Corvette Standard Dilemma

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jbvortex

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Hi all!

I am a relatively new bass player and have been playing for just over a year, I really enjoy it and am looking to upgrade my bass. I currently have a cheap Ibanez - which to be fair, has been excellent for the price I paid. However, I have saved a little money, am taking my playing more seriously and want to upgrade.

Due to my budget, I can only afford a Warwick Corvette Standard with a passive/passive set-up. I have tested the ash and bubinga versions and think that both sound great. However, I have also tested an active/active Ibanez EDB700 (similar price range) and don't know which to choose!

I prefer the sound of the Warwick but am concerned that the passive setup might buzz or lose some of that quality when played at a gig/performance level (in other words, at high volume) with other band members involved. I play in my church band and we play contemporary Christian music. I also enjoy playing old Motown stuff and some funk for fun. I really like vintage sounding bass sounds too, which is why i don't mind passive. At the same time, I want a versatile bass that will sound good in my living room or in a full church/gig.

I would really appreciate your help, recommendations or personal experiences with the passive corvette to help me choose between the Ibanez and Warwick.

Many, many thanks!

James
 
Welcome to the place where you've got questions, we've got answers (forget Radio Shack... :lol: )

I've been playing bass for a little over two years (guitar for over 25). I started out on an Ibanez BTB 6-string (yeah, I jumped right in, though I'm a happy 4/5 stringer now). I've messed around on my past bass players' basses over the years, including an Alembic, a Kramer aluminum neck fretless, a Modulus, an old Kubiki (remember those?)...

In my opinion, it's no contest - I'd jump at the bubinga Corvette Std. Bubinga will cut through, especially if you have a good amp. And the growl is to die for (the Ibanez will fall short there for sure!).

The pickups will buzz (that's the nature of passive single-coils), but you can always upgrade when funds permit. Bartolini passive dual in-line Js will eliminate any buzz with no need for a battery; EMG's will be more enhanced/hifi and are active low impedance (they'll drive a long guitar cord and effects better than passive pickups, but the tone is not as natural).

Until you can upgrade, the buzzing isn't loud and will not be noticeable when playing - just turn the volume knob down between songs. You might also notice it on soft, quiet parts...

But again, the Warwick gives you the tone and the quality, and you can upgrade the electronics any time. The Ibanez however, can never be upgraded to give you the tone of a Warwick! That's what makes the Warwick a "no-brainer"!
 
maddrakkett said:
Welcome to the place where you've got questions, we've got answers (forget Radio Shack... :lol: )

I've been playing bass for a little over two years (guitar for over 25). I started out on an Ibanez BTB 6-string (yeah, I jumped right in, though I'm a happy 4/5 stringer now). I've messed around on my past bass players' basses over the years, including an Alembic, a Kramer aluminum neck fretless, a Modulus, an old Kubiki (remember those?)...

In my opinion, it's no contest - I'd jump at the bubinga Corvette Std. Bubinga will cut through, especially if you have a good amp. And the growl is to die for (the Ibanez will fall short there for sure!).

The pickups will buzz (that's the nature of passive single-coils), but you can always upgrade when funds permit. Bartolini passive dual in-line Js will eliminate any buzz with no need for a battery; EMG's will be more enhanced/hifi and are active low impedance (they'll drive a long guitar cord and effects better than passive pickups, but the tone is not as natural).

Until you can upgrade, the buzzing isn't loud and will not be noticeable when playing - just turn the volume knob down between songs. You might also notice it on soft, quiet parts...

But again, the Warwick gives you the tone and the quality, and you can upgrade the electronics any time. The Ibanez however, can never be upgraded to give you the tone of a Warwick! That's what makes the Warwick a "no-brainer"!
Click to expand...

I have to agree. I just ordered the Bartolinis. They were $130 for the pair. Go for the Warwick...
 
Thanks a lot for that maddrakkett!

What you said about changing the pickups in the future is also great. Knowing that I could upgrade my bass in the future, rather than buying a completely new bass makes a lot more sense! Definitely swinging me towards the Warwick with your comments!

Thanks again!

James
 
also owned a btb 5 ibanez .. and is far from the corvette. you'll have a quality bass, and you can buy him a new pair of bartolinis if you want it quiet.

it will last forever, and you'll feel the rafinement in your hands.

go for warwick! :D
 
I have a corvette standard bubinga which is fully passive - lovely bass. :D
 
I've played a few Ibanez's, and the Warwick I have now blows all of them out of the water. Electronics can always be ugpraded :D.
 
Thank you very much for the input guys! I am going to go for the Warwick and will post again when I get it... just another quick question about the Bartolini passive dual in-line J's - are they easy to install? I don't fancy drilling new holes through a new bass!

Once again, thanks everyone for the feedback! It was extremely helpful!

James
 
They should fit, be careful what model you chose.
 
i managed to squeeze my SD short pickup into the long neck cavity. the screws are at a slight angle but no problems so far ;)
 
My Bartolini Dual In-Line Js came as a pair - one long and one short - and they were a direct, perfect fit and the way the passive MEC electronics are set up on a circuit board, it was super easy to solder the wires right in.

Make sure to buy them as a set or at least to get one long and one short. They don't come with screws, but you just simply use the screws from the Warwick/MEC pickups you're replacing.
 
I have a Vett ash body with passive pups and I love it.I don't like the skinny necks that come on the Ibanez's and the construction isn't on par with Warwick.I haven't had any problems with hum from the passive pups.And I like the way Warwick laid out the controls Vol-balance-tone.I don't like dual vol controls.I would go with the Vett hands down. :D
 
there is no doubt in this anwer....Warwick.


I have an old Ibanez that the neck bowed so bad that the truss rod even broke on it. their quality is way far from Warwick. Also with Warwicks you get excellent customer support (like the forum) and also the Ibanez will always sound like a copy of an original instrument, whereas Warwick will do the growl plus also come very close to those other sounds.

No doubt...Warwick for sure, can't go wrong. I started with 1 warwick 3 months ago and now I have one I will be getting Friday and another one coming in early next week (Rockbass).

I am watching another RB and also another Vette bubinga so I guess the family will keep on growing.

Once I saw and player Warwick...have determined never look back. Now I am selling all my other basses (Dean & OLP) to get Warwicks.
 
Warwick vs Ibinhad? No contest mate, get a real bass.
 
Warwick Wins......again and again.

Ibanez....... (silent crows and crickets chirping).......

Enjoy the Wick before it posesses you and you turn to the dark side and get to where I am that you don't want to even talk about other brands of basses or not even WASTE money on any other brand IMHO.

Wick will not let you down. I tried a passive Vette fretless and just because it was a 4 and not 5 string I had to return it (yes I had to buy it but after 3 days at home enjoying it) I had to come to senses and realize this would only get sweeter by adding an extra string (which this by the way is a resolution of 2008...Vette fretless 5 :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: , yeah!!)

Hear it coming maybe in the summer time.

Congrats on the Vette.
 
jbvortex said:
Hi!

I picked up my new bubinga Corvette yesterday and love it! Thanks for the recommendations - it was definitely the right choice and it's hard to put it down! :D

James
Click to expand...

You are right! hard to put it down is not enough, maybe ..

"Will not be able to put it down at all and want to sleep playing it" is more accurate.

Have sweet Wic's bubinga dreams
 
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