• 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 Corvette models

N

NordLead

Sep 17, 2009
53
0
#1
I have a Warwick Corvette $$ Rockbass. That's what it says on the headstock. I was just looking up the history of the Corvette and the Corvette Standard models from the 90s look pretty good, the German made ones. This Rockbass I have is a Chinese one. Would I be gaining a lot by upgrading the one I have to the Standard?

I'm also a guitarist mainly and just need a bass for studio work, metal stuff. If I get the Corvette Standard I'll sell off my Rockbass to afford it.
 
#2
It's definitely a tough question. The german made line would be a significant upgrade in fit and finish along with the electronics.

However if you're just using it to track and it plays comfortably well and sounds decent, it probably isn't worth the hassle.

Is there something about the rockbass that you aren't digging on your records? The corvette standards are single coil J style pickups and would definitely provide a different sound but different doesn't mean better.

EDIT: FORGOT TO INCLUDE

I owned a 2000's 5 string corvette standard about 13 years ago and did not love it. Had crazy neck dive and was super heavy. A serious chore to play. That and had an issue with the saddles that required filing since it kept breaking strings. This is not to say that they aren't awesome instruments. Just not sure that its "worth" upgrading unless there is a real issue with the current bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassdirty and imabuddha
#3
See, that's what I was thinking. I don't think I'd get that much out of upgrading, however I do have a few hundred bucks laying around, and that combined with offing the Rockbass I could get the Standard.

My Rockbass has these passive pickups on them. The Standard has the single coil type actives, right? I prefer passives on guitar, but for bass I don't know enough about it since I'm not a 'real' bassist.

Hmm. What to do...
 
#4
I think you are right. The bass I had had an active preamp. I don't remember how you can configure the pickups on the rockbass $$ but if there is a switch that allows single coil from both your in the same neighborhood. I believe the german$$ had this feature.

What might be wise is a different piece of equipment that can get you the active sound you MIGHT be looking for like a sansamp di pedal (or any piece of recording equip you might need). You can pick one up used for less than 200 and sell it if you don't like it. Then you don't have to get into the whole scenario of getting a german corvette and not liking/loving it.
 
#5
I actually record my bass through a Sansamp PSA-1 and it gets pretty much what I want. What I really wanted to know is if the Standard would feel better, play better/easier, stay in tune better etc. I've played some cheap guitars before, and while cheap ones can get the job done, my more expensive ones definitely don't sound as raggedy and they definitely allow me to play faster with more ease and less bad notes.
 
#6
I would expect a good upgrade in terms of hardware and ability to take a good set up. But are you having playability issues on yours? Have you gone through and done a thorough set up? If not, those would be the first things I would do. If playability is the issue, I would work on your current bass first to see if you can get it up to par assuming you are getting the sound you desire.

However, if you're looking for a tone change from the single coils, you aren't going to get that on your current bass without modding it.
 
#7
The Rockbass actually sounds fine. I'm satisfied with it and I can set it up easily. I know I don't 'need' the Standard but I guess I just wanted to bullet proof my entire rig since my bass is the cheapest element in it, and I kinda wanted a new toy to play with. If I decide against the Standard right now, I'll still get one sometime in the future I think.
 
#11
Biggest differences between the Rockbass and the German models are the wood's used. A standard German corvette will have a ovankol/wenge neck with brass frets or if you find a pre 1996(ish) model the entire neck will be wenge. As a previous commentor noted the body can also come in Bubinga and Swamp Ash. Bubinga is a notoriously heavy wood, I own an ash version Corvette of the bass, weighing a bit over 9 pounds compared to bubinga which can be around 10/11 pounds (not sure what average is).
 
#13
NordLead said:
Would I be gaining a lot by upgrading the one I have to the Standard?
Click to expand...

Short answer is no. The $$ Rockbass is an interesting instrument, I like mine but the tone is quite different from the regular Corvette with the active singles. I'd describe it like this: active Corvette, pretty aggro tone, $$ Rockbass, very fat and smooth tone. If I had to pick one of the two, it would be the $$ simply because I can use that tone anywhere.
 
#15
About six months ago I was looking for a new fiver and came across a used $$ at GC that looked and sounded awesome, but weighed way too much for a guy playing 3 to 5 nights a week standing up. I wanted to love it, but ended up walking out with a new Fender Elite V Jazz instead. I'm still keeping my out for one, but it'll have to be ash.
 
#16
HELLonWHEELS said:
Biggest differences between the Rockbass and the German models are the wood's used. A standard German corvette will have a ovankol/wenge neck with brass frets or if you find a pre 1996(ish) model the entire neck will be wenge. As a previous commentor noted the body can also come in Bubinga and Swamp Ash. Bubinga is a notoriously heavy wood, I own an ash version Corvette of the bass, weighing a bit over 9 pounds compared to bubinga which can be around 10/11 pounds (not sure what average is).
Click to expand...

yeah, a buddy of mine had a bubinga Corvette and it was a total boat anchor.
 
#17
If you have a tone that works for you and the playability is good I do not see a reason to change. As others have stated, the German Corvettes are most widely available with a heavy bubinga body. Additionally, many of the ovagkol necks tend to be more of the baseball bat profile and playability may be an issue if you are used to a thinner profile.

Also, the pickups on the standard model will be passive J style and you may lose some of the tone variation associated with the $$.

If you like everything about your current bass but are itching for a change, I would recommend a preamp upgrade.
 
#18
In my experience, you can see and feel the difference between the Chinese and the German made models. Only you can decide if those differences are worth it to you. I like the profile of the Warwick necks and once I got used to it, I find it very comfortable. I've owned several Warwicks and their weight has never been an issue for me.
 
#19
NordLead said:
I actually record my bass through a Sansamp PSA-1 and it gets pretty much what I want. What I really wanted to know is if the Standard would feel better, play better/easier, stay in tune better etc. I've played some cheap guitars before, and while cheap ones can get the job done, my more expensive ones definitely don't sound as raggedy and they definitely allow me to play faster with more ease and less bad notes.
Click to expand...

If your Rockbass $$ is the newer kind with the two-piece bridge and the three-piece maple neck with the two black strips and you like the sound of it, I don't know if it'll be worthwhile to upgrade to a German Corvette with jazz pickups. I prefer the $$ pickups myself.

The neck may be a bit more stable in the latter, and has nicer woods that *may* affect tone (I believe they do, but how noticeable it will be in compared to other factors is questionable on a solid-body instrument), but I do think the German wick will be heavier. I also hate how Corvettes sit on a strap (too horizontal for my liking), and a heavier bass, I'd think, would make that worse.

However, the German Wick will have a proper MEC preamp. Not the Korean kind found in Rockbasses.

TBH, I'd rather have better pickups than a better onboard preamp though. You can also use a outboard preamp to shape the tone how you want, but pickups need to be changed completely.

I've had two of those newer Rockbasses and as far as stability and things go, I've never had an issue. If you like the sound, I'd just keep it. Maybe invest in another pedal or something.
 
#20
Sounds like you want a new bass, and I can relate to that, but it doesn't sound like upgrading to the German Corvette Standard is going to do a lot for you other than scratch the new toy itch. I've owned the Rockbass you have and two of the Corvette Standards. The Rockbass was a terrific instrument. It was not on par with the fit and finish of the German Corvettes, but the build quality was still very good. The German Corvettes were bubinga/ovankol, which are beautiful woods, but also tend to be very heavy. The Rockbass actually balanced much better on a strap. My inclination would be to spend the money you've got on a different new toy rather than replacing you bass.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back