Warwick Alien 6 NT FL

Being a bassist that has been playing since 1990 I always have searched for an acoustic 6-string bass and I have found a great instrument in the Alien basses. I once had a fretted and a fretless Deluxe version for years back but the end- or string pin system in the Deluxe bridge system limits the options of choosing a B-string heavier than .125 on an Alien bass.
With this current bridge and string anchor system you have the optimal freedom of choosing the right B-string - either using flatwounds or roundwounds.

On this count alone - this version of Alien is by far the best crafted version to this date.

Sound:

The sound is full and rich - and it gets pretty close to the sound of a double bass when using flatwounds from .130 - .035. The Steve Bailey video on Youtube demonstrates this very clearly.

Mechanics:

The tuners and the bridge system, especially the string anchoring at the bridge is very firm and stable. Apart from this - the anchoring system gives you more options on choosing different string gauges on the B-string - not only having the limit of the .125 gauge as maximum.

Electronics:

The Fishman transducer and the EQ- and tuning system is also very easy for operation, and the EQ frequencies are adapted to sculpt the bass sound in a matter of seconds. Especially the elimination of possible feed-back is a feature that lifts the Alien basses up for a league of their own. However, I find that the placement of the control panel for EQ and etc. is wisely placed on the lower part of the bass body, apparently because the thought from the Warwick team has been to avoid any disturbance or risk of touching the knobs during play. On the other hand the accessability during play is a bit awkward and ergonomically it was better if the control panel was placed closer to the upper part knowing that it would interfere with the giant sound hole near by. Well it is a trade-off, I guess. I has no crucial importance for my needs though.

Using amp: The sound is still acoustic when using an amp suited for acoustics - bearing in mind that less is more. I used a Warwick BC10 combo to get more sound out of it to match an electric jazz guitar in a duo playing session. The Alien comes out as a clean acoustic instrument that blended pleasantly into the guitar sound delivereing a close to a double bass-like sound, if you create more headroom trough the BC10: Leaving the EQ's flat and only crancking up the volume (and turn the input level down to the minimum) the bass speaks nicely with its own characteristics of real, well-rounded acoustic tone.

Construction, design and lay-out:

I find the Alien line to be a beautiful proof of dedicated and innovative craftmanship. Warwick has captured a great instrument design. The body is well constructed in a sharp and solid manner - the body itself is huge and delivers a meaty, full bass tone depending on your attack and plucking position in far or near distance to the bridge. I like to have this body close to me - preferrably with a strap to have full control of the instrument. Here is a nice detail that the input jack is also a strap pin. According to the manual of the instrument a strap pin should manually be attached at the neck heel by a minor effort of your own using a drill and suitable tools.

Further up along the fretboard - in my case a unlined fretless neck the beautiful ebony wood sets a great mark on what this bass is able to give - soundwise. However I have noticed that the fretmarkers on the side of the neck for guidance are placed to indicate the fret posititions - so you do not place your fingers in line from the dot markers, but just before these markers. Otherwise your intonation gets compromised when playing. Being used to place fingers right in line with the dotted fret markers - I had to put some time and effort to adjust my use of these fret markers. It takes a while to get accustomed to, to be honest. Apart from this - the neck plays like a dream and the feel of the wooden neck is great.

You really feel that you have a special acoustic instrument with huge dimensions and solidity. Not a card board sounding but a earthy sounding instrument that really delivers full acoustic sound.

Accessories:

Finally - a gigback i good quality is also an item that followed the Alien bass on delivery. The gigbag is suited with black plush inside and a neck fixation to hold the neck during transportation. The bag has solid zippers and good pockets - the whole bag is made of water resistant fabrics in black and it feels smooth and is great to protect the Alien on the road.

I also found a pretty owners manual in a black and yellow canvas with a few extras in it - adjustment tools for the instrument and a manual and guidance sheet. The manual book has pockets for other tools to be put in according to one's own needs. I.e. a bees wax pocket is there to for polishing and maintaining the fretboard I guess.

Pricing:
I find the price of this instrument to be fair and balanced - even though I can see on the headstock print that this Alien bass is manufactured in China. Apparently to hold the costs down, I guess. However this does not diminish or undermine my opinion and experience of this 6 string Alien bass. It is a monster bass with monster features and people turn their heads when playing the Alien on gigs around.