hamfist Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 (edited) Apologies to all who were potential buyers, but I have decided I cannot let it go yet. I will persevere with it. It just sounds so damned good. Can't quite believe I am moving this bass on, as it is one of the most incredible sounding basses I have ever played. The solid maple body and 3-piece laminated wenge neck give it such a rigidity and resonance it's just so punchy and modern. The thing is that I'm just not getting on with it ergonomically. Can't quite put my finger on it but its just not the shape and playing interaction that I'm wanting. Tried all sorts of strap heights etc, but in the end, it's a superb bass but just not right for me. So .... - 1998 German-made Warwick Fortress - 2 piece maple body - 3 piece laminated Wenge neck - Wizard traditional PJ pickups (these are a bit awesome too). Excellent pickup balance with this set. - Standard MEC 2 band active preamp plus an East parametric mids module - quality flightcase - inset Dunlop straplocks (will come with the strap connections too) - custom rosewood thumbrest I refinished the bass myself. It was originally in a transparent green stain finish from Warwick. THe stain goes really deep, so there is still some slight evidence of green-ness around the pickup routs and at the end grain ends of the bass. Personally I think this gives it character. It certainly is a stunning overall finish IMO. Danish oil and wax. No dings or scratches whatsoever on this body. The headstock has a couple of minor scratches on the back, but Wenge is very, very hard and it stands up very well to the rigours of time. The neck has a small stain to the Wenge in one spot but no dents or scratches. The Just-a-nut (as in virtually all Warwicks of this vintage) has one of the side tangs of the nut broken off. This has absolutely no effect on the function of the nut whatsoever. All the tangs do is to hold the nut in place when all the strings are removed. Currently fitted with a brand new set of D'Addario roundwound nickels, 110-55 (this neck is so strong it was MADE for heavyweight strings !). Price is £495 including courier within mainland UK. Sale wanted really, but might just be tempted by a trade for a 4 string bass .... no Jazzes, nut width 40mm absolute max, PJ or 2 x soapbar pickup config. [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/fortress-main.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/fortress-front-body-a.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/fortress-body-front-b-1.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/fortress-rear-body-1.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/fortress-body-front-b-1.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/fortress-main-b.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/fortress-case.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/fortress-neck-rear.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/fortress-hstock-rear.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/fortress-hstock-front.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/fortress-endgrain-b.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/fortress-endgrain-a.html][/url] Edited August 27, 2014 by hamfist
inthedoghouse Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 One awesome bass here for a great price! I've got a '93 Fortress One. If this was a Masterman I'd have bought it already! Somebody please buy this beautiful bass and deliver me from temptation :-)
Ambassador Posted August 25, 2014 Posted August 25, 2014 [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Awesome bass, great job on the finish! Funnily enough for me it is the closest to [color=#282828]ergonomic perfection I have found! glws, have a bump![/color][/font][/size]
hamfist Posted August 27, 2014 Author Posted August 27, 2014 [quote name='Ambassador' timestamp='1408978628' post='2535146'] Funnily enough for me it is the closest to ergonomic perfection I have found! [/quote] Yup, many have said that about the Fortress. But, for me, it's just not right. Possible desired trades ....... Nice Ibanez SR, Fender MIM or MIJ PJ (jazz neck), corvette $$, Lakland 44-01, higher end Bass collection, Cort A4, old Aria SB ?? (narrower nut versions), Status energy, higher end Yamaha BB, ACG, Spector Legend, Peavey CIrrus, PEavey Dyna Unity, Peavey T40, STreamer LX4, Spector NS2000/4 etc etc.
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