Warwick - Vampyre SN 5-string

Charmand G · 06-01-2005, 02:38 PM

Flamed maple body, ovangkol neck/wenge fingerboard

Factory set-up: 4,5/5

The only adjustment done in-store was some intonation. It was allready in tune, though it had been shipped from Germany to Norway.

Playability: 4/5

I can only compare this to the Warwick Streamer LX and Yamaha TRBII. The Vampyre was a bit harder to play, it seemed more...stiff, if you like. The TRBII was more gentle at first, but once I got to the Vampyre it really delivers even if you rape the strings or pics softly. The LX was a bit of the same, as I can remember.

If you like to rest the bass in your lap, this bass might be a bit pointy/edgy for your liking. And going from Yahama to Warwick, the weight was overwhelming at first but something I got used to after a while. Watch your back, though!

Electronics: 3,5/5 MEC Gold Twin-J and J-neck pickups, 2-way: Volume push/pull active/passive, treble push/pull, bass, pick-up selector.

The twin-J pickup delivers some noise on high volume. I really wish I did get 3-way electronics instead cause the mids can be a bit anonymous and lack punch. Maybe I`ll switch to EMG og Seymor-Duncan in a distant future. Batteries lasts a long time, though!

Tone: 5/5

The low B punches you right in the chest, and is noticed even on low volumes. The mids are, as said, a bit anonymous but you can adjust that with some EQ`ing on the amp. The highs cut through as knife in hot butter! If I play up on the neck, I get the smoothest hollow, wooden sound. This bass is NOT just for metal as some might say, but for blues, reggae and soft rock as well. It doesn`t really fit in anywhere, BUT on a metal-konsert, though.

Hardware: 5/5

The options are limitless. Just-a-Nut II is easy to use and the tuners give you enough resistance to fine-tune it. Everything is very sturdy and well put together. Adjusting of the neck is really easy too, and the battery-compartement is easy to get to without screwdrivers.

Overall:

This bass will last longer than I will! It`s well put together and does everything I want it to. The edgy points might make a little uncomfortable, but it delivers as any Warwick does. Keep the surface clean (NOT easy), and you will have the most bad-*** instrument on the stage.

Here is a little sample of its sound, recorded straight into computer:
[URL=http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=400550]Vampyre Soundsample[/url]

....be kind. I had a hangover when recording this.

Wintermute · 06-01-2005, 04:16 PM

Nice review. And before you ask, your Digitech review thread has been merged with the other review of the same product.

More reviews = better, even if they've been reviewed before.

Led_Zeppelin678 · 06-03-2005, 11:58 AM

Nice ax, man!

Alma · 06-04-2005, 05:33 AM

Bloody nice man!

Wish i had one

Charmand G · 06-04-2005, 09:15 PM

Cheers, guys!

Thanks, it`s a real treat to play the Vampyre. On live gigs, it`s real easy to make it right in the mix. Sound-engieneers love it!

Dragonfly Tears · 01-02-2006, 04:36 PM

This is a relatively old post, but I will say that you have a beautiful lady in your possession there. Treat her with the class she truly deserves...

Charmand G · 01-02-2006, 05:22 PM

Thanks, DT!! I`m trying, but she`s a demanding one.... It`s always a fight to pick, but when I`m lucky, I get reeeeeal lucky.

Dragonfly Tears · 01-03-2006, 01:04 PM

Well, you do realize that stringed instruments are very much like women... vindictive at times, but if treated well, will give you something you cannot replace with any sort of cash or coin. She will love you if you love her in return. Oh look at me, spouting poetry about your dear lady there! Perhaps she'll like to hear it and will play well for you?
I've never played the sort of bass which you seem to prefer, but I did take lessons for the upright bass in music school. You would have laughed yourself into a faint. Here I was, little miss 154cm tall, playing this enormous round woman, and BOY was she unforgiving! I pitied the ears of my teacher. After all, there are no frets on upright basses, and oh the pain...the pain...
I was so bold as to add you onto my msn, I do pray you are not gravely offended.

