Warwick Fortress One

Mine is a 1994 maple body, wenge neck, 4 string, darkbrown finished with black hardware, lefty version of the Fortress One. It has a Hipshot D-tuner.
With the original active MEC P/J pickups.
I have bought it about 4 years ago and played it ever since.

I like the sound very much. It's very versatile: growling, coming from far down under, to a clear, punchy, light sound when I play melodic solo's. It is at it's best when I play it through my Eden WT400 with a 2x10 XLT and 1x15T cab.
It suits a variety of styles, but in my opinion soul and melodic soloing in the higher registers best. Especially in soloing in a mix of high and low registers it gives a remarkable sound.

It is an astonishingly good instrument. It was already very well set-up when I bought it. The adjustments I have to make are very easily done. The only flaw I noticed is that the battery runs down quite quickly. But that can have something to do with the input jack that is replaced and probably not connected properly.

It's built very solid. Real german style I would say as a dutchman! I would use it without back-up, although that's rarely the case since I also play and thus carry my Fender P-bass with me at gigs.

I once dealt with CS concerning the battery problem I described above. I sent them a photo of the wiring, but they couldn't really help me out on that.

I have been playing the F1 for four years now.
The only thing I do not like about it is that it has quite a small body. Since I am a big guy it looks a bit lost on me. A P-bass or J-bass fits my look on stage better.
But the sound and incredible playability is for me far more important than the looks.
If it were stolen I would definitely try to replace it, although that is not very easy since I play lefthanded.
It can in sound and features only be replaced by a 5 string or (even better) by a Flashback.

Hey there bass people!
I've been owning Fortress One '99 for two weeks.
So,here's my story.
It's natural maple,gently waxed,quite light,ideally balanced.
Supposedly it was made just before the model discontinued but I figure the plastic nut (which goes for the other models as well since around that time) is the only minor difference to the '93-'99 line.
It has noiseless MEC active/passive P/J,and the killer tuners/bridge-everything is tunable,oh my gosh!
Smart pickup control-instead of two pots you find your tone with 1 panoramic pot,and the middle values are felt on all the pots.

Suits my current band nicely with all this rock-solid growling foundation.It doesn't even try to compete with all the mids of keyboards and two guitars-it beats them on the lows territory hands tied.
My american Jazz bass is much more readable in the mix,but leaves the music hopelessly flying on air(yes,BUZZING as a bonus) ,while Fortress makes the mix really stand on both feet.
The dynamic range is great,J is a nice hot rubber with some edge,P is warm cozy pillow.
I'd certainly have more highs but that's maybe just me still getting over Jazz Bass.

I've bought it based on sound,and it was almost unplayable for my guitar fingers.Had to lower the bridge,nut and the string saddles all the way down.Still no string buzz,all the frets are in the game,and it's quite comfortable to play now.Yes,Jazz Bass is a bit more comfortable for the picking hand but,again,that's a matter of habit and anatomy :)

Well,if it's survived the last 9 years without a scratch,it surely would last another 18.
Hardware is pure German quality-nothing to add.
I guess some waxing is in order but that's trade-in for the warm maple body feel,and quite cheap one,too.
The neck is built of hard wenge,Warwick's found-how, which makes things very predictable. I'd surely take this one on the road with a spare 9V battery only-and even without it I'm able to go on in a passive mode.
I do have a backup JB Standard,but not for Warwick,definitely.

Do they support the discontinued models?
Haven't contacted Warwick yet and hopefully never will.

I've been playing guitar for 13 years,picked up bass last Fall,kind of AC/DC now,with full rig being Gibz Les Paul Standard & Nighthawk SP3,Ibanez RG470,and American Jazz Bass.
If somebody stole it from me,I'd first cover "Somebody stole my guitar" with an extensive Jazz Bass solo,then go and buy another Fortress or Streamer Stage.

'94 handmade in Germany before the new,more automated factory was used.Solid maple body and a wenge neck and fretboard w/bell brass frets that is the best feeling neck I have ever played.2 band active EQ w/P-J pickups and hardware that is hard if not impossible to beat. These are the only features I need on this absolute WORKHORSE of a bass that I would choose over any other bass I have ever owned or played.It is very solid without being too heavy as other Warwicks can be.

This bass gets a nice deep,solid woody growl with organic mids and nice transparent highs.I power it with the mighty Music Man HD-130 into a variety of Aguilar cabinets and it grunts and growls wonderfully when cranked up and played hard.I believe these originally came with a choice of Seymour Duncan,Bartolini or EMG I think so you could taylor it a bit.Mine has the Duncans which don't cut through as well as the Barts do but I like the highs better.This bass will get a wide variety of sounds but still has the simplicity to dial in your tone quickly while on stage so you can set the room off right.It's active so it is a bit noisy but it has a push/pull vol to bypass the preamp and tone so you can send a nice quiet signal right to the board for recording and still use the blend to find your sweet spot.The solidness of this bass in general contributes to good sustain.

