Warwick Question

[bassist_25]

Fellow Masterbassers,

I was wondering if anyone has ever A/Bed the Dolphin Pro and the Dolphin SN. I am hoping to make a bass purchase within the next couple of months, and was considering a Thumb or Corvette. I've always wanted a Dolphin, but they're insanely priced. Since Warwick came out with the more affordable set-neck version, I may be able to swing a used one. Obviously, the Pro is top of the line, but I was wondering what the major differences of these two basses are other than the necks and the difference between ovangkol and afzelia woods. The Pros are made from ovangkol, which is the same wood used for Thumbs, so I assume the timbre would be similar to a Thumb, whereas the afzelia would produce timbre similar to a Streamer.

Any comments?

[MOONDOGGY]

The only guy I know that could give you some advice with that would be Adam Zimmer (InBass). He has a Thumb BO 5. It's ovangkol, but since it's a bolt on, that might not answer your questions. I've noticed that occasionally there are a few Infinity basses, NT or SN, that sell relatively cheap on Ebay (compared to the Dolphins).

I would test out as many basses as possible before you make a purchase though. You already know this, but do not purcahse only on looks, company reputation, or popularity. I would have never thought this, but I would put my old Carvin LB76 ahead of my Proline Vette as far as tone and playability. The Carvins have a very thin yet stable neck, whereas the Warwick's is kinda chunky. The Carvin could also acheive a wider range of tones. They are both great basses and the Warwick's are worthy of their reputations, but there are a few basses companies out there that make big bang for the buck like Carvin.

Let me know what kind of tone, fit, and finish you're looking for and I'll give you my 2 cents at absolutley no charge! Are you looking to get a fat punchy slap happy tone, a warm growly tone, or a bright clear tone that will easily cut thru any mix? Do you want more emphasis on highs, mids, or lows or any combination of those? Are you looking at staying with a 5 string, going down to 4, going up to 6 and beyond, or does it not matter? Are you looking for a thin Jazz neck profile or a fatter P-bass neck profile?

[redawg]

Warwick's adjustable brass nut is the fuckin' BOMB. Back in my Stix and Stones days I owned an Ibanez SR1200 Soundgear 4 string. Fuckin' AWSOME bass. 5 piece wenge/maple neck through. Highly figured half inch birdseye maple cap on a mahogany body. I never saw the bass in any of their catalogs or on their web site. I'm pretty sure the bass was rare. Anyhoo, I had a Warwick adjustable nut installed on the bass right after I got it. I would recommend ANY bass player get one on their bass. To be able to adjust the height of each string seperately is the shit. The brass nut really brightens up your sound too. The best part is the screws are easily replaced when they wear out.

[bassist_25]

Guys, thanks for the reponses!!!!

Dan, it's funny that you bring that up, because I've actually decided to go with a Carvin instead. Part of the reason is economical: I'm probaly taking a summer course at college, and I don't want to drop the minimum 800 bones on a used, bolt-on Thumb. The other reason is I've always wanted a Carvin since I was 14 years old. Timothy B. Schmitd got me interested in them, but it wasn't until I heard this local Fusion cat with an LB76 that I new I really wanted one. With LBs all over Ebay for cheap, I figured I might as well get the instrument I've dreamt about for over 9 years of my life.

I'm definatley looking in the 5 string category, and a tight B string is an absolute must!!! Also, I'm a stickler for good fretwork, so I also require that. Tone-wise: I'm looking for a bass that sings in the low-mid range. It needs to have that growl that keeps the low-end tight while still cutting through the mix. I'm looking for crystal-clear highs that aren't harsh. I don't slap often, but I definatley want something that has a good slap tone (and the guy with one of the best slap tones ever, Ed Friedland, is pretty much the ultimate Carvin fan-boy). I also hate basses that lose their balls as you go into the higher registers. Punch the whole way up the neck is my last primary requirement.

I'm not really looking at any particular woods or finishes, though I've always liked the figured walnut. I dig the dark timbre you get from ebony fretboards, which most Carvins have.

Red, I'm definatley going to check out the brass nut.

[MOONDOGGY]

I'm definatley looking in the 5 string category, and a tight B string is an absolute must!!! Also, I'm a stickler for good fretwork, so I also require that. Tone-wise: I'm looking for a bass that sings in the low-mid range. It needs to have that growl that keeps the low-end tight while still cutting through the mix. I'm looking for crystal-clear highs that aren't harsh. I don't slap often, but I definatley want something that has a good slap tone (and the guy with one of the best slap tones ever, Ed Friedland, is pretty much the ultimate Carvin fan-boy). I also hate basses that lose their balls as you go into the higher registers. Punch the whole way up the neck is my last primary requirement.

I was very skeptical about a 6 string Carvin at first becuase I didn't think that a single-truss rod 1-piece maple neck would fair very well with the tension of a 6 string, and if it did, it would need tweeked constantly. I had my LB76 for over a half a year and only adjusted the truss rod twice.

If you get one with the jazz pickups, you're in for tons of growl. I would imagine the added HB2 bridge humbucker would add even more punch. I'm guessing that with the added bridge and neck HB2s you would have more punch than you know what to do with! If you find one with the 'P' option (piezos), that will give you your crystal clear highs. One thing that I would not get is an early-mid 90s model with the Wilkinson bridge upgrade. Those are terrible bridges. The Sperzel tuners are nice, but I don't think they're worth having to deal with the Wilkinson bridge.

Carvins do not have super jumbo frets, so if that's a big concern, I would look elsewhere or consider about a $200 refret from a pro.

Also, the tung oil finished necks are great--- Smooth and never sticky unlike laquer or clearcoated necks.



Good luck and let me know when you get it!

P.S.- I'll keep my eyes out for an LB75, XB75, etc...and any other brands that I think you'll like and at a good price.

[bassist_25]

P.S.- I'll keep my eyes out for an LB75, XB75, etc...and any other brands that I think you'll like and at a good price.

Excellent!!! I greatly appreciate it. I'll probaly be making the purchase after Christmas. I'm generally looking for either an LB, XB, or BB.