MusicRadar

• Review
• Manufacturer's Description

Yet again we are faced with German manufacturing expertise and are once more in awe of the sheer attention to detail that Warwick consistently provides.

It's not just the general build quality, although this is high, but something that is apparent within every piece of hardware, component, nut, screw and ball end that is employed. And that degree of overall precision and detail is bound to have an effect on the instrument as a whole.

Design and construction

The $$ (Double Buck) is the latest addition to the highly popular Corvette range so the styling is well tried and tested, but here we have the benefit of neck-through body construction. Another trademark feature of Warwick is the oil/wax finish and on this particular model the wood is just so natural and organic you can almost feel the tree from which it was cut. The downsized body not only reduces weight but also enhances the comfort and the whole playing experience. The bass also has exceptional balance and a two-octave complement of frets on the wenge fretboard, so playability is extremely enjoyable.

Although the body wings on this particular model are made from bubinga, a swamp ash option is also available and that will provide a different quality to the sound, of course. However, the cherry on the cake for us is the twin-pickup configuration from which the bass gets its nickname.

Whatever the material choice for the body may be, the main source of sound shaping comes from this impressive pairing of MM-style humbuckers. Although the control circuitry is active, these are actually passive MEC units situated closely together and roughly positioned equally spaced between the bridge and the neck. Each pickup is provided with its own three-way mini switch that offers a choice of series/parallel/ single-coil sound then is adjusted further by the two-band EQ.

Being endowed with an ultra slim neck and a nut width more similar to classic Fender Jazz dimensions, this will obviously appeal to a great many players. The instrument also presents generous string spacing for such a small-bodied bass, and there’s a Just-A-Nut system that allows for highly accurate string height adjustment: a great addition.

So although this may look like yet another variation of the already vast Corvette range, its pickup arsenal and unique circuitry means there is a lot more to discover here than you'd imagine. The reason there are so many variations of the Corvette, of course, is simply that it has proven its worth in style, adaptability and popularity.

In use

There’s little point employing the Double Buck presentation unless you fully exploit those humbuckers to the best of their abilities, and that is precisely what Warwick has set out to do with this bass. We’re pleased to report that in spite of this very comprehensive circuit, the distinctive tone associated with all Warwick's bass models is still present.