warwickhunt

Hope the bass player is decent

BassChat wouldn't be BassChat without this perennial favourite

Not a lot of people know this but... The Warwick Thumb was originally designed as a headless bass! Warwick didn't like the aesthetic and put the headstock on.

If that was 1/2 price(ish) and new in a shop that is some bargain Nice one!

[quote name='Josh' post='248489' date='Jul 26 2008, 04:13 PM']I'm guessing either a Thumb BO or $$, and I've just secured a deal on my next Warwick as well [/quote] Come on then, the both of you spill the beans!

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='248482' date='Jul 26 2008, 04:04 PM']The trick that I only bother my backside to cut it once a year..![/quote] Ah, Mrs WoT's job then

Get a move on man... what is it

[quote name='Clarky' post='248464' date='Jul 26 2008, 03:17 PM']PS, you have the most drool-inducing avatar on BassChat[/quote] I do have to agree. How do you do it? Miracle Grow, mixed phosphate... come on how do you get it so green? We are talking about his lawn aren't we

In 20 years of owning Warwicks I've never had a problem with either of their systems! I'm sure one or two might have (though I've not heard) but then again I'm sure there'll be people who have stories to tell of any system... in short, I'd leave well alone unless you have a specific issue

WoT had a recent experience with the GB750 IIRC... it didn't work out for him due to hum issues but he was very complimentary about the way that GB handled the whole situation. Drop him a PM for details.

You'll really struggle to find something substantial that has a single screw fixing and it will need to be 'fairly' substantial if you are going to roll a cab along a pavement otherwise the little weedy type of wheels just buckle when they hit the first pavement crack/stone. Just bear in mind that your castor will fix with 4 screws over the top of the existing single screw hole so it should be well covered and not unsightly (it's on the bottom after all). One thing to consider is castors that are removable in case you want the cab coupled to the floor better and/or locking castors so that the cab doesn't trundle off BTW castor or caster?

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='247836' date='Jul 25 2008, 02:22 PM']which is lovely thanks! [/quote] Glad you're still digging it Luke

[quote name='Merton' post='247581' date='Jul 25 2008, 10:00 AM']I have a new 15" driver for a bass cab I'm building and I would like to break the speaker in properly before loading it in. However, I have no signal generator or anything particularly sensible like that. What suggestions do you fine folk have for easy speaker break-in methods?[/quote] Why not stick a CD/MP3 player through your amp/cab... failing that sit and noodle away or book in some rehearsal time. I don't think it's such an issue these days to break a speaker in, though the tone will change a bit as it settles, so I'd just play it

[quote name='Matt_UK' post='247003' date='Jul 24 2008, 04:33 PM']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?! [/quote] One of the benefits of the NT is upper fret access; not a major issue for most people (inc me) but worth considering. I find that the distance between strings and body is slightly lower on the NT which is probably a psychological thing that I like and most people don't even notice. I just think that Warwick NT basses have an intangible quality that I like which is missing in BO neck basses (even Warwicks). A NT shouldn't pose any more problems than any BO neck bass, 'IF' there were issues then admittedly it's easier to unbolt a neck and put a new one on but TBH Warwick necks are pretty solid and I've never encountered warping/twisting issues. Truss rod IS something to consider on 'some' Warwicks. Not because they are any trickier to set-up etc because they are exactly the same as any bass BUT there are documented cases where early Warwick rods could strip and need replacement (99% of these will have been done by now) and it is generally an easy job for the knowledgeable DIYer or a Luthier can do it for not huge sums. I do know of one BCer who was unfortunate to get an early SSI that had a duff rod that wouldn't budge from the channel and it necessitated a fingerboard removal but that is really the only one I have ever heard of! Don't let the truss rod thing put you off, it really is such a rare occurrence that most people aren't even aware of it.

