Just played an RB $$ 5-string

eastcoasteddie

eastcoasteddie

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and I have to say...

HOLY $H!T!
frickin awesome bass, man. If I didn't know it was an RB model, I'd be fooled into thinking it was a Read-Deal 'wick.

The one I played was Nirvana Black. So sweet.

Although I'm not a "passive bass" kind of guy, I did find the sounds you get are very nice. I really like the coil-tap series/parallel switches. I'd prefer if it were active, though.

The fit & finish is MUCH better than my '03 model.

If I could afford it, I'd get it.

Would Warwick be kind enough to send me one for testing purposes......and then let me keep it for my troubles?
 
Hey man, hate to break it to you but the $$ has an active preamp ;)
 
Pedro said:
Hey man, hate to break it to you but the $$ has an active preamp ;)
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not in the Rock Bass. I opened the control cavity (has the tool-less cover just like the Real 'wicks) and there was no battery. Only 3 pots and wiring to connect them together.
I've dabbled in preamp changes, converting active to passive (& vice versa) enough to know the difference.:(

On the Rock Bass, at least the one I played, you get 3 pots. One Volume for each pickup and a Master Tone.
The Vol pots have push/pull switches for series/parallel wiring of each individual pickup. With this option, you do get a good variety of tones from a passive instrument, but if it were active, it would be better....

I know that the Made in Germany $$ has an active preamp, and the series/parallel switches are separate toggles.
 
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It has a maple neck and rosewood fretboard, right? I have to try one at some point...
 
EVOLVEBASS said:
It has a maple neck and rosewood fretboard, right? I have to try one at some point...
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yes, the maple neck is 4-piece with black veneer separating the pieces. Looks very handsome if I may say so myself...

My '03 is a 3-piece neck, no veneer.:((
 
Is your '03 an RB or $$?

EDIT: Nevermind... I just realized the $$ came out in '04.
 
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The first pic was natural sunlight, the 2nd is incandescent lamps. The sun really brings out that Blue, don't it???
 
Absolutely. The second thing that occurs to me looking at it is just how lost I'd be without frets! :lol:
 
I just played a RB $$ yesterday and it was the first RB I had ever played. I was amazed to say the least. I wanted to steal it. I REALLY like the passive electronics. It sounded mean and growly. I never liked the WW $$. I always found it difficult to find a half way decent tone that I can actually use. But this RB.....WOW!!! No matter what you do with the knobs it sounds like there's a lion behind you ready to pounce.
 
nizzrooster said:
I never liked the WW $$. I always found it difficult to find a half way decent tone that I can actually use...
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Assuming you mean the (ovangkol neck) bolt-on version $$, and as a guy that has owned a few, I'll suggest that for most players dual humbuckers on ash works a whole lot better with a maple neck...
 
EVOLVEBASS said:
Assuming you mean the (ovangkol neck) bolt-on version $$, and as a guy that has owned a few, I'll suggest that for most players dual humbuckers on ash works a whole lot better with a maple neck...
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You're right. The BO $$. I've never played a NT. That's probably a different beast all together. A maple neck would brighten things up and that's exactly what the $$ needs, IMO.
 
nizzrooster said:
You're right. The BO $$. I've never played a NT. That's probably a different beast all together. A maple neck would brighten things up and that's exactly what the $$ needs, IMO.
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It definitely does. And even moreso on the LTD 2009... that olive top is like having an ebony fretboard as far as adding some highs and giving clarity...
 
eastcoasteddie said:
It's an RB Corvette Standard Fretless, active
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wow, that fingerboards insane!:eek:
my RB does the same with the colour of the body... i play it at a gig and its a very light blue and wen i play it at home it seems nearly black.
just depends on the surrounding lights i guess
 
I just played the RB passive Vette 4 & 5, man! It was very nice, I hadn't played RB before... very impressed. Is this the new neck profile? If so, I want the fatty back.
 
EVOLVEBASS said:
Assuming you mean the (ovangkol neck) bolt-on version $$, and as a guy that has owned a few, I'll suggest that for most players dual humbuckers on ash works a whole lot better with a maple neck...
Click to expand...


Good to know, I wuz considering buying a WW chicken (buck buck, say it out loud) but I'll save me pennies. I'm still liking the new Vampyre.
 
I dropped into my local GC for a new mic, and tested out the new RB's. VERY NICE. That $$ is indeed passive, but packs as much woof as my G&L. I like the controls of the "basic" model as well (JJ pickups, volume/blend/neck tone/bridge tone), which, to me, seems to offer a bit more reliable flexibility than the standard 3-controls of a J-style bass. Of course, I'd still probably throw in hotter pickups.
 
Wow so from what I see, Warwick got rid of all the reasons NOT to buy a RB. Is that even a JAN I see in the pictures?!
 
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