Skybone Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) Does anyone out in BC land own a Warwick Star Bass? I've been thinking about getting a second bass to go along with my Rockinbetter. I'm only at the research stage while I accumulate some pennies for this idea (along with a few other ideas/projects). Current contenders: Another Rockinbetter (more like Rockinhorsepoo!) Another RickenFaker from another source (a couple of different possibilities) Epiphone Thunderbird Classic (through neck, passive version) Yamaha BB424/42 4X G&L L2000 Tribute OR Save up long & hard & line Mr Hall's pockets a bit more... My preference is for a passive, and I know the G&L is active, but it can be switched to passive. Plus it has a nice wide neck at the nut (44mm). I did consider a StingRay, because of their neck profile, but I'm not a fan of actives (because of the last few actives I owned). I've owned 2 StingRays (2 EQ versions) in the past, both with seriously chunky & gorgeous necks, but I could never get a satisfactory sound from them. Whether that was me or the 'Ray is highly debateable. Anyways, this research got me wondering about the Star Bass, I know it's a medium scale (32"), passive, but I can't find any neck width info anywhere. Can anyone enlighten me? What do the MEC Motherbuckers sound like? Currently, it's between the Yam & the G&L. Cheers. Edited January 26, 2015 by Skybone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I own a MiK Pro Series 5-string Star Bass, which currently is my main bass for live use. Only the 4-string Rockbass version is 32" scale length. All the other models (4 and 5 string) are standard 34" scale. The pickups on the Rockbass and Pro Series models are single coils. According to the Warwick site the MiG versions are humbuckers, but I'm not 100% sure that this isn't a typo. However they have a good fat and thumpy sound. There's a little too much scooping for me to use both together in a band mix, but each individually work fine, the bridge pickup has plenty of attack, and the neck is bit more mellow especially with the tone rolled back a touch. With my bass being a 5-string I don't suppose the neck measurements will be of any use to you. Unless you are keen on the shorter scale of the Rockbass, my advice would be to look for a second hand MiK Pro Series version. It has a proper arch-top and back body, while the Rockbass version is flat. Finally if you really want another Rockinbetter, there were a couple in stock at Music Inn here in Nottingham - one was in the window last time I went past at the beginning of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) I've got 3 Warwicks that are all active. They all switch to passive with a pull on the volume pot. They also all play in passive mode without a battery. I doubt the Star Bass will be very different to the above, except the Star Bass may not play in passive without a battery - there's a load of LED stuff on the full Sig version that won't work without power. I also have a G&L that is completely passive. [url="http://www.rock-gear.de/index.php?cl=details&anid=a38b0060a4d7874f92d576ec30331d28&lang=1&&cur=1"]http://www.rock-gear...8&lang=1&&cur=1[/url] Edited January 26, 2015 by Grangur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 The Star Bass is most definitely passive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1422279154' post='2670569'] The Star Bass is most definitely passive. [/quote] Yes, it's not even passive aggressive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 Anyone enlighten me on the neck width at the nut? Is the neck a chunky handful or slim & narrow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzardian Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1422365052' post='2671631'] Anyone enlighten me on the neck width at the nut? Is the neck a chunky handful or slim & narrow? [/quote] Own a MiK5 I would say inbetween. Stringspacing should be standard Warwick 16.5mm IIRC, width at nut 45mm Edited February 9, 2015 by buzzardian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 [quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1422365052' post='2671631'] Anyone enlighten me on the neck width at the nut? Is the neck a chunky handful or slim & narrow? [/quote] On the 5 string MiK version the width of the neck at the nut is 44m and the distance between the string centres B-G is 36mm. I'd consider the neck to be average - I have basses with slimmer and chunkier necks. I find the Warwick Star Bass particularly comfortable. TBH I've never understood the fascination for getting measurements for instruments. IME the bass either feels comfortable or not and the individual measurements themselves only tell a tiny part of the story. The taper of the neck and where the nut sits in relation to the rest of the bass when on the strap can have just as much influence. In fact the bass I have with the narrowest nut also has the widest string spacing at the bridge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted January 28, 2015 Author Share Posted January 28, 2015 I'm not "fascinated" with the indivdual measurements per se, it's just a way to "weed out" potentially unsuitable guitars. Unlike many, there are 3 guitar shops in a 50 mile radius of where I live. Those three shops are relatively small, and also carry a large number of other instruments, loads of guitars (as you'd expect), drums, keyboards, PA & traditional instruments (mandolins/accordians/bagpipes etc - as you'd expect in Scotland). Basses are, at most, an afterthought. Generally a very limited choice of instruments (Fender/Squier mainly, a small number of "trendy" name basses), generally nothing out of the ordinary or specialised. I was truly amazed when I found the Yamaha in one of the shops nearby. I know I have spent rather a large amount on gear over the many years of playing, that in the shop feels & sounds great, but when you get them home & into rehearsals they don't quite "meet the mark", be it "feel"/sound or whatever. Before the Rockinbetter I had an MIC Jazz, it was a nice bass, I've owned quite a few Jazz & Jazz inspired basses over the years, and they were great, but the MIC JB just didn't feel right after having owned a 4003 for quite a few years previously. I could waste a lot of cash buying basses that don't suit, but I can't afford to do that these days, so I am merrely trying to narrow the field, seeing as I am highly unlikely to get hold of another Rockinbetter with a nice comfy neck & 42mmm nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 There's a new Starbass Pro due out fairly soon. Principally made in Germany and wih German components but lower priced than the 'crafted' in Germany range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 (edited) I had one of the MiK's, well made, nice sound and a joy to play. (whilst seated for me) I just couldn't get on with the strap pin positions and where that put the neck when I was in the standing position. Was sad to see it go but as I didn't want to use it live it had to go. Might be a good idea to make sure your comfortable with that.. It was one thing I had never even thought about. edit smelling Edited January 28, 2015 by Highfox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 [quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1422467902' post='2673102'] I had one of the MiK's, well made, nice sound and a joy to play. (whilst seated for me) I just couldn't get on with the strap pin positions and where that put the neck when I was in the standing position. Was sad to see it go but as I didn't want to use it live it had to go. Might be a good idea to make sure your comfortable with that.. It was one thing I had never even thought about. edit smelling [/quote] My electric guitars are the same, so quite used to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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