Warwick Rockbass Corvette $$ 4 Custom Shop

Hello hello, long time no see people!

I've just spent some hours on a project, and if you read the title, you are probably already wondering why the hell I wrote "Rockbass CS"

Well, because I just did it.

Long story short: I've made a trade and I retrieve a Rockbass $$ 4 well used. The plan was already in my head; wanted a re-topped PJ Corvette.

I went a little bit too far in the project (as I bought whole new hardware in gold) but for, let's say, a total cost of 500 euros I managed to do this with a very mediocre condition bass (and I don't like $$ basses)

So I think if you're not going as far as me, and for instance keep the original pickups and hardware, it definitely worth to retop your Corvette.

In this case I used a Thuya Burl top (very expensive) and Delano PJ set. It's waiting the MEC 2EQ preamp.

Give me your opinions, and if you're in Europe, I can do the same (just re-top) for about 300 euros all in.

The condition when I get it:


Now:

 

Nice!

 

Looks awesome with the added eyecandy, but it still is a rockbass. I don't know what to think.

 

I forgot to mention that the goal here is not to pretend that a Rockbass is a German Warwick, but only to see what you can do with a simple instrument without too much money involved.

Even if you buy this bass new, the total will be around 1300 euros, and for the same instrument made in the custom shop it'll be like 6000 euros....

Not everyone (including me) can spend so much money for an instrument...

 

I would rather spend more money to buy an used German Warwick.

The Neckwood and Fretboard made of Wenge or Ovangkol for a Corvette are for me far more important than some top wood. Also i insist on bronze Frets which the new Teambuild Basses do not have...

So i will go on and buy only German Warwicks that are from somewhere around the 90s.

After all i have to say, the Bass looks good with the new Top! Needs some good skills to modify a Bass like this.

 

I feel the same. And eventho it does look ace with the new top I just wouldn't spend money on a cosmetic upgrade of a lower end market instrument.

 

I used to have several Warwick basses, and I still have a Streamer LX jazzman with Ovangkol neck. With brass frets of course. And to me it doesn't sound so much better.

Some masterbuilt have maple neck with ekanga veneers like the Rockbass....

But okay, I understand your opinion, even if I don't believe for today's Warwick's, there is not much differences between the cheap and expensive way, except for all the woodcraft and detailing of course...

 

Hi, I like what you have done.
I own a RB Corvette $$ fretless and I think the quality is very good.
Nice thin mape neck with ebony fretboard and a nice Ash body.
and this the only way to change the pick-ups without ending up with holes in the body.

 

Well. I don’t like corvettes.
But this one is nice, and with the pickups upgrade, I’m sure it’ll sound great.
Yes, it’s a Rockbass. And so ? Marco is able to build some great basses, this is more a showcase instrument to expose his craftmanship.
Now, if he did this on a German Corvette, there would have been remarks about modifying an MIG instrument...

 

Nice job

... although, gold hardware, really??

 

I own this bass now!