CookPassBabtridge

I second this; the PJB Big Heads are amazing. Fits in your pocket, super clean and can be used with headphones and/or used as a preamp. I pretty much use mine exclusively when practicing at home these days.

Yep that's helpful thanks - sense I'm getting is that generally speaking a 2x7 or a 2x8 will be nice and punchy but lacking in oomph compared to a 1x12. A 4x8 may be a better bet but that removes the portability aspect.

I dunno, I kinda like the design. I see what you mean though, won’t be to everyone’s taste. Yeah I noticed that too. Overall they could do with putting some more general info out there, a bit lacking at the mo. I guess a lightweight alternative to the 12 would be a BF Super Midget, the cloth grill version is only 1.5kg heavier than the GR cube.

Cool - I replaced the preamp in my Thumb with a Bartolini and am looking for something to replace the stock MEC in my SS1 too, so would be interested to know how it goes!

I'd be interested in this too actually as I've often thought the same. Only thing of use I can add is that I believe their guitars and basses are now known as Kiesel, with their amps etc. still retaining the Carvin moniker.

Hello Deke, and welcome to a fellow Warwick player

Thanks again All, once I get to try them it will likely come down to what importance I put down to portability vs. sound. I do already have a non-GR 12” that is good but not easy to transport around and isn’t quite transparent enough. Yeah if I did I’d likely go for the 8 ohm as I like the idea of potentially expanding to 4x8 for bigger gigs/when driving to a gig. Yeah that’s my view too, once I try them I’ll have to report back how the 2x8 compares to the 12 in terms of punch.

Thanks All, yes fully intending to try these out before buying, I suspected the 1x12 may be the better option generally but the interest in the 2x8s was based on my experience playing through a Henri 8x8 a few years ago. Loved the punch it gave me so was just wondering whether that was broadly inherent to 8” speakers (while appreciating there are other factors at play). @40hz I shall defo let you know when I try them and how I get on, whenever that may be!

Hello, I’m in the market for a new cab and think I’ve settled on the GR Aero range. However, I can’t decide whether to go with a 1x12 or a 2x8. I want something that is easy as possible to carry around (potentially on public transport if necessary) and will cover me for home/band practice and small gigs. I’m liking the look of the 2x8s but wonder whether the 1x12 will a better ‘all rounder’. Does anyone with experience of these cabs - or just speaker sizes - have any suggestions? Thanks!

I do feel some sympathy for people that didn’t expect these charges as in fairness I’m only clear on the situation because I regularly buy bass parts from Europe and kept an eye on the situation. Ironically I’d potentially not be aware if I wasn’t a bass player. Am going to place a parts order with Warwick soon (who are selling ex VAT to the UK now) having worked out the fees I’ll be due to pay on arrival. Some of the costs quoted in the BBC article do seem very high though - I ordered a bass from Japan recently and the total cost was what I expected. I.e. an extra 20% VAT and a relatively modest handling fee. I think the handling fees may be a set amount for everything though, so it would make up a bigger proportion of the total cost if you bought something less expensive. In short, the change for me is that when buying from Europe I wait to do it in bulk or avoid buying lower value items.

Just don’t try to sell it on the Basschat Marketplace, as John Hall might cry 😉

Just in case anyone is interested - I’ve been doing a bit more research and a luthier has recommended Delanos as an option. Apparently they solve the issue of the excessive brightness and harsh treble sometimes associated with the MECs so I might give them a look. Not sure if anyone has any experience of them?

Loads of great options, I think this may end up coming down to ease of install if I can’t make my mind up as it’s tricky to find a good luthier at the moment (which may mean EMG 🧐)

Yeah, there are DIY vids on YouTube for respraying guitars but it is very tricky and involves stripping back the finish and obtaining the requisite equipment. So a trained luthier is defo the best thing - as EBSFreak says, Sims are one of the best but they won’t come cheap. One easier option is to find a body that is an oil finish - this could be removed with turps and sanding, and then re-stained and sealed with an oil or lacquer (I’ve done this with good results on my Warwick Thumb). Takes a bit of time and care but it is doable.

Yeah, I’m guessing the EMGs will be closest to the ‘typical’ Warwick sound so are a very good option. I’m very tempted by the SDs though, I think Dirk Lance and P-Nut had them in their basses? Ah, so many possibilities 😂 Please do keep me posted on what you end up going for and what impact it has on your tone, be great to know how you get on.

Thanks @AxelF, that is really helpful! I’ve heard a lot of love for the OBP-3 in Warwicks elsewhere, so perhaps I should expand my search a bit. Main reason I honed in on the EMG/SDs is because Warwick offer them as options, but that’s not to say something else wouldn’t work. I am very tempted by the Barts, though I have some in another bass (and they’re great) so I just fancy something different. Perhaps I could go with the Aguilar pre and either the EMG/SD pickups. Hmm.

Yeah I saw that one, inlays aren’t my cup of tea but it looks pretty sweet. Bet those Aguilar pickups sound good.

Hello - I have a Warwick Streamer Stage 1 and am looking to upgrade the electronics. I'm not getting on with the stock MEC pre and pickups as I want a 3 band EQ and I find the treble a little harsh. I know quite a few people swap out their stock Warwick electronics, and was wondering if anyone had a particular recommendation for a SS1 (cherrywood body, maple neck)? I'm currently thinking about either EMG PJs with a BQC pre, or Seymour Duncan Pro Active PJs with a SD 3 band preamp. Does anyone have experience of these in a Streamer? Or are there other options I should be considering? In terms of sound I'm fairly flexible, but I like a warm tone and would be keen to retain that Warwick growl. Cheers!

That was my immediate thought too, IMO the Sadowsky modern shape is the best-looking revised jazz body out there. If lucky you might be able to get a used one a shade over £1k. Do the Verdine White bodies share that slimmer shape as well? If so the new Metro Express Sadowskys will be in budget, but there have been some early QC issues as discussed on another thread.

I think the German made Sadowskys will be good, I’m a big Warwick fan and have a couple of GPS models - both have an excellent finish. I do agree with the broader comments here on the models made in China - yes there is naturally going to be a reduction in quality given the price but major hum/hiss on the electronics should be spotted within seconds even in a basic QC process and wouldn’t be acceptable on a £100 bass, let alone a £700 one. I think it’s still early enough for Sadowsky/Warwick to sort this out but it certainly won’t have done them any favours.

Ah yes, thanks. That makes sense, although I wonder how it would work for smaller businesses or online shops, i.e. whether Fender also say what region they’re allowed to sell to. Perhaps these sorts of agreements only kick in with businesses of a certain size/sales.

Interesting. What would the logic there be then? The concept is you can only purchase our product domestically, and not buy abroad, regardless of duties and VAT. Odd. On the subject of import duties, surely a decent trade deal with the EU would remove this? (Perhaps I should just stop being lazy and try to read through the terms of the deal myself 🙂)

Thanks, useful stuff. This essentially means that I’ll now only be buying from our European friends when I can’t find something anywhere in the UK. Bit of a shame seeing as I’ve had good service from the Thommans and the Muzikers of this world and now won’t be using them through no fault of their own.