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Rockbass or dean

Crystalman85

Crystalman85

Nov 30, 2008
6,452
1,817
Chicago, Il.
www.soundclick.com
#1
Hey guys...I've been interested in trying something new. for while I've been looking at the rockbass corvette basic and the rockbass streamer standard. I've checked out clips on youtube from these basses and they sounded pretty cool. I like the sound quality of these basses and I would like to try them out if I get a chance to go to a guitar center or a sam ash.

I've also been checking out dean basses. in the past, I have owned a dean ml metalman bass and 2 dean edge 5-string basses. the edge 5(which is active) and the edge 1 5-string bass(which is passive). I did like the ml metalman and the edge 5. the only thing I don't like is the cases. I find them to be a little too heavy. recently I've been checking out the dean edge emg 5-string bass and I thought it looked pretty cool. it's sleek design got me curious. I've also been checking out the dean z metalman bass because I was a fan of explorer styled basses. plus I originally wanted to purchase the z metalman, but ended up buying an ml metalman and was given compliments on this bass from the time I've had it.

Okay on to the point. this may seem like a no brainer to some, but I was wondering when it comes to buying something different, which of these bass brands would be a much better choice. in case you're about to ask, I play rock and metal and I would spend no more than $700 for a new bass. should I go with rockbass since it's popular among metal bassists or should I be more unique by owning dean basses. other suggestions like an Ibanez sr505 is more than welcome.
 
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#2
Hound the classifieds, ebay, craiglslist, ect... for a used german warwick. I've seen corvettes in that price range. Not a huge fan of the rockbasses, but I've heard they improved. Check the sticky for "best bass for metal". Just go with what sounds good, plays good, and most importantly, looks cool.
 
#3
toberoo said:
Hound the classifieds, ebay, craiglslist, ect... for a used german warwick. I've seen corvettes in that price range. Not a huge fan of the rockbasses, but I've heard they improved. Check the sticky for "best bass for metal". Just go with what sounds good, plays good, and most importantly, looks cool.
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I have been checking out ebay and did spotted a few used rockbasses and dean edge basses. It's kinda tough for me to decide what to go with. I've also spotted a few Ibanez basses there too.
 
#6
toberoo said:
If you go used, look for a Warwick made in Germany not a rockbass. If your set on one of those two, just have to goto the store, play them and you will know.
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I was thinking of getting a rockbass because it's affordable and their corvette basic has an alder body. I do like basses that has an alder body. and even though the rockbass streamer standard has a carolina body, I do like the sound quality.
 
#8
Quality and sound-wise, the Rockbass over the Dean any day. Make sure it's the newer Rockbass as it would have hardware that is the same as those used in the German Warwick basses. Hence, better quality. The bridge is that two piece adjustable bridge, the nut is also adjustable. New Rockbasses should have "W" on the headstock instead of "Rockbass". Between the Streamer and Corvette, I would pick the Corvette.
As an alternative, the new Ibanez SR655 with the P/J Nordstrand pickups falls close to your range . If you like the slim SR neck, this would be a great bass to consider.
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#9
Maxdusty said:
Quality and sound-wise, the Rockbass over the Dean any day. Make sure it's the newer Rockbass as it would have hardware that is the same as those used in the German Warwick basses. Hence, better quality. The bridge is that two piece adjustable bridge, the nut is also adjustable. New Rockbasses should have "W" on the headstock instead of "Rockbass". Between the Streamer and Corvette, I would pick the Corvette.
As an alternative, the new Ibanez SR655 with the P/J Nordstrand pickups falls close to your range . If you like the slim SR neck, this would be a great bass to consider.
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That's what I was thinking about. purchasing the warwick rockbasses that has the w on the headstock. and I was eying on the rockbass corvette basic and the streamer standard. I've checked out youtube clips of these basses and I like what I hear. if you think the corvette basic is a much better choice, then I will save some cash on that bass. I do like Ibanez soundgear basses. the higher-leveled Ibanez soundgear basses would be my 3rd choice. I was thinking of the Ibanez sr505. I played that bass at a guitar center and a sam ash a couple of times and I do like the sound quality. I've never tried out the sr655. it seems to cost a little more than the sr505. If I get a chance to go to a guitar center, I will try it out.
 
#10
Crystalman85 said:
That's what I was thinking about. purchasing the warwick rockbasses that has the w on the headstock. and I was eying on the rockbass corvette basic and the streamer standard. I've checked out youtube clips of these basses and I like what I hear. if you think the corvette basic is a much better choice, then I will save some cash on that bass. I do like Ibanez soundgear basses. the higher-leveled Ibanez soundgear basses would be my 3rd choice. I was thinking of the Ibanez sr505. I played that bass at a guitar center and a sam ash a couple of times and I do like the sound quality. I've never tried out the sr655. it seems to cost a little more than the sr505. If I get a chance to go to a guitar center, I will try it out.
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The Streamer is the lowest priced model bass for both the Warwick and and Rockbass lines. It kinda felt that way too, at least to me. I tried one and didn't like the humbucker pickups being that close together and also not a whole lot of room for slapping. Three knobs because I don't think they could have fit a fourth on that body. :)

I did own one of the older Rockbass Corvette Active 4 string basses and that one imo was a better bass. I liked the sound of the 2 J pickups and I seemed to have a bit more tonal control.
I would recommend trying both out and comparing it that way if you can. As they say different strokes for different folks.