Workmanship is high quality and the only flaws would be the very slight remnants of some millmarks on the brass nut that did not get filed off completely and although the neck pocket joint is excellent there is a slight gap under one side of the fretboard lip where it rests on the body that could be from a shimmed neck.None of this effects the playability of this bass.Warwick factory setups allways seem good to me although this bass is has been dialed in even better to suit my needs and the action on this thing is very nice.

You would be hard pressed to build a more durable bass than this.I think you could club somebodys door in with this bass and it would probably still be in tune.Even if this is akin to a warriors most trusted axe it is still unwise to bring no backup as shit happens even to the stoutest of instruments.

Never had to deal with it.

After nearly 25 years of playing at various levels and soooo many other basses that I lost count I rate this as the best overall bass I have ever owned or played. Value in dollars set aside I would take this over a custom Alembic(I could afford one if I wanted).This is a serious meat-and-potatoes bass that is great for live performance.I wish it were a little lighter in weight but that would change the awesome tone.

Brief update on my previous review- I decided I wanted more from the sound, so added the 3 band electrics, and new pick ups as used on the warwick Streamer Stage 1, and the bass is now even more amazing. The sound is so incredibly full.

Still going strong after I've been gigging it for 18 months

I paid ??350 for the upgrade, but it was worth it as this is now a bass I will keep and play forever

Mine is a mid 1990's Fortress, it has 24 bell brass frets, 2 band active P/J MEC Dynamic Correction pickups. Maple Body in natural polished finish with Wenge neck, which has a really different feel from standard polished maple necks (like on my Fender Precision), but I really love it.
It has the Just-a-Nut 1

Mine has been customised with a Detuner, and the jack moved to the front (which makes it much easier to put into a guitar stand on stage), and also a perspex slap plate just infront of the P pickup.

As others have said, it would be even better oif it had 3 band eq, but I can live with it!

Mostly I play classic rock, and this fits the style very well, with the bass boost giving deep, earth moving sound. I tend to play the treble just slightly rolled off the 12 point, as I mostly want the low end to boom through. I also use the pickup selector to have a little more P than J. Pick ups are quiet on stage, but I do get a bit of buzz when recording (with PC based equipment).

The bass does provide a wide palet of sounds - I also use it for lighter, jazzier stuff, and it has a lovely "honking" tone.

Action is staggering - very fast, very easy to play. It was very well set up - but I got it second hand from a bass teacher, who helped set it up for me when I got it.
The finish on the body and neck are really great - even though it is over 10 years old.
The adjustable nut and bridge are really solid yet easy to work with. I do notice that the D and G strings are a bit quieter than the E/A, but that could just be my set up.

Will this bass withstand live playing - you bet! It's been gigged regularly by me and it's previous owners, and I think it just gets better with age. The gold harware has lost a little of it's bright sheen in places, but I think that adds to the character!
The straplocks are still solid, just like new.
It's a bass you can depend on - I do tend to take a backup, but (touch wood) have never needed it yet. (I use a Warwick Rockbass as backup - there's brand loyalty)

I've only dealt with them on a couple of email questions, and they were very responsive and helpfull

I've been playing 26 years years now (just worked it out, and it makes me feel old!) I'm very happy with this bass and plan to keep it for a very long time.
I also have a 84 Fender Precision Fretless, and a Warwick Rockbass Corvette. It was the Rockbass that got me into Warwicks a couple of years ago.
Why do I love it - it's the feel of the neck, the shape of the body, the playability and tone - it just feels so right for me. i could do with it being a bit lighter (but that's me being lazy!). I bought it off eBay, so I didn't compare it with others, but I have tried Fender Jazz basses, which I feel I should like, but none have come close to the Fortress.

I play it through an Ashdown MAG 300, Flite 1x15 Cab and Trace Elliot 1x15 cab (it's a very odd looking stack!)

This bass is a mid '90s Warwick Fortress One. It has two active pickups, a P and J style MEC pair, chrome hardware, 34" scale, wenge neck and fingerboard, and maple body. The shape of this bass fits my body perfectly, plus it looks sweet. I couldn't ask for much more.

The MEC pickups are very loud and punchy. I play a lot of slapping and tapping in a metal band, and this bass gives me exactly what I want. Nice, fat bass with punchy mids and clear highs. Easily cuts through even the most heavily distorted Ibanez guitar our guitarist might use.

The action was a tad high when I received the bass, but I lowered it and it was a dream to play. A tiny bit too tight for me, which made it a little hard for shredding, but it was the perfect tension for slapping. For reference, I usually keep the bass in either standard or drop D, occasionally dropping it to drop C if needed. The action was amazingly low, great for tapping without losing any power. Another perfect ten.

