• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

New rockbass/warwick line

#21
humpy thumb said:
Of course a used Rockbass is cheaper than a used Warwick.
I'm talking about the percentage of the new price you'll lose after buying new,then selling.All high end basses lose alot from their new prices.
I too,am not here to start fights.I just find posts that state,"it's crap",or,""not worth the money" etc,without even giving a simple explanation as to how that opinion came about.It's like,"trust me,I know everything".Pretty arrogant.
Click to expand...


See there you go... how you ended that post "pretty arrogant" was not necessary.

I did give a reason for not liking it. I simply didn't like the way it felt. Feeling is a person thing that is hard to describe. So my apologies if I failed to convey this properly.

Sincerely, Mel
 
#24
My big thing with the Rockbass is everyone has always compared tones from it to a Warwick of higher price. They are not going to sound the same. How can you expect the Warwick "growl" from a bass that doesn't have the same wood combinations and things as a bass costing 3 times the price.

I bought a rockbass when they first came out and I loved the way it sounded and played. I then went out and bought a 2nd. After a couple of years of jamming on these Rockbasses 4-5 nights a week I decided it was time to step up to a "real" Warwick and I went out a got a hell of a deal on a Corvette Standard 5 String active Bubinga and I forced myself to play it for 6 monthes and I f'n hated it. It didn't balance right. The neck felt weird. The strap locks were screwy. I couldn't get the bitey tone I had. I was friggin miserable so I sold it and went back to my Rockbass.

I am sure there are some on here that'll read this and say well he has no taste or what ever but I have owned quite a few basses and these Rockbasses are phenomenal for the money. The new ones are selling at Guitar Center new for 400-600 dollars and look at the build you are getting you can't get that from Schecter, Ibanez, Washburn, yamaha, and any other bass in this price range. So just don't be such a nay sayer just because it isn't a "real" Warwick some kid out there may want one of these and read some half cocked review or post and make a crappy judgement thats why we are here is to give a fair shake and use our experience to help others make an informed decision.

*i'll step off the soap box now*
 
#25
humpy thumb said:
I'm not aware of these,"problems" you're speaking of.You mentioned this in The Warwick forum,but didnt go into any detail.
Would you be able to elaborate please?
Click to expand...

Several people reported problems concerning the quality control and complained about defects on their rockbass, I can't tell you the specifics but one year ago I thought about buying one but was put off by some of the negative reviews I read.


BassDonut : it's totally fine to prefer rockbass to warwick, I can see why one would prefer the sound of the more classic woods used in the former (gives them a more fenderish sound) to the sound of the exotic woods used in the latter.
 
#26
Sound Chaser said:
Felt CHEAP, sounded "zingy" and thin. None of the organic feel or tone of a real Warwick present. It kind of reminded me of a Peavey Cirrus BXP I played once, but it was worse. I was really hoping for a less costly alternative to the $$, but I was completely disappointed. I wouldn't use it if you gave it to me.
Click to expand...

I see, I'm sure some people will think differently, but thanks, I will try before I buy (if I'm in a position to do so a some point). I thought the pickups were the same as the "real" Warwicks though, must be down to the wood?
 
#28
Meatrus said:
I see, I'm sure some people will think differently, but thanks, I will try before I buy (if I'm in a position to do so a some point). I thought the pickups were the same as the "real" Warwicks though, must be down to the wood?
Click to expand...

Mate,the pickups are the same,made in Germany,MEC's.
It's the "electronics" that are different,in the fact that they're "made at the Rockbass factory in China,using MEC components that are used in German Warwicks.
It really makes zero difference apart from the fact a Chinese person did the soldering.It's not worth mentioning but there's some folks that like to know these things before buying..
 
#29
Professor Jones said:
Several people reported problems concerning the quality control and complained about defects on their rockbass, I can't tell you the specifics but one year ago I thought about buying one but was put off by some of the negative reviews I read.


BassDonut : it's totally fine to prefer rockbass to warwick, I can see why one would prefer the sound of the more classic woods used in the former (gives them a more fenderish sound) to the sound of the exotic woods used in the latter.
Click to expand...

I accept there's been a few isolated issues with some Rockbasses,but these are "isoltaed",& only affected the od bass here or there.This happens with ALL manufacturers,not just Rockbass.They're built by humans,which arent 100% consistent 100% of the time.If these were inherint design &/or construction flaws,they wouldnt last for very long & the jobs of the people making them wouldnt either.
Warwick first started an office in China in 1996.That's 13 years ago.Now can you imagine that any company could stuff things up for that long?that regularly?The internet's the best invention since the printing press & gives potential buyers the information they need to make an informed & wise decision.No doubt about that.But to believe the negative experiences by a few buyers of any brand,is cause to believe these problems will be repeated over & over.What you buy,for whatever reason is up to you.But these forums influence others,& I represent Warwick online & cant let things like this go without giving the other side of the story,that can be taken as "official".
Warwick stand by their products,even years after any warranty has expired & the gear was bought used.Not in every single case,but it does happen.
Cheers mate.:)
 
#30
humpy thumb said:
Mate,the pickups are the same,made in Germany,MEC's.
It's the "electronics" that are different,in the fact that they're "made at the Rockbass factory in China,using MEC components that are used in German Warwicks.
It really makes zero difference apart from the fact a Chinese person did the soldering.It's not worth mentioning but there's some folks that like to know these things before buying..
Click to expand...

Yes I was 99% sure that was the case, and thats why I said what I did, I have no problem at all with the parts (any of them) being put together somewhere else. And if they are going to be the same as the US price here, they seem like a bargain, (double $$ here is £800, the Rockbass around £450)
 
#31
grifff said:
I heard it was much weaker before these models came out. These models are supposed to be much higher quality. I didn't really like the finish on the new $$ that I tried in the store so I'll just stick to my real 'wick. These basses are still seriously good for the money.

To all the "baseball bat" neck people - they changed the neck profile in 2009 and that included the RockBass series.
Click to expand...

I'm a Louisville Warwick Neck owner and I just tried a new Rockbass Corvette Standard. It was a laminated maple neck. I guess it was thinner, but it didn't make a huge difference in feel to me. The feel I experience with the Louisville neck is as much or more driven by the width than so much the thickness. One observation, the neck is unfinished and I suspect the neck will kinda get dirty easily.

Shiny finishes were not meant to go with Warwick body styles IMO. Somehow that makes it look cheap, though they are much nicer than the old rockbasses. Controls are a little cheezy too. Bridge looked the same. Didn't look carefully at the tuners (I was amp testing and wantred something more Warwick like than a Fender Jazz.)
 
#33
I played a swamp ash one this weekend and i like it more than the bubinga model. The bass felt more balanced, the tone was a bit brighter which sounded better when slapping. To top it all off it was only 650. The quality of the bass is very good and playability was fantastic. With a nice set up, this bass is truly amazing.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back