where are all of warwicks basses?

[bassalien]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

I have an order already in progress with Bass Alien & they've been supercool with me. Mike has replied to any message I've ever sent within the same day. He even replied on the day that he had 4 wisdom teeth pulled. If that's not dedication to customer service, I don't know what is.

Thanks TolerancEJ! Yeah I'm still healing, but feel much better now, I'm even eating normal food again!
Thanks for the PM sumgruuvz, I replied.

And yeah there are at least 2 elusive models we haven't listed, namely the Pro Series Stage I and RB Streamer NT I that are on Warwick's website, but it doesn't appear that I can order those yet. I will contact Jay Marino and see what's up with those. Those are both really cool models I hope I can get my hands on soon!

[sumgruuvz]

Originally Posted by socialleper

I'm not sure what model I'm interested in because I can't try them out. That's the crux of the problem for me. I know some people are OK with buying a bass without trying it, but I'm not one of them. I've been in too many situations when I thought I really wanted something until I finally tried it out and found it to be nothing like what I thought it was.

That's what worries me. Is hat ego shell out $1000-1500 for a new bass and wind up hating it. Granted I played a dirty blonde thumb that was nice, bit that didn't mean all the other are going to be the same.

Originally Posted by socialleper

Its the responsibility of MI manufactures to work out contracts with retail locations to carry their products. I'm not sure exactly where the problem is, but there is a big old factory in Germany turning out awesome basses and a bunch of MI stores selling instruments. These two instances need to shake hands.
I have spoken with the Sales Rep middle man in my region and he was useless. He directed me to a store in a bombed out part of LA that didn't even have stock anyway. That's totally within Warwick's realm of control to fix.

This. Ok the distributors link on ww website tells who carries them, but then you go on their website or actual address and they don't have any more or haven't had any in a while.

[TolerancEJ]

@socialleper - I do get your point of view though. There were a few months in the Vancouver area when Warwick products were not available to me at all. There was a few months' Warwick-drought involving the largest Canadian music retail chain. I'm not aware of the problem during that time, but I was very happy to see some new Warwicks hanging in their shop again in December.

We have another music store chain specific only to my province. I had one good experience, which resulted in me buying my Warwick Thumb BO 6. The next time I had some problems with a different salesman (who i believe to be their more senior sales person.) In October 2012, I inquired in the store about 2 upcoming models (the Warwick-Rockbass Alien 6 and the Artist Series Steve Bailey 6 models.) He looked at his product sheet & noted they were not present. Again, I advised they would be released in a few months & if he might be able to get some information from Korg (the Canadian distributor). He refused & told me to wait until he they send him a new product listing.

I wanted to purchase my Alien 6 in November. Given my situation at that time, I had no choice but to look to U.S. retailers. I was already aware that Warwick has similar same-country buying policies (like Fender for example.) So, when it arrives in the retailer, my bass must be shipped to a US address where I will pick it up upon its arrival. Basically, it's a company that will receive the package on my behalf. When I pick it up, I will pay a small fee of $3.50. I have no problem with that because I've used the company a number of times in the past with no issues.

[socialleper]

What I think is crazy is they have a winning product. They are great basses that look cool, have a bunch in different styles to meet the requirements of the players, have a player base that for me can't be beat. They don't need to convince me any further; you got me hook line and sinker. All I'm asking is that that put a bass in my hand before I make up my mind. I can't be the only one. They must be a profitable company or they wouldn't be expanding their lines. Image how much more profitable they would be if someone actually carried their basses, strings, amps and Framus guitars (which I had never heard of until a year ago, which is something they should really work on too.)

If something is in the works, cool, give a tease or something to keep us hoping. I would have thought if something big was happening it would have come up at NAMM.

[WarwickOfficial]

socialleper - as we've discussed before, we have a relatively new distributor - and it takes time to re-work the brand into stores. We currently have German basses in about 70 stores in the US, and Rockbass/Pro Series basses in many many more. We had a great time with our distributor at NAMM, and we now have many reps dedicated to Warwick all across the US. Expect to see more instruments in shops near you soon! Thanks again!

[socialleper]

I know you guys are working on it Garey.

...the squeaky wheel....

