The Complete Warwick Bass Price Guide 2026: Germany's Finest Bass Guitars

Last updated: February 2026

In 1982, Hans-Peter Wilfer founded Warwick in Markneukirchen, Germany—a town where Luther built violins and Europe's finest instrument makers have worked for centuries. Wilfer, son of Framus Guitars founder Fred Wilfer, had a vision: build basses that combined exotic African tonewoods with German precision. Three years later, Jack Bruce—the bassist who defined rock bass playing with Cream—discovered the Thumb Bass. His endorsement didn't just sell guitars; it proved that a small German company could compete with Fender and Rickenbacker on the world stage.

Warwick has never looked back. Today, Warwick basses are the choice of session pros, metal shredders, and jazz purists who demand something different. The Corvette, Streamer, and Infinity lines deliver German craftsmanship from $1,600 to $8,000, while RockBass imports bring the Warwick aesthetic to players at $500. This guide breaks down Warwick pricing across every tier—and explains why bubinga, wenge, and ovangkol aren't just marketing words.

Warwick Bass Market Overview 2026

Warwick dominates the premium European bass market with a three-tier structure: German Custom Shop, German Pro/Teambuilt, and RockBass imports.

Key Market Statistics:

• Average Used Warwick Price: $950 (up 4% from 2025)
• Active Listings: Approximately 1,100 basses currently for sale
• Monthly Sales Volume: Around 220 basses sold per month
• Price Range: $200 (used RockBass) to $8,000 (Custom Shop)

Warwick's exotic wood construction creates distinctive tone and visual appeal. German-made instruments hold value exceptionally well—the same bubinga and wenge that define the Warwick sound also command premium resale. RockBass models depreciate more typically but offer genuine entry to the Warwick experience.

Understanding Warwick's Philosophy

The Wilfer Vision

Hans-Peter Wilfer didn't set out to copy Fender. He built instruments that reflected European instrument-making tradition: hand-selected tonewoods, neck-through construction where it mattered, and electronics designed for clarity and punch.

Core Principles:

1. Exotic Tonewoods: Bubinga, wenge, ovangkol—African woods that produce distinctive midrange and attack
2. German Manufacturing: All German models built in Markneukirchen
3. MEC Electronics: Proprietary active/passive systems designed for Warwick's tonal character
4. Three-Tier Strategy: Custom Shop for bespoke, Pro/Teambuilt for factory German, RockBass for accessibility

The Thumb Revolution (1985)

The Thumb Bass changed everything. Compact body. 26 frets. Neck-through construction. Exotic woods. When Jack Bruce adopted it, Warwick became the bass that serious players discovered when they wanted something beyond Fender and Rickenbacker. The Thumb remains Warwick's most iconic model—and the one that defines the brand's sonic identity.

Framus Revival

In 1996, Wilfer revived his father's Framus guitar brand. Framus guitars—Panthera, Diablo, Teambuilt—share Warwick's German facility and craftsmanship. Bass players exploring guitar often find Framus the natural complement.

German Custom Shop Pricing: $4,000-$8,000

Handcrafted bespoke instruments for players who want exactly what they specify.

Thumb SC Custom (~$4,000-$6,000)

Specifications:

• Body: Bubinga or wenge, custom selected
• Neck: Wenge or ovangkol, neck-through
• Fingerboard: Wenge or ebony, 26 frets
• Pickups: MEC active J-style
• Electronics: 3-band MEC with active/passive
• Bridge: Warwick 2-piece
• Finish: Natural oil/wax finish
• Scale: 34" (short scale available)

Streamer Stage II Custom (~$4,500-$7,000)

Specifications:

• Body: Curved body shape, neck-through
• Woods: Bubinga, wenge, ovangkol combinations
• Pickups: MEC dual humbucker or J/J
• Electronics: Full MEC active system
• 24 or 26 frets
• Premium appointments throughout

Infinity Custom (~$5,000+)

Specifications:

• Warwick's most distinctive body shape
• Full custom options
• Exotic wood combinations
• Masterbuilt attention to detail

Masterbuilt One-Offs (~$6,000+)

Bespoke Specifications:

• Custom body shapes
• Unique wood combinations
• Personalized inlays and finishes
• Built to exact player specification

Used Custom Shop Values: $3,000-$5,500 (excellent condition)

German Pro / Teambuilt Pricing: $1,600-$3,000

Factory German-made instruments—the sweet spot for serious players.

