LPG83 Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Hello there. Thought I'd pop on and ask for a bit of advice from all you bass doctors. I'm playing a Warwick Corvette STD with EMG jazz pickups, and have done for a number of years. The trouble I have, even since upgrading the pickups, is that clackety/ reedy/ grainy/ brittle sound, that I suppose is the nature of "the sound of wood". In my current situation I really can't afford to do what i've wanted to do for a long time, which is go out and buy a really beautiful Jazz Bass. So, put simply....any one have any cost effective solutions to make my warwick sound a bit meatier...infact just like a jazz bass? I know you might put this down to backline. Im playing through a Euphonic Audiohead, which is lovely...but even when ive been through big mighty ampeg setups its still just rattles too much. any tips? cheers/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimBass Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Warwicks are the sort of bass where you love the sound or hate it, Warwicks are very well made respected basses and unless you got a dodgy one you shouldn't be needing to modify it...I would certainly never dreamof modifying mine!! (unless its a rockbass...im guessing its not) You might be able to get the sound you're looking for through modification (I'm not an expert on that) but if you dont like 'the sound of wood' which is fair enough...sound being so opinion based...then you'er probably wasting you're money trying to pull the warwick character out of a warwick. Why not fined a bass you do like the sound of and flog the warwick...warwick a popular it should be too hard to sell and even you cant afford your dream Fender there are plenty of quality basses out therewhich cost less, especially if you look secondhand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimBass Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Also just thought....my old bass tutor used to ALWAYS play his warwick with 'bass tone control' on full... It wasn't my preference but worked for him and was certainly a 'meaty' sound. Maybe this sort of 'drastic' EQing will suit you too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPG83 Posted August 23, 2007 Author Share Posted August 23, 2007 You're right, it is a very distinct sound and im sure its through my own changing taste that ive got a bit tired of it. I must say that live its not too bad if i play through the neck pickup alone, but when it comes to recording theres just too much playing noise, which i suppose might be down to my own playing style. Out of interest, how much would you see it selling for? I bought it new about 8 years ago (not sure when the bass was made...the machine heads say "made in west germany"(!)) and i must admit its been well played and is not exactly in pristine condition. There a bit of wear and tear, dinks and scratches in various places. many thanks for the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Have to tried running the EMGs from two batteries to get 18v rather than just the one? I'm guessing that you'll be getting less of the "sound of wood" with EMGs. I didn't really get on with the one I had in my precision for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPG83 Posted August 23, 2007 Author Share Posted August 23, 2007 No, ive not tried that. how would i go about it? I remember speaking to come knowlegable chap who suggested that EMG werent quite the right choice, but i forget the alternative he recommended... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest subaudio Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Have you had the bass set up, it sounds like your getting fret rattle rather than electronic/tone issues maybe.? if so a good set up and maybe some fret work will sort it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 I've just refitted a set of EMGs to my Corvette at 18v with a BT concentric preamp and it sounds like the dogs danglys with the bass boosted a wee bit. I find the EMGs don't distract from the 'sound of wood' at all. The EMG BT pre is clever as you can select the boost/cut freq of the treble pot using wee selector switches on the pcb. Maybe this would be the sort of thing you need. Boost the bass a bit, set the appropriate freq for the treble pot and trim out the noise you're having trouble with. I love the sound of this bass, it's the best sounding Warwick I've played, but they do have a specific sound which is quite a way from a jazz bass (a long way from my Lakland JO4). If a pre of some description doesn't sort you out then you might have to put the Warwick on the block... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugden Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Pop an acg pre in there you will be able to find a tone you like or very probably the jazz tone your after. Very versitile system. Not the cheapest option but food for thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basszilla Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 EMGs are excellent pickups imo but they do have a sound which some descibe as 'cold' and 'sterile'. The particular sound of my EMG equipped bass (spector) suits my needs for the music I generally play. EMGs are superb slapper pups, they are aggressive, and detailed which is why they are also seen in the metal scene so much. My advice would be to save some $ and get a passive jbass, be it fender or whatever takes your fancy. More and more I'm taking to using my passive basses as they really 'sound' like a bass should imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 [quote name='Sugden' post='49527' date='Aug 23 2007, 01:44 PM']Pop an acg pre in there you will be able to find a tone you like or very probably the jazz tone your after. Very versitile system. Not the cheapest option but food for thought.[/quote] i've got emg's and the acg pre-amp on my thumb (bass that is ) and there's a review of it with some sound clips here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3919"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3919[/url] it's a fretless but you will get an idea of what the pre is capable of... daf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 I find Bartolini pickups work really well in very 'woody' basses. They sound the opposite of what you describe - I think they might be warmer and deeper sounding and let the bass speak for itself. Perhaps worth checking out.. ped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflewis Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 [quote name='ped' post='49542' date='Aug 23 2007, 02:01 PM']I find Bartolini pickups work really well in very 'woody' basses. They sound the opposite of what you describe - I think they might be warmer and deeper sounding and let the bass speak for itself. Perhaps worth checking out.. ped[/quote] funny you should say that ped, i had a thumb 6 with barts on it and i had to have the bass up full as simbass described to stop it being too toppy. i've found the emgs have a warmer sound! wierd.