Swaffle88 Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 Hey allĀ š¤ when or why did Warwick change the hardware they use and the frets to chrome or silver nickel? I thought they always used bronze but Iām seeing a lot of silver looking hardware (while Iām looking online & gassing bad for a corvette $$Ā šĀ ) Are these a certain series?Ā Any links you guys have that explains this would be appreciated!Ā Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 (edited) I thought the frets were still bell brass? On my 2003 Streamer LX5 (German-made) the bridge is cast, not machined solid brass. You can easily tell the difference when looking at the bottom, it's hollow. They do offer the solid brass hardware in different colours though (chrome, satin, black, gold). Be prepared to pay a LOT though. In comparison: 4-string bridge + tailpiece, cast, black: ā¬55Ā 4-string bridge + tailpiece, solid brass, black: ā¬385 Edited July 8, 2020 by LeftyJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grenadillabama Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 My Wick is around 2000 and has those bronze type frets . When Warwick started the German Team Built basses (was it 2005 ?) the nickel-silver ones were used . Do they sound different ? How about stainless frets on a 'Ray ?Ā Ā Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hz Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 (edited) I thought it all began with the German Pro Series back in 2015? This where they began using standard nickel/steel fret-wire on German basses, not sure why. Even though I doubt there is any tonal difference, I think the bronze frets are part of the Warwick DNA and should be on all Warwick basses. Edited July 8, 2020 by 40hz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swaffle88 Posted July 8, 2020 Author Share Posted July 8, 2020 LeftyJ thatās quite a difference in price.. jeez maybe it is just different colour options Iām seeing. the bronze frets + hardware to me is Warwicky!Ā so I agree with 40hz. heres some links to the wicks I was looking at: https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Warwick_Corvette_4_$$.html https://www.andertons.co.uk/warwick-gps-corvette-%24%24-4-string-bass-in-maple-ocean-blue-satin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 They used to use Schaller custom bring hardware, from memory they switched to using their own alloy non solid brassĀ stuff aroundĀ 1992 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 I had a couple of Warwick's with the bell metal bronze alloy frets and very nice they were too. I think they have a lovely sound different to other fretted basses and if I were to get another then bell metal would be my preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 Just reviving an old thread. Does anyone know whether Warwick have recently reverted to the bell brass frets in the teambuilt basses? I ask because Iāve just bought a new teambuilt Corvette and the shop confirms the frets are definitely not nickel silver but the normal bell brass. What confuses me is that I still see some new teambuilt Warwicks with the silver frets and some with the brassĀ š¤ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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