Who Plays Warwick ?...I DO NOW!

[NJE]

I am really not having a huge amount of luck looking for a five string. I just got beaten to a G&L on the bay because windows decided to have a fit. I have another thread going enquiring about laklands, musicman etc but wanted to know about these german bad boys im seing around.

Anyway, I have been slightly turned on by a Streamer 5 and was just wondering what the 5 string warwicks are like having only played a 4. Are the B-strings any good and what are the necks like on them? are they beefy affairs or quite slick. It is a bolt on and wenge neck so just interested to know what they are like. Looking to try one on tuesday but thought I would get a heads up first. What are peoples thoughts on Warwicks in general? Im looking for something different from my musicman.

I look forward to hearing what everyone thinks.

Cheers

Nathan.

Edited May 8, 2008 by NJE

[warwickhunt]

I'll confess to playing Warwicks... but wouldn't ever fess up to being a 5er fan

[Josh]

[quote name='NJE' post='191868' date='May 4 2008, 09:47 PM']I am really not having a huge amount of luck looking for a five string. I just got beaten to a G&L on the bay because windows decided to have a fit. I have another thread going enquiring about laklands, musicman etc but wanted to know about these german bad boys im seing around.

Anyway, I have been slightly turned on by a Streamer 5 and was just wondering what the 5 string warwicks are like having only played a 4. Are the B-strings any good and what are the necks like on them? are they beefy affairs or quite slick. It is a bolt on and wenge neck so just interested to know what they are like. Looking to try one on tuesday but thought I would get a heads up first. What are peoples thoughts on Warwicks in general? Im looking for something different from my musicman.

I look forward to hearing what everyone thinks.

Cheers

Nathan.[/quote]

Hey Nathan,

Well straight away there is a signifcant difference between Musicman basses and Warwicks, tone wise the Stingrays are more ballsy and can punch when pushed or played right, whereas Warwicks are widley known for their warmth and punch and is one of the main reasons people go in their direction. They are both great for soloing and for holding a groove whilst not getting lost in the mix, whereas the experiences I've had with Stingrays haven't been the best so I may be a bit biased.

What kind of Streamer is it exactly man? Because there are a good few different versions: RockBass, Standard, LX(Bolt-On), JazzMan, $$, Stage 1(NT), and the head of the family, Stage II(Tonal Nirvana). I've had experience with a Streamer Stage 1 5 string (Pre 2000) and though it was a great bass I couldn't get on with it, though the B string is very strong tonally and consitent,and the spacing was comfortable also. My Thumb has an all Wenge neck and really adds to the feel and tone of it, but I'm thinking you might be trying either a Standard or LX so the neck will more likely be ovangkol and the finger board is wenge, or maybe I'm just reading it wrong and it may be an all Wenge neck, either way the tone and feel maybe different.

Streamer necks are more inclined to be Jazz-like, very smooth and fast, as opposed to chunky Stingray necks so there is something you would have to get use to but it wouldn't take long.

It really depends what you want from a Warwick, to some they are regarded as overpriced furniture and to the rest they are fantastic basses. Can't go wrong with a good 'Wick!


Josh

Edited May 4, 2008 by Josh

[Mottlefeeder]

[quote name='NJE' post='191868' date='May 4 2008, 09:47 PM']I am really not having a huge amount of luck looking for a five string. I just got beaten to a G&L on the bay because windows decided to have a fit. I have another thread going enquiring about laklands, musicman etc but wanted to know about these german bad boys im seing around.

Anyway, I have been slightly turned on by a Streamer 5 and was just wondering what the 5 string warwicks are like having only played a 4. Are the B-strings any good and what are the necks like on them? are they beefy affairs or quite slick. It is a bolt on and wenge neck so just interested to know what they are like. Looking to try one on tuesday but thought I would get a heads up first. What are peoples thoughts on Warwicks in general? Im looking for something different from my musicman.

I look forward to hearing what everyone thinks.

Cheers

Nathan.[/quote]
I have no experience of Streamers, but I had both 4- and 5-string Corvettes. The body size was the same on both, so when I went for the wider 5-string neck, (and a lighter swamp ash body) I ended up with a neck heavy bass. The B string was great, but the bridge was designed for a tapered string, so you are either limited in what you fit to it, or have to file out the slot that the string feeds through.

