Streamer Bass
Encyclopedia
The Streamer bass is a bass guitar
manufactured by the Warwick
company and launched in 1982.
The headstock design was changed around 1985 to be replaced with the current style headstock, and the original one piece bridge was later changed to the two piece style seen in current Warwick basses. Since the 1990s, Streamer basses have used MEC
pickups and electronics (on certain models, most often on Limited and Special Edition series, Seymour Duncan
and Bartolini
s are used).
roster in 1996. The 4-string Streamer LX is equipped with a P/J-pickup configuration, the 5-string it equipped with a J/J-configuration and the 6-string is equipped with H/H-pickups. Like most Warwicks, the Streamer LX is constructed with some unusual woods - a two piece Flame Maple body, a bolt on Ovankol neck and a Wenge fingerboard.
FNA Jazzman was created in 1999, Warwick
decided it was necessary to make the Streamer version. The Streamer Jazzman earned its name because of its pickup configuration; a slanted Jazz Bass
pickup near the neck and a Music Man humbucking pickup near the bridge.
NS basses in terms of body shape, original one piece bridge (now a two piece) and headstock design, which caused a legal conflict when the Streamer was first introduced. Spector eventually sued Warwick for copying the body shape, but the jury decided not to fine Warwick
It was well documented that the first versions of the Streamer were exact copies of the NS-Bass. The SPECTOR NS-Bass was designed by Ned Steinberger for Stuart Spector in 1977; 5-years before Warwick was formed.
At the annual NAMM Show in 1985 Stuart Spector became aware that a new German-based company was producing exact copies of his now famous SPECTOR NS-Bass. Spector, along with Ned Steinberger, confronted Hans Wilfer and he agreed to pay a licensing fee to both SPECTOR Guitars and Ned Steinberger in return for being able to continue to produce the Streamer without legal action.
Shortly after this agreement was reached, SPECTOR sold to Kramer Guitars. The new owners had no interest in pursuing Warwick to enforce the licensing agreement and Warwick continued to make the Streamer without any consequence. It is also noted from several sources that Warwick never paid any of the agreed fees.
In 1990 Kramer became insolvent and filed for bankruptcy. In the wake of their financial failure Stuart Spector formed Stuart Spector Design, LTD. in 1993. In 1997 after a lengthy court battle, Stuart Spector bought back the trademark and copyrights to SPECTOR and threatened to sue Warwick to enforce the 1985 license agreement.
Facing new legal action from SPECTOR, Warwick changed many design elements of the Streamer body to make it less like the NS-Bass. The pending litgation was eventually dropped because the new Streamer design was no longer an exact copy of the NS-Bass.
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
manufactured by the Warwick
Warwick (bass guitar)
-Overview:Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods with 'Neck-through' design...
company and launched in 1982.
The headstock design was changed around 1985 to be replaced with the current style headstock, and the original one piece bridge was later changed to the two piece style seen in current Warwick basses. Since the 1990s, Streamer basses have used MEC
MEC
MEC can refer to:Businesses* Mountain Equipment Co-op, a Canadian outdoors gear & clothing store* Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, a Japanese Mitsubishi Group core company* Morgan Electro Ceramics, a ceramics manufacturing company...
pickups and electronics (on certain models, most often on Limited and Special Edition series, Seymour Duncan
Seymour Duncan
Seymour Duncan is a company that is best known for manufacturing of guitar pickups, and currently has a line of effects pedals. The company was founded in 1976 by guitarist and luthier Seymour W. Duncan and his then-wife Cathy Carter Duncan in Goleta, California, USA...
and Bartolini
Bartolini
-People:*Gioseffo Maria Bartolini , Italian painter*Lorenzo Bartolini , Italian sculptor*Luigi Bartolini , Italian writer*Enzo Bartolini , Italian rower*Elio Bartolini , Italian writer...
s are used).
