Warwick

(Originally written by xsl/translated from Audiofanzine FR) Maple body for a clear sound. Wenge neck for compressed and tight mids and highs. Mine has a Seymour Duncan preamp: http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/basslines/cutting-edge-1/stc2_stc32_3ban/ with a push/pull to shape the mids and boost the lows. The Warwick preamp doesn't sound that great, but it's close to the Seymour (especially regarding high frequencies). UTILIZATION The neck is thicker than that of a Jazz Bass, the fingerboard is flatter. Perfect access to the upper frets. The horn gives a good balance to the instrument. What about the sound? It's good when you use each pickup separately. The middle position sounds different from a J/J combination because the bass has a a P/J configuration. It doesn't have the sound of a Streamer but it's close to Jamiroquai's sound. SOUNDS Don't expect the round sound of a Jazz or Precision bass. On the contrary, the sound is accurate, and with a Seymour or Aguilar preamp it turns really good. It doesn't sound like a Jazz Bass with ash and maple neck, which is the wood combination of all twangy basses à la Marcus Miller... The sound is more compressed with powerful high-mids... Even with the Seymour Duncan preamp you get a Warwick sound: tight, without muddy low-mids but not crystal-clear either. It's an authentic old Warwick, different from a Streamer and with a better playing comfort thanks to the long top horn. I would prefer a swamp ash body to get deeper lows. OVERALL OPINION I find Warwick has three reference models: Streamer (Jazzman or Stage II) with Seymour Duncan... Thumb NT and the Fortress... Excellent value for money. I give it a 9/10.

(Originally written by deadbird666/translated from Audiofanzine FR) Made in Germany. 24 frets neck, frets made of a golden metal alloy. 2 Musicman-type MEC humbucker pickups. Warwick Just-a-nut III bridge Knobs: - 3-band EQ (high, mid and low) - Volume knob with push/pull function (active/passive operating mode) - One coil selector per pickup. Very pleasant D-profile neck. Thicker than an Ibanez or Fender neck. Made out of 7 pieces (maple/ebony). Ash body, Spalted Maple top and head veneer. Abalone inlays (fingerboard edge and W-logo of the head). Very responsive black sealed lubricated Warwick machine heads. Following this objective description, my personal opinion: it's very simple, I fell in love as soon as I saw it. I wanted to buy a FNA Jazzman and I came back with this beauty. I give it a 10 only because there is no higher mark! UTILIZATION Very easy handling. I was a bit afraid of the big Warwick neck but I immediately felt comfortable. I forgot an important detail: It's covered with a satin mat varnish making it very smooth to play. The neck is a real pleasure. The instrument is well-balanced and the design is so good that you have the impression that it was made for the human body! When I play standing I carry it quite high (like Tim Commerford), it doesn't move and my hand finds the right position on the neck immediately. It's relatively light compared to my previous BTB555 which almost disrupted blood circulation in my leg when I played sitting. Access to the upper frets is good, no problems whatsoever. The knobs and switches are very effective. Just play and you'll find your own sound in no time! Only critique: the space between strings is narrower than on my BTB555 and I had to get used to it! SOUNDS I play every music style from Slipknot to Red Hot Chili Peppers and RATM and this bass guitar does the job without a problem.. The mid knob is the ultimate weapon for slap playing, it's stunning! From very fat to crystal-clear sounds, it can do everything! And you always get a massive output level! It's a majestic weapon! I can even get the typical Musicman sound with some EQ! With a hard attack on the strings the sound becomes wild! It combines the best of the world's best bass guitars! OVERALL OPINION I've owned it for two weeks and I'm in ecstasy. I have tested lots of bass guitars, including several Fender, but as soon as I put my hands on this wonder I just couldn't separate myself from it. It's THE bass guitar! And this unique model is the most beautiful I've ever held in my hands, it's perfect in every respect. Critiques? I don't think so! It's perfect! I know it's expensive but it's worth the money without a doubt! If I had to choose again, I would probably buy another bass guitar but it would be a Warwick for sure! A bassist friend of mine and another friend who works as a luthier for Vigier were amazed at this bass. There is absolutely no comparison to anything I've previously played. It's vivid, powerful and versatile! PS: I have lots of pictures available so don't hesitate to contact me if you want more ;)

