SSI vs SS2

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bejsman

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I currently own one W the SSI 5. Always been curious about thee SSII, though. Anyone out there who has them both? I'm that kind of player who would rather use the same bass for Everything. Having some problems with the SSI 5...
!) the fingerboard is so Wide up there (or my fingers are short) that it is difficult really to stretch and reach both B and G strings simoultaniously (for chordal work)
2) a local sound-man claims the W has to much low mids and "where is your jazz", "bring the jazz" etc etc.

I know the SSII has a narrower neck. Is the sound very different?
tnx in adv
bejsman
 
Welcome to the Family! The SSI is Broadneck naturaly! I haven't tried both either, but by others reference, they sounding different! And this Low mids its called "Growl" my friend! 8) :D
 
The SSII has more of a Thumb sound. It's thicker and a little more tight sounding. The SSI has a more open, bright, and traditional sound to it.
 
Welcome to the forum bejsman!
SSII has a very different sound than SSI. It has more "voice", character. Has a high mid, nasal growl... I remember what it says on the presentation :"The cure for the sound frustration" . I think they are right :-)
Cheers/ Flo
 
Do you really mean that the SSI is more "frustrating"?
How? And why?
 
bejsman said:
Do you really mean that the SSI is more "frustrating"?
How? And why?
Click to expand...

Hmmm. I don't know that the SSI is so much "frustrating" (I have no problems gettinga great sound, and neither did Stu Zender, whose best work was on an SSI), as the SSII is easier to get a good sound than most other (non-Warwick) basses.

I'm surprised your soundman finds the SSI has "too much low mids" - the promo line says,

"The Streamer Stage I's neck-through design maximizes playability and provides a magnificent foundation for a naturally rich tone and enhanced sound... Whether in the defined mid-range, or the clear velvety-soft high register, the Stage I performs immaculately. The tone control system, with 3-band electronics provides both dramatic and subtle changes of timbre." If the soundman wants more Jazz-like tone, then the SSI is a closer choice, but a Streamer Jazzman or Corvette Std. or Corvette FNA Jazzman would be even better for that.

The SSII will be a more distinct sound, focuses, snappy, and quicker responce, more growl like a Thumb. If the SSI is more traditional (old school funk, for example), then the SSII is more modern...
 
I personally think the SS2 has even more low mids than the SS1. Tell that soundman he doesn't know bass tone.
 
I did...Also told him that he probably has everything set up to match one of the most common basses in the western world.
tnx 4 the feedback. Reason for asking is that I found this SSII from 1992. 2000€. Sell SSI and buy SSII before that? I can't keep both.
 
If for nothing other than the small string spacing, yes get the SS2. However, if you really don't want to change the sound of your bass, don't do it. The SS2 will have much more snarl, bite, growl, etc. It's almost a crunchy sound, as if it was overdriven but it isn't. However, if you don't dig in with your fingers, you can get it to be nice and smooth. But its forte is an aggressive growl. Check out the Incubus albums Science, Make Yourself, and Morning View. You'll see what I mean. Just Youtube some of the song titles.
 
If you're not comfortable with broadneck, it definitely makes sense to consider switching to a different 5-string, potentially the SSII. Which is, by the way, very different from the SSI. But it's also worth noting that if you thought your soundman complained about low-mids before (with the SSI), his head may explode when you show up to a gig with an SSII... :lol:
 
Get a new sound man haha. The low mids are the jazz, not as in jazz bass though, as in the genre.
 
bejsman said:
Do you really mean that the SSI is more "frustrating"?
How? And why?
Click to expand...
It's all about the mids, SSI has a nice fat sound, but not so many mids as SSII. The mids are the cutting factor in a band.
Madrackett, I think Zender was playing on a wenge neck SSI, but I might be wrong. But if this is true, than that one would be more similar to a SSII than to a SSI today.

However, the SSI is not sound frustrating at all, you should be able 'the jazz' :-)
 
Hey! and tnx again! and wow!
I am so amazed!
Your conviction to this matter is like a good bass-players conviction to the song! My touch is very soft. So soft that my set-up is so low that most people can't play my bass. I love to do it like that and I use the amp to produce the volume. (Really tricky when playing slap/pop bass...) I guess that diminishes the difference between basses somewhat. Isn't 2000€ a lot for the SSII or is it per definition a much more expensive bass than my SSI (that model with Basslines system)?
 
You can find SSII 5 strings for pretty much lower prices than 2000 EUR on second hand market.
Nice try with the action mate, but still, they are very different basses :-) They might look alike, but they sound very different.
 
mmm...
yeah, well, this IS second-hand
i guess they are rare n the market
 
Yes, they are pretty rare, but with a little patience you can get one for 1500 EUR...
But there are more things to consider, a bass is more than the money spent, so if you like this specific one, and you have the money, just buy it. But be sure it is in perfect condition for this money!!!
- Trussrod, check the tr nut to be ok, check if it's adjusting
- Frets- check for fretware
- Electronics
etc....
 
Thanks Ben... well, I learned english from TV. You should hear me talking, I have radio interferences in my accent...
 
Haha, radio. Hey, darliing how were the kids toda"WE INTERRUPT THIS BROADCAST TO BRING YOU THE LATEST NEWS!"y...
"Oh they we're fin"NOT ONE, BUT TWO OF THE ENTRIES IN THE LAST....

:lol:
 
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