URGENT! Streamer S-I w/non-original truss rod: Y or N?

[pico322]

Hallo Warwick bros!

I need your help. I'm buying a 1992 Steamer Stage I, and the owner just told me (after I asked him about it) the truss rod was replaced with a new one, because his luthier said it was the thing to do.

Now, I don't know if the old TR was broken or not, but my question is: for a work like that, is it necessary to take off the fretboard? Or may it be also done without this brutal violence to tha baby? And if the fretborad was taken off (I don't know if the seller will ever tell me if he did it or not, maybe yes maybe no, I don't know him and I can't see the bass personally, he lives far away from me), is that a damage? Is the bass "compromised" forever?

So, I have a couple of days to decide, what are your opinions? The guy also told me that the original TR was alloy, and the new one is steel... does it change the sound (and weight, and balance) of the bass a lot? And is 950 euro too much money for this axe?

These are the questions that came in my mind, but if you have any other advice they are all much appreciated!

I attach a picture... would a sound sample of the bass (the seller recorded it) help? I can upload it if needed.

Thanks a lot!


Pico

 

[pico322]

I have an update: the original truss rod was not broken, it was replaced to "avoid future problems" (!) ... if so, do you think the luthier took off the fretboard or not? If not, as I hope, what do you think about this "upgrade"? Is the sound affected?

Thanks guys, thanks a lot!



Pico

 

[bassoctopus]

Hi Pico,

It's a nice looking bass for sure. I know Warwickhunt would bite your hand off for that one

I'd be very suprised if the truss rod meant the board was removed. I'm also not suprised that it was changed for precautionary measures as the Warwick truss rod problems were very well known (even if they did not happen by 1992!)

A late 80s/early 90s Warwick is a very special thing - I will never sell my 91 thumb. So if I was you, I'd get some more pictures - as many as you can. Post them on here and let everyone see what they think of it. And just buy it!!!

 

[bassoctopus]

BTW That one doesn't look like it's had much Warwick wax recently and the frets and knobs need a clean. Try and knock him down another €70 so you can have a luthier set it up and clean it for you.

My Infinity didn't look like it was ever waxed, and it is looking so much better and healthier after 3 weeks of waxing.

 

[warwickhunt]

Did someone say my name :lol:

I wouldn't worry about truss rod removal/replacement it is 'generally' an easy process and the rod slides out (unless you are really unlucky) very easily. The weight of a rod is not a huge factor in the overall weight of a bass so this won't affect balance or anything like that. Neither should you hear any discernible difference, of course any mass added to a bass changes it ever so slightly but you would not be able to hear this in any way.

If the rod was changed correctly and 'it works' then I wouldn't be worried at all.

Enjoy.

 

[bassoctopus]

BTW I think €950 is a pretty good price for the bass. I'd certainly pay that for a nice early 90s SS1 4 string if I wanted one.

 

[pico322]

Oh guys, you are making me feel way better... The bass seller told me the luthier made him pay just the new truss rod, and he did the replacement for free, so I guess everything went right and easy.

Here are two more pics I got from the guy, I'm not sure they can help, but maybe...

Thank you SO much!


Pico

 

[pico322]

The second pic...

 

[bassoctopus]

Lovely looking bass.

If you're buying it without playing first get a good picture of the back of the neck round the headstock, and the back of the body.

 

[Grgzilla]

If ya take the bass outside in the daylight & hold it so you can see along the edges of the fingerboard & where the neck meets the body.If the boards been lifted you'll most likely see evidence of it.

 

[Florin]

Did someone say my name :lol:

I wouldn't worry about truss rod removal/replacement it is 'generally' an easy process and the rod slides out (unless you are really unlucky) very easily. The weight of a rod is not a huge factor in the overall weight of a bass so this won't affect balance or anything like that. Neither should you hear any discernible difference, of course any mass added to a bass changes it ever so slightly but you would not be able to hear this in any way.

If the rod was changed correctly and 'it works' then I wouldn't be worried at all.

Enjoy.

+1 Buy the bass, the price is good too

 

[maddrakkett]

That is a sweet bass and the price is great for a '92. I also agree that if the luthier didn't charge for the repair, then it went easy and there was no lifting of the fingerboard. Looking at those pics, I don't see any reason why the bass wouldn't sound and play great!

Buy that bargain and be proud and happy!

 

[pico322]

Hey, it seems I worried too much... thanks guys, I am waiting for a couple more pictures, but I'm pretty sure I'm getting the SSI, and I'm so happy!

If I find something strange in the close-up pictures bassoctopus suggested to ask the seller, I will post them. But the guy seems alright, I really have no reason not to trust him.