[joebar]

warwick is an interesting study for sure...
new basses cost an incredible amount
used basses are the best deal out there based on the new cost
there are no new ones anywhere in my area.
obviously if there are a fair amount of used basses on the market, then that means that somebody bought them new at one time.
i do not know anyone who could fork out full retail for a WW.
i am guessing that they are cheaper to buy new in europe and then eventually the used ones make it over here; nothing else adds up.
i got lucky on my first WW experience-
i used thumb BO5 showed up at my local music store; first time i had played one. they are hard to come by around here (vancouver canada), but yet, very in demand and desirable
no one wants to carry them

[socialleper]

Originally Posted by joebar

warwick is an interesting study for sure...
new basses cost an incredible amount
used basses are the best deal out there based on the new cost
there are no new ones anywhere in my area.
obviously if there are a fair amount of used basses on the market, then that means that somebody bought them new at one time.
i do not know anyone who could fork out full retail for a WW.
i am guessing that they are cheaper to buy new in europe and then eventually the used ones make it over here; nothing else adds up.
i got lucky on my first WW experience-
i used thumb BO5 showed up at my local music store; first time i had played one. they are hard to come by around here (vancouver canada), but yet, very in demand and desirable
no one wants to carry them

They were more available at one time, but I couldn't say what the prices were like. GC used to carry Corvettes, Rock Basses and the rare BO Thumb. If you look at the production dates of a lot of the used basses they are between 1998 and 2008. Mine is a 2007. Maybe the financial trouble in the Euro Zone triggered by our financial collapse has something to do with it.

They aren't cheap, but then neither are the Wal, Carl Thompson, Fodera, Roscoe, F Bassm or Dingwall basses that people have here on TB. You could by a house with some of these guys' collections.

The Sasquatch like rarity of these basses is weird though. Warwick isn't a "we make one bass a year" company like Wal or Thompson or a made-to-order company like some of the others I mentioned. They are a big operation with a grip of artists and advertising. Where all the basses from that big old factory go and how they pay for it is a mystery.

[joebar]

Originally Posted by socialleper

They were more available at one time, but I couldn't say what the prices were like. GC used to carry Corvettes, Rock Basses and the rare BO Thumb. If you look at the production dates of a lot of the used basses they are between 1998 and 2008. Mine is a 2007. Maybe the financial trouble in the Euro Zone triggered by our financial collapse has something to do with it.

They aren't cheap, but then neither are the Wal, Carl Thompson, Fodera, Roscoe, F Bassm or Dingwall basses that people have here on TB. You could by a house with some of these guys' collections.

The Sasquatch like rarity of these basses is weird though. Warwick isn't a "we make one bass a year" company like Wal or Thompson or a made-to-order company like some of the others I mentioned. They are a big operation with a grip of artists and advertising. Where all the basses from that big old factory go and how they pay for it is a mystery.

a friend and fellow WW owner of mine said that WW`s in europe are cheaper much the way Markbass gear is cheaper there too. ernie ball products supposedly are expensive over there,but relatively cheap here.
it lead me to believe that perhaps there are plenty across the pond- in fact, if you go to the framus/ WW forum, it is mostly european members. and quite a few good deals come up in euros or pounds (if you live over there.)

[socialleper]

So I'm going to resurrect this thread and bust the new "Official" Warwick responders nads a little.
Its spring, the NAMM show is a distant memory; have any moves been made to get German made Warwick basses in stores where people can actually try them out? It blows my mind that almost all of LA county has nothing but used and Rockbass Warwick basses.

[WarwickOfficial]

Originally Posted by socialleper

So I'm going to resurrect this thread and bust the new "Official" Warwick responders nads a little.
Its spring, the NAMM show is a distant memory; have any moves been made to get German made Warwick basses in stores where people can actually try them out? It blows my mind that almost all of LA county has nothing but used and Rockbass Warwick basses.

Hi Socialleper,

I know this has been referenced earlier in this thread, but feel free to contact our distributor to find out where you can find Warwick dealers in your area.

