Warwick dolphin

[steve-norris]

I recently acquired my first warwick, a Warwick Dolphin pro 1 serial number C26291, loving it! I swapped it for a musicman bongo HH and don't regret it for one moment. unlike the bongo i find i hard to get a bad tone out of it.
It's seen some action and has a few dings etc but for it's age ( i assume it to be manufactured in 91) not too bad.

A few questions, satin chrome hardware is it standard? most dolphins I've seen have had gold and i want to restore it to its former glory, also on the hardware front the tuning machines have no Warwick stamp so may be replacements and i assume they would have matched the rest of the hardware?

The other issue i want to address is the control pots as the shafts are bent, not a big issue for some reason i just want to give this bass a little love. One option I've considered is replacing the whole preamp but i don't want to start drilling any holes, any opinions on the stock pre and possible replacements? To be honest i don't know if you can even do this, active pickups?....

Lot's of questions for a first post i know but i you don't know no one will.

 

[Thomas]

there are some topic in the tips and tricks section about steaming out dents (or sauldering (sp?) them out) that would help with the dents and dings.

but wow... the guy you traded with got RIPPED. that is an absolutely beautiful bass and it's worth quite a bit of money too.

 

[boston asphalt2]

all of your questions regarding replacing the knobs, etccan be answered by contacting your country's distributor. Here in the US, its dana B Goods. danabgoods.com.

As for the satin hardware, I dont know, that isnt really my area.

 

[Lex]

That's one stunning bass!

 

[steve-norris]

there are some topic in the tips and tricks section about steaming out dents (or sauldering (sp?) them out) that would help with the dents and dings.

but wow... the guy you traded with got RIPPED. that is an absolutely beautiful bass and it's worth quite a bit of money too.

cheers, I may refinish it once i know a little more, worth quite a bit? I was under the impression that they were worth roughly the same given the condition, that said i am well pleased with the trade, it needs a little TLC but it's a keeper i think.

so more questions, are they particularly rare and whats the market value ( I am UK based), don't think i will be selling this one just interested

 

[maddrakkett]

Welcome to the Warwick family!

That is one beautiful bass; I love the look of those neck laminates and I love the dolphin inlays. The Dolphin was the first ever Warwick I had seen back in the '90s and I thought that was the only bass Warwick made - like it was their only special contribution to the bass world :lol:

The Dolphin is also one of the higher priced models in the Warwick lineup, and definitely a better and more valuable instrument than the Bongo IMHO!

Here's an early ad for the Dolphin Pro I showing it to have chrome hardware as standard (it's the newer ones that switched to gold):




Upgrading pickups and electronics is pretty easy to do and you can find potentiometers in stacked and switched (or both together) combinations that will work with most preamps and give you some versatility without cutting or drilling.

Banzai Musical Products sells stock MEC pots:


And your UK Warwick Distributor will probably be more then happy to take care of your needs as well, such as proper replacement tuning machines:

Warwick Music Equipment Trading LTD Co.
75 Bridge Street
Manchester
M3 2RH
England
Tel. 0044 161 8390 666
FAX 0044 161 2146 161
[email protected]

 

[steve-norris]

Thanks very much for the info, i will replace the tuning keys with chrome i think, gold looks nice but i feel it should be kept as standard looks wise.
I am IN the family! my other family were out last night and had a real session, playing stuff from The Who to Miles Davis what a bass, love it

 

[flipper_gv]

Thanks very much for the info, i will replace the tuning keys with chrome i think, gold looks nice but i feel it should be kept as standard looks wise.
I am IN the family! my other family were out last night and had a real session, playing stuff from The Who to Miles Davis what a bass, love it

be careful to order the platinum version (or what you call satin chrome). Also, if you want to change the pre and the knobs I think it is possible to buy them directly from the warwick shop.

P.S.: I dig the zebrano/wenge neck.

 

[kgm]

Beautiful bass! - well worth a bit of TLC.

 

[naetog]

Trading a Bongo for a Dolphin is the best trade I've heard of yet. Congrats!!

