Warwick Corvette Fretless - Opinions

[Linus27]

Still toying with the idea of getting a different fretless. I quite like the idea of a Bubinga Corvette Standard. Any ideas of what Warwicks and the Corvette's are like as a fretless? Quite a woody mellow sound with plenty of WAH or more clinical processed tone?????

Any thoughts and opinions really appreciated.

Edited June 29, 2010 by Linus27

[Muzz]

Well, I've got the Ash Standard (in the Ocean Blue), and it's got a lovely tone - very woody, and with rounds it absolutely sings. It's the only Warwick I've ever got on with, to be honest.

It'll be a shame to sell it, but I think the day's coming, thanks to redundancy...

Anyhoo, I can recommend the Ash one. Never tried the Bubinga personally.

[Linus27]

[quote name='Muzz' post='880970' date='Jun 29 2010, 02:09 PM']Well, I've got the Ash Standard (in the Ocean Blue), and it's got a lovely tone - very woody, and with rounds it absolutely sings. It's the only Warwick I've ever got on with, to be honest.

It'll be a shame to sell it, but I think the day's coming, thanks to redundancy...

Anyhoo, I can recommend the Ash one. Never tried the Bubinga personally.[/quote]

Thanks for the reply. I have the fretted Ash Corvette and that sounds superb. I have heard the the Ash Corvette tend to have a bigger, looser low end and a flatter midrange while the bubinga has a much tighter, almost slightly compressed low end and a fatter midrange. Sound like both would make a great fretless.

[throwoff]

I believe Absolute actually have a couple of special edition Corvette standard fretless models in at the moment

[url="http://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/store/index.php/warcorvltdfretl4/p_3964.html"]http://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/store/index...tl4/p_3964.html[/url]

Might be worth giving them a buzz and popping in

[goblin]

I've got a pair of Warwick Corvettes, fretted and fretless (see bass porn), and to be honest, the fretless I find is a completely different beast to the fretted one. The fretted one I find is a lot easier to get a bright, poppy tone from, and slaps really well too if needs be, where the fretless is much more civilised.

Out of the fretlesses I've played, it has to be one of the best and most accessible as I use it as my daily for rehersal, gigs and studio work, and with the right strings, they sound beautiful.

In short - highly recommended.

[Linus27]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Really is food for thought. Very tempted to get a Bubinga Corvette at some point.

[Linus27]

[quote name='goblin' post='881502' date='Jun 29 2010, 11:46 PM']I've got a pair of Warwick Corvettes, fretted and fretless (see bass porn), and to be honest, the fretless I find is a completely different beast to the fretted one. The fretted one I find is a lot easier to get a bright, poppy tone from, and slaps really well too if needs be, where the fretless is much more civilised.

Out of the fretlesses I've played, it has to be one of the best and most accessible as I use it as my daily for rehersal, gigs and studio work, and with the right strings, they sound beautiful.

In short - highly recommended.[/quote]

Just checked out your fretless Corvette. Man that is perfect, just what I would get. Stunning. Is it active or passive?

[BigRedX]

Play before you buy. Every fretless Warwick I've tried (and I tried pretty much every single one I came across a couple of years ago) except the stupidly expensive Jack Bruce Cream Reunion Signature model have horrible sticky feeling necks that hardly lend themselves to fretless playing styles.

[Linus27]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='881671' date='Jun 30 2010, 10:22 AM']Play before you buy. Every fretless Warwick I've tried (and I tried pretty much every single one I came across a couple of years ago) except the stupidly expensive Jack Bruce Cream Reunion Signature model have horrible sticky feeling necks that hardly lend themselves to fretless playing styles.[/quote]

What do you mean by a sticky feeling? As in the wood used for the necks (Ovangkol) felt wrong due to being not vanished?

[purpleblob]

I had a six string Corvette. It sounded really really nice, great depth and particularily nice fretless sound, but I really didn't like the feel of the bass, it was just horrible to play.

Obviously things may have changed on more recent ones, but mine had no contouring on the back of body which made it feel really unatural and uncomfortable when playing whilst standing and only a little better when seated.

