Which One?

[the_canuck]

Well, I just recently purchased a 4-string MIM Fender Precision for $300. But now a 5-string Warwick Rockbass Vampyre has come up for sale, for $500. The owner says he wants to buy a 4-string. I'm still quite new to bass, so was wondering if I could get some opinions on this from some more experienced players. I hear that the Warwick is quite good, and it looks pretty cool too Please let me know your thoughts, I'd really like some feedback on this.

 

[JDjbass]

if you wanna go with the MIM Fender check on www.rondomusic.com and look at SX Bass quality wise they are on par if not better then fender and you will save about 150-200 dollars... the rockbass is ok but i hear they have some wiring problems where they end up giving out. its up you but i would take a look at theose SX basses before i do anything

 

[the_canuck]

if you wanna go with the MIM Fender check on www.rondomusic.com and look at SX Bass quality wise they are on par if not better then fender and you will save about 150-200 dollars... the rockbass is ok but i hear they have some wiring problems where they end up giving out. its up you but i would take a look at theose SX basses before i do anything

Thanks, there are some nice basses there. I have already bought my Fender however, and am now wondering if I should try and trade it for the Warwick.

 

[NoobOnRoad]

Are you sure you want to trade a 4 vs a 5? Did you tried the 5 and loved the feeling of it more than your P-Bass?

Also, I would friggin want deals like you had... 300$ for a used MIM P-bass.....

It's hell living in quebec.

 

[the_canuck]

Are you sure you want to trade a 4 vs a 5? Did you tried the 5 and loved the feeling of it more than your P-Bass?

Also, I would friggin want deals like you had... 300$ for a used MIM P-bass.....

It's hell living in quebec.

I'm over in Ontario And Kijiji is a godsend, that's where I got it from

 

[J. Crawford]

The biggest deal about this is if you are ready for the 5 string spacing difference, and if you will be comfortable with it.

Go to a local music store and try some 5ers out. IF its not your thing, obviously you should keep the Fender.

 

[humpy thumb]

The above mentioned wiring problem was isolated to a short run of Rockbasses which was a couple years ago & has since,long been sorted out.The actualy problem was a run of active basses had their jacks wired incorrectly,resulting in a working bass that drained it's battery alot faster than usual.
Now I cant speak for the Fender,but I can offer some insight into the Rockbass.
$500 is a good price for the Vampyre if it's in good condition.It has an alder body,maple neck & rosewood fingerboard with active MEC pickups & active 2 band eq that's bypassable by pulling the volume pot.The pickups are the same as on German Warwicks but the electronics are the same parts,but made at the Rockbass factory in China.The quality is very consistent & to a high standard & is really no lesser a bass than a Warwick,but simply made from different & cheaper materials at a reduced labour rate.For their price,Rockbasses are very good value with features often found in much more expensive basses.
Re.string spacing.All 4 string spacing is 19mm while 5 string is 16.5mm something to seriously consider before buying.
Hope this helps.

 

[the_canuck]

Thanks everyone who has replied. I also play electric guitar, as well as bass. So I am used to 6 strings already. I am not sure how much of an adjustment it would be.

 

[NoobOnRoad]

I'm over in Ontario And Kijiji is a godsend, that's where I got it from

Yeah kijiji would be good if I lived in Quebec or Montreal or Hull etc etc. But i live in Lac-St-Jean so there aren.t big oppotunities here.

 

[RickBlair]

Well, I just recently purchased a 4-string MIM Fender Precision for $300. But now a 5-string Warwick Rockbass Vampyre has come up for sale, for $500. The owner says he wants to buy a 4-string. I'm still quite new to bass, so was wondering if I could get some opinions on this from some more experienced players. I hear that the Warwick is quite good, and it looks pretty cool too Please let me know your thoughts, I'd really like some feedback on this.

Depends on what you are looking for. The Rockbass series is an import line that even Warwick describes as "high quality replicas" so don't fool yourself into thinking that you are buying a Warwick like those that cost considerably more $. The Rockbass series appears to be discontinued also so if you need something like a neck you might be out of luck with the factory.

If you like the pointy-sculpted-Goth-style bodies ESP and Schecter might have basses that would interest you.

IMO, keep the P-bass because you can use that on any gig, and save your money for a second 5-string bass.

Rick B.

 

[the_canuck]

Yeah kijiji would be good if I lived in Quebec or Montreal or Hull etc etc. But i live in Lac-St-Jean so there aren.t big oppotunities here.

Very true. I live in a really small town, so just look on the bigger ones, like Hamilton, and then find deals on there. I have to drive a while to get there, but it's worth it

 

[the_canuck]

Depends on what you are looking for. The Rockbass series is an import line that even Warwick describes as "high quality replicas" so don't fool yourself into thinking that you are buying a Warwick like those that cost considerably more $. The Rockbass series appears to be discontinued also so if you need something like a neck you might be out of luck with the factory.

If you like the pointy-sculpted-Goth-style bodies ESP and Schecter might have basses that would interest you.

IMO, keep the P-bass because you can use that on any gig, and save your money for a second 5-string bass.

Rick B.

That's some really good, and helpful information. Thanks for that

 

[humpy thumb]

Depends on what you are looking for. The Rockbass series is an import line that even Warwick describes as "high quality replicas" so don't fool yourself into thinking that you are buying a Warwick like those that cost considerably more $. The Rockbass series appears to be discontinued also so if you need something like a neck you might be out of luck with the factory.



Rick B.

Rockbasses are NOT discontinued.I dunno where you got that from.In fact,they've been up-graded from 2009 to now include the same 2 piece bridge as used on all Warwicks,the Rockbass logo has been replaced with the normal Warwick headstock(composite fibre) & lined fretless will be offered as well.All Rockbasses come with tigerstripe ebony fingerboards for fretless models,unlined fretless at no extra charge as with all Warwicks.The line is selling better than ever parts are readily available for some time to come.

 

[NoobOnRoad]

Very true. I live in a really small town, so just look on the bigger ones, like Hamilton, and then find deals on there. I have to drive a while to get there, but it's worth it

Quebec, where the nearest good deals are, is 3 hours away so i think that in the condition gasoline is, it will cost me 60-100 $ depending on the moment.

But me and a couple of musician friends are supposed to go to quebec this august to catch some deals.

 

[newbold]

See if he'll trade the rockbass for the fender.

 

[sarcastro83]

IMO, keep the P-bass because you can use that on any gig, and save your money for a second 5-string bass.

Rick B.

I second this. It's a P, dude... they're good for pretty much everything. Also, as you grow as a player and as your needs change, drop in upgrades will be much easier to obtain.

Also, consider the style of music you're playing, or want to be playing. Are you going to need that extra string?

That being said, whichever bass you go with, enjoy!

 

[the_canuck]

Well he says he already has a guy buying it, and that was less than 6 hours after he posted it up Oh well. And I will mostly be playing rock and metal with my bass.