• 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.

warwick alien 6 fretless ABG

EAME

EAME

Feb 21, 2012
241
22
#1
hi there
I am looking for the model with the 'thumbrest' and also the ebony soundhole and steel tail pins
All searches bring in Aliens but WITHOUT these features.
This link was only posted 4 months ago,so it must be a current model?
this is also available fretted.



Anyone familiar with these,and what the model/serial is,and where I might get one in the UK?




Thanks all
 
#3
thats the one VFX.I checked the Bass Gallery,but its not the model.
I suppose I have to contact Warwick direct maybe they dont distribute these on the UK market?
Thanks for reading,and if you come across any ideas,please let us know?
Regards
EAME
 
#5
Hi. There are 3 series

-Alien
-Alien Deluxe
-Alien standard

Alien is the one you're looking for. It's the toprange model. I've played a 4 string fretted, and I own a 6 string fretted Deluxe version. Soundwise both are close, craftmansship of the Alien is slightly better. Deluxe and standard come with other woods and glossfinish. But as to me it is a pure hobby (electric basses are my main), I didn't want to spent the xtra cash.
Both sound awesome!
You might contact Warwick directly, it's easiest I guess.
 
#6
Well thank you KimGT99,yes the Alien with the ebony sound hole and steel end plate...an expensive way to go via Warwick direct £1897.63 to be exact!
Must be available somewhere in the uk surely?
 
#7
A small addition to Kim's post: there are indeed three different models, but their full names are:

- Warwick Alien
- RockBass Alien Deluxe
- RockBass Alien Standard

The Warwick Alien is the one you want. It is the top-of-the-line model with a more elaborate construction and better preamp and comes with the thumb rest and ovangkol used for the body. If you look closely, the cutaway also looks slightly different which is supposed to make the higher notes easier to reach.

The RockBass brand name implies that the lower tier models belong to Warwick's budget-priced basses. Still, all three are made in China, however. Interestingly enough, the Warwick Alien is the only Made in China Warwick bass without the RockBass label. I think this is because it was originally made in Germany, but then outsourced because it proved to be too expensive to make here. Yes, this is slightly confusing, but so is much of Warwick's product line.

And yes, it might be a good idea to contact Warwick directly, just drop them an email. They might even be able to help you find a store that carries one.

One last bit of advice: If you go to a store and ask about one, I recommend including the article number of the model you want, as even music store employees may be confused by the naming policy of the Alien line. They're not listed on the site, but in Warwick's web shop:

http://shop.warwick.de/?&c=35352310...321517432A47037&modul=shop&site=shop_overview
 
Last edited:
#9
boomtisk said:
A small addition to Kim's post: there are indeed three different models, but their full names are:

- Warwick Alien
- RockBass Alien Deluxe
- RockBass Alien Standard

The Warwick Alien is the one you want. It is the top-of-the-line model with a more elaborate construction and better preamp and comes with the thumb rest and ovangkol used for the body. If you look closely, the cutaway also looks slightly different which is supposed to make the higher notes easier to reach.

The RockBass brand name implies that the lower tier models belong to Warwick's budget-priced basses. Still, all three are made in China, however. Interestingly enough, the Warwick Alien is the only Made in China Warwick bass without the RockBass label. I think this is because it was originally made in Germany, but then outsourced because it proved to be too expensive to make here. Yes, this is slightly confusing, but so is much of Warwick's product line.

And yes, it might be a good idea to contact Warwick directly, just drop them an email. They might even be able to help you find a store that carries one.

One last bit of advice: If you go to a store and ask about one, I recommend including the article number of the model you want, as even music store employees may be confused by the naming policy of the Alien line. They're not listed on the site, but in Warwick's web shop:

http://shop.warwick.de/?&c=35352310...321517432A47037&modul=shop&site=shop_overview
Click to expand...
Apolicious said:
Not to sound judgmental, but why are you interested in this particular instrument? Is it the design, tone, playability, or a combination of all three? The Alien is a comparatively rare instrument, and there are reasons for that.
Click to expand...
 
#10
THanks Boomstick,some more interesting info.But there again,TB always has been for us hasnt it?!!
Ive been sidetracked to one of those NXT EUB'S now....incredible!

Apolicious,I really like the upright sound,and this fretless 6 sounds growly and just gets described so well,and yes,the 'plain.' design is good,but its really the sound and of course the wider vocabulary and the chordal possibility,too.....yes and the playing positions all over the neck all have good intonation [?]and so the way it is seems to me what i need.I have a Breedlove PPLUS ,with flats on,but I just cant get the sound im looking for from this particular model,so Im looking around.I play 6 string classic guitar in single notes as i would a bass,so why not GET a 6 string bass?
I like your comment about rarity so please go ahead and give me reason!?
THANKs all on this post,and thanks for reading by the way!
 
#11
Just in addition to Boomtisk's post: with the 6 string Deluxe you'll get the same preamp as with the Alien (just with the 6 string!). As well, I have a thumbrest on my Deluxe. I just asked Warwick, and as always they were kind enough to do it :) And yes, they do sound good :)
ImageUploadedByTalkBass1398963019.962515.jpg
 
#13
EAME - won't bass gallery or your local Warwick dealer order one in? Or did you want to find one to try before you buy?

I've been tempted to by one for ages but can't quite bring myself to bite without playing one first.

.
 
#14
Thsts good that they put a thumbrest on for you
I've emailed Warwick and also their Uk distribution centres,so ill see what comes of this.
VFX I SHOULd probably try and see/play one first,but I feel sure its the way for me to go,and not everyday to have this kind of leeway to actually buy one!
I'm still waiting to hear from Apolicious as to the reason why they are so few..?
Let's see in the next few days.Will update any news!
Tnanks All
 
#15
The problem is, unless you're plugged in, most ABG's just sound like... well, strings. Clanky and trebly. The space required to generate those long, low-frequency notes is enormous. The only ABG that I've played that actually sounded like a bass unplugged was the late Tacoma Thunderchief. You can hear the difference here. It's like night and day. You'll notice that in all the demo videos on Warwick's site it's plugged in, and they only play it acoustically for a few seconds. That's not a good sign. For that Steve Bailey video they used two mics blended with the onboard preamp. That's a lot of equipment to get that sound.

That's just my two cents, though. And two cents doesn't buy much these days.
 
#16
For what it's worth, here's a video of a RockBass Alien Deluxe recorded unplugged.



It does sound good in this video, but I agree with Apolicious, most acoustic bass guitars usually don't sound all that deep without the help of an amp.
 
#17
[QOTE="boomtisk, post: 15851241, member: 158444"]For what it's worth, here's a video of a RockBass Alien Deluxe recorded unplugged.



It does sound good in this video, but I agree with Apolicious, most acoustic bass guitars usually don't sound all that deep without the help of an amp.[/QUOTE]
yes it sounds natural and quite loud.Definetly Bassy...whats the strings?
 
#19
You definitely don't see a lot of Aliens out and about- but I've been wanting one for awhile. I played one at Cream City Music in Milwaukee and it was fantastic. It sounded more like a double bass thanks to its attack and sustain. I'm allergic to buying instruments I haven't played, so I'm waiting to find another one I can fall in love with
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back