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Why do people hate/shun warwick rockbasses?
- Thread starter jacksonguy95
- Start date
i'm a new bassist, so don't have much experience w/amps, but my practice amp is a $150used 15 inch 150 watt warwick.
i researched it before i bought, seems they are popular in Europe, i've seen a few acts in the states that use them recently on TV (Late night talk shows), and then there is the hottie in Sick Puppies that uses a W amp often (with her W bass, doubt it is a rockbass tho
fyi, i've learned to bypass the pre-amp in the W amp, I plug the output from my b2.1u in to the effects return for best sound.
the amp is fairly loud (Europeans think so too). I have thought about removing the grill and painting it to get rid of the W as I do use it for coffee house type gigs also, but now that I have a corvette, maybe i'll keep the matched set
I always wanted a Warwick.. (And why wouldnt I? 2 of my biggest heros play them
..Ryan Martinie and P-nut)The trouble is..Im always broke.
So I goes into my local GC..and try out some "rockbasses".
Played well..sounded good..but the Vette $$ was like $899 (prolly really why they call it $$) the one I was playin had some bizarre crack (cosmetic...but still)..so I says to the guy I says..how much can you knock off for the crack?
He said lke $50.I put it back on the wall.
(In the used section I found a corvette std bubinga 5 for ..less..so I got that.)
Point is..I dont know what the point is...
I think they are pretty good basses...and pretty "warwicky"..but not for that kind of $$ ...(money)
Edit:..lemmy point out..if you're in the Warwick threads (where people are prolly paying 1500-4000 for their basses).asking about a knockoff version of an "expensive" bass....there is going to be a little "snobbery".To that point. a real warwick IS better.
Yes, I do ... a Warwick Quad IV ... I even reviewed it for TB
Unknown, unloved and very very underrated
I don't like any Wick that doesn't have an unfinished maple neck. Wenge is not where its at, unfinished maple is where its at.
I owned a couple of classic vibe and vintage mod series squiers and I dont get how people compare them to MIA or even the Japanese or MIM fenders.
Dont get me wrong they are real nice basses for $300.00 but they are nowhere near the quality of a real fender. They feel like $300.00 basses, however they do sound up to par with some of their counterparts. But so do SX basses which are a 1/3 of their cost.
Dont get me wrong they are real nice basses for $300.00 but they are nowhere near the quality of a real fender. They feel like $300.00 basses, however they do sound up to par with some of their counterparts. But so do SX basses which are a 1/3 of their cost.
I don't get it how ppl can buy Wicks in the US for a cheaper price than someone living in EU...you'd think those import taxes would force the prices up...hmm...I guess that is the result of having such a huge and well supplied market for used gear It's very difficult to find here a German W at a bargain price...
Anyway: the reason that kept me away from the old RBs was the fugly headstock logo. And of course, the price (those were only 200 Euros cheaper than a German made Covette - and the difference was significant). The sounded fairly ok though.
Now the new models (the 2010 or the 2011 ones) seem to be very different from their older versions: not only more similarities to their German brothers (the 2 piece bridge, the headstock W logo, and so on), but also an overall better building quality and feel. Some ppl like to call them "Chinese Warwicks" instead of RBs. I haven't tested one myself since they're still unavailable in EU until 2011, so I can't tell if there's also a substantial difference in the tone of the instrument, but lookwise they seem a serious step up for the RB line.
It's very difficult to find here a German W at a bargain price...Anyway: the reason that kept me away from the old RBs was the fugly headstock logo. And of course, the price (those were only 200 Euros cheaper than a German made Covette - and the difference was significant). The sounded fairly ok though.
Now the new models (the 2010 or the 2011 ones) seem to be very different from their older versions: not only more similarities to their German brothers (the 2 piece bridge, the headstock W logo, and so on), but also an overall better building quality and feel. Some ppl like to call them "Chinese Warwicks" instead of RBs. I haven't tested one myself since they're still unavailable in EU until 2011, so I can't tell if there's also a substantial difference in the tone of the instrument, but lookwise they seem a serious step up for the RB line.