So, the moment is near. Jesus, hours will last days until I put my hands on this funky baby!

I'll keep you updated! What a family, Warwick family!


Pico

 

[pico322]

Guys, the time is near, the baby will be here tomorrow... I can't wait! Damn, lovely GAS!

I would like to ask the experts: what are the four knobs for? The actual Warwick manual says the top one of a SSI is supposed to be volume AND pickup blend, but from the picture it seems a single pot, not double (I can't find the proper english word...). And: what are the woods of a SSI 1992? I think the neck is maple and wenge, but what about fretboard and "wings"?

As soon as I get the bass I'll share a virtual champagne bottle with you all on the forum!


Pico

 

[warwickhunt]

Guys, the time is near, the baby will be here tomorrow... I can't wait! Damn, lovely GAS!

I would like to ask the experts: what are the four knobs for? The actual Warwick manual says the top one of a SSI is supposed to be volume AND pickup blend, but from the picture it seems a single pot, not double (I can't find the proper english word...). And: what are the woods of a SSI 1992? I think the neck is maple and wenge, but what about fretboard and "wings"?

As soon as I get the bass I'll share a virtual champagne bottle with you all on the forum!


Pico

Controls will be volume (with pull passive switch), pan, bass & treble.

Body wood wings will be maple and the fingerboard wenge.

Enjoy!

 

[pico322]

Guys, the time is near, the baby will be here tomorrow... I can't wait! Damn, lovely GAS!

I would like to ask the experts: what are the four knobs for? The actual Warwick manual says the top one of a SSI is supposed to be volume AND pickup blend, but from the picture it seems a single pot, not double (I can't find the proper english word...). And: what are the woods of a SSI 1992? I think the neck is maple and wenge, but what about fretboard and "wings"?

As soon as I get the bass I'll share a virtual champagne bottle with you all on the forum!


Pico

Controls will be volume (with pull passive switch), pan, bass & treble.

Body wood wings will be maple and the fingerboard wenge.

Enjoy!

Thank you Warwickhunt!!!


Pico

 

[pico322]

Ok... THE BABY IS HERE!!!

I have no words to say how sweet it is. It is in much better conditions than it seemed on the pictures you saw. The fretboard needs some cleaning (I usually use lemon oil for FB, do you think it's right?), the frets are dirty and JAN screws need some oil, and the jack in is noisy (I'll check if it's just a matter of cleaning, but if I'd have to replace it I wouldn't feel that sad...), but the body is in excellent conditions, the neck is perfect, the action is good. Strings are dead, really dead, nonetheless the bass sounds good... I'll restring it tomorrow, I have to be prepared for a second positive shock, I think!

Guys, you all deserve a huge "thank you", you really helped me in my decision, expecially with the truss-rod thing... Now I have my first NT bass, a beautiful 16 years old Warwick, and I'm SO PROUD! And I only own it since 1 hour!

Cheers, as soon as someone borrows me a digital camera I'll post pictures of the SSI! Hey, he's light! Being used to my Thumb BO 5 strings, it is like having nothing on your shoulder!

Ah, one more thing: may I use Wawick beeswax on body and neck? Or should I try something else with all this maple around? It's my first maple bass!





Pico

 

[Benjamin]

Hey! Gratz on your bass!
There are countless posts on the forum how to clean your bass. The Warwick wax will probably do the trick for body and neck (Provided they're natural oil finish not HP/Satin) And 0000 Steelwool for the frets (Tape off the fretboard!!) and lemon oil and maybe a q-tip for the fretboard?
Slab on a new set of strings and you'll be rockin'!

 

[bassoctopus]

Woohoo!!!!!!!!

Glad you like the bass Pico, and it sounds like you got it for a great price. Prepare to be amazed when you change the strings. There is no funk sound like a SS1 with good strings.

Both my basses have had new sockets. I think Soundcraft are the best - that's what my luthier swears by. You might as well change it now.

Let us know what you think tomorrow.

Glad we could help with your purchase of a beatiful hand-built bass

 

[pico322]

Woohoo!!!!!!!!

Glad you like the bass Pico, and it sounds like you got it for a great price. Prepare to be amazed when you change the strings. There is no funk sound like a SS1 with good strings.

I can't wait! I fell in love with nickel strings few days ago, after I put DR Sunbeams on my Thumb, so I will buy the same for the SSI.

I have a doubt: the 4 pots are not what expected: there is voulme for the bridge PU, volume for the neck PU and two tones I still have to understand, because they don't have a center position and then a cut or boost, they seem to act like tones on a Fender passive bass. And there is no active/passive switch (the volume knob is not pullable). Is it what it should be, or the previous owner messed up the electronics? What do you think about it?

Pico