My first Warwick - What is it?

[xeyotama]

So I bought my first warwick today. The Serial Number is K-068000-99. The seller said it was a Streamer (California Custom) bought 10 years ago from a Warwick Rep visiting Sacramento. I can't find this thing anywhere.... It has 2 MEC pickups. 5 string -active/passive playability with push/pull volume knob and 3 other knobs... Who knows what they do? Can someone enlighten me?
Anyway the finish is scratched with a few gouges here and there..
I gave $400.00 for it. I can't find it anywhere on the site, so maybe the warwick guru's knows??? Should I have it refinished, is it worth my time or just play it and be happy? It has a very niceeee sound, but needs new strings. While I'm asking stuff, what kinda strings should I use? (Contempary Christian Rock and Nu-Jazz is what I'm trying to play)


newbie bassist
:?:

 

[Eberbachl]

Hi xeyotama,

Welcome to the forum!

:d

It was made in October 1999 - you can tell that from K=October, and the last two digits of the serial number. It's definitely a Streamer - looks like a Streamer Standard - the pickups are MEC Passive humbuckers. Those pickups have a fairly low output, but lovely tone - I've had those pups on a couple of Streamers, and I'm pretty fond of them. Looks like yours is active - I'm not sure...were the Streamer STD's all passive, or available in an active config also?

I'm only guessing, but I'd say the knob config will be volume (push/pull also), pickup blend, bass and treble controls.



Nice bass - should sound lovely.

:d

 

[xeyotama]

It is an active with a push/pull knob. Should I bother with having it re-finished?

 

[Eberbachl]

If you like - could be a fun project. Or, you could just play it and enjoy it. Up to you.

 

[paperbag1213]

Its a rockbass i think...

 

[Eberbachl]

Its a rockbass i think...

Nope, Warwick Streamer Standard.

If you were looking at a Rockbass, you'd see a maple neck, rosewood board, nickel frets, different headstock, front mounted input jack (Stratocaster Style), three knobs instead of four, and was only available in passive configuration.

You're looking at the Grandfather of the Rockbass Streamer - the German Warwick Streamer Standard. Note the Wenge board, the bell brass frets, the Ovangkol neck, the four knobs...etc etc...

 

[paperbag1213]

Nope, Warwick Streamer Standard.

If you were looking at a Rockbass, you'd see a maple neck, rosewood board, nickel frets, different headstock, front mounted input jack (Stratocaster Style), three knobs instead of four, and was only available in passive configuration.

You're looking at the predecessor to the Rockbass Streamer - the German Warwick Streamer Standard.

I was only 5 when this bass came out My gap in warwick history haha

 

[Eberbachl]

I was only 5 when this bass came out My gap in warwick history haha

This very bass was 5 years old when I started playing bass.

 

[Stroud]

yeah its a streamer standard

 

[trujo777]

Streamer Standard for sure...maybe electronics were swapped since these wer all passive as far as I know. if it was modded on the elecs they did a good thing otherwise this is the only Streamer STD I have ever seen being active.

nice catch for that price.

 

[xeyotama]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[golem]

Mine is also active, with MEC logo
on the circuit, but I'm not the 1st
owner so I don't know if it's some
kinda custom order or a mod.

Don't bother with the finish, since
these are dent magnets ... it's the
carolena wood ... really soft, prolly
also involved in the cool tone, and
maybe even the low output ... like
maybe it's a 'sound sponge' ?

​

 

[warwickdread]

how can anyone get so many scratches on such a nice bass? i guess it was pretty expensive when it was new. why wouldnt some ppl just dont take care?! i would refinish it. i think nice sound needs nice look aswell what wood is underneath the blue finish? if the wood didnt soaked up the colour u might wanna get a sweeeeet oil finish??
Cheers

 

[golem]

Oh yeah, almost forgot: don't worry if the
bridge is bent. Most of them are.

Another almost forgot: Welcome to Wicksburg.


​

 

[xeyotama]

Questions for all: Warwick ML5B EMP Coated 5-String Bass Strings Medium Light 45-135 or any of the Warwick Strings B string tappered so it will fit without modification? Where do I find a bass case that will fit it?
Thanks alot, yes it is scratched quite abit, but it does sound good and should sound better after a new set of strings.

 

[Vinnie]

All of the Warwick string sets have tapered strings.
For the best fit, Warwick makes flight cases which have inserts for each model. I am not sure how to go about buying one though.

 

[Florin]

45 - 135 are a little bit too thick on the low side (for me) I prefer 40 - 130.

Any Warwick dealer can bring you a Warwick case, but be aware that they are big and heavy. Our basses are smaller than most of the basses outside, so it will fit in almost any bass case.

 

[xeyotama]

Re-Finished Warwick

Ok, I took your advice and removed the blue scratched finish.... days and days and weeks of sanding I used Minwax #224 Special Walnut to stain it and with the help of a master carpenter. It is done. I bought a new MEC pickup and another bridge. I could not find the wiring diagram to this bass, more than likely because it was custom made. Not only does it look great but sounds beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration.

 

[james brunnning]

i would have left the old finnish as i liked the way it looked but you did a great job the bas looks sharp.i like the std and the way they sound .

 

[EVOLVEBASS]

Wow. Seriously nice work, man...