I have to totally agree with BigRedX. I thought I was the only one who felt the neck was sticky. I have another unvarnished fretless that feels fantastic to play, the palm slides nicely around (admittedly it's a five string) but the neck on the Corvette felt it needed varnishing or maybe some sort of oil on it, but in it's natural state it just felt sticky (that's the only way to describe it). I wouldn't have minded this alone, due to it's lovely sound, but the uncomfortable feel of the body I felt it wasn't worth keeping as I just didn't like the feel when playing it.

But like I said this is very much a personal view on one particular instrument, so as always I'd say go and try one out if you can.

EDIT: Edited some semantics and spelling - typical of me

Edited June 30, 2010 by purpleblob

[Linus27]

[quote name='purpleblob' post='881755' date='Jun 30 2010, 11:32 AM']I had a six string Corvette. It sounded really really nice, great depth and particularily nice fretless sound, but I really didn't like the feel of the bass, it was just horrible to play.

Obviously things may have changed on more recent ones (and this is just my personal feel for the instrument I had), but mine had no contouring on the back of body which made it feel really unatural and uncomfortable when playing whilst standing and only a little better when seated.

I have to totally agree with BigRedX. I thought I was the only one who felt the neck was sticky. I have another unvarnished fretless that feels fantastic to play, the palm slides nicely around (admittedly it's a five string) but the neck on the Corvette felt it needed varnishing or maybe some sort of oil on it, but in it's natural state it just felt sticky (that's the only way to describe it). I wouldn't have minded this due to it's lovely sound, but the uncomfortable feel of the body I felt it had to go.

But like I said this is very much a personal view on one particular instrument, so as always I'd say go and try one out if you can.[/quote]

Thanks for the input. I need to go and find one to try now. Unfortunately, this is quite a hard task as not many places locally are stocking them.

[xilddx]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='881671' date='Jun 30 2010, 10:22 AM']Play before you buy. Every fretless Warwick I've tried (and I tried pretty much every single one I came across a couple of years ago) except the stupidly expensive Jack Bruce Cream Reunion Signature model have horrible sticky feeling necks that hardly lend themselves to fretless playing styles.[/quote]
Crikey! I am absolutely gobsmacked to hear this BRX. My Standard Ash Corvette fretless is as silky as I can imagine. An absolutely wonderful player with a really fine, skinny Jazz-like ovangkol neck and ebony fingerboard. It also has mwah which the people who tried it at the London Bash last Sunday will attest to. I have LaBella Black Nylon Tapewounds on and even they mwah. With rounds you get even more mwah.

You hadn't been at the marmite sandwiches before trying them, had you?

[BigRedX]

purpleblob has described the sticky feeling of the Warwicks I played exactly! What really concerned me about this was that the majority of fretless Warwicks I tried were at various musical instrument shows (LGS, Music Live etc.) and I would have thought that Warwick would only have bought instruments that represented the best of their output to these events.

I don't have a neck finish preference from a playing PoV so long as it doesn't feel rough or sticky. As for looks I like the neck to mach the body in both colour and finish. Warwicks pass on the second but for me fail miserably on the first.

[BigRedX]

Silddx, I believe you bought your Warwick second hand?

I'm wondering if Warwick necks take some playing in before the stickiness goes? Personally I couldn't be doing with that. If I buy a new bass I'll be wanting to use it at a rehearsal that night and a gig the following week.

[xilddx]

[quote name='purpleblob' post='881755' date='Jun 30 2010, 11:32 AM']I had a six string Corvette. It sounded really really nice, great depth and particularily nice fretless sound, but I really didn't like the feel of the bass, it was just horrible to play.

Obviously things may have changed on more recent ones (and this is just my personal feel for the instrument I had), but mine had no contouring on the back of body which made it feel really unatural and uncomfortable when playing whilst standing and only a little better when seated.