 

[Lex]

Trading a Bongo for a Dolphin is the best trade I've heard of yet. Congrats!!

Like trading a toilet seat for a pot of gold!

 

[Doog]

Trading a Bongo for a Dolphin is the best trade I've heard of yet. Congrats!!

Like trading a toilet seat for a pot of gold!

Amazing trade there bro! Gorgeous bass, I think the condition is really good as is.

 

[Mr Rabble]

be careful to order the platinum version (or what you call satin chrome). Also, if you want to change the pre and the knobs I think it is possible to buy them directly from the warwick shop.

+1
The Platin hardware was used on early Dolphins, until 1992.
It is different from the Chrome hardware.

 

[steve-norris]

Cheers for the replies, I actually traded the bongo without playing the dolphin plugged in, it just screamed YES at me, besides i was having issues with the bongo's preamp, i found it hard to get get a tone i liked, it was there one moment and gone the next.....the dolphin is awesome, flat EQ and equal PU balance I can plug it into my EA combo with the tone set flat and it sounds great. I had previously played a few wicks ( mainly rock-basses) and never got them, if fact i wonder what was going on with the general Warwick thing, now i know in fact i want an infinity with AAAA maple top HELP! :shock:

Is the platinum hardware on the early Warwick's different from the satin chrome as the Warwick shop only lists the satin chrome, if needs be i will replace all the hardware but the bridge is fine apart from a few corroded screws.

steve

 

[Malk]

Is the platinum hardware on the early Warwick's different from the satin chrome as the Warwick shop only lists the satin chrome, if needs be i will replace all the hardware but the bridge is fine apart from a few corroded screws.

steve

no, platinum hardware is satin chrome, i think :wink:

 

[Mr Rabble]

...if needs be i will replace all the hardware but the bridge is fine apart from a few corroded screws.

I'd never replace the bridge, unless it doesn't work anymore.
Your bass has a brass bridge, unlike Warwick basses made since 1992 onward. :wink:

 

[warwickhunt]

With regard to value, I'd not part with my Dolphin for less than a 4 figure sum... and even then I probably wouldn't. What's a Bongo worth £500-£600! A bargain I reckon.

The tuners aren't original, they would have matched the bridge and knobs. I tend to refer to that finish hardware as gunmetal. I really couldn't say with any conviction whether the new hardware is exactly the same colour as the old. I'd be inclined to buy a single item if possible (rather than the full set) to see if it matched.

You are fine dropping just about any preamp in you'll just have to get your head around wiring for the dual-concentrics. Be sure to check out the schematics on the Warwick site, it'll help a lot if you go that route.

Nice trade!

 

[steve-norris]

With regard to value, I'd not part with my Dolphin for less than a 4 figure sum... and even then I probably wouldn't. What's a Bongo worth £500-£600! A bargain I reckon.

The tuners aren't original, they would have matched the bridge and knobs. I tend to refer to that finish hardware as gunmetal. I really couldn't say with any conviction whether the new hardware is exactly the same colour as the old. I'd be inclined to buy a single item if possible (rather than the full set) to see if it matched.

You are fine dropping just about any preamp in you'll just have to get your head around wiring for the dual-concentrics. Be sure to check out the schematics on the Warwick site, it'll help a lot if you go that route.

Nice trade!

arrh the resident www.basschat.co.uk warwick expert! to be honest i will most likley just order a full set, i have just ordered a truss rod cover and a set of screws/bolts from the Warwick shop, the tuners were only about 6 euro each! I am going to order some frets/ pots etc in the new year so i will save a bit on the postage.
The other thing that caught my eye was a set of very nice control knobs with dolphin inlays to match the board very tempted untill i saw the price nearly £100 for a set of knobs :shock:

 

[Doog]

And that's only 2 knobs (stacked and push/pull, okay). The one thing I really wish the Dolphin SN had is the fret markers. I love them.

 

[steve-norris]

The one thing I really wish the Dolphin SN had is the fret markers. I love them.

apart for the reaction from females....Arrrrr iklle dolphins, sooooo cute!