(Originally written by astroperenoel/translated from Audiofanzine FR) My model was made in 1988 and it is different from recent ones. This 4-string bass guitar with golden hardware was built in Germany. 24 bronze frets, active EMG pickups (HGL Series), active electronics with bypass, volume (push/pull), balance, low and high controls. Warwick bridge with "3D" settings: even the height of the brass nut is adjustable . You'll need a lot of time to find the perfect setting. 5-piece wenge/maple neck-through-body, wenge fingerboard, 2-piece maple body. Design by Ned Steinberger, same design as the Spector NS: very slim carved body. To keep it short: very high-class features! UTILIZATION Very pleasant and fast neck. Easy access to the upper frets thanks to the widening neck and the cutaway. Typical Warwick design: slim carved body, well-profiled horns, no sharp edges. Sound: A BOMB!!! Typical round sound used for funk music!! Surprising for a Warwick instrument: rather heavy. A padded strap will prevent scoliosis! SOUNDS Very good sound for every music style demanding a very present bass, like funk and jazz-rock, although the Streamer is a rather versatile model. To be played with an amp that reproduces the instrument's authentic sound like SWR, Eden, etc... Neck pickup: big and powerful sound for finger picking. Balance control in the center position: great sound for slap playing, tapping, harmonics. Bridge pickup: wonderful aggressive high-end ideal for Jaco-like, high-speed playing and harmonics. The open strings sound quite round and vintage, and the active electronics are very effective even without mid frequency. The sustain and the sound character are huge! In short, this bass guitar has an amazing sound! OVERALL OPINION I've been using it for 8 years without a single problem. I recommend you to mount an additional active/passive switch to get an even larger sound range and an enormous sound. Cons: NO cons, only the weight can be a problem... I haven't had too many instruments but I have tested a lot and I never found another one with the same character, not even from the same brand (Thumb model, Spector NS, etc.) This ultimate quality has a price, it's normal! But you can also find it secondhand! It's my main bass guitar. I play it a lot and I like it a lot! Warwick instruments are not so famous any more since the '95 changes. I don't know how their recent models sound but it's hard to imagine that they are bad...

I purchased this amp over 9 years ago. In that time I have used it as a practice and gigging amp. First off, its a no fuss amp and really very easy to get a great tone from. 4 band EQ has not left me wanting at all. The "boost" switches provide a really quick toggle to some nice changes to your bass tone. I am a really keen user of 1x15 amps because if the really round bottom end you get from it, but the tweeter on the amp really gives you a clean and crisp top end sound from the amp, the tweeter can be turned on and off, I never turned mine off. I have been using this with Jazz and P bass. Its built to last, as above i have had this amp for some time. It still looks great, the carpet has taken some criticism in other reviews but mine has lasted brilliantly. Highly recommend. One criticism, its heavier than other amps of its size. but its a small problem.