[b]I have to totally agree with BigRedX. I thought I was the only one who felt the neck was sticky. I have another unvarnished fretless that feels fantastic to play, the palm slides nicely around (admittedly it's a five string) but the neck on the Corvette felt it needed varnishing or maybe some sort of oil on it, but in it's natural state it just felt sticky (that's the only way to describe it). [/b]I wouldn't have minded this alone, due to it's lovely sound, but the uncomfortable feel of the body I felt it wasn't worth keeping as I just didn't like the feel when playing it.

But like I said this is very much a personal view on one particular instrument, so as always I'd say go and try one out if you can.

EDIT: Edited some semantics and spelling - typical of me [/quote]
I would raise concerns about the shop you tried it in. If lots of people had been playing it then of course an unfinished neck is going to feel sticky if it had not been looked after and cleaned and waxed. You'll be playing on top of everyone else's marmite. All you need to do is wax the neck every now and then. I actually use those Planet Waves fret polishing cloths on my warwick necks. Dab some of the wax on it and polish the neck along the grain. It's the loveliest feel on any neck I've ever tried. It's a trick Martin Peterson showed me with wire wool on a oiled maple body, came up silky and shiny.
I also don't understand the lack of contouring either, it's a wonderfully ergonomic body [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=58789&view=findpost&p=585875"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&sho...st&p=585875[/url]

[xilddx]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='881780' date='Jun 30 2010, 11:52 AM']Silddx, I believe you bought your Warwick second hand?

I'm wondering if Warwick necks take some playing in before the stickiness goes? Personally I couldn't be doing with that. If I buy a new bass I'll be wanting to use it at a rehearsal that night and a gig the following week.[/quote]
The fretted Corvette $$ was SH, but I bought my fretless Corvette Standard new from Thomann last year. It was a beautiful player straight out of the box.

I can confirm with absolute confidence the necks are not sticky at all, from new or otherwise, as long as you wax them occasionally which cleans off any hand residues. Shops don't do that and you may find them sticky because of that reason. If you buy one from a shop, all you'll need to do is wax it if it is sticky from too many sweaty oily hands.

[xilddx]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='881775' date='Jun 30 2010, 11:49 AM']purpleblob has described the sticky feeling of the Warwicks I played exactly! [b]What really concerned me about this was that the majority of fretless Warwicks I tried were at various musical instrument shows (LGS, Music Live etc.) and I would have thought that Warwick would only have bought instruments that represented the best of their output to these events.[/b]
I don't have a neck finish preference from a playing PoV so long as it doesn't feel rough or sticky. As for looks I like the neck to mach the body in both colour and finish. Warwicks pass on the second but for me fail miserably on the first.[/quote]
There's your answer.

[purpleblob]

[quote name='silddx' post='881790' date='Jun 30 2010, 11:58 AM']I would raise concerns about the shop you tried it in. If lots of people had been playing it then of course an unfinished neck is going to feel sticky if it had not been looked after and cleaned and waxed. You'll be playing on top of everyone else's marmite. All you need to do is wax the neck every now and then. I actually use those Planet Waves fret polishing cloths on my warwick necks. Dab some of the wax on it and polish the neck along the grain. It's the loveliest feel on any neck I've ever tried. It's a trick Martin Peterson showed me with wire wool on a oiled maple body, came up silky and shiny.
I also don't understand the lack of contouring either, it's a wonderfully ergonomic body [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=58789&view=findpost&p=585875"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&sho...st&p=585875[/url][/quote]

I wasn't trying it in a shop - I owned it It was one of the few 6 string fretlesses that I could find at the time.

But I fully suspect the "stickiness" is something that could be sorted but like I said, mine didn't feel good to play anyway, so I suppose I lost interest in trying to solve it. Hence my disclaimer that the OP should try the instrument himself

EDIT: Just looked at your link and certainly can see the contour, I'm now wondering if what I had was a different model because the back was just flat.

Okay I apologise 100%, just ignore me! I've a crap memory at the best of times but this week's been far worse lately - it appears I had a proline. Don't ask me how I came to the conclusion it was a Corvette, I think I've just reached that certain age. I will now (with embarrasement) leave this thread. But before I do, just to prove (to myself at least) that I owned a couple of Warwicks, here they are [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=52590&st=100&p=731021&#entry731021"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry731021[/url] ).

