LukeFRC

When I was asking about getting my warwick refretted the gallery seemed to be the place to go, they also seemed to say that they could do warwick brass frets for no additional cost. price wasnae bad either

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1341393966' post='1718094'] Sorry, but I have to disagree. IMO it's lazy and because it's so common now it's boring. I have basses with laminated necks (from Overwater and Pedulla) where the luthiers have done a great job of disguising the fact through the careful selection of pieces used and finishing. It can be done and it doesn't need to compromise the structural integrity. By all means continue make instruments with stripy neck for those that want them, but for those of us who think it became old and tired some time in the mid 80s lets have an alternative. [/quote] The streamer is an 80's (well 70's really) design, and has always had stripy necks. The fender jazz has had a bolt on one piece flat sawn maple neck, did that get tired sometime in the 60's? Status, are still using graphite, stuck in the 80's also, yawn. You don't like it, great but I don't get why it would be such a great issue that stripy necks are automatically worse than ones that match. My guess is that if you wanted a streamer shaped bass without the stripes you would get a spector (and it wouldn't surprise me that one of the design differences that got spector off their back was multi laminate necks, so they may be tied to having them )

[quote name='Toasted' timestamp='1341396320' post='1718157'] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/177723-streamer-stage-one-v-1997-price-reduction/"]http://basschat.co.u...rice-reduction/[/url] This one? :-D [/quote]thats a nice bass, at a good price!

that's how they are made, that's not a cliche. covering the stripes would just be odd, like why? it's a structural thing not a beauty thing, and form follows function

can't hurry love - motown, I forget who. vandellas? masta blasta (jammin') - stevie wonder guns of brixton - clash lets get retarded - black eyed peas walk on the wild side - Lou Reed (can you play both? ) i wanna be adored - stone roses so what? - miles davis

[quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1341386133' post='1717931'] I'd love to see a "modern" version of graphite - some form of epoxy resin/wood fibre material. I've tried a few carbon fibre instruments over the years and the only one that sounded great to me was a Zon. The recipe they used for the neck material just sounded more natural, but with the good aspects of carbon fibre as well. Given Warwicks' environmental efforts it would be fantastic if they could really look into an "eco-version" of the carbon fibre idea - recycled wood fibre made into synthetic super-wood. Just a thought.... [/quote] not for the stage one but thats an amazing idea!

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1341386797' post='1717941'] Bet you don't have a neck that looks like this! [/quote] a stretched mint humbug thats been in the sun too long?

[quote name='Warwick_Official' timestamp='1341341376' post='1717427'] The Buzzard was thought up in a meeting between John Entwistle and Hans-Peter Wilfer, sketched on a napkin! 80% of the design was created by HPW in the weeks following that meeting, as proven in a court of law. As such, Warwick was the originator of the instrument and will be the sole producer of it. Thanks for your comments! [/quote] "Ahem" said Ned Stienburger from the back! [quote name='Warwick_Official' timestamp='1341356720' post='1717815'] Chris2112, I'm sorry the link was not to your bass. But...your email was indeed from Hans-Peter Wilfer. He personally responds to [b]all[/b] of the instrument requests. Your are correct, we currently do not have images of the 1990 LTD. Thanks for your support! [/quote] you do now if you ask chris!

poo, that was supposed to be just the link, it seems well rude that it is all over your thread, sorry

did you see the wee clip I made comparing 2 P pickups? well 3 if you count the bart, but it's not in the right place! might be of help http://youtu.be/dN9CC0_K9bA

[quote name='Warwick_Official' timestamp='1341357350' post='1717821'] we have FSC-certified Wenge! [/quote] LIKE! [quote name='Warwick_Official' timestamp='1341357350' post='1717821'] Any changes done in regards to Spector were in the 80's, and it was very simple as the basses were made from completely different woods to begin with. [/quote] heheh they just looked the same. tilted tuners look cooler mind

[quote name='Warwick_Official' timestamp='1341331583' post='1717199'] [color=#000000][font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]Hello Everyone![/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]We'd like your feedback on what neck wood you'd like to see on a Streamer Stage 1 - 4, 5, and 6 string models.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]Maple with Ekanga veneer stripes -OR- Wenge with a maple veneer layer added?[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif][size=3]What would YOU request? Thanks for your comments![/size][/font][/color] [/quote] [quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1341349623' post='1717654'] Wood? How primitive. If you must use materials from the last century, what is the most sustainable? If this involves actually cutting down real trees, I'll take something sustainable and replantable over exotic jungle hardwoods every day of the week. [/quote] I think there is a strong case for you as a company going for, like pete says, the most sustainable option. Can we have a brief rundown of streamer stage ones? 1983 - cherry body / wenge with maple laminates. by 1989... maple body, wenge with maple neck by 1991... and this is my bass the maple body still but the neck is now maple with wenge, not the other way around... the Jamiroquai fella's streamer was one of these i'm pretty sure. now I'm pretty sure they changed enough of the design about 1997 to keep stuart spector happy, I'm not sure what. but this 2005 (apparently) streamer is the current (?) version with thin thin Ekanga vaneer stripes. all maple. One thing I notice with the more recent ones is that the amount of figuring in the wood seems to have increased. If you look at my one it's almost an afterthought were as the current ones make more of a feature of it. What would I like? What sounds best? I would love to try a wenge neck SS1 either an old one or the special edition reissue from this year. But... I wonder if the "streamer sound" is all maple now? I think it was phased out as it is hard to get- and warwick should follow their environmental streak with that and keep it maple. Though if you do have a stash of wenge.... wenge necks back on the NT thumbs would be nice!

