Warwick 5-string

[Timsan]

I reckon a good alternative 5-string could be a Rockbass Corvette copy.

Either single coils:
http://static.musiciansfriend.com/derivates/19/001/410/177/DV020_Jpg_Jumbo_582367.010_natural.jpg
Alder body
3-piece maple neck
Rosewood fingerboard
34" scale
24 frets
Passive J/J pickups
Active Electronics:
- Volume
- Blend
- 2-band EQ

Or humbuckers ("Double Buck"):
http://admin.proaudiostar.com/media/catalog/product/w/a/war-crvttedbp5-nsf_1_1.jpg
Ash body
Maple neck
Rosewood fingerboard
34" scale
24 frets
2 Passive MEC MM-Style pickups
Passive electronics
- 2x Volume (Push/Pull for pickup splitting)
- 1 x Tone control

[Timsan]

Personally I think the double-humbucker model would be a bit more do-able, since the active electronics on the single-coil model would bump the price up a bit.

I've had a play on one of these before. The split-coil humbuckers along with their positioning offer a great range of tones. Interested to see what the PBG community think!

[Bass Guy]

Love the idea, but I think there maybe licensing issues with Warwick. I say this based on the fact there are no Warwick-shaped knock-offs from other manufacturers around the traps. They also hold a lot of patents on their nut and bridge designs.

It may not be an issue- and I would personally love a double-bucker bass- but possibly tread with caution?

[Brendan]

Like the thinking Tim...
Would something more IB-5ish with 2 x PBH-4 humbuckers and a paddle headstock be close enough? Body shapes aren't exact, but somewhat close - that way I think it would be potentially do able by our friends in the land of the long white smog. Like the idea though, but am more interested in a range of different body shapes... As for the active electronics in the single coils - kit could come with passives and leave people space to add actives if they want to via ToneMonster kits...

[Timsan]

My thoughts exactly. I had seen a Chinese fakie or two of the Corvette around the traps (on Aliexpress.com IIRC), but that sort of kit would probably be illegal to sell on in Australia.

I like the Corvette $$ for it's pickup positions and the coil splitting. It doesn't need to look like a Corvette at all to have these features, so an IB shape or a generic shape along the lines of Zon, Spector or even a G&L would do the trick nicely.

It looks like G&L have a couple of models with the double humbuckers, but not the same positioning as the Corvette $$.
http://adirondackguitar.com/electricbass/g_and_l/5string_sb.jpg
http://adirondackguitar.com/electrics/g_and_l/13/rh_savannah/SAV_ASATB-600.jpg