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Warwick Corvette Standard: Thoughts?

D

dorfmeister

Apr 3, 2008
203
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#1
I am looking at some of these used on e-bay.

I like a bass with a fat neck and I have heard these fit the bill.

I would guess I can get the passive models cheaper.

I have been playing guitar for years but want to get into playing bass and want a high quality instrument without paying a whole lot of money.

Any thoughts on this instrument?
 
#2
I use a bubinga model. I find it really suits me well, from tone to ergonomics. I would describe the neck as fat rather then thick, very rounded shape with quite a fat fretboard, but not really wide. Its definately something you either love or hate, so I'd recommend trying one out before buying it. I love the tone, some people hate it, again, try before you buy. The MEC Pre-amp on mine isn't that great, I don't think you'd lose anything with a passive model. Its also quite heavy, if that bothers you.

One more thing, you may need to wax it every week if you get an unfinished one, not really a problem for me because its my main bass, but if you're just dabbling in bass playing that could get annoying.
 
#4
[QUOTE="W";5685818]Bubinga corvette? Good choice!
But spend a little more to get the passive/active![/QUOTE]

How are the ash corvettes?

What do you think are the benefits of the active pickups over passive?

I am coming from the realm of guitar playing and so few guitarists use active pickups. I am wondering what the unique benefits of active pickups might be for bassists.

Thanks for the responses so far.
 
#5
dorfmeister said:
How are the ash corvettes?

What do you think are the benefits of the active pickups over passive?

I am coming from the realm of guitar playing and so few guitarists use active pickups. I am wondering what the unique benefits of active pickups might be for bassists.

Thanks for the responses so far.
Click to expand...

What kind of music do you play?
Keep on mind that a Warwick bubinga is heavy bass the swamp ash is much lighter!
About the passive and the active there is a different in the tonality. Active is better. You can hear what you really play. There is another feeling what you play and what you hear. You can hear what you really play.
Test a bass with passive and one with active and you'll see the difference.
 
#7
SuperDuck said:
Used active Corvettes are pretty affordable. I would keep an eye on the TB classifieds and ebay.
Click to expand...

Do you see them coming up much here at Talkbass? I would guess you would have a better chance of not getting ripped off dealing with someone here at Talkbass rather than e-bay.

I bought a really nice, well packed Warmoth Partscaster on the gearpage a couple of weeks ago. Couldn't be happier with that.
 
#8
IMO, you should buy the passive bass and then upgrade to a really nice preamp if you decide you want it active. The MEC brand electronics that come on the bass are ok, but not great. That being said, considering that you are just starting out on bass, it probably won't matter either way to you at first. Regardless, Warwicks are wonderful instruments but they really have their own thing going on. If possible you really should try one before you buy. And if at ALL possible, buy a 90's version with a Wenge neck. It makes all the difference in the world.
Bubinga vs. Ash: Bubinga is an African hardwood mainly harvested from the Congo area. It is very heavy and has a really nice fundmental tone, dry and focused. The Warwicks made form the dense African hardwoods have a naturally "compressed" sound.
The Ash body Wick's still sound like a regular Warwick, but they are going to be a little more open sounding and have a pronounced mid/treb range. Probably very bright tone.
You really can't go wrong with either bass. I LOVE warwicks. Of course, I endorse the things so I have to say that. ;)
 
#9
Corvettes are going for around $700 on the Bay and here in the classifieds. IMO, that's an excellent bargain for a quality instrument.

I agree with all of the posts above about trying before buying. One thing that hasn't been addressed, however is the hardware. If you like to tinker and set up your own instruments, the Corvette will be a dream. If possible, try and get the Owner's Kit- the excellent manual details how to adjust all of the components to your liking. Tools are included as well. The Warwick website has tons of documents including wiring diagrams.

The support is there as well via US Distributers, Dana B. Goods. I've only had good experiences with them.

There is also an active (no pun intended) Warwick user community on the forum at Warwick's website and here on TB.

So, if you dig the feel and the sound, I say go for it! I own three Corvettes and have never been disappointed.

Enjoy!:bassist:
 
#10
I recently bought a wenge neck bubinga Corvette and it is a beauty. I would recommend it for anyone who loves the Warwick tone, mine is running 18v EMG pickups with the original MEC Pre-amp. The neck is quite nice, fatter than my P-bass but not wider. Overall a growly tone monster :p
 
#11
I am focused on indy/experimental rock. I also have some interest in fusion jazz. I am guessing this bass would be decent for that.

I think the most important aspect is a fat neck. I have a fat neck on my Warmoth Partscaster and I find that I have fewer problems with pain in the hand.

Thanks for all the responses. Really helpful.

Anybody ready to offer up a hot deal on a Corvette Standard?
 
#12
dorfmeister said:
I am focused on indy/experimental rock. I also have some interest in fusion jazz. I am guessing this bass would be decent for that.

I think the most important aspect is a fat neck. I have a fat neck on my Warmoth Partscaster and I find that I have fewer problems with pain in the hand.

Thanks for all the responses. Really helpful.

Anybody ready to offer up a hot deal on a Corvette Standard?
Click to expand...

I did a search for "Corvette" in the FS forum. Here are the results: Some of them should still be open.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/search.php?searchid=7745395
 
#17
dorfmeister I hope you get the Corvette, but also hope play it with fingers! Not with a pick! Because of your guitarist past it will be easier for you to play with a pick but you'll discover very soon that the tone by fingers is absolutely different than the tone by a pick!
The real bass tone comes by the fingers!
Besides you can do more more things playing with fingers than a pick!
 
#18
[QUOTE="W";5686596]dorfmeister I hope you get the Corvette, but also hope play it with fingers! Not with a pick! Because of your guitarist past it will be easier for you to play with a pick but you'll discover very soon that the tone by fingers is absolutely different than the tone by a pick!
The real bass tone comes by the fingers!
Besides you can do more more things playing with fingers than a pick![/QUOTE]

Thanks, W. I do plan to play it with my fingers.

I am also trying to transition to hybrid and finger picking on the electric.

I like the greater sensitivity and subtly of using the fingers.
 
#19
I think the corvette is a great intro to pro basses. It is such a quality piece of gear for a great price.

I had one but got rid of it because of the weight and ergonomics. I was playing looong shows at the time and It just couldn't stick with it for 4 hours.

That being said I still miss the tone and the look, its a sexy beast.:bassist:
 
#20
I got the bubinga warwick 4 string active model and it is awesome. I bought it off of ebay for $600 and took the risk of never playing it before:hmm: the neck can take some getting used to but i find it very smooth. I replaced the pickups with some basslines and bypass the preamp...It fits the tone i'm after. The ONLY con about it is the weight...i can hurt after a while but its worth it!
 

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