Thumb BO (~$1,800-$2,500)

Specifications:

• Body: Bubinga or ash, bolt-on construction
• Neck: Wenge or ovangkol
• Fingerboard: Wenge, 26 frets
• Pickups: MEC J-style active
• Electronics: 2-band MEC, active/passive
• Bridge: Warwick 2-piece
• Finish: Natural oil/wax
• Scale: 34"

Why It's Iconic: The bolt-on Thumb delivers punchy attack with slightly less sustain than neck-through. Lighter weight. More accessible price. Still 100% German Warwick.

Corvette $$ (~$1,600-$2,200)

Specifications:

• Body: Bubinga or ash, bolt-on
• Neck: Wenge or ovangkol
• Pickups: Dual MEC humbuckers ($$)
• Electronics: 3-band MEC active
• 24 frets
• Warwick's most accessible German-made model

Used Corvette Values: $1,200-$1,700 (excellent condition)

Streamer LX (~$2,000-$3,000)

Specifications:

• Body: Neck-through construction
• Curved body (Spector NS-inspired)
• Pickups: MEC J/J or humbucker
• Electronics: Full MEC active system
• 24 or 26 frets
• Premium sustain and resonance

Star Bass (~$1,800-$2,500)

Specifications:

• Semi-acoustic body design
• F-holes add acoustic character
• MEC pickups
• Versatile for jazz, rock, and studio work

Used German Pro Values: $1,200-$2,200 (excellent condition)

RockBass Pricing: $500-$900

Asian-made instruments bringing Warwick design to entry-level pricing.

RockBass Corvette Basic (~$500-$700)

Specifications:

• Body: Basswood or maple
• Neck: Maple, bolt-on
• Fingerboard: Maple or rosewood
• Pickups: Warwick-designed passive
• 24 frets
• Warwick shape and feel at import price

RockBass Streamer Standard (~$600-$800)

Specifications:

• Streamer body shape
• Import construction
• Passive or active pickups
• Entry to Warwick ergonomics

RockBass Thumb BO (~$700-$900)

Specifications:

• Thumb body shape
• Import woods and electronics
• 24 frets
• Best RockBass for Thumb experience

RockBass Star Bass (~$600)

Specifications:

• Semi-acoustic body
• Import construction
• Jazz-friendly tone

Used RockBass Values: $300-$600 (excellent condition)

Where to Buy Warwick Basses: Platform Comparison

Online Marketplace Analysis

Reverb (Average Price: $1,050)

• Best selection of German-made Warwicks
• Knowledgeable bass community
• 5.0% price appreciation year-over-year
• Best for: Corvette, Streamer, Custom Shop

eBay (Average Price: $820)

• Good for RockBass finds
• Auction opportunities on German models
• 3.5% price trend
• Best for: Budget finds, common models

Thomann (Average Price: $1,100)

• European retailer often has new Warwick stock
• Competitive pricing in EU
• 2.5% appreciation
• Best for: New German models in Europe

Bass Direct / Specialty Dealers (Average Price: $1,200)

• Premium selection
• Expert setup and inspection
• 4.0% growth
• Best for: Custom Shop, rare models

Tips for Buying Used Warwick

1. Exotic Wood Care: Wenge and bubinga need periodic oiling. Check for fingerboard cracks or drying
2. MEC Electronics: Test all EQ bands and active/passive switch. Replacement MEC parts are proprietary
3. Neck Dive: Thumb models have compact bodies—some players experience neck dive. Try before buying
4. Wax Finish: Warwick's oil/wax finish is distinctive but requires maintenance. Inspect for wear
5. German vs RockBass: Verify origin—"Made in Germany" on headstock vs. RockBass branding
6. Serial Number: Warwick serial numbers indicate year and origin—verify authenticity

Warwick vs. Competitors

How Warwick compares to other premium bass brands:

Warwick Advantage: Exotic woods create distinctive tone. German craftsmanship. Active electronics standard. MEC systems designed for Warwick's voice.

When Others Win: Spector for neck-through aggression. Rickenbacker for vintage tone. Fender for classic P/J sound and familiarity.

Famous Warwick Players

Artists who shaped Warwick's reputation:

• Jack Bruce (Cream): Thumb Bass adoption established Warwick worldwide
• Bootsy Collins (Parliament-Funkadelic): Custom Warwick basses
• Stuart Zender (Jamiroquai): Streamer Stage II
• Robert Trujillo (Metallica): Thumb and Streamer models
• Dug Pinnick (King's X): Custom Warwick designs
• Jonas Hellborg: Jazz and fusion on Warwick
• Adam Clayton (U2): Streamer models
• Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne): Thumb models

Investment Potential: Which Warwicks Hold Value?