[quote name='Matt_UK' post='246966' date='Jul 24 2008, 03:53 PM']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[/quote] No worries, that's what BC is all about Try not to get hung up on the sustain... I've done A/B tests with various NT & BO basses and I have to say that you can't conclusively say that a NT will sustain for longer than a BO and in fact I've never been able to put my hand to heart and say that I can hear them sustain longer in a non-scientific test. This might sound odd but the NT adds/subtracts something from the sustain but I wouldn't say that it was the length of time that the note sounds I'll try and elaborate if I can grab a strong coffee and formulate my thoughts

[quote name='Matt_UK' post='246933' date='Jul 24 2008, 03:04 PM']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 [/quote] The difference in sound between the Jazzman and a SSI is... everything! I'm not being glib, flippant or plain awkward but trying to identify what gives a bass it's particular tonal quality is tricky. It is true that if you play enough instruments you learn to identify certain traits and characteristics (any instrument not just bass and/or Warwicks). I would say that the main differences are caused by one being NT the other BO [b]AND[/b] the pup configuration. If you consider that a Jazz and a Precision are both essentially the same bass with minor body shape differences (but essentially the same mass and or body wood) and that they are both BO necks often with the same woods but potentially different neck dimensions, then you have to say that the main difference between a J and a P is the pups. You then have to consider the difference between a PJ equipped BO bass and a PJ equipped NT bass, they can sound very different yet share the same pup config. All very confusing and full of so many permutations that it makes quantifying a basses sonic stamp a minefield. I find that the BO necked Jazzman can be snappier and has a good range of tones from the pups and the preamp whereas the SSI 'can do snap' but gives more of the characteristic Warwick growl and is more rounded in tone. A Tip - It's always tricky comparing one instrument in a shop and another in say your home or a different shop, as they will sound different dependent on the acoustics and the amp/cab played through. I always try to play and instrument for a good 10 minutes acoustically 'no matter how hard the assistant tries to get me to plug it in '! Assuming you are familiar with the string characteristics (gauge and material steel/nickel etc) and that they are fairly fresh (unlikely) then you can get a feel for how the instrument should sound amplified or through your amp/cab/combo. Have fun just trying as many as you can if possible!

[quote name='Matt_UK' post='246904' date='Jul 24 2008, 02:35 PM']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??[/quote] The price of £699 in a store is about what I'd expect but under present circumstances 'If that was what you want' I'd go in with £600 cash, wave it under their noses and stick to your guns. There have been a few SSIs on eBay of late and most have achieved around the £700 (which is pitiful but a bit more than what I sold one for recently) but a SSI will sound very different to the BO Jazzman! I'd be happy with any of your choices but IMHO for bangs per buck I'd be holding out for a used NT SSI

It's a cheap piece of cr*p at a high price tag. It's a horrendous copy of a bass only a mother could love (sorry Status, Warwick & Entwhistle fans). The logo looks like it should be Westone. It's custom made in Russia but you are paying someone in the USA. The case is an optional extra that is made to order. ... I could go on but you decide; is it just wrong or will you be ordering one? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Custom-Shop-DRAGON-BUZZARD-PROTOTYPE-Bass-Guitar-FREE-s_W0QQitemZ280159334920QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280159334920&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Custom-Shop-DRAGON-B...p3286.m14.l1318[/url]

[quote name='johnnylager' post='245826' date='Jul 23 2008, 07:20 AM'][url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/36993/a/r/e/base"]These[/url] might be worth a punt...[/quote] Probably the same 'ingredients' impregnated on a cloth, just the job and the Fast Fret is on the same web page.

+1 for the unplugged ability of an acoustic bass. I've tried numerous acoustic basses and they can't even compete with a couple of acoustic guitars, strummed enthusiastically in the house! It's different if you are getting one for the electro acoustic tone of that instrument but don't expect that you can use it for any public performance without amp support.

[quote name='Dan_Q' post='245810' date='Jul 23 2008, 12:38 AM']Lovely, thanks for the advice When you say string cleaner, is there such a dedicated product? I have WD40 and a rag, but if there is something better I can use then i'd rather do that. Cheers [/quote] The nearest thing to string cleaner is something called Fast Fret which is intended as a string/fret cleaner.