Warwick Star Bass II

ARBOR DAY

Named after the 1956 Framus Star Bass, the Warwick Star Bass II has roots that go deeper than most. (Warwick recently relaunched the Framus brand, which went bankrupt in the 1970s.) Naming aside, the Star Bass II actually has little in common with the original Framus famously played by Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones. While the original was a shortscale hollowbody, the 34"-scale Star Bass II houses a large center block of solid bubinga. For the top and back, Warwick chose to use bubinga laminates, which prove more rigid (and therefore feedback-resistant) than solid wood. The Star Bass II’s top and back figuring was stunning, and the high-gloss stain really made the grain pop. The bass was gorgeous from all angles—I’ve never been so smitten with a bass’s neck and fingerboard, a beautiful pairing of ovangkol and wenge. The countersunk chrome hardware and cream-colored binding further beautified the 4-string’s façade. With its shallow “C” profile, the glossy ovangkol neck felt more comfortable to me than other Warwick necks, which I sometimes find a little too beefy. Though the bass was otherwise comfortable, its center block of solid bubinga added considerable weight, making the Warwick somewhat of a beast to heave onstage.

PASSIVE ATTACK

The Star Bass II features two massive single-coil MEC pickups wired simply and intuitively, with volume and tone knobs for each pickup and a burly pickup- selector switch. With Warwick’s stock Black Label roundwounds, notes seemed to spring forth with uncommon liveliness. Especially when picked, the Warwick really came alive, making it a blast to play onstage. Unlike other semi-hollow basses I’ve taken on gigs, the Star Bass II never posed feedback problems, even cranked through a 2x15 cabinet. I found it to be a mixed blessing—the Star Bass II’s stability made it easier to control, but I sometimes like the balls-out abandon of a bass on the verge. The Warwick felt sure-footed across its entire range, with no noticeable dead spots or wolf tones.

With simple electronics and well-placed pickups, the Warwick was nonetheless a flexible instrument. For a rootsier vibe, I dressed the Star Bass II with old flatwound strings. The flatwounds gave the bass a beefier “thud factor,” but the clear-sounding, noiseless pickups and tone circuit let me have that bigger bottom without compromising clarity.

The Warwick Star Bass II is a real stunner, its only real bummer being the price tag. Hmm … with my typical gig pay, the bass would pay for itself in 70 or so gigs. I can hardly think of evenings better spent.

WARWICK STAR BASS II

List $4,718
Street $3,775
Pros Exquisite looks; smooth, even sound
Cons Heavy
Bottom Line It may be expensive, but the Star Bass II is an exceptionally elegant and seriously sweet bass.

CONTACT

www.warwick.de For a brief history of Framus, head to the company’s website: www.framus-vintage.de

TECH SPECS

Top & back Bubinga laminate
Sides & center block Bubinga
Neck Ovangkol
Fingerboard Wenge
Weight 9.85 lbs
Pickups MEC single-coils
Nut Just-a-Nut III
Frets Brass
Finish Satin or high-gloss polish
Comes with Flight case, strap locks, tools, polish cloth
Made in Germany
Warranty Two years limited