06-01-2005, 02:38 PM	#1
Charmand G MX Warwick Club -Freak- Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Norway, Oslo/Bodø Posts: 496	Warwick - Vampyre SN 5-string Flamed maple body, ovangkol neck/wenge fingerboard Factory set-up: 4,5/5 The only adjustment done in-store was some intonation. It was allready in tune, though it had been shipped from Germany to Norway. Playability: 4/5 I can only compare this to the Warwick Streamer LX and Yamaha TRBII. The Vampyre was a bit harder to play, it seemed more...stiff, if you like. The TRBII was more gentle at first, but once I got to the Vampyre it really delivers even if you rape the strings or pics softly. The LX was a bit of the same, as I can remember. If you like to rest the bass in your lap, this bass might be a bit pointy/edgy for your liking. And going from Yahama to Warwick, the weight was overwhelming at first but something I got used to after a while. Watch your back, though! Electronics: 3,5/5 MEC Gold Twin-J and J-neck pickups, 2-way: Volume push/pull active/passive, treble push/pull, bass, pick-up selector. The twin-J pickup delivers some noise on high volume. I really wish I did get 3-way electronics instead cause the mids can be a bit anonymous and lack punch. Maybe I`ll switch to EMG og Seymor-Duncan in a distant future. Batteries lasts a long time, though! Tone: 5/5 The low B punches you right in the chest, and is noticed even on low volumes. The mids are, as said, a bit anonymous but you can adjust that with some EQ`ing on the amp. The highs cut through as knife in hot butter! If I play up on the neck, I get the smoothest hollow, wooden sound. This bass is NOT just for metal as some might say, but for blues, reggae and soft rock as well. It doesn`t really fit in anywhere, BUT on a metal-konsert, though. Hardware: 5/5 The options are limitless. Just-a-Nut II is easy to use and the tuners give you enough resistance to fine-tune it. Everything is very sturdy and well put together. Adjusting of the neck is really easy too, and the battery-compartement is easy to get to without screwdrivers. Overall: This bass will last longer than I will! It`s well put together and does everything I want it to. The edgy points might make a little uncomfortable, but it delivers as any Warwick does. Keep the surface clean (NOT easy), and you will have the most bad-*** instrument on the stage. Here is a little sample of its sound, recorded straight into computer: [URL=http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=400550]Vampyre Soundsample[/url] ....be kind. I had a hangover when recording this. Last edited by Charmand G; 10-13-2005 at 12:43 PM.

01-02-2006, 04:36 PM	#6
Dragonfly Tears -The siren of ice- Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Spokane, WA, USA Posts: 3	...hm... This is a relatively old post, but I will say that you have a beautiful lady in your possession there. Treat her with the class she truly deserves...

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06-01-2005, 04:16 PM	#2
Wintermute There Can Be Only One Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lancaster, UK - Coldest place in the Universe Posts: 13,885	Nice review. And before you ask, your Digitech review thread has been merged with the other review of the same product. More reviews = better, even if they've been reviewed before.

06-03-2005, 11:58 AM	#3
Led_Zeppelin678 myspace/golgotha Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 5,919	Nice ax, man!

06-04-2005, 05:33 AM	#4
Alma MX + Tryxx suck. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 5,124	Bloody nice man! Wish i had one

06-04-2005, 09:15 PM	#5
Charmand G MX Warwick Club -Freak- Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Norway, Oslo/Bodø Posts: 496	Cheers, guys! Thanks, it`s a real treat to play the Vampyre. On live gigs, it`s real easy to make it right in the mix. Sound-engieneers love it!

01-02-2006, 05:22 PM	#7
Charmand G MX Warwick Club -Freak- Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Norway, Oslo/Bodø Posts: 496	Thanks, DT!! I`m trying, but she`s a demanding one.... It`s always a fight to pick, but when I`m lucky, I get reeeeeal lucky.

01-03-2006, 01:04 PM	#8
Dragonfly Tears -The siren of ice- Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Spokane, WA, USA Posts: 3	Well, you do realize that stringed instruments are very much like women... vindictive at times, but if treated well, will give you something you cannot replace with any sort of cash or coin. She will love you if you love her in return. Oh look at me, spouting poetry about your dear lady there! Perhaps she'll like to hear it and will play well for you? I've never played the sort of bass which you seem to prefer, but I did take lessons for the upright bass in music school. You would have laughed yourself into a faint. Here I was, little miss 154cm tall, playing this enormous round woman, and BOY was she unforgiving! I pitied the ears of my teacher. After all, there are no frets on upright basses, and oh the pain...the pain... I was so bold as to add you onto my msn, I do pray you are not gravely offended.