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What's the difference between a "Real" Warwick
- Thread starter 0scar
- Start date
The RockBass line is made in China. And, yes, the main difference *is* the use of traditional tonewoods vs. more exotic woods. IMO, the reason to buy a Warwick in the first place is because of the sweet African hardwoods used (i.e. bubinga, wenge, ovangkol, afzelia.) Also, the RockBass line doesn't have the Warwick niceties like the Adjustable nut or easy access control cavity cover.
It's like Chevrolet vs. Cadillac. Both are General Motors (GM) marques, but while one is basic transportation and a good amount of car for reasonable coin, the other is a luxury model with lots of nice amenities and such.
It's like Chevrolet vs. Cadillac. Both are General Motors (GM) marques, but while one is basic transportation and a good amount of car for reasonable coin, the other is a luxury model with lots of nice amenities and such.
Dincrest said:
^what he said. it's like buying a squier by fender, an epiphone by gibson, or an ltd by esp.
and also that warick puts more time and effort into these basses and doesn't cover up flaws with thick coats of paint!
Actually, the Rockbass is not really Warwick's "Squier". The quality is still there, and the sound is simply different (whereas the Squier tends to have a similar sound but worse construction). Construction is not the same as the German made Warwicks, but it's very solid for the price and the bass sounds quite good. But it doesn't growl like a Warwick. That's mostly due to the tonewoods used. A Rockbass will sound more traditional with woods like alder and rosewood, while Warwicks tend to have a tight snappy sound due to the wenge and bubinga and whatnot.
0scar said:
Like jenderfazz said, the Rockbasses are high quality instruments, unlike Fender's Squire line. Most of the hardware (except the 2 piece bridge), the electronics and pickups are the same as what's found on the German made models. Most of the current models ship with the Just-a-Nut II (unlike what Dincrest said).
I own 2 high-end Warwicks (Vampyre LTD and Thumb 4 Neck-Thru) as well as a Rockbass Fortress. While the 2 Warwicks do sound better, the Rockbass definitely doesn't sound, feel or play like an instrument 1/5th or 1/7th the price of its German siblings. The Fortress sits happily next to the Vampyre or the Thumb without having an inferiority complex.
I think the Rockbasses are excellent basses for the money. They definitely get you into the Warwick family for a modest sum.
If you want to get closer to the Warwick sound, I recommend you upgrade the strings immediately. I went from the stock Warwick Red Label strings to the Black Labels... What a difference!
I have tried all the Rockbass models except for the Corvette SE. I'd be glad to discuss the differences between the models if you decide to get one.
RedVampyre,
I'm considering getting one of the rockbass corvette models in the near future. Is the sound in the same vein as the original warwick corvettes? I really like Dirk Lance's (ex-Incubus) tone and i think he plays a corvette. Would i get close with a rockbass version? What about upgrades? Since the bridge is a 'fender style', i assume that a badass II bridge would help a bit. Would the bass sound a lot better with upgrades?
I'm considering getting one of the rockbass corvette models in the near future. Is the sound in the same vein as the original warwick corvettes? I really like Dirk Lance's (ex-Incubus) tone and i think he plays a corvette. Would i get close with a rockbass version? What about upgrades? Since the bridge is a 'fender style', i assume that a badass II bridge would help a bit. Would the bass sound a lot better with upgrades?
Without a doubt, the best Warwick I've ever played IMO was my old Streamer Rockbass. I prefered it to any Warwick I tried. There was something about it... I just hope when I buy a new one I get the same tone and quality as my old one..
flexo said:
To resume it briefly: you`ll probably won`t get his sound.
He mainly used a Streamer Stage II, has a massive rig to get "his" sound, and his technique is a key factor.
There are many threads about Dirk`s sound. Do a search and you`ll see what I mean.
I`m trying to be helpful before you decide to spend lots of money on upgrades.
I'm too lazy to look it up right now, but I think I remember the Rockbass series also lacking the 2 piece bridge that the German-made models have. That might not be too big a deal for some people, but I really miss the 2-piece bride on my old thumb bass.
NCorder- you're right. The RockBass line all use barrel-saddle style 1-piece bridges. After having played many basses with that type of bridge, I'm nuts about the 2-piece bridge on my 'wick.
Meh, I'm still of the school of thought that it's more worth it to save some more money and comb the used market for a German Warwick. After all, many people fall in love with the tone, but fall out of love with the weight (my bubinga-bodied Corvette 4 is just as heavy, if not heavier than, my thick slab-bodied Samick 6-string) and often unload them.
But then you have to ask yourself, would you rather have a brand spankin' new Chevrolet or a preowned Cadillac?
Meh, I'm still of the school of thought that it's more worth it to save some more money and comb the used market for a German Warwick. After all, many people fall in love with the tone, but fall out of love with the weight (my bubinga-bodied Corvette 4 is just as heavy, if not heavier than, my thick slab-bodied Samick 6-string) and often unload them.
But then you have to ask yourself, would you rather have a brand spankin' new Chevrolet or a preowned Cadillac?
