Floyd The Barber Posted June 8, 2003 Share Posted June 8, 2003 Looking for a decent 5-string. I know a lot of bassists think Ibanez sucks, but give it a chance. I'm leaning towards the Warwick, but give me some help. Ibanez BTB1005E http://www.ibanez.com/guitars/models/BTB1005EOL.jpg Warwick Corvette 5-String http://www.warwickbass.com/images/corvstd5.jpg Could you guys help me out with this? If there is a different bass I should be thinking about, please tell me. orange juice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temporaryarmsglisten Posted June 8, 2003 Share Posted June 8, 2003 check out a peavey cirrus 5. they really are great basses and with a little penny pinching you can have one with case for around $1300. at least thats what there going for around my area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted June 8, 2003 Share Posted June 8, 2003 I love the Warwicks. I have a Streamer Pro-M 4 string (which is a bolt-on) and Thumb 5 (which is a neck through). They are VERY playable and VERY distinct. This will not sound like a Fender Jazz or P-Bass by any stretch of the imagination. Funny thing, when I was shopping for my 5 string, I didn't look at Warwicks. I figured, "I already have one, I'd like to diversify." Well, at the end of the day, I couldn't keep my hands off of the Thumb 5. Some have said that the use of wood hardware in the Warwick is gimmicky. I disagree, I haven't felt another instrument that feels or sounds like it. But that's my opinion. All of that said, I disagree with the Ibanez bashing. I briefly owned an Ibanez 5 string (one of the Erodyne basses) and thought, for the money (under $400!), it was an outstanding, playable, and good sounding instrument. Ibanez makes nice gear. I'm even looking at one of those Artcore guitars! Good luck, I don't think you can go wrong with either ax! Maury Spadoto Hoboken, NJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted June 8, 2003 Share Posted June 8, 2003 the corvette you have pictured looks to have passive electronics, no? it should have four knobs (volume, blend, bass, treble). i think warwick makes fully passive corvettes, but i'm not sure. that, to me, would be a deal breaker for a corvette. the BTB1000E, with bartolini pickups and 3band EQ preamp, should be much more versatile in tones than even an active corvette, let alone a passive one. i guess i can't really comment too intelligently, because the only BTB i've played is the 405QM. i was actually disappointed -- i was expecting a much better feeling bass. the sound was pretty good, but i think the 1000E would sound much better than the 405QM. still, the corvette is an outstanding bass. every one i've played is very solid, has warwick's characteristic sound, and plays very nicely. if you like the warwick tone, the versatility of the BTB with bartolinis would be muted some. have you played a 1000E yet? what did you think? what do you like about each? what do you dislike about each? what are you trying to achieve with your new bass? maybe answering these questions, instead of looking at scale length and pickup shape, would help you more. robb. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJR Posted June 8, 2003 Share Posted June 8, 2003 So many basses. Go to a music store and try out as many as you have time for. PJR 5CentMary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floyd The Barber Posted June 8, 2003 Author Share Posted June 8, 2003 yes, those are passive electronics on the Warwick. I am probably going to try both basses tomorrow night (the store is closed on sundays) and I will probably look at a few other basses. Thanks for the help guys orange juice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted June 8, 2003 Share Posted June 8, 2003 I wouldn't worry about the electronics. You can change electronics, but you can't change wood and feel. Always play the bass unplugged first. Worry about the amplified sound afterwards. That might sound counter-intuitive, since you'll always be using the bass amplified; however, playing it unplugged will give you the TRUE tone, unmolested by electronics, amplification, and room ambiance. Find a ax that sounds great unplugged, and you have a winner. Any "problems" can be changed later. - Maury Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floyd The Barber Posted June 8, 2003 Author Share Posted June 8, 2003 Originally posted by getz76: I wouldn't worry about the electronics. You can change electronics, but you can't change wood and feel. Always play the bass unplugged first. Worry about the amplified sound afterwards. That might sound counter-intuitive, since you'll always be using the bass amplified; however, playing it unplugged will give you the TRUE tone, unmolested by electronics, amplification, and room ambiance. Find a ax that sounds great unplugged, and you have a winner. Any "problems" can be changed later. - Maurythank you. I never thought of seeing how a bass sounds unplugged. That will be the first thing i try orange juice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted June 8, 2003 Share Posted June 8, 2003 that's a great point. if a bass resonates nicely and has even frequency response unplugged, it's really hard to make it sound bad when it's plugged in. however, electronics do matter, though not really to the degree that feel and unplugged tone do. robb. