
RockBass by Warwick Vampyre Electric Bass
2-band active electronics. Alder body. Maple neck.
Overall User Ratings (based on 104 ratings)
Submitted February 14, 2007 by a customer from comcast.net
"Warwick Vampyre Bass has High quality for lower dollars!!"
It should last me a couple of years until I can afford a Quilted flame maple top hand crafted Warwick Vampire. I think as far as being a musical tool this version basically does the same thing as the over priced USA Hand crafted modles. It was made in China and I am impressed with the off shore quality control. I have been impressed with the guitars lately also that have been made in China.
They are made right and supervised strict it seems.
Sound
I gave it a 10 because it has the same electronics as the high $$ version. Sound ties in too with what your running it with. I am using two Randal V-Max Guitar heads into a couple of 4X12 Krank Dime signature cabinets. Not a Bass rig but it sounds to me like I would be willing to run this up against any Bass set up period.
Features
The Warwick Vampyre didn't come with any wrenches or anything. However it came with a nice thick soft case that was inside the cardboard box it was shipped with. No owners manual. I personally felt like I really didn't need an owners manual. The instrument spoke for itself.
Ease of Use
It can be easy. Again this depends on the person and their experience with amps and guitars too. There always seems to be a myth regarding Bass Amps and then the world of guitar amps. My friend has a beautiful Ampeg stack with 8 10" speakers and it has EQ settings and all. it sounds great. But so does my two Randall V-Max heads with their EQ's and my two Krank cabinets of 4 12" speakers. People will talk of differences but to me the only difference that matters is the idiot holding the instrument.
Quality
I give it a 10 for it's class. An Alder body. No major hand crafted quilted flamed maple but so what. It is cut well and I wanted to break away from all the traditional base designs. Again it has a sweet electronic pick up system. The neck is made very well and has a nice solid bolt on system like I have never seen before. The keys in the head stock say "Made in Germany" on them and are very precesion! It's ballance is even. The neck feels nice and narrow and it gives me confort way up high or sliding along or just thumping around and touching root notes. All I did was take an alen wrench and lower the saddles on the bridge to where I wanted and I didn't need to do any truss rod adjustment or level or recrown any frets. I have played regular lead guitar for 28 years and this Bass is a blast! If you like the look you will like the action and quality in my opinion.
Value
Yes it is worth is $$ by far.
Manufacturer Support
I have never had to deal with Warwick but I have heard good things from other people in regards to needed service. I gave em a 10 for building a good product and being around for a long time. In the Bass world Warwick is a big name. And I sure didn't need any help with this Vampyre. I was just hoping that it would play real nice and feel real good in action and it did for me pretty much out of the box.
The Wow Factor
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And again it depends on how good one may look in General who is standing on a stage with it or sitting in a studio with it or. I gave it a 10 because that is what I behold. It for the $$ was a very cool design and it let me get away from the regular bass designs that everyone seems to manufacture for the $$
Musical Background:
Active Musician for over 20 years.
Musical Style:
Rock-Hard Rock-Harder Rock-Blues-Adapted Grooves etc...
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Submitted November 23, 2004 by a customer from hotmail.com
"The Warwick Rockbass Vampyre"
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I think i've said enough. If your looking for a diverse bass for any kinda playing style then this is for you. its Warwick quality and its relible and well made. Its definetly and investment for any decent bas splayer out there. Its a good buy and its worth more than it sells for. You couldn't ask for more...Unless of course you go all out and buy the Wawrick Neck Thru Limited Vampyre for a extra
Sound
Deep lows, and crispy highs. You can get any kinda sound you want with this bass, it's especially ideal for getting a nice treble sound, ideal for heavy metal. I'm very impressed.
Features
I'm not to keen on the chrome volume knobs etc, but still they work and you can rely on them to keep working. The body its self is well crafted and the bolt on neck is firm, and it gives the bass an amzing strong sound. The bass has the standard Warwick machine heads, these are very good. You can rely on your bass to stay in tune with these. The rose wood finger board is pretty tough too. All in all, for its price range you get great value for money, and nothing really needs to be changed.
Quality
The Warwick Vampyre is extremly well made. You would think that by its shape it wouldn't balance. But it does and it balances perfectly. The body is kinda heavy, but you don't really notice that much when its strapped on to you. The rose wood neck is smooth and playable and its pleasing to run your fingers and thumb along it. The chrome knobs are also very tough, they look a bit happy but they are reliable. The machine heads are warwick issue and very good quality. All in all this product is well made, and the best in its class of rockbass.
Value
Yeah, this product is definiately worth its cash. You get great sounds and great manufacturing skills. I couldn't really complain.
Manufacturer Support
Warwick are an extremely decent company. They're very easy to reach and very friendly. Any repairs or queries you have they'll sort it out for you. It's always good to have a company you can rely on.
The Wow Factor
Well, need i say anything. Just look at it. It just makes you think 'Wow' and you just wanna get it in your arms, and then when you do, its even nicer, fitting in your arms like a snuggle and looking deadly aggresive....What i'm trying to say this bass has the sex appeal and bass player wants. The deep black and gorgeous body design are to kill for. You could own this bass for display and display only if you wanted too. But why do that when it plays as good as it looks huh?
