Rockbass Corvette Basic 5-String

[Damrod]

Subject: Warwick Rockbass Corvette Basic 5-String (passive version)
Price: ca. 540 Euro

[URL=http://www.warwick.de/intern/modules/imagedb/vendor/imgdb_getimage.php?imgid=00000003947&width=400&qua lity=100&sharpen=true]Official Picture from the Rockbass-Homepage[/url]

Specs:

- alder body
- maple neck
- rosewood fretboard
- 24 frets
- two MEC Jazz Pickups
- passive (active version available)
- chrome hardware

- frettless and lefthand version available. No change in price.

Basic thoughts on this bass: This is the 'budget' version of the full grown Warwick Corvette. Other than their bigger brothers, the Rockbass models are not produced in Germany. They are produced in the far east (something around China, I forgot which country exactly).

So, what's the difference between the Warwick and Rockbass models? For the Rockbass models different woods and different hardware is used. Different bridge design for example. Still, overall it's on a high level of quality.

The bass is available in various color finishes. The finish looks great, as you can see the structure of the wood through it. Looks really great.

Note: In the US it seems to be available only as active version, and only in two color finishes. At least it's so listed on the american webpage. Here in Europe it's like I mentioned available in passive, and in 6 or 7 color finishes. See the global Webpage www.rockbass.de for details on that.

What I really like about it: The tone is really nice, and the bass has a good feel while playing. Compared to other 5-String basses it's very fair priced for the quality you get. The sound has a good variety, and is good to manipulate via the tone/gain knobs. Everyone should find his sound there, as well as desired tone for certain music genres.

What I don't like about it: Ok, this is one thing I can not yet backup, but I read on some sites on the web, as well as from some folks in the bass forum here: The Corvette models are rumoured to get losened input jacks. It might be that you have to tighten the screws holding the input jack every now and then. It seems to happen on some models, but not on all. Maybe, with newer versions of it, this flaw might already been taken care of. Plus, the wireing seems to suck on some models. Again, I can not back that up till now.

Apart from that wonderfull instrument.

Summary: For the price, you get a good and really decent instrument. The Corvette plays really well and has a nice feel. You may have to get used to it, when you played 4-string like me before, but that works out fast. Be sure though, that you have a good strap. This baby is a bit heavy and can work on your shoulder after longer playing.

The problems mentioned by forum members about the input jack and the wireing... I have not expirienced that till now, but that again I have this bass not that long. Before you buy it, I would suggest that you ask your dealer about it, and what you can do if that happens.

Rating:
3.5 - 4|5

(minus 1 because of the possibility of hardware problems)

[Damrod]

A thing I would like to add:

I expirienced the same problem with my input jack coming lose. I solved it with some hot glue on the nut, after tightening it. Works good, and it can be removed again if necesarry.

[dragoman]

Fixing a loose jack by putting glue on the nut...epoxy?

[aquatique_13]

actually the best way to fix it is to tighten with fingers before playing. it allows there to be no interfrence while playing. but thats just me

[Damrod]

Maybe I have not put that quite clear: I have put the glue on the nut from the inside where the wireing is (and in active models also the battery).

Why I did that was because I got a bit pissed off to always tighten the nut on the outside everytime I played. Since I did the thing with the glue, I had no problems anymore. And I have no sound problems so far.

[Lumberjacker]

Thanks for the review.