One is red and one is black. One had frets and one does not. The FL has an ebony FB which is almost black and looks way sharp with the red body. The fretted black-bodied version looks like most any other black bass, very nondescript. These are the ''Double Buck'' or simply ''$$'' versions, with dual, bare-pole humbuckers and lightweight swamp ash bodies. The swamp ash has been slightly sandblasted which makes the grain very dimensional. Looks cool. They both come from GC clearance sales ... otherwise they'd be kinda pricey. I've seen GC tag used ones at more than the clearance price for these new ones. Funny company. Or at least their computers have a sense of humor .... These are NOT heavy like the bubinga and other exotic Wicks. These are lighter than most basses. The twin humbuggers and control switches offer various useful tones even with the active EQ shut down. You CAN shut off the active EQ, and the passive PUs will keep on keeping on. The controls and choices are quite a story so I refer you to the Wick website ... but I like a thorough set of controls, and this ax goes there. Despite all the cool controls on it, the EQ is only 2-band. The MM-type PUs can be split to single coil, but there is no dummy coil . The two cost cutting measures that bother me at all are not actual ''quality of build'' issues, but I'd still consider that a lack of maximum total quality. But I find no other faults except for the battery access cover, which is a traditional gripe with Wick and I'd rather suffer that, than suffer the ''traditional'' 7th fret dead spot on certain other basses ..... So build quality is really fine. The bridge and tail piece allow adjustment of action height SEPERATELY from adjustments to match the FB radius .... so you can experiment with height without disturbing the radius. PU height screws are machine screws in threaded inserts . Build quality plus great hardware details like the adjustable nut ... that's what makes for total quality. This bass scores high, but not top rank The fretted $$ is a really nice bass, but only the FL version is truly outstanding. The fretted is versatile, comfortable, a really likeable bass, but not really set apart from it's somewhat similar competitors. You can pretty much interchange it with certain offerings from EBMM, Spector, etc. Being among good company equals high praise ... it's your money and your choice. But the FL version really *IS* set apart from it's worthy competitors. The sound of the ebony FB is very evident. The special nature of the bridge adjustments means so much more to an FL player. As an FL, the Wick $$ offers things the competion does not, including a piezo option The overall playing experience of any bass is hard to describe objectively, but the Wick experience is exceptional, as long as you like fat necks. If you only dig pencil necks, you'll never get used to a Wick. Anywho the fretted version ranks barely a '4' and the FL ranks just short of '5' ... so the pair definitely gets a '4'. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Mostly play in a duo, with "Ms Diva" on vocals and KB. Play old stuff, small room, not loud. Otherwise, enjoy some old rock and roll, gotta have the "roll', tho ..... Several hunnert dilapidated Yanqui GreenBaques. At ParkWay Music in Clifton Pk NY USA. Face-to-face retail. This 4-string is a replacement for the 5-string version I parted with about 10 yrs ago. I had loved the sound, but not the Warwick 5-string neck. Most Wick 5's are mizrizzable, too narrow and too thick. It is mellow without being dull. It's rich, but not overly bright . It also has a fail-safe passive bypass that will play without the battery. I do like the thick neck on the 4-string, which has normal string spacing . The upper strap pin is opposite the 12th fret, so balance is great, even with the big neck. It has a PU pan knob which I like much better than dual volume knobs, It's a dual humbucker, my fave PU config, and the PU's seem well located to render a rich tone. Even tho its features and materials are nothing like a P-bass, it can do the P-tone better than a Fender, yet there's much more avaialble tones. The E-string tuner post is a good distance from the nut, so you don't get a lotta fat main winding wrapping around the post. The nut is adjustable, very good feature. PU's are on springs, much better than simple pads, very adjustable. Truss rod is double acting, another excellent feature. The 2-band EQ is a stack knob. I find those to be risky, damage-wise. The carolena body dents easily, altho at least it's not under one of those glossy opaque "automotive" finished that emphasise every minor dig and ding. Minor dents kinda blend in with the natural grain pattern. There's no seperate battery rout, or even a clip in the main rout. The battery is just tossed in loose . Add a little foam and it's OK. The undoubtedly worst thing about any Streamer Standard is the very low output. It's adequate, if you have a decent, not too noisy, bass rig. Output is lower than you prolly think I mean when I say it's low. And it's even lower than your now-adjusted thinking. It is, as I said, "adequate" which means "the first useable step above useless". However, it has a very rich mellow tone that is hard to get from other fretted basses. An good small outboard pre-amp, like is used for an URB, is not a bad idea. For some players maybe a necessity. It's a negative aspect but not a deal killer if you really like tone f this ax. It's a typical Warwick except for the bridge, which is some POS but serves OK. Typical ick means no finish, except the wax you apply periodically, which I never bother with .... I prefer oil. Neck is ovangcal with a wenge FB, double acting truss rod, and brass frets. Looks and sounds cool. There's a zillion basses in this price range, and this one is not suitable for some of the modern tastes or playing styles. It's not even made anymore. It works best in tha same contexts as an URB or a plugged in AEB. If you play in such a context, and you encounter one of these for sale local to you, don't pass up a chance to check it out. It's a niche market thing, now discontinued, and since all its shortcomings would condemn it if it weren't for its unique attributes, I'm going to rate it '3' on the '1-5' scale. But I wanna emphaise that this is not a "3 = mediocre" rating, where everything about it is mediocre. Quite the contrary, so much of it is either a '1' or a '5' that, by the numbers, for a single-number rating I'm stuck with the '3'. IOW, if you don't love its peculiate attributes, you'll hate it. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this from the bass cellar in London for £750, it was my first german built bass well it certainly lives up to the reputation, it looks very classy and it has a very sleek design, the sound is nice and punchy and you can get a full on bass tone or a funky jazz tone out of it, i like the push pull volume knob that lets you bypass the battery turning it into a passive bass, the snap on cover is quite convienient and I like the adjustable nut and the adjustable bridge, it lets you create any kind of action you want, the bass holds its tuning very well even after ive slapped the hell out of it, comes with a really good quality gig bag. ok firstly because its bubinga wood its very heavy, it really takes its toll when you have to carry this to rehearsals, on stage it isnt too bad if you have a nice fat padded strap on, there was a problem with the input jack so i had to have it replaced, i found a couple of dead spots on it too, mainly the fifth fret on the heavy string, plus i didnt know this at the time but it has the same pickups as the rockbass, and my thumb marked it easily above the pickup where it rested, plus waxing is a bit of a pain because it can get down the side of the pickups and the bridge etc... very solid, heavy, neck is straight and doesnt shift, like i said a little jack problem but that was it, nice bass, well built, holds tuning well, sounds good, looks very classy, id reccomend this as your first step into the world of warwick basses, ive upgraded now to a streamer lx4 which i will also write a review on, all in all a quality bass at a fair price, This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