Musical Background:
In a heavy metal band
Musical Style:
Heavy metal (mainly)
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Submitted February 12, 2005 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Rock on Warwick."
Unbeatable. The only bass that I would rather have would be the warwick Vampyre LTD (which is just the highend version of this one). It's the nicest bass in its price range and it steps outside its price range in most aspects.
Sound
This is by far the nicest sounding bass under a grand that I have ever played. To tell you the truth it competes pretty heavily for some basses I've played that cost over a grand.
Features
Active Electronics are kickass, the tuning machines are mint. All I love everything about it. The only thing about the bass that bothers me a little is that they don't have the adjustable nut like the hightend warwicks. The only reason I say that, however, is because I my nut is messed up and needs repair.
Quality
I have yet to have a problem with it that wasn't my fault. The knobs are holding up perfectly, the neck is firm. The entire bass is a quality product.
Value
I'm absolutely amazed at how nice of a product Warwick put out at such a low cost. I said it before and I stand by it, this bass is as nice as some basses I've played with $1000+ price tags.
Manufacturer Support
Well... I've really had no need for support, but the website is awesome and I learned a lot when I was first starting from the lessons on the start. I suggest these lessons to any new player www.warwick.com
The Wow Factor
This is a sexy beast and its sound excedes its looks. When it was first delivered, I plucked a string before even taking it out of the box and I got chills.
Musical Background:
All around musician with expertise in Bass and Guitar
Musical Style:
Rock, Metal, Alternative
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Submitted August 11, 2006 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Jazzy sound with Goth look"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I don't ever keep basses very long. I am saving up for a much higher end (and more expensive) Ken Smith. but this bass should keep me until I have the money for the Smith.
Sound
For the price, the bass is a 10. Great Bridge pick-up sound, just boost the bass a little and you get this marvelous Jaco sound with a nice booming mid-range. With both pick-ups, you get a very tight slap sound, almost a little too clean. The neck pick-up by itself is a little boring and keeps this from being a 10. Of course the bass should sound good; alder body, three piece maple with rosewood fretboard, just like a jazz.
Features
I didn't get any accessories if it was supposed to come with some. The Rockbasses seem pretty basic but provide good tone and, for me, a more playable neck than the German Warwicks. But there are a lot of corners that are cut.
Ease of Use
This is a 9.9. The neck is excellent, very straight, not too thin or too thick and the body is cut so that upper fret access is easy. If the neck was a little wider, I could dig in a little better for slaps but it will do.
Quality
It is not terrible but it doesn't have the screw inserts like most basses so changing the battery a few times may tear up the wood and prevent the screws from holding. Also the battery just "floats" in the compartment and could damage the electronics. The other hardware seems fine and works well. I still need to set up intonation. It is definitely off on the upper frets. I just hope that there isn't a problem with fret placement.
Value
For the money, it is a lot of bass. Well worth the price. Actually, I think the price is right.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't dealt with the company but my local dealer is excellent. I don't have any worries.
The Wow Factor
If you like Goth looks and jazzy sound, than this is your bass. I am definitely not into the look of the bass but the tone and playability won me on making the purchase.
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
acoustic rock, contemporary christian, jazz/funk flavor
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Submitted September 12, 2004 by a customer from hotmail.com
"This is one of the best basses that I've ever come to play and in my opinion it's a must have for anyone that is serious about t"
Over all this is one of the best basses that I've ever come to play and in my opinion it's a must have for anyone that is serious about their bass playing!! There is very little that I disliked about this bass.
Sound
The sound is very sleek and sharp. It has a very diffinative and crisp tone. I've played manny basses and this bass has the best sound I've heard yet!!
Features
I Loved the drop tone and kickback abilities that this Warwick Bass has!!
Quality
In my opinion, it's one of the best crafted basses that Warwick has manufactured of all time...
The Wow Factor
In my opinion this is the "Ideal" bass... Very Sleek, Sharp and Sexy Design... Not to mention the most sound you could hope for in a bass!!
Musical Background:
Bassist, Back Up Vocals, Recorder, Mixer
Musical Style:
Goth Metal
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Submitted October 7, 2006 by a customer from comcast.net
"sinister vapyre's bite is sharp and precise"
my bass collection is complete
Sound
i can get any sound i am going after when using this guitar. i love its growl and sustain
Features
no it did not include any accessories and i like the active pickups very much
Ease of Use
unfortunately i didnt recieve a manual with the guitar. it took me a minute to get the knobs figured out but after that it was very playble.
Quality
i havent dropped it yet, but it feels very durable
Value
its not a typical looking guitar, gets lots of attention and is very competive as far as getting the job done
Manufacturer Support
wont send out manual for guitar unless you give up $$
The Wow Factor
love at first site, this is unique and very tough looking
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
metal
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Submitted June 8, 2023 by a customer from hotmail.co.uk
"I am soo happy "
I was given this bass by my best friend, I wasn’t blown away by its looks at first, BUT WOW as soon as I played it I fell for it, Then I plugged it into my Ashdown amplifier and I fell in love with it, It has the active sound that I have needed, I have a Hofner 500/3 for double bass ish tone and a Squier V string Jazz for a passive bass sound, So I now have a full arsenal of bass sounds for my music production !!!
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