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Fame Baphomet vs. Warwick RockBass Corvette

D

dzem

Oct 26, 2022
67
80
#1
_FAME_BASSES_en – Fame Guitars

Why are these not popular? The specs look mindblowing and too good for the price on paper.

You can see that this current production line is aiming for the Warwick Corvette sound as the pickups are a pair of active MEC single coils and they feature an active 2-channel MEC preamp. Looking at the price for Fame Baphomet II 4 string (€999) and Warwick Rockbass Corvette (€700-€800) why should someone choose the former over the latter?

I must mention that these Fame Baphomet basses are HANDMADE in Gdansk, Poland under the Mayones brand. The Warwick RockBass series are made in China at Warwick’s facility.

My birthday is in 6 months and I want to save up for a decent bass that is not too expensive that I’m scared to take to rehearsals/on the road but also not so cheap that it is not dependable and trustworthy.

I’m stuck between two basses:

1) Warwick RockBass Corvette $$ 4
Link: Warwick RockBass Corvette $$, 4-String
2) Fame Baphomet II 4
Link: FAME Baphomet 4-string Bass_en – Fame Guitars

What is everyone’s opinion?

P.S: I know my Warwick choice has humbuckers instead of single coils. I personally have never played a bass with humbuckers so from my experience I don’t know how they sound like but listening to them on YouTube they sound so much punchier and have a great growl compared to the regular Warwick RockBass Corvette 4 with single coil jazz bass pickups.
 
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#4
Avezzano said:
Go Fame: they'll sure grow up in terms of sales and popularity. Their list prices will increase, too. You'll have something unique in your hands. They barely resemble the Warwick, but I see them much different. Note the single unit bridge, to say one... My 2c.
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I’ve spent 3 days on the internet trying to find information on Fame basses. I can’t find even a single negative review/comment/complaint
 
#5
dzem said:
I’ve spent 3 days on the internet trying to find information on Fame basses. I can’t find even a single negative review/comment/complaint
Click to expand...
Why should they have negative review... they are on the market since decades. They have a few products but at a very high quality level. And at a really interesting price point, since they are from Poland (labor cost and taxes maybe considerably less than in western Europe, my guess)
 
#6
...in addition: the body shape vaguely reminds of the Streamer, that (don't forget) originally derived from the Spector shape. But the Fame does not seem to be curved. The headstock is original and beautiful, the parts employed are high quality. On my Thumb V bolt-on I have Mec pickups and electronics and they are top. The joint bolt-on neck/body is much different from the simpler Streamer and it seems to me very strong and stable, with the tongue entering the body. The controls arrangement is simple and elegant. The wood choice is also spot on.
 
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#7
Avezzano said:
...in addition: the body shape vaguely reminds of the Streamer, that (don't forget) originally derived from the Spector shape. But the Fame does not seem to be curved. The headstock is original and beautiful, the parts employed are high quality. On my Thumb V bolt-on I have Mec pickups and electronics and they are top. The joint bolt-on neck/body is much different from the simpler Streamer and it seems to me very strong and stable, with the tongue entering the body. The controls arrangement is simple and elegant. The wood choice is also spot on.
Click to expand...
Would you go for the ash or the black limba?
 
#14
dzem said:
_FAME_BASSES_en – Fame Guitars

Why are these not popular? The specs look mindblowing and too good for the price on paper.

You can see that this current production line is aiming for the Warwick Corvette sound as the pickups are a pair of active MEC single coils and they feature an active 2-channel MEC preamp. Looking at the price for Fame Baphomet II 4 string (€999) and Warwick Rockbass Corvette (€700-€800) why should someone choose the former over the latter?

I must mention that these Fame Baphomet basses are HANDMADE in Gdansk, Poland under the Mayones brand. The Warwick RockBass series are made in China at Warwick’s facility.

My birthday is in 6 months and I want to save up for a decent bass that is not too expensive that I’m scared to take to rehearsals/on the road but also not so cheap that it is not dependable and trustworthy.

I’m stuck between two basses:

1) Warwick RockBass Corvette $$ 4
Link: Warwick RockBass Corvette $$, 4-String
2) Fame Baphomet II 4
Link: FAME Baphomet 4-string Bass_en – Fame Guitars

What is everyone’s opinion?

P.S: I know my Warwick choice has humbuckers instead of single coils. I personally have never played a bass with humbuckers so from my experience I don’t know how they sound like but listening to them on YouTube they sound so much punchier and have a great growl compared to the regular Warwick RockBass Corvette 4 with single coil jazz bass pickups.
Click to expand...
 
#15
I can’t make that choice for you.

I own a MIG Warwick Corvette 5 string STD (which likely has the same electronics as the Fame), and I have played a couple ofRock Basses. The Rock basses with the hum bucks, like you said, do kick, but the bass overall lacks the articulation my Corvette had. My over all take of the Rock Bass was it was not in the class of my Corvette, not as refined tone and playing wise. That said, used in a “rock band” where kicking butt is more important than playing nice, it’s a heck of an instrument at a good price.

What amazes me the street market value of a used MIG Warwick Corvette STD in great shape is less than a used Rock Bass in similar condition (Ref Reverb).

As for Fame bases, assuming fit and finish and quality components, they are likely to sound more like my Corvette than the Rock Bass. my guess is it will be a little more refined sounding, but I have know way of knowing without one being hands on. I will say this, the 5 string for 999 euros is looking like a good value.
 
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#17
Personally they both are really cool. I have zero knowledge of the Fame brand but mec electronics are damn good and are an excellent choice. I have a Corvette with the humbuckers and I love it. It's louder than my other basses and has the signature Warwick sound. With the right EQ and strings this bass comes alive for me. The bridge and nut being fully adjustable is such a nice feature and will make you want it on everything else you own. So humbuckers vs jazz style pickup you're basically getting the same Warwick fundamental however the humbuckers sounds thicker so to some it would be muddy but keep in mind there's strings and set up that will make or break your tone. Also you can change to series by pulling both pickup knobs which will mimic the jazz pickups. I found that I never really use it and just keep them in full humbucker mode. My Warwick is pretty sensitive to different strings and how I set it up which is to me a good thing because it really can be dialed in nice like today for instance. I was really enjoying my tone after I tried a new string I haven't tried before. Sit rock brights in case anyone wants to know. So anyway it's hard to go wrong with either bass but for my money I'd take a Corvette. Especially if you find a badass used ovankol or wenge German built one. Even the maple and wenge Chinese rock basses are awesome. I want to add a streamer to my collection but will probably get a rock bass version just because they turn up cheap sometimes. Best of luck and let us know what you buy.
 
#19
Thanks for all the comments guys.

I live next to Poland (Lithuania) and the Mayones workshop where Fame guitars and basses are currently being made is in Gdansk. I read on google reviews, somebody posted saying that the workshop does not sell any pieces they make but they have basses and guitars. I’m hoping maybe they allow testing their products out? I can take a trip to Gdansk that’s not a problem.

does anyone have this information? it would very cool to have the option to try them before ordering them
 

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