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Warwick pro Starbass?

Paulabass

Paulabass

Sep 18, 2017
5,435
21,954
#1
Searching the used section of my local store I dug up a Starbass. Kinda always wanted one. The setup on it was unplayable, I could put my thumb under the strings, but something said buy it. I can't find a lot of info on the pro series Starbass, but what I can find points to this being pro series.
I assumed it was a Rockbass due to the price (Squier money).
Label and truss rod cover says pro series
Gold metallic finish (like a Gibson gold top)
Warwick site says a Rockbass has rosewood fingerboard, and medium scale. This one is wenge and 34" scale. Gold frets
Rockbass has 'sealed tuners', this one has German Schallers.
All hardware gold plated. Warwick branded Strap locks
Made in Korea, apperantly Rockbass is made in China
So Warwickistas- What is it?
Gave it a good setup and like every Warwick I've owned, it plays with a straight neck. I've always liked Warwicks, but only ever owned German ones.
Based on Reverb pricing, if it's a Rockbass I still got a great deal, if it's a pro series I got a steal.
 
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#3
Assuming it’s priced low enough for a RockBass version of a Star Bass and it doesn’t have any mechanical/structural issues (truss rod maxed out, bad cracks in the body, breaks in the neck, etc) then I’d jump at one. There was a really cool blue StarBass that sold in the TB Classifieds not too long ago so they seem to move when they’re priced fairly around TalkBass (if you ended up it liking it).

I have a German Masterbuilt Star Bass II and love mine, but with flats on it tends to be a one-trick pony (although it’s a very good trick!). The RockBass versions I’ve played all see pretty cool for the price point. Sometimes music stores price these low just like all Warwicks because they’re not familiar with them, which COULD make for a great deal for you (just like it did for me).
 
#4
The RockBass line was originally made in Korea, they later switched to a factory in PRC. Real Warwicks are all made in Germany.

This is not to say the KR or CN RockBasses are not decent instruments, but they are not the same quality as the DE instruments.
 

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