Series 1 retirement, Warwick customs

[worldfamousandy]

I've now been playing my '76 Series 1 for 25 years.  Yup, it's got stories to tell!  I have other basses, but this baby has done 99% of my gigs and sessions since 1988.  The only non-Alembic bass I have ever played that I felt could replace it is the Warwick Infinity.  As fate would have it, Warwick recently offered me a very enticing endorsement deal, and I took it.  They're building me a fully custom Infinity as we speak: spalted ample top, ovangkol body, flame maple neck, front and side red LEDs, ebony fingerboard, etc.  I even got them to do a 5-piece neck with purpleheart neck stripes, an homage to my trusty Series 1.  It'll also duplicate that sustain...Additionally, they're building a Starbass Single Cutaway with in green blackburst, AAAA Maple top, ebony fingerboard, green side LEDs, even got them to put an active circuit in it.  I'm expecting delivery in mid-October; I'll post pictures as I get them from the factory.  Yea, it's a little bittersweet, but kinda logical, given the lineage.  Warwick built Entwistle's Buzzards in the 80's and 90's, and they used a LOT of Alembic ideas.  I feel like the Infinity is descended from Alembic, and I am excited to explore these awesome instruments!

[funkyjazzjunky]

I think Warwick, Fodera and Ken Smith are great examples of quality basses inspired by Alembic.
 
I am impressed with your endorsement deal.

[terryc]

The only endorsements I ever got was on my driving licence for riding my bike too fast LOL

[harald_rost]

When I bought my Warwick Thumb in 1987 and put it directly from the factory which was near my home town in these days, the bass has the old original Thumb bridge. Mr. Wilfers, the owner, told me to bring the bass back in some weeks to install a new bridge because they intended to set up a new bridge on the Thumb basses, which is like the one on Alembic Basses (his words).  
Another example for the inspiration theory.

[gtrguy]

I played a used Michael Dolan bass last week that was pretty darn nice and Alembic-like. It had a great neck and tone.

[coop]

I'm actually headed the other way. After years of being brand-loyal to Warwick (three customs - two Thumbs and one Corvette), I was just about to pull the trigger on a custom Dolphin until I talked to Susan about the coopered body shape option (the concave back, like the Thumb, Dolphin, Streamer, and some Spector basses). Not often requested, but do-able. After my awesome experience with my SC Sig Deluxe, I now have a custom Rogue on order.  
 
Warwick's customer service has, in my experience, degraded somewhat now that US ordering is managed through US Music. If any of you are Eden amp owners, you know what problems popped up during USM's ownership, so I'm somewhat skeptical.  
 
Warwick's instruments are very nice and they do take a lot of pride in their high-end instruments and have a great sound, but to me, they're still a couple of notches below the quality of an Alembic.

[bsee]

A skinny-necked Stage II five string has always been on my list of basses to grab if one came by at a reasonable price. Warwick makes good stuff. In fact, you should have them build you a Stage II like that to try and feel free to send it to me if you still prefer the Infinity.
 
I think almost any manufacturer can make a great bass. Warwick does it more often than most, but Alembic does it every time.

[5a_quilt_top]

Just exactly perfect