Strong Value Retention

German Custom Shop:

• Exotic woods age well
• Limited production
• Bespoke builds hold value
• 85-90% retention over 5 years

German Pro/Teambuilt:

• Corvette and Streamer remain sought
• MEC electronics maintain value
• 75-85% retention for excellent condition

Moderate Depreciation

RockBass:

• Typical import depreciation
• 50-65% retention
• Good value for players, not investment

Note: Warwick basses are instruments for playing. German-made models hold value well due to craftsmanship and exotic woods. Custom Shop instruments can appreciate if spec'd desirably.

Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Warwick

For Beginners ($300-$600)

Recommended Models:

• Used RockBass Corvette: Best value at $400-$550 used
• RockBass Streamer Standard: New at ~$600-$700
• RockBass Thumb BO: Used at ~$500-$650

What to Prioritize:

• Playable Warwick shape and feel
• Functional electronics
• Comfortable neck profile

For Intermediate Players ($600-$1,500)

Recommended Models:

• Used Corvette $$: German-made at $1,200-$1,700
• Used Thumb BO: German at $1,400-$1,900
• RockBass with upgrades: Modded imports at $500-$700

What to Prioritize:

• German-made when budget allows
• MEC active electronics
• Neck-through vs bolt-on preference

For Serious Players ($1,500-$4,000)

Recommended Models:

• Streamer LX: Neck-through at $2,000-$3,000
• Thumb NT: Neck-through Thumb at $2,500-$3,500
• Corvette $$: Dual humbucker at $1,600-$2,200

What to Prioritize:

• Exotic wood combinations
• Full MEC active system
• Body shape for your style

For Collectors ($4,000+)

Recommended Models:

• Custom Shop Thumb: Bespoke at $4,000-$6,000
• Streamer Stage II Custom: Premium at $4,500-$7,000
• Masterbuilt One-Offs: Unique at $6,000+

What to Prioritize:

• Wood selection
• Custom specifications
• Build quality and finish

The Warwick Sound: Understanding Exotic Woods

Bubinga:

• Rich midrange
• Punchy attack
• Visual figuring
• Warmth with clarity

Wenge:

• Bright, articulate
• Fast attack
• Dense grain
• Excellent for fingerstyle

Ovangkol:

• Balanced tone
• Similar to rosewood
• Warm but articulate
• Warwick's "budget" exotic

Who Should Consider Warwick:

• Players seeking distinctive tone beyond Fender
• Those who value exotic woods
• Active electronics enthusiasts
• Modern rock, metal, progressive players

Who Might Prefer Others:

• Players wanting classic P/J tone
• Those preferring passive electronics
• Vintage tone purists

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where are Warwick basses made? A: German models are made in Markneukirchen, Germany. RockBass models are imported from Asia. Warwick also revived the Framus guitar brand, built in the same German facility.

Q: What's the difference between Thumb BO and NT? A: BO (bolt-on) offers snappier attack; NT (neck-through) delivers deeper sustain. Both are exceptional. BO is more affordable ($1,800-$2,500 vs $3,000-$5,000 for NT).

Q: Why does the Thumb have neck dive? A: The compact body creates neck-heavy balance. Some players love it; others find it frustrating. A wide strap helps. Try before buying.

Q: Are RockBass instruments worth it? A: Yes, for entry-level Warwick experience. They offer Warwick shape and feel at import prices. The tonal and build gap vs. German-made is significant—budget permitting, German is worth the upgrade.

Q: How does Warwick compare to Spector? A: Both offer neck-through designs and premium construction. Warwick emphasizes exotic woods and MEC electronics. Spector is known for aggressive tone. Both are excellent—choose by tonal preference.

Conclusion

Warwick represents what happens when German instrument-making tradition meets modern bass design. From the Thumb that Jack Bruce made famous to the Custom Shop instruments built for today's demanding players, Warwick has never compromised on materials or craftsmanship.

The Corvette at $1,600-$2,200 delivers German-made quality with exotic woods at a price that undercuts many American premium basses. The Streamer's neck-through construction and curved body produce sustain that rivals any bass on the market. And the RockBass line proves that Warwick's design philosophy translates to accessible pricing.

For the player who wants something beyond Fender and Rickenbacker—who values bubinga, wenge, and ovangkol not as marketing but as tone—Warwick delivers. From Markneukirchen to the world, Germany's finest bass guitars continue to define what serious players demand.

For the most current pricing and availability, check authorized Warwick dealers or the official Warwick website. Prices fluctuate based on wood availability and market conditions.

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Related Guides:

• Fender Bass Price Guide
• Rickenbacker Guitar Price Guide
• Spector Bass Price Guide