Neither of these may be relevant to Streamers, but I have a feeling they will be.

[Maine]

I've got a Bubinga/Wenge Corvette 5. I like it - perfect intonation, no buzz, and as for the B string it's fine where I use it, i.e. below the 5th fret.

However, I did try a 4 string MIA Jazz and I want one. It was much easier to play well. I think the Warwick is a good tool, but it's not necessarily intuitive. Maybe I'm just no good at 5 stringers!

[NJE]

Hello all,

Again I have to say a big thanks for the time people are taking to give me some great info. I should have been clearer, I am looking at a streamer pro-m 5. Its the dicontinued model with the single humbucker at the bridge. The info I have is that it is all wenge laminate neck and a flame maple body. I am liking what I am hearing and if the neck is jazzy then thats great. I want something different and everything people have said about the tone and the sound sounds just what I am after.

Well I am going to think about it over night and I may be a convert by the morning.

Big thanks so far.

Nathan

[Josh]

[quote name='NJE' post='191924' date='May 4 2008, 11:24 PM']Hello all,

Again I have to say a big thanks for the time people are taking to give me some great info. I should have been clearer, I am looking at a streamer pro-m 5. Its the dicontinued model with the single humbucker at the bridge. The info I have is that it is all wenge laminate neck and a flame maple body. I am liking what I am hearing and if the neck is jazzy then thats great. I want something different and everything people have said about the tone and the sound sounds just what I am after.

Well I am going to think about it over night and I may be a convert by the morning.

Big thanks so far.

Nathan[/quote]

Dang it! Completey forgot about the Pro-M, though I have read good things about them, MikeH on here has experience with a 4 string version and spoke highly of it at the time, if anything they sound like a Stingray with much more growl due to the pick up and the posisitioning, and seeing as it is an all wenge neck expect a nice bright undertone as well

[lukeward2004]

Hi Nathan,

Whereabouts are you in the country mate? I have a pair of Warwicks sitting happily alongside my Vigier 5, and I have to admit I am a MASSIVE fan of the Streamers. If you are ever in Berkshire or near Windsor you are more than welcome to come and have a cuppa and a play of them!

I currently have a Streamer LX 5, and a 4 string Streamer Stage One, and previously owned a Streamer Stage One 5 string. IN all honesty, I couldnt get on with the Hi-Fi sound of the Stage One 5, Im not quite sure what it was about that bass but it didnt "sing" as much as my other warwicks, so I sold it.

Anyone who has played my Streamer LX will tell you how good it is, especially Silverfox Nick! The neck on it is a little chunky for some but tonally it growls out like a tiger and sits so well in the mix when the full band come out to play, which is why it was my main gigging bass for so long. It doesnt get much action since I got my vigier, but I am thinking about taking her out for the next lot of gigs I do, its a great bass. All the hardware and specs are standard, and you can hear it in action on my bands myspace ([url="http://www.myspace.com/projecthirteen"]http://www.myspace.com/projecthirteen[/url])

The other Streamer I own is a Stage One 4 string, Maple Neck Thru, with EMG P/J pickups and Aguilar 2 Band Pre - and tonally, its Vicious! You can coax some very good Stuart Zender Esque tones out if it, the neck is slimmer than most Warwicks although it is a little deeper in feel. I find that the Treble can be a bit of a bitch to tame sometimes, the preamp is so powerful it can fool you when on stage.

Have a listen to it here and you will see what I mean - I thought the treble sounded okay on stage, but from the recording it is WAAAY to high for my liking and thats with the tone and treble on halfway!

[url="http://media.putfile.com/Projec13---Too-Young-to-Die-live-2008"]http://media.putfile.com/Projec13---Too-Yo...o-Die-live-2008[/url]

The best thing you can do is play a bunch of Warwicks and see what you like - Heck, I may even be persuaded to Part with my Stage One if you like it, I dont mind hanging onto it but it doesnt get played much and its a shame as its a great bass.

Good luck with your hunt and if you want to come and play some German wood, drop me a PM!

