andytoad Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 (edited) Right, I have a Warwick 87 SS2 nt. I love the feel of the neck and string spacing at the nut. For me, I think the 35inch scale is a little too long. Problem is, I can't get on with the tone, it's too harsh and clangy compared to my old 80's thumb which sounded rich with warmth. The rounder neck was not as comfortable as my current SS2. So, any recommendations on a bass (not specifically Warwick)? Slim/fast jazz style neck (d shape?), prefer NT, but not essential. Medium scale 5 string A deep resonant rich sounding wood body Narrow string spacing, possibly with adjustable bridge. Active or passive Quite tempted by a double humbucker option, but not essential for pickups Simple controls - I'm not up for parametric mid tone super bendy multiple dial do dats. Budget around £1500 - happy to buy used. Edited May 20, 2017 by andytoad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass_Guardian Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 When you say Medium scale do you mean 32 inch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Hmmmm A difficult quandary and I can see you getting a lot of suggestions here, but of course it's no substitute for getting out there with your hands and ears. Sandberg wise you will get an excellent bass no matter which one you pick, but for what you describe go for the Sandberg or Hausel pick ups not the Delano's. Don't go G&L, quality is good, a range of neck types, and you get a full sound (I have had 3) but pick ups are on the trebley side of things. The other simple thing is looking at changing strings, may just mellow the sound out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbora Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 I you like the SS2 but not the tone why not look into changing pickups and preamp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkandrew Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 (edited) Again, if you like everything else about it then a change of strings (especially if you are you using stainless steel round wounds) to something mellower might be the simplest option. After that, a pickup change (are they the default MEC pickups?) could be your second port of call; I changed the MECs on my SS1 to standard EMGs and they do sound fuller and deeper (I also tried the EMG-X range but found them to be very bright and very similar to the original MECs). After that, you could look at a a change of pre-amp, etc. Basically, if I had a bass (or a guitar) where I liked everything else apart from the tone, I'd persevere with it and tweak it until I got it right because it's a lot easier to do that than fix one where you like the tone but hate everything else (cough cough, Gibson Les Paul with 50's profile neck!) Edited May 20, 2017 by darkandrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 (edited) Let me try tempting you with a Sadowsky RV5. Ad at bottom of post, in my sig. Edited May 20, 2017 by chris_b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Put a set of flats on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Norris' timestamp='1495311478' post='3302952'] Put a set of flats on it? [/quote] I agree and another thing to try would be to knock of a bit off the controls of the bass amnd see if it mellows it. Alternatively these Kiloton's. G&L necks are great they look cool to me... [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMr9Yx78O_w"]https://www.youtube....h?v=AMr9Yx78O_w[/url] Edited May 20, 2017 by Pinball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassix Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 The op doesn't like the 35" scale neck so changing everything isn't an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazed Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 (edited) Warwicks aren't 35" they're 34". That said, if it doesn't feel comfortable nothing's going to change that fact. Edited May 21, 2017 by Dazed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 I had similar sound issues with my SS1 - sounded like a machine gun rather than a bass. Bartolini pickups and a ACG pre got the sound where I wanted it. TBH it's more the pickups than the pre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyf Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 You mention you loved your old Thumb. Noticed that Bass Direct have an early nineties Thumb NT 5 for about your budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andytoad Posted October 15, 2017 Author Share Posted October 15, 2017 [quote name='Norris' timestamp='1495311478' post='3302952'] Put a set of flats on it? [/quote] Finally tried this, I went for la Bella low tension flats, they sound amazing. It makes the SS2 sound great, not the sound I was initially after, but I really like it. Full fat thump. I rolled more top off too with a little more bridge pickup. They are EMG'S by the way. Thanks for your help One and all. I will stick with this for a while! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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