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HELP Warwick Or Ibanez - wich one would you get???

dc2009 said:
I assume you're implying that the $$ has a single tone control?

FYI it has a master vol, a blend, and treble and bass controls (i.e. 2-band active EQ). The $$ also has the ability to set each pup independently as single coil, or humbucking in series or parallel - so if its tonal variety and control you're on about then the Warwick pisses on the Ibanez's bonfire all day long....

I'm sure he's talking about the rockbass version. Not the German made $$
 
the warwick seems to have more bennefits in every way (nut bridge looks good) ... is a rockbass (it does not says rockbass on the headstock, just the ''W'' but is a RB) but the top of the line one ... here in latin america the used german wicks cost the same they do in germany ... over 3000$$

WOW...that's pretty steep.

I happen to have 2 RB corvette standards that I'm happy with, if that means anything to you:)
 
the warwick seems to have more bennefits in every way (nut bridge looks good) ... is a rockbass (it does not says rockbass on the headstock, just the ''W'' but is a RB) but the top of the line one ... here in latin america the used german wicks cost the same they do in germany ... over 3000$$


I'm selling a custom shop german made 5 string model at £1000 (about £1700 with US shipping) - a regular, off the rack 4 string german made $$ will set you back between £650-£750 second hand in the UK and the prices in germany are the same, where you have got the idea of 3000$ from I don't know, they barely cost that much new!
 
If you can get a German $$ in your price range, I would suggest going for it.....

However, there is some contrast between neck sizes on the German Warwicks and the new Rockbass series. The new Rockbass series is definitely a quantum leap from the previous years and the necks are much comfier than the traditional Warwick baseball bat neck. I won't argue that a German 'Wick is made better than a Rockbass one, but most of what you are missing is where it's made, and what types of wood are used. I'm sure the Rockbass pickups arent the exact same, but they are MEC's and still have the Warwick growl that we all know and some of us love dearly =)

Now back to the OP's question....I would take the Warwick over the Ibanez in a heartbeat. Having owned basses from both companies, Ibanez makes great basses but bass is ALL Warwick does, so they are hard to beat in that regard. Even the Rockbass series demands respect amongst $500-1500 range basses. Not the perfect bass, but it is a good bass.
 
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Have you had a chance to play either or both to see which one sounded/felt better for you?

If you've got $800-$900 for a bass, I'd go to a guitar shop or if you're around an area with a bass specialty shop, do that, and try a bunch of basses out in your price-range. You can get a lot of bass for that amount of money.

On paper the Ibanez looks better because:
1) it's a neck-thru
2) it's got Bart pups and tone circuit
3) it's got a 3-band active circuit

And Ibanez usually isn't a bad bass for the money. But that's a lot for an Ibanez.

Honestly it's not about the brand or the location it's made so long as it's made well and from good solid materials.

It's more about how it sounds (to you and what you are wanting it for) and how it feels.

Who cares what brand it is. Does the instrument speak to you and does it make you happy when you play it.

I'd, BTW, NEVER buy a bass that was that expensive without playing it. And what I mean is the make/model. If you've never played either before. Don't do this until you can.

That's the best way to avoid buyer's remorse and sinking $800-$900 into a bass you won't play.
 
I'd play both of them at a music store and buy the one with the best feel. The Ibanez, however, has the advantage of a neck-thru construction. On the other hand, for $800 or less you can get yourself a mighty good secondhand bass.

Bolt ons sound better for slap. Neck thru has greater sustain. I bought a pretty dope made in Germany Warwick Corvette Standard for 600 on ebay. it's still working amazing to this day.

See how they both feel in your hands. Try out other brands as well. Nothing really matters as much as how much you liek it, when you try it. If you're getting them new you should be getting a pretty decent warantee and exchange policy either way.

In all seriousness tho, get a higher quality instrument. They are built to last forever, usually. You wont' regret investing in higher quality, even if it is used. Mainly frets and stuff like wiring and input jacks can be pretty crappy on value instruments.

Ibanez makes incredible low-mid range priced gear, and the cheap rockbasses I've tried are amazing, almost considered getting one instead of a musicman, and I've seen them online for 250 bucks.
 
I said it before but I'll say it again:

If it comes down to a Warwick Rockbass series or an Ibanez (non Prestige) series then you are looking at poor resale value anyway. If you buy a second hand Ibanez Prestige, or my advice: a second hand German Warwick, you will be able to sell them on for pretty much exactly what you bought them for, assuming condition stays the same. So not only for the same money would you get a much much better instrument, but you're also making a more sound financial investment - so surely this is a no brainer?

This is especially valid if you are buying them without trying them, which from the tone of your original post, you were planning on doing.