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Warwick rock bass?

smgleitch

smgleitch

May 19, 2009
422
7
Nashville, TN
#1
Have been looking to buy a Warwick bass. Anyone know why the rock bass is so much cheaper than the other Warwick basses? I am looking on ebay and the are selling for like $500 for a 5 string. Sounds like a good deal but is it worth it. I hear about the quality and tone of warwick and would like to have one awesome bass in my arsenal but is this the right choice or should I stay away?
 
#3
I guess what I wonder then is, is the build quality comparable to the mim fender compared with the Mia fender or the squire made in Korea vs the Mia fender. It is still a Warwick and for someone who cannot afford to buy a $1500 + bass is it the best option for a good quality active 5 string?
 
#4
fwiw I played one a few months back - it was a passive corvette $$ I believe and it was killer!! If I were in the market for another 5'r I would consider it even if I had a bigger budget.

Having said that, I think the big thing w/ some of these "cheaper" models is the quality is a bit more hit or miss, so trying one out is essential. but I def think a rock bass is a really great bang for the buck!! Wick's necks, no matter what wood they are made from , feel like butter!!!!
 
#5
I think if you get one of the newer models with the 2 piece bridge, it would be a nice bass.

With 5 strings, I think the most important factor is how it feels in your hands. My first 5 string had narrow string spacing, and when I switched from pick to fingerstyle, I hated it. I now like wide string spacing on my five strings. I also like a 35" scale, which gives the B string a real nice clarity.

So, if you could get your hands on one, and see how it fits, then sure it could be a nice bass. Play it, and see if it speaks to you. If you can't play it first, then I'm not sure I could recommend one.
 
#8
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#11
chump stain said:
They're Chinese, instead of German, or now Korean made. Some of the new Rockbasses look great, almost like the German made models. But that signature Warwick tone may or may not be there. I'm not sure if they use the same woods either. Definitely worth looking into I say!
Click to expand...

Yup - I played one in a store a few weeks back - looked like a WW, but it didn't feel or sound like one - at least to me.

My opinion: FAIL.
 
#12
if you're just looking for a good 5 string then there are certainly rockbasses that will meet your needs. they are decent basses, have a distinctive tone, and the B strings sound great in general. even the lesser warwicks have some of that "sound of wood" thing going on. however if what you're looking for is a real warwick, you'd be better off saving up for a while and getting a german one. used ones aren't even all that expensive, and they're waaay better than rockbasses.
 
#13
BigOldHarry said:
Yup - I played one in a store a few weeks back - looked like a WW, but it didn't feel or sound like one - at least to me.

My opinion: FAIL.
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Did it have a one piece or two piece bridge? The older ones have the one piece bridge and aren't nearly as nice as the new basses. IMO, you can't even compare the 2009 and earlier RB's with the 2010's. They're in a completely different class. Much, much better. My Corvette definitely has the Warwick tone.
 
#14
EagleMoon said:
Did it have a one piece or two piece bridge? The older ones have the one piece bridge and aren't nearly as nice as the new basses. IMO, you can't even compare the 2009 and earlier RB's with the 2010's. They're in a completely different class. Much, much better. My Corvette definitely has the Warwick tone.
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Oh, the older Corvettes are a good, cheap way to get into the WW thing - But these "RockBass" things... it felt cheap, it sounded cheap because... well, it was CHEAP.

I don't exactly recall about the bridge, but I'm thinking it was a solid, 1 piece bridge.
 
#15
BigOldHarry said:
Oh, the older Corvettes are a good, cheap way to get into the WW thing - But these "RockBass" things... it felt cheap, it sounded cheap because... well, it was CHEAP.

I don't exactly recall about the bridge, but I'm thinking it was a solid, 1 piece bridge.
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Sounds like an older one then. I agree that the older ones felt and sounded a bit cheap. I'll stick by my opinion that the new ones are completely different. They are very close to the German Warwicks now.
 
#16
ive got a rockbass vampye, for the price its a great sounding and playing bass. ive been trying to sell it though cuz ive been looking for an ace frehley epiphone guitar for my girlfriend who is a rabid ace fan and i dont play it much cuz i mostly play my bc riches. ive played bc riches so long other basses just dont feel natural to me.
 
#17
So eventually I bought a Warwick corvette standard 4 string frettless ash body. Wow what a great bass. The feel, the sound I am totally in love with it. So today I walk into gc to buy a new cab and there is a 5 string Warwick fretted corvette there. Perfect I can try out the new cab before I leave and do it using almost the exact same bass as I have at home. So I pull it down and have at it. Love the cab and am getting ready to be done and make my purchase when I take close inspection of the head stock. This thing is a rock bass!!!! Wow cannot believe how fantastic of a job they have done making these. Sounds like corvette standard. Looks like my corvette standard. Even has the sam ash body wood. About the only difference I could find was in the neck. They use a different wood on the neck. Now don't get me wrong. I am not going to sell my standard but I will think very seriously when I go to pick up a 5 string about hue rock bass.
 
#18
I got a 2009 Rockbass Corvette with 2 active J pups. From what I know they use different woods and manufacture them in China which keeps the cost down. I am not disappointed with the tone of my Rockbass at all, sure it doesn't have that amazing sound of a real 2000$ Warwick or whatever they are going for these days. I don't know how much better the 2010 models sound but I am sure they are much nicer.

The quality is amazing, perfect finish on mine and the other ones I saw at the shop were also in perfect shape. I like the neck, many people complain about them but I have pretty big hands so for me its quite comfortable.

My Rockbass is my 2nd bass.


smgleitch said:
So eventually I bought a Warwick corvette standard 4 string frettless ash body. Wow what a great bass. The feel, the sound I am totally in love with it. So today I walk into gc to buy a new cab and there is a 5 string Warwick fretted corvette there. Perfect I can try out the new cab before I leave and do it using almost the exact same bass as I have at home. So I pull it down and have at it. Love the cab and am getting ready to be done and make my purchase when I take close inspection of the head stock. This thing is a rock bass!!!! Wow cannot believe how fantastic of a job they have done making these. Sounds like corvette standard. Looks like my corvette standard. Even has the sam ash body wood. About the only difference I could find was in the neck. They use a different wood on the neck. Now don't get me wrong. I am not going to sell my standard but I will think very seriously when I go to pick up a 5 string about hue rock bass.
Click to expand...

was that a 2010 model then?
 
#19
Yes it was a 2010 model with the two piece bridge. Have yet to see or play a 2009 or earlier. Now that I think about it not sure if it had the adjust a nut or not. All i know is that these are not some el cheep'o piece of crap bass guitars. Like I said I wont ever get rid of my corvette standard but why not look at these they are great guitars.
 

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