US Music Corp.
1 (800) 877-6863
jay.marino@usmusiccorp.com

Then, we recommend that you personally requesting that these official Warwick dealers (who should be carrying these instruments) to order whatever new Warwick you're thinking about. Understand that it's up to the dealers to keep a stock of these instruments, so customers demanding a better selection of Warwick/Framus products should bring about an improvement in this regard.

Lastly, let me just shamelessly plug that we here at the NY Showroom have a HUGE selection of new Warwicks, so... If any of you find yourself in NYC -- come spend an afternoon with us trying out whatever you'd like. We also ship across the country and stock all Warwick/Framus parts and accessories. Call us (212) 777 6990.

Best regards,

Jesse at Warwick USA

[socialleper]

Originally Posted by WarwickOfficial

Hi Socialleper,

I know this has been referenced earlier in this thread, but feel free to contact our distributor to find out where you can find Warwick dealers in your area.

US Music Corp.
1 (800) 877-6863
jay.marino@usmusiccorp.com

Then, we recommend that you personally requesting that these official Warwick dealers (who should be carrying these instruments) to order whatever new Warwick you're thinking about. Understand that it's up to the dealers to keep a stock of these instruments, so customers demanding a better selection of Warwick/Framus products should bring about an improvement in this regard.

Lastly, let me just shamelessly plug that we here at the NY Showroom have a HUGE selection of new Warwicks, so... If any of you find yourself in NYC -- come spend an afternoon with us trying out whatever you'd like. We also ship across the country and stock all Warwick/Framus parts and accessories. Call us (212) 777 6990.

Best regards,

Jesse at Warwick USA

Let me start off by saying that this isn't a personal thing, I'm just advocating for the consumer while trying to help a company who's product I enjoy, fix a grave error.

NYC can have as big a show room as they want, unless your intent is to open another in another major music related city like Los Angeles, it does me no good.

My interactions with your distributor leave me very concerned. Additionally, if all they've been able to do is get a hand full of Rockbass models into Sam Ash stores, something isn't working. Warwick isn't getting the representation it needs or the market penetration it needs.

I've spoken to all of the major MI stores in the LA area and most flatly refuse to carry German Warwicks in stock. That's including places like The Bass Exchange that has Fodera, F Bass and US Lakland basses on the walls. If you can't get someone like them to carry them in stock, someone is messing up.
I could ask them to order me one, but considering I've never even seen a Streamer (any model) or Thumb in person, how can I make an informed decision about a $4000 purchase?

A good company needs a good product; Warwick has one. My Corvette $$ is awesome and the tone I hear from the pros that record with Warwick basses is inspiring.
A good company needs a good sales pitch; the line of heavy hitters that play Warwick basses says it all. I'm a metal guy and for me the player list for Warwick is a list of some of the best musicians alive today.
A good company needs to be able to sell its product; that you DON'T have. A Streamer II or NT Thumb shouldn't be a mythological thing that you've only seen in pictures. Actually coming across in person would be like accidentally finding the Holy Grail in your Grandma's attic. Its hard to turn a profit when your best products simply don't exist.

I thought I'd give it a shot with the new guy. I give up. I'll stop beating this dead horse.

[sumgruuvz]

Originally Posted by socialleper

I thought I'd give it a shot with the new guy. I give up. I'll stop beating this dead horse.

it seems as if no one wants to carry them, and they either dont care or are sadists??? i dont get it either? would you buy a mercedes without test driving it first? i sure as hell wouldnt.

[/\/\3phist0]

GC used to carry them, Sam ash used to carry them.
3 locals here in the nor cal carry them infrequently.(and limited models)
Gelb
Starving Musician
Skips Music

Not being able to AT LEAST get your product into LA area (hollywood West LA) seems like a huge Achilles Heel to me.
I love warwicks! I have owned 10 not one purchased new.
Why? i hate buying sight unseen.
i cannot go to a store in a 700 mile radius from where i live and find more than 15 wicks total available for me to touch.
I can manhandle Fodera's, Elricks, Rob Allens, Rick Turners, Warriors, Alembics, Smiths ETC in far greater numbers (individually) than that!.....

it's mindbogglingly sad!

cant afford one, but if i could get my paws on a dolphin, well the gas pains would probably force me to ....

