1990 Streamer Stage 2 pick ups

subisina

subisina

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Hi everyone,
I've just bought 1990 Streamer Stage 2 and the bass looks great, the wood as well but the sound (except when I slap) is not even close to what I expected. It's not transparent and it lacks the shot. Maybe the problem lies in the pick ups (they are maybe too old -EMG's) or the electronics that has been replaced (Aguilar). I also own Corvette Proline(MEC pick ups and electronics) which sounds much better to me than Streamer, which is absurd. I'm sure that it is all about pick ups. So, the question is: what pick ups would you suggest to get transparency of the tone (what about Bartolinis or DiMarzios or EMGs again or...), is it possible that the P/J combination of the pick ups gives this not well defined tone (I know that Warwick means dark but shouldn't it be transparent as well). I sometimes also have problem with the buzz with both of my basses which I know for sure is the source of electricity to blame (I have to get a kind of the stabilizator of the electricity). I even blamed my amp for some time(Ashdown MAG 300, 2x10") for the "unsound" but I recently played Ibanez bass (I don't know exactly what model it is, I only know that it's an expensive one-"the most expensive in year 2000" as the owner said) and the sound was very close to what I want (even with the Ashdown, which I do not prefer). Do you think that new pick ups could solve the problem? What are the characteristics of those I mentioned above? I believe I own a really good bass but still it sound like shit.
I tried to send some photos but I couldn't figure out how to paste them here.
 
It could be many things, not only the pickups. Sometimes when a bass is not set up right this issues can come up. It is also very important to have the pickup's height adjusted to the optimal height, since has a huge effect on the overall sound. So I suggest (if you haven't done so yet) to take your bass to a qualified repair shop and have it set up correctly. If the problem persists, then I would consider a change of pickups.
 
How about Mec, I hear they go well with Warwicks. :)
 
I agree MEC are the nicest pickups i've ever played or heard. Though I havnt played many warwicks without MECs so it maybe that warwicks just sound nice anyway. The EMGs i've played always sound too metal, and barts don realy do it 4 me either.
 
subisina said:
Hi everyone,
I've just bought 1990 Streamer Stage 2 and the bass looks great, the wood as well but the sound (except when I slap) is not even close to what I expected. It's not transparent and it lacks the shot. Maybe the problem lies in the pick ups (they are maybe too old -EMG's) or the electronics that has been replaced (Aguilar). I also own Corvette Proline(MEC pick ups and electronics) which sounds much better to me than Streamer, which is absurd. .
Click to expand...

Zdravo Subisina!

First of all Ollie is right, a bass with a poor setup and bad strings can sound like sh*t.

On the other hand too often people are buying NT basses without knowing what they really want. Only because is more expensive doesn't mean it will sound better for you...

Neck Through bases, including Streamer Stage II have a slower attack than bolt on basses. It is absolutely normal that a corvette proline to have more bite than a Streamer Stage II at least when slapping...
Actually it is normal for a Corvette Proline to sound better than many basses when slapping, it's a slap machine. I had one made in 95, maple body maple neck it was killer.

So you said you like the bass sound very much except the slap sound, I say ... Welcome to the NT world :-)
When I first bought my Thumb NT, then with my SSII I had the same sensation, being used with the aggressive bite of a bolt on basses.

Now I really like the way my 2005 Streamer Stage II sounds when slapped, but my first sensation was like the strings were made of rubber instead of steel.
 
And for the record....the P/J pickup config is the SHIT!!

It's my favourite pickup config by far, in terms of comfort, versatility, and sound
 
Hey subisina,

off the bat i want to congratulate you on an excellent find!! i personally own a 1988' stage II, also with the EMG pickups, but, with the original MEC electronics still in tact and i guess im lucky when i say i have no problems achieving a good slap tone, so in agreement with the others it could be down to a bad setup or even that replacement preamp you have?!


i hope you get the problem sorted soon!


Ben.
 
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