Value of banged up German made Warwick

May 15, 2019
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Short version, I have my eye on a German made Warwick Standard STD for $900. It has some scratches and dings which I do t care about if it’s bringing the price down. Doing my own search I can only find German made Warwicks for around $2,000. So it seems great to me. I am not sure what the “standard” means, the Warwick website only list the “LX” and the “Stage” so am wondering is this is discontinued. I’d this is a jump on it kind of deal or a wait and keep your eye out stuff like this pops up all the time let me know. Here’s some pics

Long version - I am coming back to playing music after 18 years after the second band I was in fell apart (1st was drug related death, 2nd more complicated). With no one else to play with I drifted away. Now I have a pull to play again just for myself. Years and years ago I played a Warwick but couldn’t afford it and said someday - and now I can but I can’t find one on the shelves of any music store to play and see what I like! I called the distributor and they said it’s a 7 hour drive to a place that has German Warwicks in stock. So I figure buying a used one is less risk. Who knows I may end up with a Stingray - but real music stores are going away and the only basses I can find are the budget line of the actual bass. Everyone says play them both and see what you like but I am finding that difficult to actually do. Thanks anyone for input.
 

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That is an old Rockbass Warwick. New they retailed for $5-600. Not a real German Warwick, that’s why you can’t find it.

In beat up used shape I would give maybe $??? if it played well.

I do not believe they were made in Germany. I believe they were made in China and setup/assembled in Germany. I may be wrong, but these were bottom of the barrel.
 
That is an old Rockbass Warwick. New they retailed for $5-600. Not a real German Warwick, that’s why you can’t find it.

In beat up used shape I would give maybe $??? if it played well.

I do not believe they were made in Germany. I believe they were made in China and setup/assembled in Germany. I may be wrong, but these were bottom of the barrel.

Based on the neck, which looks like Ovangkal, I'd say it is a German Warwick, but a low end one. I believe the Rockbass line has only come with maple necks, unless I'm way off base.
 
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Based on the neck, which looks like Ovangkal, I'd say it is a German Warwick, but a low end one. I believe the Rockbass line has only come with maple necks, unless I'm way off base.

You aren’t off base. Some rockbasses did have ovangkol necks, I know the Steve Bailey Rockbass does.

I might be wrong about this particular model, but I do believe this was the intro to the Rockbass line.

The pickups, the body wood, and the bridge all scream not a German Warwick to me. While it may well be a German Warwick I wouldn’t expect it to have the desirable “Warwick” tone. I would not settle on this piece.
 
Can't tell if those are bronze frets or durrrtay nickel frets. Either way, it's a Rockbass. $200.

A well used MIG STD Corvette/Streamer goes for $5-700 usually, MIG STD Thumbs and Fortresses a bit more. Often they haven't been waxed in a long time and need it.

Be aware, ~2000-2010 the Standard series had some fat necks. I like them, but they're definitely different.
 
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I have this same bass, Streamer STD...mine is German, but, yes, it's the lower line at that time, a GC purchase. Was a gift to me, but I think at the time '99, it was $800-$900 new. Anemic sounding passive, sounded much better after putting an Aguilar pre in it...I'd hold out for a nicer used Warwick, with the 2 piece bridge setup. That 1 piece bridge bends, mine is lifting (never noticed until I started reading up on that model here)
Good luck, welcome back to the low end!
MJ
 
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I genuinely appreciate y’all taking the time with all the great replies. I’m surprised how fast I got so much good info. Looks like I’ll pass on this one, glad I asked some experts first. Is there a resource that I could do my one research on so that I could answer these type of questions myself? I had no idea to even think about a two piece pick up for example. I figured a German made low end was better than a top end Rockbass. I’ve looked through the Warwick website but there’s not a lot of detail. For example I have the serial here but don’t know where to begin to figure out what it indicates.
 

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(somewhat off topic form OP, sorry)


I got one of these in 2017 from a Guitar Center, but for closer to 800 I think. I love mine, but the one in the store had a ridiculous dead spot on the low D, and possibly other issues. I don't remember much besides that.
I got the store to ship me an identical one from a different location, tested it, and it was everything I had hoped for.
I'd say "try before you buy" with that one. I'm thinking that the rockbass line doesn't have the same level of quality control as their other lines.
 
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