Warwick Rockbass Discussion -Particularly Early Versions

[TN WOODMAN]

There is very little information available and what is available is mostly negative. I bought a 2006 Rockbass Corvette 4 string a few weeks ago and have been pretty impressed with it. The thing I can imagine being the biggest complaint is that the bass is more Fendery than Warwicky.

By that I mean the bridge, the body wood, the painted body, the maple neck, the rosewood fretboard. Only “Warwick” cues are the MEC pickups, Warwick branded Schaller tuners and the body and headstock shapes. Not that the Fender influence is a bad thing- it’s a decent build and good sounding bass. Please discuss. I know current versions are more Warwick like and thought to be better but I’m mainly wanting info and opinions on the early ones.

 

[wvbass]

My experience with the early Rockbasses is limited, but I agree that the ones I have seen have been more Fender than Warwick in terms of woods and tone. They have Warwick body shapes, are well made, and much like a Warwick, they tend to be pretty heavy. I don't think they all are heavy, though. My brother-in-law stopped playing a G&L ASAT and switched to an older Rockbass because he wanted something lighter.

I do think the newer Rockbasses are better than the old ones, though. I'd have a higher opinion of the new ones if I hadn't played them back-to-back with a German Warwick. I came home with the German bass.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

You’re right about the weight. This one clocked in at 9 lbs . 9 ounces. Like I said it has a Fender style bridge and woods but with the MEC pickups and preamp it still has a lot of the Warwick growl. Luckily I’m a believer that the wood has less bearing on tone than electronics and strings have. On an ELECTRIC instrument. Acoustics , yes.

I used to think the same on electric but I changed over time. Same with weight. When younger I thought the heavier the better tone. Now lighter is as good if not better on tone and definitely better on my old back.

I have always thought about getting a German Warwick at some point. I ran across this one in mint condition at a good price and it just felt great in the hand-loved the neck profile. A little heavier than I’d prefer, yes.

I remember when these came out I pretty much dismissed them without playing or even seeing one. After attempting to research after bringing it home I found very little info. I’m thinking a lot of others were like me and dismissed them right out of the gate and Warwick responded by making the changes they have on the current versions. I’m not crazy about the RockBass logo on the headstock but a minor issue.

The build is flawless on my example . No sharp fret ends, neck pocket issues, paint flaws, nada. If you find one in the wild priced reasonably, give it a shot.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

So, it’s my understanding the MEC pickups with gold lettering are the active version and are what’s in my Rock Bass . These are Made in Germany, correct? How about the active preamp, German MEC as well or something else?

 

[TGSmusique]

I got my Corvette $$ passive 4-string in 2014, so not sure where that falls in the lineage. I adore this instrument, mainly due to the body shape. It just feels so nice and balanced on the strap. Other brands make me feel like I'm fighting the body to get access to the strings. Also the neck has a nice radius and the fretboard is my ideal width. I can tell that it's not a super premium custom guitar when I pay attention, but I didn't have to sell my car to get it.

 

[Tom Baker]

I'm generally 3 deep in Warwicks at all times and ended up with an early Rockbass Corvette (sunburst but otherwise the same as yours) in a gear trade. After a decent set of strings and a setup I was impressed with it's overall performance. The sound was somewhere between Warwick and a more traditional tone but still very articulate. I basically traded it out for some electronics work I needed done on other gear. I might have kept it except I have 2 German 'vettes and a SSI 5 string. Still the RB didn't disappoint. It could be comfortably gigged all night with no complaints. The guy that ended up with it uses it regularly in a metal band. They are solid basses. Enjoy!

 

[wvbass]

So, it’s my understanding the MEC pickups with gold lettering are the active version and are what’s in my Rock Bass . These are Made in Germany, correct? How about the active preamp, German MEC as well or something else?

I'm not sure if there is an import version of the EC pickups for the import basses. I share the same understandign the gold lettering indicates an active pickup, though.

It strikes me a little funny that I'm referring to the Chinese Rockbasses as imports. I'm in the US. The German Warwicks are imports too.

 

[Sauron_]

I had a Rockbass 6 and i weighted a ton...body was made of cherry-tree wood, maybe this was the reason.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

I’ve been playing the RB exclusively since getting it and just got to say I still think this is a good sounding , playing bass even if it is a little away from standard Warwick features-Bridge style, nickel vs. bell brass frets and painted body vs natural woods and neck woods. Incredible value on the used market.

Does anyone know if the MEC active pickups are actually active? I mean in the way EMGs are or Duncan Lightning Rods are. Most active basses have active preamps to be active but their pickups are still passive. Remove the preamp and you have a passive bass. My feeling is that these pickups are truly “active” as well as having an active preamp. Still wanting more info on the preamp-is it same as in the German models as the pickups appear the same.

 

[Tom Baker]

The preamp is different. I don't have the specs but as far as layout and performance they do not match any of the German Warwick MEC preamps that I know of. MY RB did not have the options to run passive so the pickups may have been true active pickups but that's no guarantee. Also, the specifications are subject to change without notice so as always...YMMV.