Thank you. This is definitely not a first gen. I got my fingers crossed that this wasn't a bad purchase.
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Warwick basses
- Thread starter facepalmmaster
- Start date
Thank you. This is definitely not a first gen. I got my fingers crossed that this wasn't a bad purchase.
I was on the warwick forums looking for information about possibly converting my soon to arrive Rockbass Corvette $$ to active, and found a thread talking about the volume pots on this model.
Someone was complaining that the bass sounded muddy and was lacking brightness and depth. He took it to his local trusted guitar tech and the guy looked at the pots and said, "These are the wrong pots for these pickups. These are 25K, and what you need are 500K." The poster went on to say that after changing out the pots, there was a world of difference and range in his sound.
So with that info, I went and pulled the schematics of the Rockbass and the German Corvette $$, and sure enough, the rockbass has 25K pots and the German (or expensive/high-end) model used a 500K.
I have ordered 500K pots and will install them when they arrive and report back (hopefully with Audio) whether or not this is a "game changer" as far as the sound goes.
PS- This makes me feel better about this purchase. If it arrives and is decent with no fiddling, then I'd be happy. But if dropping in new push/pull pots "wakes" it up, then I'll be estatic!
Someone was complaining that the bass sounded muddy and was lacking brightness and depth. He took it to his local trusted guitar tech and the guy looked at the pots and said, "These are the wrong pots for these pickups. These are 25K, and what you need are 500K." The poster went on to say that after changing out the pots, there was a world of difference and range in his sound.
So with that info, I went and pulled the schematics of the Rockbass and the German Corvette $$, and sure enough, the rockbass has 25K pots and the German (or expensive/high-end) model used a 500K.
I have ordered 500K pots and will install them when they arrive and report back (hopefully with Audio) whether or not this is a "game changer" as far as the sound goes.
PS- This makes me feel better about this purchase. If it arrives and is decent with no fiddling, then I'd be happy. But if dropping in new push/pull pots "wakes" it up, then I'll be estatic!
Betrayer_Bass
Profanity Fish.
- Sep 24, 2011
- 1,381
- 854
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- Endorsing: Spector basses, Winspear Picks, Spector Formula 603 strings
I am very happy for you on your recent purchase! Warwicks are just hands down the best basses out there IMO.
I have had one for just over a year and I swear, I will never go back. I keep trying others like Ibanez and Jackson/Charvel, Musciman etc, but I always love coming home to my 'Wick.
German made are the best, and I use it for so many different styles. I even use it as a subbass for my DNB production, I have been asked many times what "patch" I use in which synth program. No one believes it's a live bass
Good job!
I have had one for just over a year and I swear, I will never go back. I keep trying others like Ibanez and Jackson/Charvel, Musciman etc, but I always love coming home to my 'Wick.
German made are the best, and I use it for so many different styles. I even use it as a subbass for my DNB production, I have been asked many times what "patch" I use in which synth program. No one believes it's a live bass
Good job!
I did play Warwick basses from 1988 - 1992
I had two Streamer Stage-I 5 strings, one fretless and also a 4-string Thumb.
I did like the Thumb a lot, but those two Streamers did not have the bottom I need in my sound.
I had to compensate with turning the bass on the amp all the way up.
For me a Fender Jazz is the optimale bass sound, but that is just my opinion
I had two Streamer Stage-I 5 strings, one fretless and also a 4-string Thumb.
I did like the Thumb a lot, but those two Streamers did not have the bottom I need in my sound.
I had to compensate with turning the bass on the amp all the way up.
For me a Fender Jazz is the optimale bass sound, but that is just my opinion
I have several different basses around the house. The one I have had the longest was a Yamaha RBX800A that I gutted and put DiMarzio p's and a model 1 in Bridge position. It actually sounds really nice and has some really great tones, but there is a grounding problem I never fixed. If you want to hear it, find AtomSplit on iTunes and anything before 2002 is me. I played it through a Peavy Mark III head and 18/210 cabinet. (we put it in the back hall and mic'd it for One Ton Suit)
The next bass I got was my Cort Curbow 5. I love this guitar for the voices it has. From bridge to neck is has very different voices to it and is very expressive. The closer to the neck, the more like a double bass it sounds.
Then I finally found another SGC Nanyo Bass Collections bass (still hunting a 5 string, but I think I will be fine with everything I got now) The Bass Collection basses have these unbelievable necks that are fast, straight and thin. The body is light and it's an over-all amazing bass for the price.
But the warwick I have coming is the one that I think has the "sound" I have been looking for. Everyone has a "voice" in their head when they think up a new bass line. To me, that is the "true voice" of what you want to hear when playing bass. Mine has a little growl, deep enough to sound like it's dragging it balls behind it, and punchy enough to smack people with authority. The best comparison would be a little like the bass line from Yes's Roundabout- but a bit deeper, angrier, and hard hitting. I cannot wait!