Edited June 30, 2010 by purpleblob

[XB26354]

Having had probably 20-30 warwicks in my time I can assure any potential buyer that the necks are not sticky when new. If used then wire wool and wax will make the neck silky smooth again. Ergonomically warwick 5 and 6-strings aren't the best. The short top horn doesn't help. The NT models have arched bodies which tend to be more comfortable seated, but I never felt the Corvette body was uncomfortable. Personally I would choose a used ash one as bubinga is heavy and oily. Ash has more growl and snap.

[Linus27]

I think I may know now what the sticky feeling is. When I wax my fretted corvette neck, I can always feel how smooth and silky it feels. It surprises me everytime how smooth it feels. Naturally over time, this wears away and I guess the feeling that is left is what some are refering to as the sticky feeling. If that is the case then for me its not going to be a problem as I don't mind the feel of the necks either way and waxing has always made them super smooth again.

[Linus27]

[quote name='XB26354' post='881823' date='Jun 30 2010, 12:25 PM']Having had probably 20-30 warwicks in my time I can assure any potential buyer that the necks are not sticky when new. If used then wire wool and wax will make the neck silky smooth again. Ergonomically warwick 5 and 6-strings aren't the best. The short top horn doesn't help. The NT models have arched bodies which tend to be more comfortable seated, but I never felt the Corvette body was uncomfortable. Personally I would choose a used ash one as bubinga is heavy and oily. Ash has more growl and snap.[/quote]

Thanks for the input. I fancied Bubinga as I have a fretted Ash already. However, not so keen on having a heavy bass. Maybe sell/swap my fretted Ash Corvette for a fretless one. I think I am going to have to hunt around for somewhere to try an Ash and Bubinga Corvette.

[BigRedX]

Silddx, I would have thought that at a trade show the instruments on display would have been the very best and set up to perfection. If the Warwicks I encountered are supposed to be like this then obviously they're not for me - although I did also try a Starbass II fretless with the sharpest fingerboard edges that I've ever encountered...

[xilddx]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='881894' date='Jun 30 2010, 01:29 PM']Silddx, I would have thought that at a trade show the instruments on display would have been the very best and set up to perfection. If the Warwicks I encountered are supposed to be like this then obviously they're not for me - although I did also try a Starbass II fretless with the sharpest fingerboard edges that I've ever encountered...[/quote]
But they may have been played a lot in the warm atmosphere of the expo with lots of oily dirty sweaty hands.

I agree they should not be like that, and if you owned one you should never have that problem, at home, in the studio or on stage.

I suppose my fretless Corvette has comparatively "sharp" edges against your average Fender, but I've never noticed that it's uncomfortable or strange, it's the most glorious fretless neck I've ever played to be frank. I adore it.

[EBS_freak]

Must admit, don't like the Warwick neck and yes, sticky as some people have encountered. It all comes downs to what you are used to though. I come from uber smooth, uber fast necks... pretty much everything I feel can be perceived as sticky.

The Warwicks that I have liked however, surprise surprise, have been via Martin Peterson and his rasp.

There is defo a difference between the moden and "vintage" Warwicks also... don't know what they did to the necks but something has changed.

Edited June 30, 2010 by EBS_freak

[xilddx]

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='882022' date='Jun 30 2010, 03:15 PM']Must admit, don't like the Warwick neck and yes, sticky as some people have encountered. It all comes downs to what you are used to though. I come from uber smooth, uber fast necks... pretty much everything I feel can be perceived as sticky.

The Warwicks that I have liked however, surprise surprise, have been via Martin Peterson and his rasp.

There is defo a difference between the moden and "vintage" Warwicks also... don't know what they did to the necks but something has changed.[/quote]
They re-profiled them last year. My fretted has the thicker neck from 2007, my fretless is the new, much thinner one. Note that this is depth, not nut or neck width.

I find my Warwick necks are uber fast.