The bass is very well constructed. Being I bought it used, it was a tiny bit beat up, but nothing too serious. It feels very very solid and I don't think it will fall apart on me any time soon. I have used it a few times live so far, and it's held its own. I would most definitely gig with this bass alone, but I always bring another bass for tuning changes.

Never dealt with Warwick.

The most perfect bass I've played in my life. I've been playing about four years, and have played and owned many basses ranging from a '66 Fender Jazz of my dad's, an Ibanez EDC705, an Epiphone EB3-5, a Fender Mexican P-bass, a Warwick Thumb 5 string, and a slew of other strange and unique instruments, and this beats them all in versatility and feel. I would highly suggest this bass as a great buy for anyone who needs a kick ass instrument for the price.

1996, 4 string warwick with active/pasive electronics: 2 band eq, blend and master vol. P/J pickups.
24 frets and way slim neck!

i got is used but in perfect conditions, plays really fast! with 0.40 strings its the easyest bass to play!

im not giving it 10 cause i would prefear to have a 3 band eq, so i could cut high`s leaving the mids in....

i tried some corvettes, and this is way superior, much mure punch, definition , growl, of course being a warwick with its warwick sound.

using it throught a SWR rig, a good combination.
great for slap, but no limited, very versatile.

the only con as i sayd above is that when i use the bridge pup and cut the treble, it also cuts some of the mids i like, so ill have to eq form outside the amp....

the action was perfectly done by previous user, though i changed strings and adjust the rod.... i mailed warwick for some questions and they told me the rud did ajust the other way around as the standards are. (turn it counter clock wise to tight)

i also rised a little the bridge pup so i had more sharpness and growl, and lowered a little the upper P pup to my taste.

im giving a 9 cause no it was difficult to find out that the truss rod was backwards, and i could damage the neck withput knowing this.

i have the bass for some weeks now, never used live yet, but the guy who sold it to me had it for 8 or 9 years and the bass stilss in perfect conditions.

i mailed warwick for some questios regarding the truss rod and they respond me 3 days later.... ok, its not awfull, but a company so big and internationall as warwick should have someone checking everyday almost every hpur a day.... the answer was helpfull so im not complainning

im playong for 5 years now.... my other bass is a fender 77 jazz, but i had almost 10 different basses, which i sold 1 for buying the next one..... this deffinetly is a keeper, im not buying it for buying the next one unless something unexpected happens.

when i shopped for this bass i had something in my head, and what this bass does fits perfectly in what i was looking for.

Made in Germany, of course, 1994 model, second year of production for the Fortress One. Mine has the P-J pickup array, passive which I always prefer. Four knobs, one volume, two tone, and a pan with center detent. Three piece wenge neck, wenge fretboard, and a brass adjustable nut. The body is three piece super-flamed maple, actually tiger striped. "Honey violin" color with a light satin type finish that requires regular waxing. Really nice fully adjustable bridge with separate tailpiece anchor. Oh, and recessed strap locks(nice touch there). Warwick gig bag, which is one of the best I've seen. Now that I'm listing the features, I realize that it's crammed with features. High marks here.

Warwicks have a huge following of slappers, poppers, etc., and their basses seem to be tailored to that playing style. I'm a finger picker, so I was surprised at the depth, richness, and clarity of sound for my style. Sweet, thick lows that meld uniquely with throaty mids and mellow highs, producing the signature Warwick voice. Yes, growly, but the clarity of tone in the lower registers is most impressive, allowing nice two and three note chords with an open E string. I like to play anything with a heavy groove. The Fortress One, when run thru a proper rig, will occupy a rather large seat, and is well suited for a power trio. My F-1 is very quiet and records well. I've run SIT Power Rounds, Warwick Black Label rounds, and TI Powerbass rounds on it. The SIT strings work best for me, punchy and articulate. Some day I'll throw a set of flats on it just to make sure I'm not missing something amazing. I like the sound of this bass a lot, so I give it a 9, cause a 10 is perfection. And after 32 years of gear lust, I no longer believe perfection is attainable.

I got my F-1 used, but in mint cond. The previous owner had the action so fargin low that the bass was totally unplayable. The only thing he had right was the neck refrain. So, between all the bridge and nut adjustments at my fingertips, I set it all up in about 15 minutes, no worries. Have not reset anything in two years, and I play it every day. Super solid, crafted with precision, and engineered all the way thru. For that is the German way. I must add here that I also own a 2000 Corvette Standard with ovangkol neck. It is supposedly "mass produced" and somehow not as good as the older "hand made" ones. That is simply not true. It's just as finely built, sounds just as good, and ovangkol is a great tone wood.

This is a rugged instrument with all quality hardware. Totally dependable. The neck? Set it and forget it. Of course, you could go without a second. But why would you want to?

I've heard good things, but dont really know.

