1st Warwick Dilemma

tidr

tidr

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Hello!

I've once created a topic here, and you were kind to share your experiences with me.
Now i ask the same, but in a different circumstance. After playing a Rockbass Vampyre
for about 11 years (still have it and love it), after many job difficulties
(i'm not a professional musician), it finally seems that in the near future i will be able
to afford my first GPS Warwick. Now, my 2 choice that i've narrowed it down are:
- Warwick GPS Corvette Bubinga 5 JJ
- Warwick GPS Streamer LX 5
The streamer will take more time (more money rather), but if we come to the conclusion,
that it better suits my needs, i will tough it out. Sadly, the only shop which is close to me,
doesn't have any of these 2 that i could try out. So, a few words about my style:
- playing with EADGC steel set (bright bass guy here)
- i play the bass more like a lead instrument
- i play with a pick because i like the sound more, and because i can't play with fingers
- musical styles that i favor: progressive metal, progressive rock, neoclassical, new age mostly
- if i have to name an artist, whose clean bass tone i like maybe the most, then it's DD Verni
So, this is all i have in mind right now. Please ask if you wanna know more, and please tell
me if you have experience with these basses. As always, i very much appreciate the help.

Thanks
 
Where do you live?
You should ask your dealer to contact Warwick and ask about pickup placement of the LX5. If it is as in "real" ones, then I think the LX is hard to beat.
If not, I am afraid it will not be too much change from the standard Bubinga one.
But also keep in mind the Boobinga one is really heavy!!!
 
Living next door to you, if i recall correctly, in Hungary.
As i see it on Warwick homepage, it seems to me that the CS LX has the bridge pickup a little closer to the bridge.
And it seems that the GPS LX has the neck pickup a little closer to the neck.
Oh, i forgot, i use the upper frets frequently, like 20 and above.
I don't know if there's a difference in ease of reach there between the 2 models.
Heaviness doesn't bother me at all, i like heavy basses.
But if i look at the specs on Warwick page, they say that these are the same weight. What do you think?
 
I think they are wrong, bubinga one should be pretty much heavier. On long term weight may be an issue, you have to consider this as well :-)
You know what I really really sugest you?
Check our classifieds buddy, you will find great instruments from verified users. Since you are new here you can PM me to ask me details, but with most of the users here I can (and had) deal with my eyes closed.
For Sale: Basses

especially now you can find some very, very interesting instruments :-)
 
Damn, he needs the new electronics! :D

What I think: any bass would fit your needs. Like the great wise bass bro DemBoneZ once said in this forum: "They all make boom boom boom!" ;) Some of us can hear differences between two basses of the same model, others chose them only by the looks and still always play the same awesome sounds. This "all in your fingers" thing, you know.

Because no one of us really knows your personal taste even if you write it down in 30 sentences and show us 50 vids, it would be lottery to give you any advice. That´s why Florin is right to concentrate any advice on playability, weight, source of the instrument.

For example I would look for a 3 band eq. As I said above the new MEC 3 band electronics (only provided in the CS models I fear) would bring ANY bass to the sound DD Verni most of the time has - by raising the mids. Prosteel stings, pick, mids raised - ready. And a bit overdrive maybe to avoids too much "click" in the tone. BUT: some say you need to scoop the mids! Next topic would be: which mids we are talking about. 400 Hz? 900 Hz? I talk about raising at 900 Hz, 400 Hz I would scoop too maybe, haha! Confusion complete?

The Streamer has the better playability, I would prefer this model. But we had the topic here somewhere, that some of the current GPS Streamers have different pu positions to the former LX basses and the forum mate was not amused.

How about Saschas Buzzard NT5??? Lol!!!
 
Florin said:
I think they are wrong, bubinga one should be pretty much heavier. On long term weight may be an issue, you have to consider this as well :)
You know what I really really sugest you?
Check our classifieds buddy, you will find great instruments from verified users. Since you are new here you can PM me to ask me details, but with most of the users here I can (and had) deal with my eyes closed.
For Sale: Basses

especially now you can find some very, very interesting instruments :)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion, I will have a good look at there.
 
Hardy said:
Damn, he needs the new electronics! :D

What I think: any bass would fit your needs. Like the great wise bass bro DemBoneZ once said in this forum: "They all make boom boom boom!" ;) Some of us can hear differences between two basses of the same model, others chose them only by the looks and still always play the same awesome sounds. This "all in your fingers" thing, you know.

Because no one of us really knows your personal taste even if you write it down in 30 sentences and show us 50 vids, it would be lottery to give you any advice. That´s why Florin is right to concentrate any advice on playability, weight, source of the instrument.