[NJE]

Thank you all!

great great help. Luke if I am ever in your neck of the woods would love to come and try some 'german wood' (that sounds so funny) and would love to see a vigier in the flesh. Also the band sounds bloody good, like it.

I think I am going to make a descision on the warwick some time today, It is not a huge investment for a bass of this quality so I am tempted to get it without playing it (slightly risky I know) At the end of the day it is a warwick so it will never be THAT bad worse case scenario. If its growly and can cut through a mix as well as everyone is saying it sounds perfect for what I am after. I fancy something a little less.....how shall I say it tactfully, Muddy/Rocky sounding, as much as I LOVE my stingray and will never part with it. It just might be nice to have another option sonically as I was going to get something close to a musicman but thought why go for similar instruments, try something new.

Will let you know what happens, and If I do get my hands on the big W then expect a full on critique.

Cheers again with all your help and comments, MASSIVE help.

[astar]

Is it the one on ebay? Looks like a hell of a bass, I myself have a Streamer stage II, five string, bubinga(body) and wenge(neck), Warwick just has that certain something other basses don't have. Either you love it or hate it.

One tip, if you can then play on it. Before I bought my SSII, I could testdrive one at a fellow bassplayer nearby. I tested the Streamer Stage II and fell in love. He also had a Streamer LX(both were fivers) and I fiddled on that too, I can understand when some people talk about chunky necks. NOT that it was huge but the SSII has sort of a half rounded neck and the LX was fully rounded(I hope you get what I'm saying) and I prefer the half rounded. PREFERENCE is the magic word what works for you might not work for me.

There is a difference in types of necks, what comes with every type of Streamer, I don't know. If you don't know what type of neck it has maybe you could ask the selller or at the warwick forum.

[Pedro1020]

[quote name='NJE' post='192054' date='May 5 2008, 09:19 AM']Also the band sounds bloody good, like it.[/quote]

+1, C'awh, Luke. Hearin' that made me rush for the EOPE album & play against some JMQ classics...Awesome work!, plus on Runaway too

I can't give much advice on 5's since I don't get along with them...

All in all, good luck with your search!

[NJE]

hello hello,

Yes it was the warwick on ebay at £375, its the Pro-M streamer, and I just bought it. Had a good chat with the owner and it seems like a bargain, live dangerously I say. I took a risk ordering a stingray without playing and that turned out great so here is hoping it will be the same again.

I am hoping to pick it up tomorrow so expect a review and pictures very soon, plus a possible mini build/modifying diary not far off. The hardware is gold and slightly tarnished (its about 10 years old) and im not a gold fan, so I am thinking about ordering some black stuff from warwick to go on the flamed natural body (if we fall in love that is).

Thank you all ver very much again guys, would'nt have even considered buying if it wasnt for the advice I have had.

Cheers

Nathan

[lukeward2004]

F**k me, £375? WHAT A BARGAIN!

For that money, even if it isnt up to your expectations, you really cant go wrong.

@ NJE & Pedro - cheers guys, glad you enjoyed my shoddy playing!

[Josh]

[quote name='NJE' post='192209' date='May 5 2008, 01:31 PM']hello hello,

Yes it was the warwick on ebay at £375, its the Pro-M streamer, and I just bought it. Had a good chat with the owner and it seems like a bargain, live dangerously I say. I took a risk ordering a stingray without playing and that turned out great so here is hoping it will be the same again.

I am hoping to pick it up tomorrow so expect a review and pictures very soon, plus a possible mini build/modifying diary not far off. The hardware is gold and slightly tarnished (its about 10 years old) and im not a gold fan, so I am thinking about ordering some black stuff from warwick to go on the flamed natural body (if we fall in love that is).

Thank you all ver very much again guys, would'nt have even considered buying if it wasnt for the advice I have had.

Cheers

Nathan[/quote]

Maple and black goes together beautifully IMO:

[carlosfandango]

[quote name='Josh' post='192405' date='May 5 2008, 07:28 PM']Maple and black goes together beautifully IMO:

[/quote]


oohhhh...are those Nordstrands? I'm thinking of getting them for my 'wick SSI...what do they sound like? Does it take away the "typical" SSI sound?

