e, SSI or FNA Jazzman) to turn up secondhand for the same mooolah? Just a hypothetical quesssie ! Hope youre all ok Thankyou all for your posts so far! Keep em coming! Looks like my search is going to go on a bit longer... Matt

[quote name='jonno1981' post='244428' date='Jul 21 2008, 01:46 PM']I would near in mind that Warwick along with Sandberg, AER, TREX and loads of european makes have had to increase their prices in the UK due to the exchange rate of the Euro to the pound. If you check the price list on the Warwick website it has increased 3 times so far this year, Warwick are probably making the same margins but the UK price has had to increase unfortunately for them to make the same amount in Euros. Rubbish from a customer point of view but thats the economy :-( On the plus side things are really going cheap on the second hand market at the moment. If you have money in your pocket you can really get some bargains out there![/quote] Thats the reasoning I was given at Absolute, it just doesnt seem fair and seems to be an extortionate increase... Im beginning to lean towards the 2nd hand market a lot more, but I know very little about many of the Warwicks on sale, especially the Streamers etc; hence my post up there ^ Blah...damn that economy !

Thanks for that Robin Thats a tonne of information, really helpful ! I dont know, there's just something about the thumbs that are a bit...aesthetically strange... I think its that lower stubby horn, havent really been attracted to any I've seen. I dont play metal too frequently, so maybe the thumb isnt for me...I have been looking at the Streamers a lot but there seem to be many models in the 2nd hand section, some discontinued and some really cheap... Are there any real lemons/unpopular models I should look out for? (Not just Streamers, but any Warwicks ) What are the benefits of the Streamers over Corvettes/Thumbs etc? Which pickup configuration (in your opinion) is the best for you on the 'Wicks? (Ive seen too many different combos and havent heard nearly enough) Sorry to unleash some really crap questions, I know its all subjective and its a big ask and I would have to try them all really but I was just wondering if anyone would be kind enough to gimme some pointers ! Thankeee in advance! Matt

[quote name='thedontcarebear' post='244260' date='Jul 21 2008, 09:39 AM']I would recommend just getting a secondhand Warwick, you could get much better then a new $$ for that cash, I got a Thumb BO for less, and it's a whole new level when compared to the $$ (as said before, I owned one of them too).[/quote] I have been thinking about it...I know how cheap things are secondhand at the momento...The only thing is; I havent played any other high end warwicks, because I couldnt really afford one! So I'm really not sure if they have the sound I want! Obviously, this depends on the body wood, pup config, electronics, everything and I dont have enough experience in that If anyone has any advice, or pointers, it would be greatly appreciated ! Matt