| Author | Message | ||
| alleng
New Username: alleng Post Number: 5 Registered: 6-2004 |
Has anyone played Warrior basses? How does their sound and feel compare to Alembic? It seems they only offer Bartoloni pu's, and I am not sure about onboard preamps or filters. Also, how does the weight/neck balance compare to a Series I (Omega or Pointer)? Anyone? Thanks! | ||
| xlrogue6
Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 78 Registered: 8-2002 |
My experience with Warriors is limited to checking them out at a NAMM show a few years ago, setting up a 9(!!!!) string for a customer a couple of times, and playing one an Ebaying pal had for a while. My impression is that while the workmanship is overall pretty good, it's a distant second to Alembic's. Of course, that's my impression of the majority of high end basses I've seen over the years. That's why I play Alembics--they do things that other basses just can't do.** Of course, I'm prejudiced......... *(OK, you can run other instruments through an SF2 and get closer electronically--but Alembics still sound better!) | ||
| jseitang
Junior Username: jseitang Post Number: 40 Registered: 6-2002 |
warrior-alembic comparison there is no comparison only imatations. thats how i've always felt. a lot of companies have tried to..but none have succeeded | ||
| zappahead
Member Username: zappahead Post Number: 91 Registered: 10-2002 |
Warrior makes nice guitars, not sure of their basses. They certainly look very nice and they have some very bizarre and original basses. I dont find them to be an Alembic copy, certainly not an imitator. Their designs are very different and the only thing I find similar is the neck thru design and the purple heart tone bar in the neck. Other than that I think they stand well on their own. They have some very impressive works of art, guitar-wise on their website. And you can certainly compare a few guitar and bass manufacturers to Alembic. Alembic makes great instruments, but lets not get too wrapped up in one company that we cant see the other companies who are doing solid work with guitars and basses and give them their due as well. | ||
| 811952
Advanced Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 252 Registered: 10-2003 |
The Warrior basses I've played (only a few, and those only in stores) have been pretty nice. Oddly light, but with good sustain and nice fundamental. I think a Warrior 5-string might be nice to have, but not as nice as say a Rogue 5-string... John | ||
| xlrogue6
Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 79 Registered: 8-2002 |
Other companies are indeed doing solid work. The funny thing for me is that whenever I try them, they just don't go where my Rogues go. Strictly a personal taste thang, though--no slight to devotees of other brands intended. By way of illustration, a couple of months back I got a notion that I should have a P bass (first good bass was a mega heavy 70's model, later owned a really lovely '63). Luckily, before I actually bought one, a friend loaned me a really nice one--a 198? 60's reissue model with a 70's maple neck with NO DEAD SPOTS! Took it on a gig, played the first 3 songs on it, then switched to my Rogue and instantly remembered why I don't own a P bass anymore. Alembic is "home" for me. | ||
| jseitang
Junior Username: jseitang Post Number: 41 Registered: 6-2002 |
who did wood laminates first? active electronics? amazing custom woodwork and craftsmanship? alembic... ok warrior makes great basses, no doubt, but alembic was there first, and subsequently everybody wonders where they got their ideas from. | ||
| zappahead
Member Username: zappahead Post Number: 92 Registered: 10-2002 |
Im not saying anyone is better than anyone else, its all a matter of personal taste. Im sure you could find people who feel their particular bass is better than this one or the other. Personally I dont think theres much to who did it first. Its all about who is doing it the best and who you like the best. That may or may not be Alembic. I will say this though, custom woodwork and amazing craftsmanship have been around and will always be around. Pick up a guitar book and you will see handmade custom instruments that pre-date electric guitars or basses that laid the foundation for most of everything that is being done right now. Ill give any company that makes a good solid instrument their due, most companies make stuff thats barely above junk. My point is that theres a place for them all. I know the bias here is gonna be strongly towards Alembic and I dont even disagree with that, I just have to point out that at this point theres a lot of makers who are doing great work. Whether they invented the wheel or not doesnt matter to me if Im buying the instrument. Its a good point to be proud of as a company, but if Alembic wasnt still making high quality products then the fact that they did it first wouldnt sustain them. | ||
| jseitang
Junior Username: jseitang Post Number: 43 Registered: 6-2002 |
right i also have a 1860's upright made in vermont, so you are right with craftmanship and all, however, in this paticular area to electric guitars and basses, alembic was first, just like fender and gibson, only alembis took it to the next level.... that is all | ||
| bigredbass
Advanced Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 292 Registered: 9-2002 |
My only caveat vis-a-vis Warrior would apply to LOTS of other basses as well: Warrior specs Barts or BassLines. I'll be the first to admit that lots of people are perfectly satisfied with those sounds, and I suppose we all have different basses other than ALEMBIC. You know, it may be aan advantage in a strange way: If you must have an EMG or Bart sound, you sure have LOTS of different basses where you can get the SAME sound. Just not OUR sound. J o e y | ||
| 811952
Advanced Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 253 Registered: 10-2003 |
Another Devil's advocate point: Bartolini's were the first truly high-fidelity (while being readily available) aftermarket pickup, and their more expensive models sound quite good. They, in my estimation, are the Alembic of the non-Alembic modern pickup designs... John (hastily putting on his flame retardant suit) | ||
| kevin_k
Member Username: kevin_k Post Number: 93 Registered: 4-2003 |
I find it hard to compare a Series II to anything out there but a Series II or possibly a Series I. Maybe other Alembics can compare to a Series II, but even then I wouldn't hesitate to pick-up a Series II over other Alembic models. I think it is best to compare "other" basses to only Alembic basses that are of the same price range. That way you are comparing apples to apples. | ||
| 811952
Advanced Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 254 Registered: 10-2003 |
Agreed, which pretty much makes a Series II "beyond compare," doesn't it... John | ||
| rami
Advanced Member Username: rami Post Number: 383 Registered: 6-2002 |
Once you'ved tried a Series II, you've touched "The Holy Grail" of Basses. Comparing anything (including other Alembics) to the Series II is downright sacrilegious! Let's keep our perspective here. A Series II doesn't cost what it does for nothing. The electronics alone cost more than most high-end Basses. Rami | ||
| kayo
Member Username: kayo Post Number: 64 Registered: 10-2002 |
Rami You have taken the words right out of my mouth - and that is THE very (and only reason) reason why I am considering selling my Rogue..... is for upgrading to an S2. Well Said - kudos and touche | ||
| 811952
Advanced Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 255 Registered: 10-2003 |
Rami and Kayo, Yes, very well said. The single most noticeable aspect of playing my Series I, versus any other bass, is the responsiveness of the electronics. It is the only bass that actually gets louder in direct proportion to how hard I play it, while at the same time having such a long decay and even response that I can track the thing without using any compression or limiting. To me, those are the properties that make it unique among basses. And my favorite drummer always comments on how much sweeter it sounds than any other bass (and he's been around a lot of nice Warwicks of late). Given the money, I wouldn't play anything but Alembic Series I or II, and I really don't understand why other people with excellent resources play Fenders and such. But alas, I don't have the Pauls' access to stockings these days... John | ||
| jeanbaudin
New Username: jeanbaudin Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2004 |
I was the owner of the Warrior 9-string that Kent mentioned above (setup). No comparison to a nice Alembic! |
