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Description

Discover the Status Series I Buzzard Bass, an iconic electric bass guitar that combines innovative design with exceptional playability. Known for its distinctive body shape, this bass was originally designed in collaboration with John Entwistle of The Who, ensuring it meets the demands of professional musicians who seek a unique visual and sonic presence on stage. The Buzzard Bass is constructed from advanced materials that deliver a resonant, full-bodied tone, making it suitable for a wide range of music genres.

Crafted with a graphite-reinforced neck, the Status Series I Buzzard Bass offers superior stability and a smooth playing experience. Its active electronics provide a powerful, versatile sound, allowing you to dial in the perfect tone for any performance. Whether you're performing in the studio or live on stage, this bass promises both reliability and a standout aesthetic.

Key Features:

  • Graphite-reinforced neck for enhanced stability
  • Active electronics for a versatile range of tones
  • Signature body shape designed in collaboration with John Entwistle
  • Advanced material construction for resonant sound
  • Suitable for a variety of music genres

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Status Series I Buzzard Bass.

Comparisons

  • Owners compare the Warwick Buzzard to BC Rich guitars, noting aesthetic similarities and suggesting they both have unique, polarizing designs.

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  • The newer Warwick Buzzard models are reportedly not as high-quality as the 80s/90s versions, according to experienced users.

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User experience

  • Despite its divisive looks, the Warwick Buzzard is praised for its unique aesthetic appeal by some left-handed players.

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  • The Buzzard is appreciated in setups that include Ampeg mini stacks, especially by fans of Geddy Lee.

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  • The bass tends to have a neck dive issue, which can be mitigated by wearing it high and using the forearm for balance, in line with John Entwistle's playing style.

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  • A user has owned the bass since 2003 and regrets not purchasing a Status Graphite Buzzard at the time due to its rarity.

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  • Owners mention the need for a fan on the SVT-4 Pro amp in rack setups due to heat concerns, though some have operated fine for years without it.

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Use cases and applications

  • The Buzzard, with its distinctive pickups, is noted for producing unusual and striking tonal qualities.

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  • The bass is played in a setup with Ampeg SVT-4 Pro and an 810 cabinet, praised for its loud and articulate sound.

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Build quality

  • The Status Buzzard features a unique one-piece body-neck casting, contrasting with Modulus models that have wood body wings on a neck-through graphite design.

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Setup and maintenance

  • John Entwistle preferred extremely low action, described as "the other side of the neck," which requires precise setup to avoid fret buzz.

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  • The first couple frets can be awkward to reach; some suggest a longer upper horn to improve reachability and balance.

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Other

  • The Status Buzzard is cherished by owners for its rare and distinctive design, often becoming a conversation piece due to its aesthetic and historical significance.

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Mods and upgrades

  • A user encountered tuning issues with a Hipshot bridge whammy bar due to an improperly filed nut, requiring a replacement bar.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
bradcutbush

An iconic rarity

A bass linked to the iconic and legendary John Entwistle. The Status Buzzard was used by John in his later years and is seen in many videos. This bass sounds and looks amazing but unfortunately it is very rare and expensive and hard to get ahold of.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Entwistle uses Status Series I Buzzard Bass

John Entwistle

Singer, Bassist

The Who

...
Verified via YouTube

John Entwhistle can be seen in this video playing on his Status Buzzard Bass at 00:26.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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