[quote name='Warwick_Official' timestamp='1341328605' post='1717127'] Thanks for the comments. The MEC pickups in the current Rockbasses are [b]exactly[/b] the same as those used in the German basses. The hardware is also the very same. 2 years ago the entire Rockbass line was upgraded to feature these amenities. Please let me know if you've got any questions, I would be happy to assist! [/quote] Warwick Rockbass streamer LX 5 in GAK= £519 From Warwick shop.... (in euros) Two MEC passive jazz pups = 119 2 band preamp (with pots) = 339 jack socket= 19.90 4 knobs= 25 machine heads= 44 (unless you use the schaller ones, in which case 169) Bridge= 70 total so far= 616.9 (or 741 with the schaller tuners) plus 10 euro delivery.... which at todays exchange rate is £503 or £603 or so. missing... neck, body, frets, strings, strap locks.... gig bag.... I don't question the quality of the parts, it's just surprising how you are able to offer them so cheaply on the rockbasses- the MEC pots and pups are made in deutschland and shipped out to china and shipped back.... and suddenly are relatively cheaper. That said sometime soon I need to order some frets from you for my bass!

ach I think the whole thing is being blown out of proportion. I don't really think vol 11 are out to defraud. I think people's responses can be helpful for them, and lets face it- if they put together a product people want... well they will get a lot of sales. Generally we all want to see a UK based bass company do well. I think the problem is really a wee bit lack of transparency and a lot a lack of confidence. Some of the biggest manufacturers in the world buy in parts and are more or less just shops for bolting them together. It's not a bad thing, if anyone wants to sell me a valenti bass, well yes please! If you are honest about it, and are selling it on the basis that you put together something better than anyone could do themselves then go for it! For instance, if I buy a body from china, Who knows what I might get, but buying in bulk you can spec the quality of wood, and weights way better than we could at the same price. If you do it well your business plan is a good one, just be more open about what you do (and that doesn't mean don't have some bloody good advertising copy!) and do it well

I think part of learning to play bass is learning the theory, what to play when, moving all over the fretboard and being technically brilliant. The other part is learning how to play an open E string for most the song... and it be utterly 'right' and get enjoyment from that, and it being part of a wider music being made by the band. I think you do yourself a disservice. I'm pretty sure the open E's you were playing recently were better than the ones you were playing 20 years back, and I'm pretty sure you could get a bass and play in that band and combine the dull with the more interesting too. The beauty of bass isn't the instrument, or some mythical point you get to when you know enough theory. it's the player, it's the communication from the player, listening to the drums and the melody instruments and creating something. I know so so little theory, the jazz heads on here would laugh at me, I can't read, I don't know as much as so many folk on here. But give me a bass and I can play stuff that fits, and sounds good, a lot of it by ear. I can, like you, learn more theory and be better... but I think you need to first realise you already make music that is good, and you don't *have* to understand how it 'works' for it to be valid. As a side note: Maybe you need to find musicians who can make use of what you do rather than visa versa. I play at church mainly at the mo. The drummer I play with isn't too good if he plays with another bassist. But I can work off what he does and bring the best out of him. and visa versa.

to be honest keep your eyes on secondhand around you, gumtree and the like. £200 could get you something extra special secondhand, esp if you are lucky! That said I found my guitar in my aunt's bin!

