Review Demo - Warwick RockBass Corvette Basic 8

Warwick basses are known for a signature midrange growl that’s been heard on stages around the world, and for helping define the sound of such players as Norwood Fisher, 311’s P-Nut, and jazzer-turned-educator Steve Bailey. For many players, however, the upper-echelon price of a Warwick instrument built in the company’s Markneukirchen, Germany, facility is prohibitively expensive. Warwick realized this years ago, and introduced the RockBass line—manufactured in China—to bring their body styles and tone closer to the masses. Most recently, they’ve rolled out a bass that doubles the 4-string fun: the RockBass Corvette Basic 8.

Let’s ponder the merits of an 8-string bass for a moment. The concept isn’t a new one, but an octaved bass is an acquired taste for some. What are the benefits? Creativity, for one. Whether you are a 4- or 5-string player, an 8-string can push your playing in a totally different direction. If your band doesn’t have a rhythm guitarist, an 8-string bass can help fill the holes (just ask Noel Redding and Sting). And if you are an octave-pedal junkie, an 8-string bass might appeal to you since there aren’t many pedals that can truly track like the real thing.

The Corvette body design is popular in Warwick circles thanks to its blend of balance and expression that pushes past traditional body shapes. Our test model arrived finished in nirvana black—the only color available for the Basic 8. It’s a transparent-satin finish that allows just a little bit of the wood grain of the alder body to bleed through, and it’s a fitting color choice for what seems to be a bass that leans toward edgier players.

[DMSProduktions]

This would be a good bass in a power trio, it would fill the sound out well.

[visionsofbeyond]

As a huge Manowar and Overkill fan, I would absolutely love to own one of these, so many great songs to play on this.

[TempoDrift]

You know what gets said too much? YouTubers saying "let's jump right into it"...

[livingabovetheth]

Gotta get some proper gain on that beast and go tom Peterson style

[brian]

Time to play some Kings X bass riffs with that!

[gab.lab.martins]

Should have begun with "Jeremy".

[Junior]

This sound is similar to Bajo Sexto a 12 strings bass Adding 2 higher strings, the C and the F

[marktheelf]

50 years ago i played Hangstrom and Ampeg basses with 8 string! Anyone did the same?

[frmcf]

Why don't you recommend opening the battery compartment when it's switched on? What's going to happen???

[JendaHrbac]

Is that Alanis @ 3:30 or is it something else?

[daltonlunden]

How do you go about tuning that? Is each stringer like the regular EADG?

[kdavisongalvis]

What kind of strings are used in this 8 string bass?

[david_onbass]

WARNING! I just tried this bass at 2018 NAMM - the string spacing is horrible... the pairs are spaced way too far apart! My finger tips kept slipping in between the the strings, thus not fretting properly.. I would never buy this bass unless the bridge saddles and the nut were filed to bring the string pairs MUCH closer together, like a Hamer 8 string. Come on Warwick, get it right!

[Phillyfast]

Where can you find one of these things? I've looked all over the place.

[TempoDrift]

I wonder if The Romantics used an 8 string in Talking In Your Sleep?

[dr.riccardo]

Tosin called, He wants his thumb back.

[tailnotale]

Tune up a little better before doing a demo.

[bustedfender]

...or keep your decent bass and buy a sub n up for a fraction of the price and not be stuck with a faddy gimmick?

[steikturlaukur]

He looks like a knockoff ryan martinie

[stuart]

Speak up consistently, and slow down.