I played one of the newer Rockbass models at GC the other day, and I would have taken it home if I had the funds. Just can't justify spending any $$ on myself during the holidays....
FWIW, I used to own a German made FNA 5 and I could never seen to get a good sound out of it, but I have come to discover I am not a fan of MM style, single-pickup basses.
As far as which model, I think that is up to your personal preference and tonal goals. The one I played was a Corvette and I really liked it because I like single coil jazz-type basses.
FWIW, I used to own a German made FNA 5 and I could never seen to get a good sound out of it, but I have come to discover I am not a fan of MM style, single-pickup basses.
As far as which model, I think that is up to your personal preference and tonal goals. The one I played was a Corvette and I really liked it because I like single coil jazz-type basses.
My local Sam Ash has a few Rockbasses on the wall. I've had GAS for a $$ Corvette for a while and they had a Rockbass version. I'm not a huge Warwick fan in general but I really like the sound of the $$ Vette.
I couldnt wait to try it.
Reasonably lightweight, good fit & finish, bodystyle works for me.
Then I plugged it in and MAN was I disappointed!
Not nearly as flexible tonally as the real McCoy. Now I realize that a fully passive circuit is not going to sound the same as an active bass even though the pickups are supposedly the same, but I was still very surprised it sounded so lifeless.
When I first saw it, I started thinking about putting aside the funds to eventually pick one up. I'm glad I played it because now the Rockbass version is definitely off my GAS list.
I may still try to get a German-made one eventually but I'll pass on the Rockbass version.
I couldnt wait to try it.
Reasonably lightweight, good fit & finish, bodystyle works for me.
Then I plugged it in and MAN was I disappointed!
Not nearly as flexible tonally as the real McCoy. Now I realize that a fully passive circuit is not going to sound the same as an active bass even though the pickups are supposedly the same, but I was still very surprised it sounded so lifeless.
When I first saw it, I started thinking about putting aside the funds to eventually pick one up. I'm glad I played it because now the Rockbass version is definitely off my GAS list.
I may still try to get a German-made one eventually but I'll pass on the Rockbass version.
+1. Local GC used to carry Warwick combo amps. Worst in the store, from what I tried. Including the 100$ Crates.
I've tried out a couple of the RockBasses in the past, but never really liked them.
However, about ten years ago I bought a cheap Warwick bass (it said Streamer STD on the trussrod cover), single MEC pickup, lightweight body (seemed like pine) and an ovangkol neck with Wenge fingerboard and those brassy-looking frets... u-shape Jazz-ish profile.
It had some very cheapass electronics, push/pull Vol and one tone mini-pots, but the neck is/was AWESOME!!! I used it in the bass in my avatar.
Those cheap Warwicks weren't "Rockbasses" but if I ever run across another one like it, I'd probably snag it right up, just for the neck.
However, about ten years ago I bought a cheap Warwick bass (it said Streamer STD on the trussrod cover), single MEC pickup, lightweight body (seemed like pine) and an ovangkol neck with Wenge fingerboard and those brassy-looking frets... u-shape Jazz-ish profile.
It had some very cheapass electronics, push/pull Vol and one tone mini-pots, but the neck is/was AWESOME!!! I used it in the bass in my avatar.
Those cheap Warwicks weren't "Rockbasses" but if I ever run across another one like it, I'd probably snag it right up, just for the neck.
Hi.
An opinion across the pond here
It seems to me that when an European manufacturer outsources to Asia, it's way,way worse than when an US manufacturer outsources to Asia. Everyone can decide why's that
IME the Suiers aren't as much "hated" as Epiphones, respectively to their "real" counterparts obviously, since the construction is the same, again obviously.
Fortunately the gear snobbery is (was) somewhat unknown over here, and is generally worse in virtual playgrounds than in real life.
Regards
Sam
Very true on the Europe to Asia as compared to USA to Asia comment. A lot of people just aren't as used to them leaving for Asia too, so they try and boycott the company to prevent a USA-like situation.