i found this great amp on ebay and got it for $180. brand new! i think it retails for about $299 so i didn't save that much, but the amp is worth every bit if not more. for a 30 wat combo, this thing rocks. this is a solid very well made little practice amp. i say little, but the thing has to weigh close to 50 pounds. even though it is only 30 wats its 12' speaker is louder than some 65 wat combos i tried out. great aux input to plug in cd player or rhythm machines. and a tilt back leg to angle amp upward is great for practicing. this is by far the best practice amp i have come across yet. i'm not sure how it will stand up to a full band practice situation. but i really don't think it was made for that anyway. i really can't think of anything bad about this amp other than it only has 3 level controls, 4 if you count the aux volume. very, very solidly built. strong frame with felt covering and a metal speaker cover. could easily handle a small toddler climbimg on it(it has). best little practice amp i have ever seen. i origanially bought it because it was a good deal for $180. but even the $299. retail price is a great deal for this little tank. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

This bass just felt right in my hands the first time I picked it up at the Guitar Center. It was love at first playing. This how a bass is supposed to feel in your hands. I was looking for a P/J pickup combination. This bass has it. I paid $1000 The tone is awsome. The MEC pickups sound great. The flamed maple body, ovankol neck, and wenge fingerboard are beautiful and add to the awsome tone. The bridge adjusts in three directions, height, spacing and length. The nut height is adjustable. The control cover and truss rod cover can be removed without tools. The adjustable nut has a somewhat sharp edge that I have banged my hand on a few times slidding down to the first fret. It's not sharp enough to break skin, but you will feel it. I've been meaning to file it down, but haven't gotten around to it. The placement of the volume and pickup pan seems backwards to me. The owners manual leaves a lot to be desired. One owners manual covers all Warwick basses. The only explination of the Active/Passive push/pull volume control is "Push/Pull volume control". Once you drain the battery you will figure out that the active setting is with the volume knob in. The bass is handmade in Germany. The quailty and craftsmanship are beyond compare. Warwicks are the best made basses I've ever played, and I've been playing for over 20 years. The pros play Warwicks for a reason. You can have my Warwick when you pry it from my cold dead fingers. I love this bass. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this bass from a local music store in Vancouver, Canada for $1,650 CDN. The bass came with a 'rock-bass' gig bag (with lots of protection), an improvement over the origal Warwick gigbags. The tone and electronics are par-none. The bass is really well built and they bidy cut is amazing. The neck thickness takes a little to get used to. This is compared to my first Warwick (an '87 Streamer), and the neck was super smooth and thin on it. The weight is a little heavy too. The quality of this bass is great. The molded curves and finish are seamless. This is a great bass for the money. It has wicked tone, great feel and looks awesome. A highly recommened instrument. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Purchase used off of EBay. I love the Corvette body style and wanted the Alanco style single pickups. Paid $795 delivered to my door. Super HOT pickup and great EQ system that really allows for a tailored sound. Also has a "slap" circut in it that is Seymore Duncan. Has even more "growl" than the Corvette 5 Standard. Almost too much! Not much to like about a new one of these models, unfortunately this one had been "modified". The "Just-A-Nut" had been replaced with a standard one. Although the set up on this was outstanding, it is set up for 45-130 strings and I prefer the Warwick 45-135's and would need to shim the nut to allow for this. I will probably end up purchasing the correct nut from Dana B Goods. Outstanding Warwick quality. Bell brass frets need polishing occasionally but I expected that. Very solid feeling guitar great balance on a strap. I now own 2 Warwick "vettes" and will keep them both since they have different voices. I love these guitars and prefer this (Corvette) line over the pricier Warwicks just because they have the same pickups and electronics and have a great feel to them. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Purchased new from Bass Northwest. 1998 vintage paid about $1160, delivered to my door. Also purchase the custom hard case for it to the tune of about $150. I had been a Carvin player until I tried one of these and fell in love with it. One solid bass. The low B is downright scarey and when coupled with the right amp can move some serious air. The guitar can be easily set-up for various string gauges due to the "Just-A-Nut". Great balance on a strap. Even came with built-in and recessed Duncan strap locks! Can't really think of anything I don't like about it. Although the case has developed a small crack and not even sure how or why... One solid bass. The wood is Bubinga and has a beautiful grain. The neck is fat and solid and the fretboard is Wenge and really has a beautiful grain unto itself. Only one thing that seemed to be a flaw in workmanship is that back of the body seems to have a recessed area on it that can only be seen in certain lighting and barely felt. It really doesn't bother me at all. I love this bass and would never sell it. I have bought and sold quite a few of other brands and even some Warwick's but this model is one of their best bangs for the buck. The Thumb is too neck heavy, the Corvette Proline doesn't feel as solid, and the others seem too spendy. I would rate it a 4.5 if I could only because of the slight imperfection that I mentioned earlier, but I must "round up" to a 5. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com