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1341316944' post='1716822'] Agreed, although with reference to point 9, a new instrument can inspire you to play new things or old things in a new way. So maybe it can make you a better player. Whatever, life is short, if you want it and are not going in to debt for it then get it and enjoy a short period of GAS free living. [/quote] [quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1341316914' post='1716817'] They don't, and they do. A new instrument can make things easier to play & in turn makes what you play sound better. They can also re ignite a spark of interest in something and make you want to do something different or practice harder. So indirectly, they can make you play 'better'. [/quote] I wouldn't disagree that new things can improve/make things easier etc but I think the desire for new things we see in GAS is separate issue. If it started with what new thing will improve my playing we would end up wanting different things to what we do. Like for instance... blocks and binding- look cool- do they effect playing? you can't roll the edge of a neck with binding!

and if you don't have an example of it... it's worth trying it. I think there is a list of basses that everyone should have/try for a while. A P, A J a ray and a T40* would be on my 'vital' to have at some point. even if you realise you prefer something else... well you found that out. *yes possibly the odd one out on my short list... but what basses.

ask yourself the following questions... 1) can I afford it 2) If I buy it and end up selling it, is the loss in buying price/selling price worth it. 3) will it give me something I can't already do. i.e. you have a blue jazz, is a red jazz going to give you anything extra, a P, or a 6 string fretless will. 4) If I buy it will this mean other gear will not be used and can be sold 5) do i really want it, do I know this- or do I think I do? e.g. It took me a lot of jazz basses to find out they were not for me. 6) am I being daft. e.g. I keep looking at jazz basses... but know that finding one better than the basses I have now is not going to happen 7) If I do have the money. What would I do with it else wise if it doesn't go on the bass? Sometimes eating or holidays are more important than basses. Or even a decent amp. 8) if there is no justification for having this, but can afford it (1) and the resale price wouldn't loose me much (2) is it worth just going for it? Example... you buy the bass secondhand, you are happy. If you sell it on 2 years later 'cos, well you don't need the thing, and loose £120 on relative values/postage/extra strings etc is borrowing the bass for £5 a month worth it. 9) new things don't make you a better player.

I went and sat in a very big guitar shop and tried every jazz bass they had. It I was buying on feel and how much I got on with them alone I would have bought a squier. (though the geddy lee was also nice)

arrgh match your blacks! 100% K is not the right black!

looks like a good deal, thats a hours work to sort out when you get it, ill image he will pull it though as he won't get much over his start price

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1340457463' post='1704699'] Ok - I am going to set myself up for ridicule here I paid about £50 for an original '63 thumb rest to sit on my '63 Jazz. As thumb rests age they tend to warp around the screw holes and original nitro-cellulose pickguards also go out of shape directly in line with the warped shape of the thumb rest. I saw the one I bought on US EBay from a very reputable old parts dealer in Nashville and could see the warped shape looked near identical to the indentation in my original nitro pickguard. Took a flyer on it & it fits absolutely perfectly. You can actually hold the bass nearly vertical without any screws in the thumb rest and the indentations hold it in place without falling off. It was the only thing missing from my '63 & I didn't fell like £50 was much of an investment to finish off the original look. Of course I could have bought a $5 one, screwed it too tight & left it to warp naturally & then roughened it up a bit to make it look like it was nearly 50 years old but I kinda like the fact that it's an old bit of Fender history performing a vaguely useful function - purely aesthetically because I don't even use it to play with [/quote] well that actually makes sense. [quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1340489810' post='1705310'] As Molan says, if this is what you need to complete your original vintage bass, then you'll pay what its worth to you? If you have an all original '62 jazz missing the thumbrest, I can assure you that it would more than recover its $150+price, if you added one of these, and then had an all original '63. I think the main issue with some of these sellers, is that they strip out perfectly good guitars, because they can make more by parting them out. It should be a crime. If a guitar is broken, then fair enough, recycle the parts, but just to break one up for more bucks is a real shame. Hey ho, thats life. He probably makes bucket loads out of it? [/quote] Thats what I think is wrong about this. Jimmy's specialist guitars co. (or Rick's Fine Guitars even!) is a brill shop and specialise in vintage basses and parts. no problem, you want something you go to them, and you know that at the heart of it they are passionate about old gear. It gets odd when it's guys on ebay splitting the things for profit.

I think it would be far easier if you just said something along the lines of "i get the best parts from x, y, and z made for me and put them together into a cracking bass", I mean thats what the overwater/tanglewoods are- mass produced but final set up here giving it that seal of approval. I am never quite sure what the problem is with just saying that, I mean at some levels a bass mass produced in china is the same as one mass produced in mexico or america... what matters is the quality of the parts and that's what is unclear about these basses. I could go the far east and buy parts and sell them in the uk for thousands (Lakland for example) or I could go and do the same and sell wholesale for £20 each. It's knowing the difference in quality.

[quote name='Warwick_Official' timestamp='1341248928' post='1715757'] warwickhunt - Yes, since revamping the entire Rockbass line - they come with MEC pickups, and the same 3D 2-piece bridge, tuners, and Warwick security locks as found on the German made basses. Thanks! [/quote] that makes no sense! Why are the parts so expensive then? I'm looking for a passive blend pot for my warwick. An MEC replacement will cost me £40 posted- a new rockbass, with a blend pot in it, can be found new for £200 !! surely it can't be the same parts??