The next bass I got was my Cort Curbow 5. I love this guitar for the voices it has. From bridge to neck is has very different voices to it and is very expressive. The closer to the neck, the more like a double bass it sounds.
Then I finally found another SGC Nanyo Bass Collections bass (still hunting a 5 string, but I think I will be fine with everything I got now) The Bass Collection basses have these unbelievable necks that are fast, straight and thin. The body is light and it's an over-all amazing bass for the price.
But the warwick I have coming is the one that I think has the "sound" I have been looking for. Everyone has a "voice" in their head when they think up a new bass line. To me, that is the "true voice" of what you want to hear when playing bass. Mine has a little growl, deep enough to sound like it's dragging it balls behind it, and punchy enough to smack people with authority. The best comparison would be a little like the bass line from Yes's Roundabout- but a bit deeper, angrier, and hard hitting. I cannot wait!
Correction to the above post;
All Rockbasses ( including the new ones) are made in China.
The Korean made ones are the Pro-Serie, and are top quality instruments.
While the Rocbass are not bad, there is a huge quality gap to the Pro-Serie. Considering the prices are about $600 vs $1000, the Pro-Serie are the best value for money IMHO.
The Pro-Serie comes with German components. The Corvette standard comes with an Ovangkol neck and Wenge fretboard for example, like the German Wicks.
Of course, if you have $2000+, definitely get a German.
The Warwick website is pretty informative, worth checking out.
I'm not sure why the older rockbasses are getting a fair bit of smack on here, I have a streamer standard RB that I brought back in 2009 or so which was reduced from 900 to 600(AU) and I think it's great. The bass I got before that was an ibanez sr300 and it's alright but the wick has a much better low end which is interesting considering it's passive where as the ibanez is active. It's pretty easy to dial in a RHCP type tone thanks to it's duel humbuckers (that should help your slap needs) and just has a great tone all the way throughout the lows highs and mids, I do wish the low B was a bit tighter but that's the only complaint. The store wasn't stocking any pro series at the time so I couldn't really compare the differences but I played one recently and they are lovely.
- Sep 9, 2007
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- Endorsing Artist: Eventide, GHS Strings, G&L Guitars, NS Design, Tsunami Cables
The original Rockbass Warwicks really weren't anything near what the regular Warwicks were; different bridge, materials, electronics, etc.. From playing a couple, the only thing they really shared with the German ones were the shape of the bass.
This newest version is MUCH closer to what my German ones are. Much better overall; I'd play one of the newer RBs on a gig any time. The $$ that I tried really felt and sounded great.
But then again, I'm biased.
This newest version is MUCH closer to what my German ones are. Much better overall; I'd play one of the newer RBs on a gig any time. The $$ that I tried really felt and sounded great.
But then again, I'm biased.
ooops missed your earlier post - sorry...
btw I would LOVE to get to try a MIK Starbass......tried the German one and was knocked over....
I agree that they aren't in the same league as the german made basses but they're still (to me at least) nice basses. For an entry level bass, which seems to be what he's looking for, I think it'd do the job well enough. But the newer Rockbasses are much better, I played one recently and it was the same model as mine just with different materials etc. and kinda wished I could swap haha.
damn, totally forgot to update this thread. My "New" Warwick Rockbass Corvette $$ actually showed up MUCH earlier than expected, and was in my hot little hands on Saturday. Kind of scary that USPS delivered faster than UPS or FEDEx would have...
I have given it the "once over", and the bass is very clean, and doesn't really look like it was ever used. In fact, other than a little dust on the bridge, you would have though it was brand new. I do have a slight issue with the edges of the frets along the side of the neck catching my skin a little, but nothing too bad, and it's mostly when I pick up the guitar by the neck when I feel it.
I went ahead and made my own adjustments to the neck and bridge to lessen the bow in the neck and lower the action a bit. Would like the action a little lower, but it seems ok for now. I might take it in and have it professionally done. Not sure yet.
I first played it through my little SWR Working Man's 10, and it was deep and punchy. With my other basses, the settings on the amp are medium to bright. With this bass, it was deep without being muddy, but couldn't really get any highs out of it.
On to my new Ampeg Proflex setup (PF500 and PF210HE) and damn, it was loud! Again, it was deep, but not as punchy as the SWR and still struggling with the treble, even with it all the way up.
As you know, I found out from the Warwick forums that the volume pots are 25k ohms and pretty much "neuter" the range of sound. They should be 500K like they use for the German version. (not sure about the Korean version), so I had some Dimarzio pots on order with GC online, but just like a couple other stores, they were on back order. (strange no one has any in stock)
While grabbing a new strap and straplocks at my local GC, I asked if they had any 500K push/pull pots in stock, and they did. The brand is Proline (if anyone has any experience with this brand, let me know if I should be returning them or not before I attempt to install them) and they look to be exactly what I need.
I'm still going to hold off on replacing the pots till I've gotten used to the sound and get more familiarized with the bass, but so far, I really really like it.
