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Ibanez SR505 or Warwick Rockbass Corvette $$

F

Fuzzydice45

Feb 19, 2009
34
1
Sydney, Australia
#1
Hey,

I'm looking at getting a new bass and wanted your opinion on the Ibanez SR505 and Warwick Rockbass Corvette $$ 5 string.

I play mostly metal, but I also play pretty much everything.
Always play fingerstyle, not a fan of picks.
Playing through a Peavey Max 115, just a practice amp for playing at home.
I want a deep low end with a little growl.

Both basses are around AU$1200 (US$1100).

Thanks
 
#3
Yeah music gear is more expensive over here because of shipping.
We don't have a major chain like guitar center either, there's only local stores that often only stock a few brands and charge whatever they need to to keep themself in business.
We're also faring a lot better than most other countries with the whole economy crisis, so it's even more expensive.

What's the finish like on the warwicks?
I hear the SR505's finish isn't all that, sweat stains are common and they scratch real easy.
 
#5
Dude,the Aussie dollar is pretty close to the US dollar right now.


Remember,there's "list" price & then there's,"street" price.
Try out Bass People in Sydney or The Bass Centre in Melbourne.
$1200AU can get your a used Warwick (German) Corvette.
That said,The Rockbass Corvette $$ is an excellent bass.The new 2009 models are just as good as the German built $$'s.Just built at the Rockbass factory in China,not by a 3rd party builder.
I'm not at all knowledgable about Ibanez,but I know alot about Warwick/Rockbass & represent them online.I wouldnt hesitate buying the RB $$.
Good luck.
 
#7
humpy thumb said:
Dude,the Aussie dollar is pretty close to the US dollar right now.


Remember,there's "list" price & then there's,"street" price.
Try out Bass People in Sydney or The Bass Centre in Melbourne.
$1200AU can get your a used Warwick (German) Corvette.
That said,The Rockbass Corvette $$ is an excellent bass.The new 2009 models are just as good as the German built $$'s.Just built at the Rockbass factory in China,not by a 3rd party builder.
I'm not at all knowledgable about Ibanez,but I know alot about Warwick/Rockbass & represent them online.I wouldnt hesitate buying the RB $$.
Good luck.
Click to expand...

How much do you think I could get the RB $$ for?
It's $1500 RRP, $1200 list price at the local Warwick dealer...
 
#9
JazzyJames said:
Rockbass Corvettes were going for around $350 before they got discontinued. You'd have to be crazy to spend over 1k for one. You should be buying an actual Warwick for that price. Which is what I recommend. Buy a used Warwick Corvette.
Click to expand...

Rockbass Corvettes are not discontinued mate.They're still very much in production.
Maybe you're talking about a particular dealer that was discontinuing stocking them,& therefore was selling them very cheaply.I remember seeing this a few months ago & alotta TB members getting Rockbasses for very cheap,on sale.These low prices are not ongoing though.
 
#10
Fuzzydice45 said:
How much do you think I could get the RB $$ for?
It's $1500 RRP, $1200 list price at the local Warwick dealer...
Click to expand...

Get as many quotes as you can,& go with the cheapest.
$1500 is the maximum they can charge,but there's no minimum,so haggle.Tell them you're comparing quotes & have cash.You'll be surprised at how low they can go when they wanna make a sale.
Pay no attention to these guys telling you to buy a used Warwick $$ instead.It'll cost you several hundred dollars more,& you'll have to deal with a stranger via ebay to get one for the prices they're quoting.There's alot more used Corvette $$'s on US & European ebay sites & precious little on ebay Australia.
Email Bass People & The Bass Centre for quotes.They're both Warwick dealers.
Let me know if ya need any more help mate.

Greg
 
#12
humpy thumb said:
Rockbass Corvettes are not discontinued mate.They're still very much in production.
Maybe you're talking about a particular dealer that was discontinuing stocking them,& therefore was selling them very cheaply.I remember seeing this a few months ago & alotta TB members getting Rockbasses for very cheap,on sale.These low prices are not ongoing though.
Click to expand...

Ya, on Musiciansfriend. How can they still go for that much though? Over $500 for a Rockbass is ridiculous in my opinion.
 
#14
I vote the RB $$, I too play fingerstyle metal and have been looking at these for awhile now.

The lowest price I could get was $950 for a 4 string in black oil. That said I know someone who is selling a German Warwick $$ for $1500 which is a great price for its good condition.
 
#16
Fuzzydice45 said:
Hey,

I'm looking at getting a new bass and wanted your opinion on the Ibanez SR505 and Warwick Rockbass Corvette $$ 5 string.

I play mostly metal, but I also play pretty much everything.
Always play fingerstyle, not a fan of picks.
Playing through a Peavey Max 115, just a practice amp for playing at home.
I want a deep low end with a little growl.

Both basses are around AU$1200 (US$1100).

Thanks
Click to expand...

Those two are very different basses!!!
The necks are nothing like eachother... I think you shoudl try them first because they'll feel so different that you're likely to like one a lot more than the other.

Soundwise, both will work, but...
The Rockbass series is pretty good. I have the Warwick Corvette $$ 4-string... if the Rockbass sounds anything like the Warwick, then I'd go Rockbass. I also have an Ibanez SR400. I like that it has a 3-band EQ, and slimmer neck... but soundwise, the Warwick is unbeatable.

You're comparing two very different basses. You should try them first. Although judging from what you said, I suspect the Rockbass would be nicer... although I can't say how close the Rockbass sounds to the Warwick. All I know is that I find other basses more comfortable and I gig more my OLP MM2 (heavily modified) than the Warwick... but when I really want a good sound, the Warwick has no rival.
 
#17
JazzyJames said:
Ya, on Musiciansfriend. How can they still go for that much though? Over $500 for a Rockbass is ridiculous in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Maybe you're still thinking of the Rockbasses of old. The new version of them that just came out recently, you're going to be hard pressed to find the differences between them and the real German 'wicks. The new Rockbasses are quite a step up from their previous models.
 
#20
This is slightly old thread but I can highly recommend checking out the US ebay site for a used Warwick Corvette. I picked up a used Corvette Proline for around $AU700 shipped to my door and I have been happy as a pig in **** ever since!

Just keep looking and try and get the seller to take the neck off the bass to ship it, its much cheaper this way!
 

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