New Equipment Question for you Warwick players?

[TheTrooper]

I lost all my musical equipment in Hurricane Katrina a few years ago, and I'm finally able to start replacing what I had. Now, I've been playing for over 20 years, and what I noticed was that I really don't know **** about basses or the electronics that go with em. I always played my Fender P-Bass thru my Peavey guitar amp, and that was it. So any help, in any area, would be greatly appreciated.
Anyway, I don't ever really want a Fender again. I do want a custom B.C Rich 4-string Bich style bass, but I can't even get them to call/fax back a quote for the damn thing (and I've gone thru 3 dealers). I have been playing everything under the sun and I can't get over the Warwicks, unfortunately, I can't get over the price either. So, my question is this: I had heard of the RockBass guitars, which are, apparently, cheaper versions of the regular Warwicks, but I've never played one. Can anyone tell me whether these guitars are worth the time and effort? I figured that as long as I find a bass that looks good and the neck plays like I want it to then it's just a matter of changing out P/Us, tuners, etc.
Next, I'll be looking for an amp, and I'm dreading the thought. I'll probably leave that decision up to some store idiot salesman who knows as much as I do.....
I would really appreciate any help, advice, etc. that I can get.

John J. Cassisa Jr.
New Orleans, LA

 

[J. Crawford]

Go used man. Wicks come up on the TB Classifieds all the time, just keep your eyes open.

And some people are catching crazy deals on Wicks at Guitar Center. I just read a post about a Corvette Standard going for $736 at GC? Thats a deal.

Shop around, keep your eyes peeled, and good luck.

EDIT: And as for an amp, ask on here also! Trust us over any salesperson.

 

[jumbosilverette]

$709 new at the Sherman Oaks, CA store. Buy used or hunt down the deeply discounted GC sales. The Rock basses aren't bad, but they're not that much cheaper and there is a quality difference.

 

[broadblik]

The Rockbasses are very solid instruments the ones I played easily comparable to MIM Fenders and basses sometimes double their price.

However Warwick are bringing out new lines of Rockbasses, with upgraded bridges and such.