[Josh]

[quote name='carlosfandango' post='192530' date='May 5 2008, 10:37 PM']oohhhh...are those Nordstrands? I'm thinking of getting them for my 'wick SSI...what do they sound like? Does it take away the "typical" SSI sound?[/quote]

They were indeed, well I'll be honest, even with my new Eden rig I struggled to get a satisfactory growl each time I played it and was one of the main reasons for moving it on so soon. It's a great source for debate, but I'd MEC's are whats right for Warwicks, EMG'S maybe, John(Warwickhunt) can prove me wrong no doubt, but for me the SS1 I had wasn't what I was hoping for and I'd say the characteristics I was expecting were not there, but hey that's just me, the new owner loves the Nords I for one still can't hear waht the fus is about,so really I now know I'm definetly suited towards a SSII.

[ped]

I really like the look of that bass Josh. Think you are right about MEC pickups, Luke's basses have always sounded very nice to me. I am not very up on the model numbers/denominations but think the dark coloured bass of Luke's was really nice. Apart from that I have only played early thumbs which I really love because the necks feel so similar to my bass.

[NJE]

Well I picked my new Warwick Streamer Pro-M 5 up tonight from a top chap on ebay.

The verdict? I absolutely love it. It is in amazing condition, came with a strap a pot of new warwick wax and a trace elliot T-Bass hiscox hard case (bit random but it was free and its a great case). Cost me £375 and a £4 train ride. It plays like a dream I love the tone, and the neck is amazing, very shallow and not chunky at all. I think some black hardware will be on its way in the next couple of weeks but for now we just need to get to know each other. Personally I dont think the musicman will get a look in for a while.

I just cant get over the growl and tight ass punch of the warwick, it amazing. I am a total convert......did someone say Stage II? ha ha.

There will be picks up soon so I can share my happiness.

Thank you so much guys for all the advice, couldnt have done it without you.

Nathan

[Wil]

£375? That's a bloody bargain. Well done - pics please!

Edited May 7, 2008 by Wil

[Brave Sir Robin]

Seth Horan used a Pro-M, his tone (and technique) is amazing. Very bright, lively and articulate. You worked out the controls for the bass? I believe each of the pickups has its own 2 band pre-amp.

As for waxing, that should not be necessary, unless it's got no finish. The wax is usually for the natural bubinga and ovangkol models.

Edited May 7, 2008 by Brave Sir Robin

[NJE]

Pics will be up soon, possibly tonight.

Someone told me about there being two lots of eq for bothe single coils but I dont think thats the case. I checked an old bassist magazine (there's showing my age a bit) and the review model was the same as mine. It has volume (push pull active passive) pickup blend, and stacked bass and treble as far as I can tell. The sound range is great on first impressions, will bust the amp out properly tonight.

The body is unfinished satin maple (I believe) and it has dulled a bit being over ten years old. It still looks great but the chap i bought it off says a wax every two weeks? I am seriously thinking about getting it refinished though. I was wondering if it would be sacrilage to get it laquered and polished up to really make the grain pop out.

Anyway will post some pictures tonight. I am so so happy with it, I have had two real bargains from ebay and lucked out, so my thinking now is never buy another bass from ebay without playing it, I cant be this lucky again.

More to come.

[Wil]

There's no need to wax it that much. A wipe with a wax impregnated cloth every few months should be enough, really!

[NJE]

Ok I havent managed to get my camera out and take some nice pictures yet but here are the ebay pictures to give you a very rough idea. It will have a nice clean soon and some sexy atmospheric photos but here are the crappy ones for now. Will post new ones in the Porn section and link from here.

Here goes......

[attachment=8527:3b62_1.jpg]

[attachment=8526:2d2a_1.jpg]

[attachment=8528:35c7_1.jpg]


I love it.

[Wil]

Very nice!

[silverfoxnik]

[quote name='Wil' post='194459' date='May 8 2008, 09:44 AM']Very nice![/quote]
+1

Great price too! Luke's Streamer is a fabulous bass and made me rethink my stance on Warwicks, which wasn't positive having tried one some years ago and not getting on with it at all. Sounds like you've struck gold with this one!