I have given it the "once over", and the bass is very clean, and doesn't really look like it was ever used. In fact, other than a little dust on the bridge, you would have though it was brand new. I do have a slight issue with the edges of the frets along the side of the neck catching my skin a little, but nothing too bad, and it's mostly when I pick up the guitar by the neck when I feel it.
I went ahead and made my own adjustments to the neck and bridge to lessen the bow in the neck and lower the action a bit. Would like the action a little lower, but it seems ok for now. I might take it in and have it professionally done. Not sure yet.
I first played it through my little SWR Working Man's 10, and it was deep and punchy. With my other basses, the settings on the amp are medium to bright. With this bass, it was deep without being muddy, but couldn't really get any highs out of it.
On to my new Ampeg Proflex setup (PF500 and PF210HE) and damn, it was loud! Again, it was deep, but not as punchy as the SWR and still struggling with the treble, even with it all the way up.
As you know, I found out from the Warwick forums that the volume pots are 25k ohms and pretty much "neuter" the range of sound. They should be 500K like they use for the German version. (not sure about the Korean version), so I had some Dimarzio pots on order with GC online, but just like a couple other stores, they were on back order. (strange no one has any in stock)
While grabbing a new strap and straplocks at my local GC, I asked if they had any 500K push/pull pots in stock, and they did. The brand is Proline (if anyone has any experience with this brand, let me know if I should be returning them or not before I attempt to install them) and they look to be exactly what I need.
I'm still going to hold off on replacing the pots till I've gotten used to the sound and get more familiarized with the bass, but so far, I really really like it.
I guess I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to Warwicks. I've owned four in the past - still own my 4 string Corvette $$, but have also owned a 5 string Corvette $$ (didn't like the neck, too thick), a Fortress One, and a Corvette Standard. All made in Germany.
I don't think I could consider anything other than a German made model, especially since I've owned my 4 string $$. Awesome bass.
I don't think I could consider anything other than a German made model, especially since I've owned my 4 string $$. Awesome bass.
Well, there is a used Thumb up at my local GC that I used to test the Ampeg PF500 (which I bought online a couple days later) and while some of you might think this is blasphemous to say, but beyond the neck through the body design and the curved back of the Thumb bass, I really cannot tell that much of a difference in quality between it and my Rockbass $$.
I mean the bodies have different weights, but they are different woods. The Nirvana Black finish on my $$ is beautiful and shows off the wood grain nicely (I have an idea about adding some blue stain to it at some point, but that's not really important at the moment). The hardware is the same now as the German counterparts, so what's left?
Construction? well, my rockbass $$ is solid. The neck is solid (and if those are veneers, they did a superb job.)
The only thing that the rockbass $$ is deficient in is high-end tone (from my readings and brief experience) and all that requires is a swap of the push/pull volume pots from 25k to 500k. That costs all of $30.
So for a 1/3 or more off the cost of the German models, I don't have a neck through the body design, and the wood is Ash, making it lighter than it's high-end brothers.
I mean the bodies have different weights, but they are different woods. The Nirvana Black finish on my $$ is beautiful and shows off the wood grain nicely (I have an idea about adding some blue stain to it at some point, but that's not really important at the moment). The hardware is the same now as the German counterparts, so what's left?
Construction? well, my rockbass $$ is solid. The neck is solid (and if those are veneers, they did a superb job.)
The only thing that the rockbass $$ is deficient in is high-end tone (from my readings and brief experience) and all that requires is a swap of the push/pull volume pots from 25k to 500k. That costs all of $30.
So for a 1/3 or more off the cost of the German models, I don't have a neck through the body design, and the wood is Ash, making it lighter than it's high-end brothers.
+1 on keeping an eye out for a used German made wick. I picked one up about two weeks ago (2009 Corvette standard) for $600. The seller (locally on CL) was going to all short scale basses... he liked it but too heavy for him.
I think that I might have the same complaint. That would be my only complaint with some of the warwick basses. I have a bad vertibre between my shoulder blades and a spastic muscle under my left shoulder blade. Between the 2, even the lightest bass can cause me some severe pain after several hours of playing. Being able to move around a lot helps, but not much.
I've been thinking about the Pro-Series basses but haven't seen or heard any to know if they are the same bass, just made somewhere else. I bought a Skyline Lakland because I really couldn't hear or feel a difference between it and a US made bass. If anyone owns or has spent a lot of time time with a pro-series bass, especially a Streamer, I'd like to hear about it.
A lot of people have been saying that there are some great deals on used Warwicks but I have had no luck finding a used Streamer Stage II 5-string. Lot's of Thumbs and Corvette $$ though. I don't know if I should be encouraged by the popularity of these models or wary of how eager people seem to be to get rid of them.
While on the subject, can anyone tell me why a German Streamer is $800-$1000 more than a German Thumb? Is it REALLY that much better or have that much more going on?
Yes the Bubinga Warwicks are heavier. But they also have the lighter ash bodies in the German and Korea made ranges, they are like 7.7 pounds.