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Hehe. Just goes to show! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassaussie Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 I think your solution can be quite simple and cheap if you want it. Go for an outboard preamp. A cheap one I've tried that works really nicely is the Yamaha NE-1. I prefer that unit with P basses, but it still works nicely with a J/J set up. £40 should see you right with one of these. (Note - I'm not sure the NE-1 is actually a preamp, but more of a parametric equalizer. Regardless, it'll give you a nice result). If money can be stretched a little further, try a Sadowsky stomp box. They sound amazing with J/J set ups, and will add heaps of "oomph" to your sound without adding mud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 Warwickhunt is fitting a set of custom wound Wizard pups to his W as we speak and will do a review soon...... Custom wound pups maybe your answer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 I'm a happy EMG user, with a Warwick (together with EA amps and cabs) but its a combination that can be too clean for a lot of people. Two suggestions, set your amp eq back to "flat" and start again, with an emphasis on boosting the lower mids and cutting around or above 4k. Second, cut the highs on the bass (at source) and you can get a more "passive" sound from EMG's. For an "old" sound for blues/rock gigs I often use a Sansamp to warm/rough up the Warwick - more extreme but its always worked for me. BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbass Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Some great advice in this thread guys! I've been contemplating swapping out the MECs in my Warwick for something a little different, although the sound I get at the moment is pretty good ever since I put a set of flatwounds on. I think that the stock setup of most Warwicks leads to a very middle-y sound (growl if you will). Normally a little bass boost on the preamp fills out the sound to my desired level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 [quote name='LPG83' post='49470' date='Aug 23 2007, 12:33 PM']The trouble I have, even since upgrading the pickups, is that clackety/ reedy/ grainy/ brittle sound, that I suppose is the nature of "the sound of wood".[/quote] That definitely isn't "the sound of wood"! However it may be the sound of your bass. What does your bass sound like when unplugged and in a quiet room? If it makes the sound you want to hear then the electronics are your weak link and could be upgraded successfully. If it doesn't make the sound you want then can you do something about your technique to get the right sound? If that doesn't work, can you try different strings to get the right sound? If that doesn't work then the bass just isn't the right bass for you. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPG83 Posted August 24, 2007 Author Share Posted August 24, 2007 cheers folks. very many thanks for the info and advice. i'll find the best way to put it all into practise and see what sound comes out the other end.... A little off topic...whats the opinion on mexican made fenders? any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 IMHO they're not in the same league as Warwick! But then I've never played a good MIM Fender and have always bought Fender clones as they do the job better for the money (again IMO)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 Is your Warwick passive or active? Just wondered, as I have the Corvette $$ & it's sound is huge, both on top and bottom end. No nasty sounds at all. If however, you must have a jazz, go for the MIJ Geddy Lee signature model. Played mine in anger for the first time today at a gig & it sounded massive! Beautiful rich and rounded sound. MIM jazz basses are nice to play touch-wise, but the new updated pickups seem very low in output and uneven across the strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 If you're getting 'playing noise', then raise your action - no amount of electronic trickery will cure this. As for Mexican Fenders - there's good and bad - I've just bought a (cheap) beat up P bass that plays awesome and sounds pretty darn good - and because it was cheap I don't need to be precious when gigging it. Warwicks are quality basses - as stock - so check your set up before you spend loads of dough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee4 Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 [quote name='LPG83' post='49470' date='Aug 23 2007, 12:33 PM']Hello there. Thought I'd pop on and ask for a bit of advice from all you bass doctors. I'm playing a Warwick Corvette STD with EMG jazz pickups, and have done for a number of years. The trouble I have, even since upgrading the pickups, is that clackety/ reedy/ grainy/ brittle sound, that I suppose is the nature of "the sound of wood". In my current situation I really can't afford to do what i've wanted to do for a long time, which is go out and buy a really beautiful Jazz Bass. So, put simply....any one have any cost effective solutions to make my warwick sound a bit meatier...infact just like a jazz bass? I know you might put this down to backline. Im playing through a Euphonic Audiohead, which is lovely...but even when ive been through big mighty ampeg setups its still just rattles too much. any tips? cheers/[/quote] Buy a Corvette $$.Meaty coil tappable humbuckers,highly versatile and powerful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayfan Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 [quote name='LPG83' post='49470' date='Aug 23 2007, 12:33 PM']The trouble I have, even since upgrading the pickups, is that clackety/ reedy/ grainy/ brittle sound, that I suppose is the nature of "the sound of wood".[/quote] How about putting the original pickups back in? Maybe it's just the EMGs you don't like the sound of. Failing that, buy a G&L. ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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