Been at it since 1970. I own this Fortress One, a Fortress Flashback(very cool), a Corvette Standard. Two G&L JB-2's, an SB-2, an ASAT semi-hollow, five Reverend Rumblefishes, a US Masters EP-41 JJ, and a Brian Moore. The list of gear I've owned in the past is immense. Admitting my gear lust is a little embarrassing, but it helps me keep my interest in playing alive, something I hope never leaves me. Overall, the Fortress One is a truly fine instrument. They are also not being produced anymore, so the supply of really choice examples of this bass will soon dry up.

It's a 2001' Fortress One.I bought it in Europe,where I live.It has 24 frets,a maple body,and a wenge neck.Passive electronics,natural finish.Made in Germany.The only thing I don't like is to waxing the body weakly.

It sounds great for rock,or anything else.It's great for recording.The sign of the pickups are low,but it has a very rich sound.I love it.

It' great.I've been using it for a year,and now it's high time to make some adjustment,but it's normal,I think.The factory set up was great.

It's very durable,and the Dunlop straplocks are great.

The company is very friendly,and helpful.I had to contact them only once.

I've been playing for 6 years,and i tried Fender,and Rickenbacker basses too,and I currently own an American Fender Jazz.But Warwicks are better than anything else,and it's great that they are much cheaper in Europe than in the USA.

1997 4 string maple body wenge neck

1 pick-up blending knob, 2 tone controls, 1 for each pickup and 1 volume

passive (and as a result somewhat quiet) pick-ups, jazz style at the bridge and p-bass style at the neck

24 comfy frets, well crafted tuners and adjustable brass nut

came with a crappy gig bag (for a bass of this quality, they should include a free hardshell case.)

I have been playing the bass for 10 years now and this bass is the third and last bass I will probably ever own. Warwick's tagline is "the sound of wood" and they really aren't kidding. This bass sounds amazing no matter what it's plugged into.

I keep the pick-ups blended right in the middle and the tone knobs all the way up. I play through an Ampeg B2-4x8 Combo with another 4x8 cabinet.

My amp settings are: bass @ 3:00 - mid @ 12:00 - treble @ 9:00

I get a really punchy warm sound no matter where I am playing on the neck. The sweet spot on the neck is between the 7th and 14th frets.

There are only 2 other basses I would play if I couldn't play this one, A fender jazz and an Ernie Ball stingray. and this is just soundwise, because after all, this is hands down the best playing bass I have ever layed my hands on.

The bass was set up pretty well from the factory. I lowered the action a bit and adjusted the truss rod slightly after I bought it.

Overall the hardware on this bass is excellent. The only gripe I have with the design is the saddles on the bridge. They are somewhat cumbersome to deal with as far as adjusting string height and string position. (left to right adjustments)

Warwick included a little bag with the bass including 3 different sized L shaped allen wrenches that are used to adjust everything on the bass.

The smallest size is what is needed for the saddle adjustments. In no time the smaller end of the small wrench was stripped, so now every time I have to adjust something (which isn't that often although I just made an adjustment yesterday, which led me to write this review) I have to use the longer end of the wrench, making the adjustments more difficult than normal.

The brass nut is a good thing to have and mine has held up fairly well. Overall, the hardware on this bass is quite good.

I have had this bass for around 5 years now and have played all over the place with it. I have dropped it once, had a cymbal dropped on it and it's had some other bangs and bumps.

After all that, there is only one visable chip on the back of the body. This bass has held up like a champ so far, and I'm sure it will continue to hold up.

The finish on the body is a natural oil finish and as such, Warwick included some surface finisher wax that they recommend be applied "at least once a week." I have waxed the bass a total of 3 times in 5 years and it's holding up just fine.

There is one small section right beside the p-bass pickup where the finish has worn off and the underlying wood shows through. This is from years and years of keeping my thumb in the same place while playing on the E string. I kind of like the look though. It looks broken in. Other than that, the finish has held up very well.

I have never had to deal with anyone from Warwick.

I started playing bass in 1992 with a cheap-o bently series 10 bass. A couple of years later, I saved up for my first real bass, a Fender 60's jazz reissue. Then I saw a Warwick in a local guitar shop and just had to have one.

The first Warwick I played was the more expensive Thumb bass. I liked it a lot, but then when I played the Fortress one and compared the two, I actually liked the fortress better. I admit that it probably had something to do with the set up of each bass, but I do remember thinking that I liked the sound of the fortress one better than the thumb bass. It also played better.

I would not have been able to get the bass if it hadn't been for my mom who, at the time came into some money and offered to buy me a new bass. Now that I can afford to buy one myself, I absolutely would get another one if it were lost or stolen. It would have to be used as Warwick is no longer making this particular bass, but I would definitely try and hunt one down.

If you come across one of these basses, and are thinking about getting it, jump on it! you will not be dissapointed!