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Why do people hate/shun warwick rockbasses?

#61
The Warwicks I've owned and currently own.
Streamer Jazzman 2009 Sold it
Streamer $$ 2008 Sold it
Corvette Standard 2008
Corvette Standard 2009
Corvette $$ 2009 Sold it
RB Corvette active 2009
RB Corvette 5 passive Currently for sale but I wouldn't be mad at keeping it
2x RB Streamer standard
RB Corvette Active 2007 (one piece bridge) Sold it
RB Streamer Standard B-Stock Sold it

I love Warwick basses but despise their pricing structure. Changing to $$ electronics is a $600-800 upgrade and they don't even shield the control cavity? The fact Warwick does not shield a $3000 bass is mind blowing. I loved my Streamer Jazzman but it was the noisiest bass I have ever played. My Iphone caused crazy interference. I seriously had to keep my phone at least 10 to 15 feet away from that bass. I realized the main sound that I liked from the Jazzman was similar to my Corvette and sold it.
Overall I think the Rockbasses are a great value and don't differ that much from their German cousins in tone and playability. My experience with 6 Rockbasses has been outstanding. Each one was well set up out of the box and have been a joy to play. The tonal differences comparing German Corvette to RB are minimal. The set up and playability of the German models has been a little better overall but it really hasn't been that big of a difference. Although I bought all my RB's new I did not pay over $400 for any of them.
 
#62
I just got out of my first recording session with the rb corvette... wow, way better than my MIM fender j's and p's (non-squire).... waaaaaaay better

crystal clear solid punch and growl

i'm now looking for a german one!
 
#63
Trust your own opinion of a guitar or amp. You'll rarely find agreement here. Even if you do, it may conflict with your own opinion. What good is that for you?

Form your opinion from what you value. Your need (any other bass(es)?), preference (cosmetics, tone, playability, ergonomics?), circumstance (budget, hobbyist, student, road warrior, studio pro?), experience (musical, purchasing, setup?), and opportunity (other instruments to compare and contrast in person?) are the most important factors.

Find a bass you like. Play it for a long time, and focus on your music. Best!
 
#65
RCCollins said:
there's nothing wrong with a rockbass, but here's the thing - you can get a used German Warwick for $600, sometimes even less, if you poke around. So why pay that much for an overseas bass that happens to be new?

I do understand that the new Rockbasses (with the "W" headstock and 2-piece bridge) are even closer to the big W-Warwicks, but still...

Also, I like the old ones with wenge necks the best
Click to expand...
This.
 
#69
jacksonguy95 said:
To the dudes that say they wouldnt be caught dead with a cheaper bass, did you ever take into consideration some people dont really have that kind of pocket money? these basses are great for my budget being im only 15.
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To a true hard-core gear snob lack of funds is no excuse - you should borrow, beg or steal whatever you have to in order to afford a 20,000 dollar bass. Basically if it doesn't cost more than your car, it's just a toy they'd be embarassed to be seen with.
 
#72
M0ses said:
Here's a better question: does ANYONE use a Warwick amp? I don't think I've ever seen one mentioned on TB.
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I use a warwick amp - a Warwick Pro FET 2.0,
it's 125 watts into 8 ohms, and 250 into 4. The thing is heavy, with a big torroidal transformer on it. I plug it into the warwick 410 pro cab. This thing is a BEAST for 125 watts, it punches through the mix with a lot of clarity, and you can dial in an interesting array of tones with the 4 band EQ with variable mids. This is a discontinued model, made in something like '94 or '98 I think, I haven't looked at the dates on the back for a while, but it was made in Germany. I've heard that the new Pro FET 3 (300 watts @ 4 ohms) is kinda quiet, and even crapped out on some people, but my experience with my amp is excellent. My only complaint is that when I use my Jazz and set the EQ flat, the tone is too trebly and I don't get enough bottom-end out of it, when I use my bud's warmoth parts bass with just the P-pickup the thing sounds perfect.

edit: I just saw this after posting, but I'm thinking of getting a higher powered head and a 115 cab, so if you could tell me how the ProFET 5.1 when you get it, that would be much appreciated.
 
#74
I love my Rockbass Fortress. I've had more expensive gear and cheaper gear and all in all, I haven't found anything I like better that doesn't cost twice as much.
The reason they make a lot of different brands and models of basses- because different people like different stuff. It's nice having something unusual instead of just another P bass or P bass copy.
 
#75
Need2KnowBasses said:
The Warwicks I've owned and currently own.
Streamer Jazzman 2009 Sold it
Streamer $$ 2008 Sold it
Corvette Standard 2008
Corvette Standard 2009
Corvette $$ 2009 Sold it
RB Corvette active 2009
RB Corvette 5 passive Currently for sale but I wouldn't be mad at keeping it
2x RB Streamer standard
RB Corvette Active 2007 (one piece bridge) Sold it
RB Streamer Standard B-Stock Sold it

I love Warwick basses but despise their pricing structure. Changing to $$ electronics is a $600-800 upgrade and they don't even shield the control cavity? The fact Warwick does not shield a $3000 bass is mind blowing. I loved my Streamer Jazzman but it was the noisiest bass I have ever played. My Iphone caused crazy interference. I seriously had to keep my phone at least 10 to 15 feet away from that bass. I realized the main sound that I liked from the Jazzman was similar to my Corvette and sold it.
Overall I think the Rockbasses are a great value and don't differ that much from their German cousins in tone and playability. My experience with 6 Rockbasses has been outstanding. Each one was well set up out of the box and have been a joy to play. The tonal differences comparing German Corvette to RB are minimal. The set up and playability of the German models has been a little better overall but it really hasn't been that big of a difference. Although I bought all my RB's new I did not pay over $400 for any of them.
Click to expand...

All warwick electronics are shielded with some sort of shielding paint. My thumb is noise free.
 
#78
recreate.me said:
I have seen lots of basses, this video is amazing, the band is super talented, and the bassist plays a Rock Bass, through a Peavey. Scary to some, but i love the tone, and he sounds amazing. So much greatness in this whole thing. WATCH IT.

Click to expand...


that makes me think of pomegranate tiger, from what I've heard they're a good band. I'm sure you've heard of them.

Although to actually post on the topic, I really have nothing against the warwick rockbasses, I just can't stand the feel of the neck finish, the same thing goes for most newer maple bass necks though - squiers, fenders, EBMM, peavey, Ibanez, and others all seem to be employing this finish that is completely different from the poly finish on my Jazz neck, so when I play them I feel really out of my element for some reason. I dunno, maybe I'm crazy.
 
#79
staccatogrowl said:
Trust your own opinion of a guitar or amp. You'll rarely find agreement here. Even if you do, it may conflict with your own opinion. What good is that for you?

Form your opinion from what you value. Your need (any other bass(es)?), preference (cosmetics, tone, playability, ergonomics?), circumstance (budget, hobbyist, student, road warrior, studio pro?), experience (musical, purchasing, setup?), and opportunity (other instruments to compare and contrast in person?) are the most important factors.

Find a bass you like. Play it for a long time, and focus on your music. Best!
Click to expand...

This is one of the best posts I've read on Talk Bass.
:) :) :) :) :)
 
#80
LilloEsquilo said:
To a true hard-core gear snob lack of funds is no excuse - you should borrow, beg or steal whatever you have to in order to afford a 20,000 dollar bass. Basically if it doesn't cost more than your car, it's just a toy they'd be embarassed to be seen with.
Click to expand...

Thank God someone actually GETS IT! Thank you thank you thank you :hyper:

P.S. -2 spelling points Embarrassed
 

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