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Ovangkol 'vette, how much?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Gingerfish, Dec 6, 2005.

  1. Dec 6, 2005 #1
    Gingerfish

    Gingerfish

    Mar 4, 2004
    Sheffield - term time Swindon
    I'm looking to purchase either a standard 'vette or the double buck version. I've only played a standard and I've found one that I can buy for £500GBP ($850-900USD) buts its got a ovangkol body and, although I'm still young I'm aware that It's gonna be heavier. The seller only ever jammed it and he says he "noticed" the weight by the end of the session.

    So does anyone have experience with one of these or do they have general advice on the choice between a standard and a $$. All input will be welcome and well recieved, thanks.

    I want a really versatille bass and believe a 'vette could weel be the way to go but I'm kinda stuck as I cannot get to play many basses of this type where I live and I'm not able to travel to places to do so either. If there are any Warwick players in the wiltshire area who want to help a younger player out it would be well recieved with a pack of beer.

    Jon
     
  2. Dec 6, 2005 #2
    Tbirdbassist

    Tbirdbassist

    Jul 2, 2005
    Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY
    Although I'm not over in merry ol England, I can tell you that last time I checked, Ovankol was lighter than bubinga. The Bubinga Vettes are just hopelessly heavy, while the Ovankol Thumbs Ive tried have been light (er, than the Vette Bubinga body). The Thumb does have a smaller body, but I still think an Ovankol vette would be lighter than the standard.

    Come to think of it, I've never even seen a Vette with an Ovankol body, any pics for us? :D
     
  3. Dec 6, 2005 #3
    AxtoOx

    AxtoOx

    Nov 12, 2005
    Duncan, Okla.
    I own a $$, the body is made of Swamp Ash which is much lighter, besides that they ar VERY versitile and they don't cost much more.
     
  4. Dec 7, 2005 #4
    Frank Martin

    Frank Martin Bitten by the luthiery bug...

    Oct 8, 2001
    Budapest, Hungary, EU
    Ovangkol body? Not ovangkol neck, bubinga body?
    For more versatility, I'd think a bit more about the $$. Also, it's lighter. Though the Corvette is not prohibitively heavy as some say, it does have weight issues.
     
  5. Dec 7, 2005 #5
    katri

    katri

    Aug 4, 2005
    Birmingham, England
     
  6. Dec 7, 2005 #6
    Bassinthehole

    Bassinthehole

    Jun 21, 2005
    I was pretty sure that they only made the standard with bubinga bodies...anyway I have a standard and it is heavy, but it really only bothers me if I'm strapped up for two hours or more...however I have a friend who's a bit of a lightweight and he did have problems after playing for an hour or so.
     
  7. Dec 7, 2005 #7
    Gingerfish

    Gingerfish

    Mar 4, 2004
    Sheffield - term time Swindon
    [​IMG]
    The Ovangkol

    [​IMG]
    Standard


    This is quoting the seller

    "Custom body wood, OVANGKOL natural wood finish. a darker, richer colour than the usual Corvette Standards. A slightly heavier wood than the usual BUBINGA"

    Reckon its worth £500? cheapest i can get a $$ is about £780 or for a standard its about £880 so its a hell of alot cheaper....I may even try and bargain with the guy if you think its worth it.
     
  8. Dec 7, 2005 #8
    HassBacker

    HassBacker

    Apr 10, 2001
    Calgary, Alberta
    Just looking at that pic of the Ovangkol model, the stacked knobs indicate that it's a Proline as well. Is it so or just modded? If so, I'd go with the Proline and save the dough.
    Tough call though :)
     
  9. Dec 7, 2005 #9
    Gingerfish

    Gingerfish

    Mar 4, 2004
    Sheffield - term time Swindon
    MODEL - CO Corvette Std, 5 - string

    PICKUPS - MEC DC JJ5

    FINISH - Oil Finish

    FINGERBOARD - Fretted wenge fingerboard

    HARDWARE - Chrome

    ELECTRONINICS - 2-way active-electronic

    BODY WOOD - Ovangkol

    NECK WOOD - Ovangkol

    BRIDGE TYPE - Warwick 2-piece bridge

    MACHINE HEADS - Warwick bass machine heads
     
  10. Dec 7, 2005 #10
    xring

    xring

    Sep 16, 2003
    Ohio
    It's not modded. The 5 string Corvettes are active. The stacked knobs on the bottom are treble / bass.
     
  11. Dec 7, 2005 #11
    HassBacker

    HassBacker

    Apr 10, 2001
    Calgary, Alberta
    Beg to differ, as mine is passive. :D Perhaps mine is the odd one here. I had thought the Vette Proline was the active model, the Vette Standard being passive...However, IMO the asking price is a tad high. Offer him at least 50GBP less anyway and see if he goes for it. ;)
    The ovangkol body IMO, isn't an enhancement over the regular bubinga, epecially lookswise, to justify an increased cost. Soundwise, it might just kill though.
     
  12. Dec 7, 2005 #12
    xring

    xring

    Sep 16, 2003
    Ohio
    Interesting. I've got a Corvette 5 standard fretless that's active. I thought (and was told) that all 5's are active. All standard 4's are passive with active being an option. I like the way mine sounds without the preamp involved too.
     
  13. Dec 7, 2005 #13
    HassBacker

    HassBacker

    Apr 10, 2001
    Calgary, Alberta
    Well XRing, just checking Warwick site now, mine is definitely not a standard Standard. I stand corrected. :D The specs show the Std's come with an active setup. I'm not even tempted though :).
     
  14. Dec 7, 2005 #14
    Charmand G

    Charmand G

    Nov 30, 2005
    Norway
    I strongly recommend 3-way electronics, to give you that extra versatility.