Warwick
Since 1982
Warwick was founded on September 13, 1982, by Hans-Peter Wilfer in Markneukirchen, Germany—the heart of Europe's instrument-making region. Wilfer, son of Framus Guitars founder Fred Wilfer, built Warwick to become Europe's premier bass guitar manufacturer. The Thumb Bass (1985), discovered and championed by legendary bassist Jack Bruce, established Warwick's reputation worldwide. With the Corvette, Streamer, and Infinity lines, Warwick offers German-crafted basses that combine exotic tonewoods with innovative electronics. The company also revived the Framus guitar brand and operates the Warwick Music Academy.
44
Years in Business
500K+
Guitars Sold
$30M+
Annual Revenue
Complete Warwick Guitar Guide
Comprehensive buying guide, price analysis, model comparisons, and expert insights to help you understand everything about Warwick guitars.
Warwick Price Overview
Warwick covers a wide range of instruments from entry-level to professional models. Typical used prices vary by condition, series and year. Higher-end USA models and limited editions retain value better than mass-market lines, while rare or vintage pieces often command significant premiums.
When evaluating value, consider originality (pickups, hardware), structural condition (neck, frets, finish) and documentation (serials, receipts, setup reports). Price dispersion across platforms is common; local stores offer service and inspection, whereas online marketplaces provide broader selection and price transparency.
For detailed buying advice, model comparisons and condition-based pricing, read the full guide linked above.
Market Overview
Average Price
$950
+4% vs last year
eBay Listings
1,100
Active listings
Sold This Month
220
+3% vs last month
Price Range
$200-$8,000
Current market range
Data sourced from eBay, Reverb, and Guitar Center used listings
Warwick Timeline
Warwick Founded
Hans-Peter Wilfer founded Warwick in Markneukirchen, Germany. The first instrument was the TV Bass.
Streamer Debuts
Introduced the Streamer bass at the Frankfurt Music Show—a neck-through design that became a Warwick icon.
Thumb Bass Revolution
Launched the Thumb Bass—compact body with 26-fret access. Jack Bruce's adoption established worldwide recognition.
Corvette Standard
Released the Corvette—a more affordable bolt-on design that brought the Warwick sound to a wider audience.
Custom Shop Expansion
Expanded the German Custom Shop to offer bespoke instruments with exotic tonewoods and personalized specifications.
Framus Revival
Revived his father's Framus guitar brand, producing handcrafted electric guitars alongside Warwick basses.
RockBass Line
Launched the RockBass series—affordable Asian-made basses bringing the Warwick aesthetic to entry-level players.
GPS & Teambuilt Series
Introduced German Pro Series (GPS) and Teambuilt series, offering factory German-made instruments at mid-tier prices.
Warwick Music Academy
Opened the Warwick Music Academy in Markneukirchen, combining instrument manufacturing with music education.
Infinity Returns
Reintroduced the Infinity series with updated electronics and exotic tonewood options.
Complete Warwick Product Lineup
Warwick: Germany's finest bass guitars since 1982—from the Thumb to the Custom Shop
German Custom Shop
Handcrafted bespoke instruments
Custom single-cut at ~$4,000-$8,000
Custom neck-through at ~$4,500-$7,000
Premium custom at ~$5,000+
Bespoke instruments at ~$6,000+
German Pro / Teambuilt
Factory German-made instruments
Bolt-on Thumb at ~$1,800-$2,500
Dual humbucker at ~$1,600-$2,200
Neck-through at ~$2,000-$3,000
Semi-acoustic at ~$1,800-$2,500
RockBass (Import)
Asian-made affordable series
Entry Corvette at ~$500-$700
Affordable Streamer at ~$600-$800
Import Thumb at ~$700-$900
Affordable semi-acoustic at ~$600
Framus Guitars
Revived guitar brand under Warwick umbrella
Single-cut electric
Metal electric
German-made guitars
"Warwick: Germany's finest bass guitars since 1982—from the Thumb to the Custom Shop"
Model-Specific Buying Guide
Each model has unique characteristics that affect both tone and value. Here's what to look for when buying specific models.
Thumb Bass Guide
The Warwick Icon
The Thumb Bass is Warwick's defining instrument—compact body, 26-fret access, exotic tonewoods (bubinga, wenge, ovangkol). Jack Bruce's choice. German-made versions at $1,800-$8,000
Bolt-On vs Neck-Through
Thumb BO (bolt-on) at $1,800-$2,500 offers snappy attack. Thumb NT (neck-through) at $3,000-$5,000 delivers deeper sustain. Both are exceptional—choose by playing style
Neck Dive Awareness
The Thumb's compact body creates neck-heavy balance (neck dive). Some players love it, others find it frustrating. Try before buying—a wide strap helps
Corvette & Streamer Guide
Corvette Value
The Corvette is Warwick's most accessible German-made bass—bolt-on construction, bubinga or ash body, MEC pickups. At $1,600-$2,200, it's the entry to authentic Warwick tone
Streamer Premium
The Streamer's neck-through construction and curved body (inspired by Spector NS) delivers exceptional sustain. Stage II models with MEC active electronics are the sweet spot at $2,500-$4,000
German vs RockBass
German-made Warwicks use exotic tonewoods and MEC electronics. RockBass imports use standard woods and pickups. The tonal and build quality gap is significant—budget permitting, German-made is worth it
Used Warwick Buying Guide
Exotic Wood Condition
Warwick's wenge and bubinga necks can develop issues if dried out. Check for cracks in wenge fingerboards. Apply lemon oil regularly. Warwick's wax finish needs periodic maintenance
Electronics Check
MEC active electronics are proprietary. Test all EQ bands and the active/passive switch. Replacement MEC pickups are available but not cheap
GPS Series Value
German Pro Series at $1,200-$1,800 used offers genuine German-made quality. Often overlooked in favor of Custom Shop models, GPS instruments are excellent value on the used market