Now regarding the Ibanez, the SR505 sounds terrific but has a god-awful body that is very prone to damage- the mahogany finish scratches, dents, rubs off incredibly easily. I would not recommend that finish at all even though everything else is great on the bass. You can get a higher model like the SR705 that has a more durable finish and sounds just as good. I have the four string version, the SR700 - it's on my user pic.
You can find these used for a good price at times, I would recommend trying one out at a store and see if it's something you want- then look for a used one. Currently a used 5 string SR705 on GC used site in excellent condition for $499. I don't know what color it is as they haven't yet posted a picture. You can probably ask them to send you one or at least describe the color and condition over the phone.

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#12
We got ten dean guitars in to the shop two years ago and swore not to order another until they're under new management. Every one of them had multiple issues out of the box. I'd sooner take a stagg onstage. I'd say you got very lucky with your ml. Playing bass is unique enough on its own.
 
#14
Maxdusty said:
The Streamer is the lowest priced model bass for both the Warwick and and Rockbass lines. It kinda felt that way too, at least to me. I tried one and didn't like the humbucker pickups being that close together and also not a whole lot of room for slapping. Three knobs because I don't think they could have fit a fourth on that body. :)

I did own one of the older Rockbass Corvette Active 4 string basses and that one imo was a better bass. I liked the sound of the 2 J pickups and I seemed to have a bit more tonal control.
I would recommend trying both out and comparing it that way if you can. As they say different strokes for different folks.

Now regarding the Ibanez, the SR505 sounds terrific but has a god-awful body that is very prone to damage- the mahogany finish scratches, dents, rubs off incredibly easily. I would not recommend that finish at all even though everything else is great on the bass. You can get a higher model like the SR705 that has a more durable finish and sounds just as good. I have the four string version, the SR700 - it's on my user pic.
You can find these used for a good price at times, I would recommend trying one out at a store and see if it's something you want- then look for a used one. Currently a used 5 string SR705 on GC used site in excellent condition for $499. I don't know what color it is as they haven't yet posted a picture. You can probably ask them to send you one or at least describe the color and condition over the phone.

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That's true. the Ibanez sr505 has a great sound, but not a very appealing finish. despite it's brown wood stain appearance, it has a pretty versatile sound. I do own an Ibanez sr305 in an Iron pewter finish and I really like the color. I wish Ibanez had more variety in color in their higher leveled soundgear basses. also the Ibanez sr505 did come in other color like blackberry sunburst. at least that's one step up in finishes on their basses.

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As for rockbass, I'm still interested in trying out these basses. I too like basses that has 2 jazz pick-ups. which is what got me interested in the corvette basic. I also like basses with soapbar pick-ups. which got me interested in the streamer standard. that and the fact that it's passive. but if you think the corvette basic would be a much better choice, I can go with that bass. no problem. still I want to try them both out and see how they are. when I get a chance to go to a guitar center or a sam ash, I would like to give them a try. since I've mention sam ash, I do recall trying out a rockbass corvette once there and I remember it was light-weighted and has a great sound. still I want to try it out when I go there.
 
#16
MattZilla said:
We got ten dean guitars in to the shop two years ago and swore not to order another until they're under new management. Every one of them had multiple issues out of the box. I'd sooner take a stagg onstage. I'd say you got very lucky with your ml. Playing bass is unique enough on its own.
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That's true. playing bass is unique on it's own. it also depend on what technique you normally do. and what I find unique about playing bass is using effects. I'm an effects junkie and effects are a big part of my sound. I normally use distortion and overdrive effects with chorus. sometimes I mess around with distortion with flanger effects. it gives me an eddie van halen kind of sound on bass. other than that, I guess I was lucky to having an ml bass at one point. when I bought the bass, I originally wanted a dean z metalman mainly because at the time, I was a fan of explorer styled basses, but my brother suggested the ml. I tried it out at a sam ash and I liked the bass. so I went with it and I was given compliments on the bass. and this is exactly what I meant on the first post of this thread and I said should I be more unique by going with dean. the design of their basses are radical and they do have decent sound quality(at least in my opinion) despite that dean basses were oftenly overlooked and underrated. but if you suggest to look elsewhere for a different bass, I would go with either the higher leveled Ibanez basses(since I am an Ibanez guy) or one of the rockbasses from warwick.
 
#17
goodformetal said:
used. warwick. germany.
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The one reason why I don't want an actual warwick is because those basses are heavy. the last time I try out those basses, they feel heavy. even though they sound cool, those basses would of killed my shoulders instantly. not too mention they're too expensive. the reason why I'm more interested in rockbass is that the corvette basic has an alder body. and I am a fan of alder body basses. and their light weighted too. and I'll bet the streamer standard is light weighted. and my other reason for being more interested in rockbasses is that their more affordable than the actual warwick basses. however, I do plan on trying them out at a guitar center or a sam ash too see how they are. if they sound cool too me, maybe I'll consider saving some cash on buying one.
 
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#18
My first bass was a dean edge. I always felt it was extremely poorly made and uncomfortable...it was 16 years ago and I had no idea what I was doing anyway. that being said. I now own a German vette standard and use it almost exclusively...there is absolutely no comparison between those 2 instruments. I'd wager any Warwick (newer rockbass, German, or Pro) would be a finer made instrument than nearly anything Dean puts out for under a grand.
 
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#20
To address your weight concerns ... Yes my German vette bubinga is by far the heaviest bass I've ever owned at just under 10lbs. I play it at least two or three nights a week for 4 hour shows and more in the summer. It does hurt my shoulder but since I bought a Levi's no.1 strap about a year ago, it literally feels like a few pounds have been lifted off my shoulders...literally. It's not unbearable anymore. That's a definite purchase I would recommend if you get one of the bubinga bodies
 

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