Warwick Corvette German Vs Korean

pthumpinmadness · #1 03-04-2011, 10:26 AM

I have a Question. I have played a few warwicks, and I like the slap and pluck on the warwicks a lot. I have someone who wants to sell me a Warwick Corvette $$ pro Bubinga 5 string with MEC pick ups. If its Korean made I offered 450 if it was German made he wants 1000. The basses have hardly been touched. Any advice out there??

IngerAlb · #2 03-04-2011, 02:37 PM

Pretty simple: ask for the serial number

The last 2 digits are the year that bass was made. If it's lower than 10, it's a German made bass (W switched their production line to Korea in 2010).

DerHoggz · #3 03-04-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pthumpinmadness

I have a Question. I have played a few warwicks, and I like the slap and pluck on the warwicks a lot. I have someone who wants to sell me a Warwick Corvette $$ pro Bubinga 5 string with MEC pick ups. If its Korean made I offered 450 if it was German made he wants 1000. The basses have hardly been touched. Any advice out there??

I believe the pro moniker plus the bubinga body would make it Korean, assuming that is what the guy is describing it as.

pthumpinmadness · #4 03-05-2011, 04:22 PM

It's a 1997. Am I able to ask if you think it is worth a grand?

JimiLL · #5 03-05-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IngerAlb

Pretty simple: ask for the serial number

The last 2 digits are the year that bass was made. If it's lower than 10, it's a German made bass (W switched their production line to Korea in 2010).

This is false on two counts: the last two digits on german models designate the year it was made. So not only will it be from 11 and under, but also 99.... down to 83 (I think)

Second, Warwick didnt ship production to Korea, they merely started a more affordable line, which is made in Korea.

To the OP : no way its from 1997. They didnt even have a $$ option at that time... and not for almost 10 years later. If it really is a $$, with the description you gave, then its Korean and it cant be more than a couple of years old max

flowlikeocean · #6 03-05-2011, 05:03 PM

AFAIK All $$ basses are, and always have been made in Germany; only Streamers, the bolt on Thumb and non-$$ Corvettes have moved production.

DerHoggz · #7 03-05-2011, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flowlikeocean

AFAIK All $$ basses are, and always have been made in Germany; only Streamers, the bolt on Thumb and non-$$ Corvettes have moved production.

Good point, I hadn't considered that, sounds like this guy has no clue what he has.

Get pics.

puddin tame · #8 03-05-2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flowlikeocean

AFAIK All $$ basses are, and always have been made in Germany; only Streamers, the bolt on Thumb and non-$$ Corvettes have moved production.

and that would be why I can buy a corvette $$ rock bass?

as I understand it the 'pro line' as in, "corvette pro", what the OP is offering, is korean

Need2KnowBasses · #9 03-05-2011, 06:01 PM

Warwick did previously make a Corvette Proline in Germany. I think it was basically an active standard with a flame top.

Rockbass does produce $$ models.

JimiLL · #10 03-05-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flowlikeocean

AFAIK All $$ basses are, and always have been made in Germany; only Streamers, the bolt on Thumb and non-$$ Corvettes have moved production.

More mis-information

Warwick does have $$ versions of their affordable line. Streamers and Thumbs (Bo or NT) are both still made in Germany.

The only models that ARE NOT made in Germany are the "Pro Series" or whatever they are called. The pro series only has Corvette, Thumb and Streamer Models, both in $$ and other configurations.

Please if someone doesnt know the whole story dont steer this mis-informed soul any farther in the wrong direction!

TN WOODMAN · #11 03-05-2011, 06:28 PM

I anticipated the price of used German Warwicks to escalate with the proliferation of the Korean models, but used Warwicks always seem to be a good value versus new prices.Buy a clean German for the price of a new Korean.

Buslady7803 · #12 03-05-2011, 07:23 PM

Used is the way to go!!

levis76 · #13 03-05-2011, 07:36 PM

Bought my Corvette used and much to my surprise it was a '96. The slim all wenge neck was a total surprise considering the asking price was the same as another 'vette posted at the time with an ovangkol neck (baseball bat).

flowlikeocean · #14 03-05-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puddin tame

and that would be why I can buy a corvette $$ rock bass?

as I understand it the 'pro line' as in, "corvette pro", what the OP is offering, is korean

Rock basses are from China, not Korea. But I was wrong in the first place, as there are apparently Korean $$'s, and $$'s from a previous "Pro" line.

IngerAlb · #15 03-06-2011, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimiLL

This is false on two counts: the last two digits on german models designate the year it was made. So not only will it be from 11 and under, but also 99.... down to 83 (I think)

Second, Warwick didnt ship production to Korea, they merely started a more affordable line, which is made in Korea

1. I said "lower than 10" as in "a bass made previously to 2010", and not in a mathematical way. From this point of view, it's correct, since I also said those digits represent the production year of the bass.

2. The only Corvette still made in Germany is the $$ model. The STD Ash & Bubinga are made only in Korea - to me that means they've switched (not shipped) the production line to Korea. The only "more affordable models" are the Korean Thumb BO & Streamer LX - the Vettes are exactly the same as the German made ones.

gecko · #16 03-08-2011, 12:25 PM

So who here has played both a German 'vette AND a Korea 'vette? What insight can you provide on the likes/dislikes? Been in the market for a German 'vette for awhile, and I have seen the prices creep up steadily. Didn't if I would be THAT disappointed if I went new Korea. Any insight?

seungkoo · #17 03-08-2011, 12:30 PM

I believe the new korean pro series are up to par with german made basses.

the op might be looking at a corvette nt $$?? if its bulbinga and $$

bassmankai · #18 03-08-2011, 12:39 PM

There is a difference in quality and sound when you make a comparison between the Korean and the German made Warwicks. Honestly the best Warwicks were made before 2000 as they switched neck design and stopped using wenge all the way through on their necks. Ovankangol is by far a cheaper and I think a lot the low mid growl was removed when they changed the design. Also maple is by far a brighter sounding wood, which is what's used on the Korean/Chinese Rockbass line, and they don't have the true Warwick sound. These are just my opinions of course, I've had the pleasure of owning an old FNA.

seungkoo · #19 03-08-2011, 12:53 PM

sooo a streamer stage I is cheap and does not have that warwick sound according to your theory?

I played both old vintage warwicks (pre 90's), 90's warwicks, and own the newer warwicks. They all sound great. Honestly I prefer my 2006 streamer stage II to the older 87 thumb I had...Construction of the newer ones seem a lot better to imho.

gecko · #20 03-08-2011, 12:55 PM

Well, being a fan of German engineering, I have no doubt I'd be happy with an older German made 'vette...problem is finding one for a reasonable price AND in good shape. I'm sure they're out there, but admittedly it is tempting when you see a Korean 'vette 5 for around $1200 new. Not interested in the RockBass series. I'm sure they're fine for the money, just not appealing to me. I've read other posts concerning the "newer" German made W's not being as good as the pre-2000's. Care to elaborate as to why? I know the neck woods were changed. Anything other discerning factors one should look out for when shopping used? Thanks for the help!