For example I would look for a 3 band eq. As I said above the new MEC 3 band electronics (only provided in the CS models I fear) would bring ANY bass to the sound DD Verni most of the time has - by raising the mids. Prosteel stings, pick, mids raised - ready. And a bit overdrive maybe to avoids too much "click" in the tone. BUT: some say you need to scoop the mids! Next topic would be: which mids we are talking about. 400 Hz? 900 Hz? I talk about raising at 900 Hz, 400 Hz I would scoop too maybe, haha! Confusion complete?

The Streamer has the better playability, I would prefer this model. But we had the topic here somewhere, that some of the current GPS Streamers have different pu positions to the former LX basses and the forum mate was not amused.

How about Saschas Buzzard NT5??? Lol!!!
Click to expand...
I appreciate playability info very much, that's why i asked about upper frets ease of reach also.
So, i guess when people mention great differences between Corvette and Streamer, then most of the time it's the Corvette $$, right?
That would then make more sense to me, in light of this.
Yeah, you're right about the EQ, the 3 band is CS only. GPS is 2.
Then, if you say the Streamer has better playability, i assume you refer to fret reach and comfort, right?
 
Hardy said:
One question: how can it be that the guitar guys do not hate you???
Click to expand...
In my former band, the line-up was: 1 bass, 1 lead bass, 1 lead guitar
It was kind of experimental, and right now there are no guitar guys, 'cause i don't have a band.
So, it's easy this way...
 
Hey tidr...

Good luck with whatever Warwick beauty you decide on. Those two blokes up there know there Wicks well :)

Are you set on buying new? Or are you open to used?

Always good to keep in mind, you can get a nice used Masterbuilt for cheaper than a new GPS a lot of the time. Hit up that link that Florin posted above and also check out the Bay and other places Of course. You may just find your perfect Wick for half the price ;)
 
tidr said:
Then, if you say the Streamer has better playability, i assume you refer to fret reach and comfort, right?
Click to expand...

Comfort. Fret reach should be not big difference.

tidr said:
right now there are no guitar guys, 'cause i don't have a band.
Click to expand...

WAIT! You play at home? Not in a band? Forget everything I said about "all basses - same sound". I meant in band context. At home I hear all those differences too. And for example I need more "responsive" basses in the band than at home. In your case my suggestion would be: a used Streamer Stage 2 5-string. If you look for a still brighter tone then the Streamer Stage 1. LX for band playing. Just my 2 cent.

Hoggles is right: go for used gear if you are not sure which one would be the right one. Look closely and you will find two used for the price of one new Wick. Check the pic below: one CS you can see in the pic has a retail price of what I paid for all the others (used).

All in (2).jpg
 
Wow, i never thought that if you're shorter on money, then used Warwicks are that much better investment.
I mean i realized it in some way, but never would've got to see it in this magnitude. Big thanks!
If you're all right with it, i would still continue this thread, asking you about the basses i find.
 
Ofc! These are the things we like to drool about! Where is the PK???
 
Btw I'm back from a gig right now. I played a 1986 SS1. 30 years old? Modern sound! There is no problem at all to go for a used Wick. If you find one, tell us. Some of us know what to look for relevant to the specific model. Like Sascha or Florin, who had them all!
 
before you buy a thumb you need to try one first.
They have a charcteristic sound and are often neck heavy.
Not Dd Verniish at all :) btw
 
schlobodan said:
before you buy a thumb you need to try one first.
They have a charcteristic sound and are often neck heavy.
Not Dd Verniish at all :) btw
Click to expand...

So which model would you suggest, Schlo?

I sold my Thumb NT5 after one year and I'm cured. Others worship them.
 
tidr said:
What do you guys think of this?
Don't know if its available, but it may be closer to my price range...
For Sale or Trade: - [ft/fs] Warwick Thumb Nt 5 - 1600€

I keep lookin' of course, but this one has caught my eye.
Click to expand...
and for a very good reaon, that's avery cool thumb bass! Schlo is right though, you first need to play one too see if you can handle (internal forum joke :-) )
Pros
- it is probably one of the best instruments ever made.
- It is probably the most recognisable Warwick sound. Probably is THE warwick sound.
- If you play below low E, there is no other bass on the planet to sound like this
- beautiful for soloing stuff

Cons
- Damn heavy
- A bit of neck dive
- position - moved to left. Hard to reach lower positions, easy to get higher positions.

Please check Absurdcus work for the most awesome thumb sound:
https://forum.bass-arena.com/media/mr-demeter-absurdcus.7/playlist
 
Everytime I`ve seen a Corvette Bubinga live, the sound has been great! Also, its shape is probably the most comfortable I`ve tried so far. Heavy indeed, but a good strap that spreads the weight...
 
Charmand G said:
Everytime I`ve seen a Corvette Bubinga live, the sound has been great! Also, its shape is probably the most comfortable I`ve tried so far. Heavy indeed, but a good strap that spreads the weight...
Click to expand...
Thanks! Thomann sells it for 1400€ and free shipping, to my country. But right now i'm on the prowl for used alternatives...
 
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