Streamer LX
The Streamer LX was added to the WarwickWarwick (bass guitar)
-Overview:Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods with 'Neck-through' design...
roster in 1996. The 4-string Streamer LX is equipped with a P/J-pickup configuration, the 5-string it equipped with a J/J-configuration and the 6-string is equipped with H/H-pickups. Like most Warwicks, the Streamer LX is constructed with some unusual woods - a two piece Flame Maple body, a bolt on Ovankol neck and a Wenge fingerboard.
Streamer Jazzman
The Streamer Jazzman was created in 2000. After the WarwickWarwick (bass guitar)
-Overview:Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods with 'Neck-through' design...
FNA Jazzman was created in 1999, Warwick
Warwick (bass guitar)
-Overview:Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods with 'Neck-through' design...
decided it was necessary to make the Streamer version. The Streamer Jazzman earned its name because of its pickup configuration; a slanted Jazz Bass
Fender Jazz Bass
The Jazz Bass was the second model of electric bass created by Leo Fender. The bass is distinct from the Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange and treble with less emphasis on the fundamental harmonic...
pickup near the neck and a Music Man humbucking pickup near the bridge.
Notable players
- Stuart ZenderStuart ZenderStuart Patrick Jude Zender is an English bassist, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for being the original bass player for Jamiroquai.-Early life:...
- T.M. Stevens
- P-NutP-NutAaron Charles Wills , is an American musician, bassist for band 311, and music producer / bassist for band Hollows Follow.- Background :...
- Robert TrujilloRobert TrujilloRobert Trujillo is an American bassist who currently plays bass in Metallica. He has also played in Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves, Black Label Society, and with Jerry Cantrell and Ozzy Osbourne.-Career:...
- Dick LövgrenDick LövgrenDick Lövgren is the bassist for the Swedish experimental metal band Meshuggah. He joined the band in 2004 as Meshuggah's third bass player.-Biography:...
- Jäcki Raznicek
- Florin BarbuFlorin BarbuFlorin Barbu was the bass guitar player from Romanian band Proconsul. He was also one of the founding members of Blazzaj.-Biography:...
- Chris Batten
- Dirk Lance
- Emma AnzaiSick PuppiesSick Puppies is an Australian rock band, formed in 1997. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Shimon Moore, bassist Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin....
Design similarity to Spector NS Basses
The Streamer models are similar to Stuart SpectorSpector
Spector is an American based company that manufacturers bass guitars. Founded in 1974 by self-taught luthier Stuart Spector, Spector's first few instruments were essentially crude experiments in instrument design and craftsmanship...
NS basses in terms of body shape, original one piece bridge (now a two piece) and headstock design, which caused a legal conflict when the Streamer was first introduced. Spector eventually sued Warwick for copying the body shape, but the jury decided not to fine Warwick
It was well documented that the first versions of the Streamer were exact copies of the NS-Bass. The SPECTOR NS-Bass was designed by Ned Steinberger for Stuart Spector in 1977; 5-years before Warwick was formed.
At the annual NAMM Show in 1985 Stuart Spector became aware that a new German-based company was producing exact copies of his now famous SPECTOR NS-Bass. Spector, along with Ned Steinberger, confronted Hans Wilfer and he agreed to pay a licensing fee to both SPECTOR Guitars and Ned Steinberger in return for being able to continue to produce the Streamer without legal action.
Shortly after this agreement was reached, SPECTOR sold to Kramer Guitars. The new owners had no interest in pursuing Warwick to enforce the licensing agreement and Warwick continued to make the Streamer without any consequence. It is also noted from several sources that Warwick never paid any of the agreed fees.
In 1990 Kramer became insolvent and filed for bankruptcy. In the wake of their financial failure Stuart Spector formed Stuart Spector Design, LTD. in 1993. In 1997 after a lengthy court battle, Stuart Spector bought back the trademark and copyrights to SPECTOR and threatened to sue Warwick to enforce the 1985 license agreement.
Facing new legal action from SPECTOR, Warwick changed many design elements of the Streamer body to make it less like the NS-Bass. The pending litgation was eventually dropped because the new Streamer design was no longer an exact copy of the NS-Bass.