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skout Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 I recently had to make the same decision . . . but I decided to get the Warwick Thumb 5-String (Bolt-On) But the corvette is a really great bass, is got that nice tone and that cool shape. In my opinion go with the Warwick. Yes, I too am a Nirvana fan (Floyd the Barber) Skout Words of Inspiration: Not everyone needs to be Jaco. Sometimes your band just needs a bass player, somebody to just play root notes - Dirk Lance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dohhhhh6 Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 But isn't the Corvette a lil heavy? I think I played one "unplugged" and thought it was great but it was heavy as hell... maybe i'm tlaking about a dif bass that was right by the corvette though In Skynyrd We Trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skout Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 Originally posted by Da LadY In Tha Pink Dress: But isn't the Corvette a lil heavy? I think I played one "unplugged" and thought it was great but it was heavy as hell... maybe i'm tlaking about a dif bass that was right by the corvette though The Corvette is one of their lighter models, compared to the Thumb 6 (10ish lbs.) its extremely light. Skout Words of Inspiration: Not everyone needs to be Jaco. Sometimes your band just needs a bass player, somebody to just play root notes - Dirk Lance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 Originally posted by Skout: Originally posted by Da LadY In Tha Pink Dress: But isn't the Corvette a lil heavy? I think I played one "unplugged" and thought it was great but it was heavy as hell... maybe i'm tlaking about a dif bass that was right by the corvette though The Corvette is one of their lighter models, compared to the Thumb 6 (10ish lbs.) its extremely light. SkoutWeight does affect tone, don't forget. My Thumb 5 Neckthrough is 11 lbs, since both Bubinga and Ovankol are dense, heavy woods. This lends to the "percussive" nature of the tone it produces. My Streamer Pro-M 4 is about 8 1/2 lbs., and is maple with a wenge neck. This is much brighter, with a cutting sound. You'll find the same with mahagony, etc. (there is a reason Les Paul's sound thick, and it's not just because of a shorter scale and humbuckers). The weight sucks, there's no way around that. However, I'm not playing in a cover band that is playing three hour long sets. When I do play out, it's usually an hour's worth of originals. At rehearsals, I can sit occassionaly to "take the load off." If you're playing 4 hours a night 5 nights a week, look into a Reverend Rumblefish. I played one once, and was blown away. Great ax, good price, and light as hell. Maury Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graybass Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 Corvettes come active and passive. The comment about playing unplugged first is very accurate. You can improve bad electronics but bad wood can never be improved. No matter what electronics you throw at a bass that doesn't resonate you won't make it work. Warwick is one of the few makers that use solid bubinga for bodies rather than use it just for laminates basically because of the weight. My Corvette 6 is the heaviest bass I have ever played but the weight gives it an authority no other bass has. Big tip - if you go for the Warwick ask the dealer to throw in the widest strap in the shop, you'll need it. Hmmmmm........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dukbut Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 I have a BTB 4 string and I love it. It's active and has bartolini pick ups as standard features. Notice the single string bridge set up, it makes for undisturbed resonance. The other strings do not effect the played string, it seems to add incredable sustain. What ever it does the BTB has astounding sustain. I love the finish on the neck it plays fast and feels great. It has 24 frets all are playable and came intonated right off the shop wall, resonance is great all the way up to the 24th fret. I don't know the exact weight but it feels much lighter than my G&L El Toro and my American Standard Jazz. It's a great bass, the only thing I can find to complain about is the finish is a little thin, it will chip fairly easily. As a side note I do at least 50% of my practicing unplugged and the BTB sounds better, (keeps its great sustain), than any unplugged bass I have ever played, even my semi acoustic Godin A4. Having said all of that play as many different basses as you can, one will reach out and grab you, that's the one you want. DUKBUT "If you wish to better understand seemingly incomprehensible things, help another to better understand." Dalai Lama Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 I don't have the experience to make specific comments on these basses, though one other comment I've heard is that the Warwicks tend to lack balance on a strap. I'd be sure to try any basses you are serious about with a strap to see how it feels. The thing that hits me is that there is a big difference in price between those two choices. That means that there are a lot of basses in between. For example, Guitar Center has been selling one of the Pedulla models for less recently, and it would probably fall between the two you are considering. Like PJR said... tough choices!! Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floyd The Barber Posted June 10, 2003 Author Share Posted June 10, 2003 i'm leaning towards the ibanez now. also, i went to the local guitar store today, and they had the corvette 4-string (no 5-string ) and no BTB's. and some guy was mindlessly strumming on the corvette when i was there, and i was in a hurry and i didn't get to try it. I've heard that both basses are very heavy, but have great tone. I am still searching for a store to try them in. orange juice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groovehead Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 I cant say enough about the sound of the Warwick. I play a 4 string Corvette and am in love with it. It has the best tone, unplugged and plugged. If you want a bright tone, Warwicks are the brightest. This is because they have Bell Brass frets. Mine is passive, but it still offers a wide range of tone control ranging from a thick round dub tone to an edgy ultra bright tone. Tom's comment about the balance of the Warwick on a strap is well warranted. I had experience with this when I bought my Warwick. This really seems to only be a problem with the Thumb bass, and is due to it's abnormally short horn. I originally bought a Thumb but had to return it for the Corvette because I had to constantly support the neck with my hand (hard to play and balance the neck at the same time). Of course this is only a problem if you like to play with your neck fairly vertical like I do. The Corvette is well balanced with it more traditional horn length. Again, Warwick will always get my vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebrownbass Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 Well, my 'wick is 12 years old, a Streamer neck through. I swear by it. I don't have neck dive...I agree it's the heavier Thumb that has that problem. I'm not as big a fan of the newer Warwicks, and I've not tried the Rockbasses. However, I'm really not a fan of Ibanez...I suspect the electronics of going out. Sure you can change them, but who wants to mid-gig? And that would change your tone a bit, as well. In the same price range, I'd have to look at those Pedullas, as well as the Lakland Skyline series and the new MusicMaster series. I'd give G&L a shot as well. I'd also look for used basses. "Let's raise the level of this conversation" -- Jeremy Cohen, in the Picasso Thread. Still spendin' that political capital far faster than I can earn it...stretched way out on a limb here and looking for a better interest rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 I have two Warwicks as I've stated above; neckdive is an issue. Solution? A good strap and moving the bridge strap-button. Where? Move it up about 2 inches towards the bass side. My Streamer Pro-M came standard like that, but my newer Thumb 5 didn't. Why? I don't know, I asked Warwick and they didn't have a great answer. I told them they should go back, since I had to take my brand new ax to the luthier to "fix." I agree with the previous posts, too. In your price range, don't limit to just these two basses. I came close to buying a G&L at one point. SOLID ax. Also, why not think about a Carvin in this range. I hear mostly good things about them, and you're only on the hook for shipping if you decide not to keep it. My guitarist has a GREAT semi-hollow guitar from them. The thing sounds killer, goes from Les Paul tones to ES 335 to a decent piezo acoustic tone. I'm not sure if their basses are as good, but for under a grand, they might be worth a shot. OH, and one last thing. I know it's hard to do, since we all like pretty things, but USE your ears and hands, not your eyes. When I was buying that Warwick Streamer Pro-M years ago, I was in LOVE with the honey-finished model hanging on the wall. I wanted it. Very, VERY badly. I played it, and it sounded damn good. It had this BEAUTIFUL matched flamed top and everything. On a whim, I tried out it's ugly sister, the same model in a red stain right next to it. The flamed top was barely "flamed," but more of a spotty grain. And, it was red, just like my other two basses at the time. I didn't want it. I played it. I blew the doors off the barn. The honey finished ax sounded good, but this was THE ax. it was unreal. The neck was SO nice, and the whole thing was just SCREAMING to be played. I took the ugly duckling home and have loved it ever since. It's getting lonely lately because I can't keep my hands off the newer Thumb 5. Mmm... buttery goodness. Maury Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floyd The Barber Posted June 10, 2003 Author Share Posted June 10, 2003 yea i have been checking out carvin too, but i can't find a nearby dealer. I am interested in their lowpriced neck-thru construction, but I've never played one. orange juice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 Originally posted by davebrownbass: However, I'm really not a fan of Ibanez...I suspect the electronics of going out. Sure you can change them, but who wants to mid-gig? And that would change your tone a bit, as well.the BTB1000E comes with bartolini pickups and preamp -- not very suspect at all. in fact, if you can't trust bartolini, who can you trust? robb. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 Originally posted by Floyd The Barber: yea i have been checking out carvin too, but i can't find a nearby dealer. I am interested in their lowpriced neck-thru construction, but I've never played one.You won't find a dealer unless you're in Calif. near one of the factories/outlets. They are almost exclusively mail order. You order it up and have 10 days once you get it to try it out and return it if you're not happy with it. You can save a few more $$$ if you see one you like "in stock" and you'll get it right away. For the money, a great buy. I have a Carvin. It's really a nice bass. I've played better, but mine really is a solid instrument -- well-made, nice sound, good feel. spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 willie, of course your carvin sounds great -- it has bart pickups and a bart pre in it! robb. "does not work for bartolini" because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebrownbass Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 I did not know that, robb. I still suspect Ibanez electronics. Maybe they wisened up here! "Let's raise the level of this conversation" -- Jeremy Cohen, in the Picasso Thread. Still spendin' that political capital far faster than I can earn it...stretched way out on a limb here and looking for a better interest rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc taz Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 I'll just say that I think both instruments are good choices. However, I don't like the idea that on the Ibanez BTB bass, only part of a 24th fret is in place. Notice how there's nothing for the B, E, and A strings to fret on. Only the D and G strings have 24 full frets! Bad move... I realize that may be intentional (perhaps for slapping), but I don't like it. They could've extended the fretboard an inch, and the whole thing would be a full 24 frets. It wouldn't have moved the pickup positioning at all. I can slap just fine on a 24 fret bass. sevenstring.org profile my flickr page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 yeah, i know i'm not very down with the BTB405QM, because it has ibanez pickups and preamp. with everything set flat, it sounded pretty decent, but a very small nudge of the pots changed the sound drastically. i didn't like it. i wasn't too comfortable with the feel, either. the nicer BTBs use custom bartolini pickups and standard NTMB preamps. they also use nicer woods. i'm thinking the feel and sound should be drastically better on the upper models, like the the 1000E. i should hope so, at least. robb. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floyd The Barber Posted June 11, 2003 Author Share Posted June 11, 2003 ok, well, due to money, I have decided to creat my own Carvin LB75. it sounds pretty cool, and it's a bit cheaper. I planned out what options I want, and I just wanted to run them by you guys. -LB75 5-String Bass $775 -Rounded Body Edges $20 -F50N Stacked Humbuckers $10 -Headstock matching the color of the body $15 -Personalized Truss Rod Cover (With "Greg" engraved in it $15 -Clear Gloss Finish over a Flamed Maple Body $200 -Hardshell Case $98 The Grand Total (including shipping) is: $996.49 Well, I achieved my goal by making it under $1000 and still get what I want. What do you guys think? orange juice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 I'd thrown in Straplocks and (personally) black hardware, especially on a natural finish. Always looks classier that way. If money is a concern, $200 for a flamed top is excessive for a PURELY cosmetic feature. Alder body with a maple top sounds pretty much like alder... personally, again, if you want a brighter tone (especially with that ebony fretboard) with a little more snap, I'd throw in the Swamp Ash body (much cheaper than the flamed maple top) and still beautiful. Maury Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc taz Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 If floyd orders online, the strap locks cost a mere $5. That'll make it $1001.49, but so worth it. All my basses have strap locks, even my old Yamaha BB300 from the early 1980s that only cost about $250 when my gramps bought it new. He gave that to me as a gift when he went back to the Phillippines in 1986, along with a Peavey MicroBass practice amp. sevenstring.org profile my flickr page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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