Katanas

Michael J

Michael J

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So Im wondering if i could get the lowdown on the Katana. It dosnt get much attention in this forum, and I was wondering what sets it apart from a Streamer, Thumb or Vette...

Whats this things trademark sound?

I like the look of them, just I never gave them much attention, afraid they had to much of a mid range punch. Always wanted to try one though...

Thanks-
 
The front pickup being so close to the neck compliments the mids and gives it a serious boom that stays well defined. I always thought of it as a Vette on roids! Also this bass is easily as powerful as the Thumb 5 and Streamer Stage 2. This bass is one of those "do anything" machines, very smooth or agressive but always clean. Good burp tone from the rear, good growl, very piano like. I think the inlay is beautiful against the ebony probably contributing to the crystal highs. The body style gives it good balance and it's a real class act. My only issue with this bass was that the insane slap tone was hard to keep going because the front pick up was a little close to the neck for my awkward slap style. If I could afford another finger style studio bass it would be this or Stage 2. Superior for tapping and harmonics as well. Can be played with just the fret hand. phew!
 
That's a bloody good read Gerry,well written.I'm completely ignorant to this sorta thing but I'm learning.
cheers mate.
 
nice post gerry...im just waiting for the shape of the katana to grow on me :wink: its happened with all the other models so far. i used to hate the thumb lol :D that changed
 
Hmmm...... a 6-string Katana? I'll inquire about this. I've played a 5-string Katana NT before. Quite awkward looking but very comfortable. Sadly I didn't plug it in.
 
I would imagine the NT Katana to have a tone closer to that of the SS1 as they both have that maple neck, which tends to reduce the growl factor, but also lends to their versatility. actually, it kinda seems like a SS1 with a SS2 pup config, so it should be a more traditional sounding bass, which is probably why we don't hear a whole lot about them on here...

To me, warwicks are all about the exotic woods and the growl, and at least the NT katana is probably not gonna shine in either of those areas... The BO however might... but it still seems like it will be a tamer warwick sound than the rest of the warwick range
 
Hey guys, just left the studio again and it kills me everytime they ask "what bass are you using"?(Most recording gets done at home and dumped later) I'm going to start wearing a Warwick T-shirt in there. :wink: Yeah that Katanna is definately one of Warwicks' "well done" machines. As far as comparing it to the SS1 I have not been fortunate enough to play the SS1 so I don't know. I do know that all maple wasn't created equal. Don't be fooled by the regularity of maple in other basses. This particular cut of maple was exceptional.The quality of the grain makes it an exotic wood if you ask me. If it's still at the store I'll have a pic today. Maybe it's the 3 way eq that makes it as clear as it is but I tell you this is one very musical bass. It absoloutely sings in the upper reg. Body styles are a matter of personal taste but as far as tone, balance and playability....pricetag justified. Growl also seems to be a matter of opinion as well and IMHO this NT piece of maple does it in it's own way. No Warwick amps in my area so I played through an average rig and still coaxed many tones out it. Put it this way, next to my other Warwicks, Jazzman, Vette st. and NT5 (yeah, still got it) :) the Katanna would still bring something unique to the table.(wish I could have kept it) Btw I do mean the NT Katanna. Thanks Warwick.
 
The Katana NT is one of the most comfortable-feeling basses I've ever played; the way the neck radius feels (which is very flat) along with the ebony fingerboard is perfect for my style of playing. I also enjoy the maple top/ swamp ash bottom combination for the playing I do... it is not very deep or murky compared to many other models, but there is very usable, defined low-end. I would call it a very "balanced" sounding instrument.

That said, I don't play the Katana NT. I play the Vampyre NT. They are pretty much identical in terms of the woods and string set-up. The maple/ash/ebony/wide radius... tone controls... the whole bit. They're very, very similar.

So why do I play the Vampyre instead?

1. the pickup configuration. The Katana has two J pickups, but the Vampyre has the TWIN jazz pickup in the bridge position, and I absolutely LOVE the way the twin jazz sounds. It has increased gain that brings out the overtones of the string over the bridge area, and I use so many percussive techniques and harmonics, that this is a must for me. In fact, my custom bass has two twin J's.

2. Although I think the Katana is one of the most comfortable basses to hold, I also think it is the UGLIEST body style I have ever seen. I mean... it has a BUTT. I guess some think it looks sexy... eh. I'm not judging. :wink:
 
That's so funny, although I didn't mind the body that much my daughter used to say "Daddy's playing the butt bass!" lol, I didn't want to focus on that and speak more on tone. Yes, I agree very balanced and not one of the midrange giants like the thumb but still a far better than average no nonsense great bass. BTW Seth I love the new material, not over done and too guitarish very much still bass and great melody. If I didn't really like it I would tell you. See you on the East coast one day. Peace.
 
A butt is a butt,

yet, in Warwick land, there is a difference in a maple butt and an Ovangkol butt.........ehehehehehe,
Wish I could hear them both............ two butts, one one one :D
 
So... think i could ever convince the Warwick custom shop to just tweak the bridge side of body, and get rid of the butt if i ordered one?
 
Doc said:
So... think i could ever convince the Warwick custom shop to just tweak the bridge side of body, and get rid of the butt if i ordered one?
Click to expand...

Not a chance in hell mate. :P
 
I wonder,

how the "airbrush BEACH" CS design would look like on a Katana.........
Man, this reminds me of that Beavis & Butthead episode, where Butthead is getting a tattoo of a butt, and he's having it on his butt........... :D
 
Ive always been intrested to try a Katana and now Im very intrested after what you guys have said. I actually like the shape of the bass from what Ive seen in the photos, basses also have to have some curves to look sexy :wink:
 
I find that the 5-string NT Katana is actually not so unappealing. It's unconventional looks are quite interesting. As for the 4 string I think that the body is just too wide in relation to the neck. It looks too silly.

I'd love to give this one a try:
 
M Maverick said:
I find that the 5-string NT Katana is actually not so unappealing. It's unconventional looks are quite interesting. As for the 4 string I think that the body is just too wide in relation to the neck. It looks too silly.

I'd love to give this one a try:
Click to expand...

The five string version looks stunning...

I think ill have to try one of those...

I once desinged a bass body that looked a tad like that, except slanted and butless. But the wider neck really balences it out alot better visually.

It was worth a shot thumperton!
 
I thought it very ugly until I saw the 5-string version.. What a difference!!
Take away the frets and those silly dots, and I'm in :D

I can feel my woman-shopping-genes kicking in.... oh no...
 
It`s just like with the Vampyre. A 5-stringer looks just more "fuller" and complete than a 4-stringer. The neck gets to slim according to the body.
 
To me it's still pretty ugly... sorry :D
 
I have to agree,

the 5 string version looks much better, and I'll be honest, I even thought of maybe getting one. But the thing is, why should I spend so much money on a bass, if I'm not utterly convinced, like with the Thumb ??

(Not to mention Warwick released the Corvette NT !!! Hello gorgeous !!!! Of course, you still want to test drive any bass before getting it, but at least with the Corvette NT, I'm 100% convinced that I like the look. :D)
 
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