(the Dolphin i played back in 1999 in GC is still calling me...)

on another note, since all the Warwick / MEC hardware and electronics are available through outside sellers... I could have a local luthier replicate much with the woods and published dimensions of your product, and it would cost the same or less (in USD)....

resale value would not be equal, it would probably be more than my invested dollars.

That said, that is NOT a knock on the craftsmanship that is te warwick hallmark, but as a luthier (albeit without tools and a shop at the moment,,,) i recognize that the magic is in that small details but still.....


recognize that the US is a VAST market, and there is plenty of money changing hands for warwicks, it's just that the last time Warwick DE saw any money was back in 2005 or 6 when they virtually disappeared from the store shelves.

Warwick first has had 3 US distributors in the US in 6 years.

Your distributors are NOT doing you justice! they get Marshall, Washburn, Digitech, Eden, and (ugh) Jay turser into the mega warehouses, Costco?, and mom and pops across this HUGE nation, yet not your product...

Did Dana B. Goods screw it all up for you? compounded Hanser music corp?

Is it that your pricing vs profit vs minimum unit orders are just too steep?

MarkBass is FLYING off the shelves, pricey but KILLING the sales of ampeg For EX.

Warwick, could/should you set up a US. corp and become your own distributor?

[sumgruuvz]

Originally Posted by /\/\3phist0

GC used to carry them, Sam ash used to carry them.
3 locals here in the nor cal carry them infrequently.(and limited models)
Gelb
Starving Musician
Skips Music

Not being able to AT LEAST get your product into LA area (hollywood West LA) seems like a huge Achilles Heel to me.
I love warwicks! I have owned 10 not one purchased new.
Why? i hate buying sight unseen.
i cannot go to a store in a 700 mile radius from where i live and find more than 15 wicks total available for me to touch.
I can manhandle Fodera's, Elricks, Rob Allens, Rick Turners, Warriors, Alembics, Smiths ETC in far greater numbers (individually) than that!.....

it's mindbogglingly sad!

cant afford one, but if i could get my paws on a dolphin, well the gas pains would probably force me to ....

(the Dolphin i played back in 1999 in GC is still calling me...)

on another note, since all the Warwick / MEC hardware and electronics are available through outside sellers... I could have a local luthier replicate much with the woods and published dimensions of your product, and it would cost the same or less (in USD)....

resale value would not be equal, it would probably be more than my invested dollars.

That said, that is NOT a knock on the craftsmanship that is te warwick hallmark, but as a luthier (albeit without tools and a shop at the moment,,,) i recognize that the magic is in that small details but still.....


recognize that the US is a VAST market, and there is plenty of money changing hands for warwicks, it's just that the last time Warwick DE saw any money was back in 2005 or 6 when they virtually disappeared from the store shelves.

Warwick first has had 3 US distributors in the US in 6 years.

Your distributors are NOT doing you justice! they get Marshall, Washburn, Digitech, Eden, and (ugh) Jay turser into the mega warehouses, Costco?, and mom and pops across this HUGE nation, yet not your product...

Did Dana B. Goods screw it all up for you? compounded Hanser music corp?

Is it that your pricing vs profit vs minimum unit orders are just too steep?

MarkBass is FLYING off the shelves, pricey but KILLING the sales of ampeg For EX.

Warwick, could/should you set up a US. corp and become your own distributor?

well, i got lucky and found a rb fortress 5 that i found cheap, so if i didnt like it, i could get back what i paid for it, im sure. but it plays super nice, and sounds super warwick good. so im going to keep it. no sense in me saving up for something new that costs a fortune and me wind up hating it and getting back less than half what i paid for it. plus it would take me years to save up for what i want. used? check. rockbass? check. too good to pass up? check. sound close to a german warwick? check. save myself a ton of money and frustration? super check!! do i care it isnt a german made? check. but in the future, i hope i can get my hands on one to see what a real ww plays, sounds, and feels like.

[Means2nEnd]

Originally Posted by /\/\3phist0

GC used to carry them, Sam ash used to carry them.
3 locals here in the nor cal carry them infrequently.(and limited models)
Gelb
Starving Musician
Skips Music

Not being able to AT LEAST get your product into LA area (hollywood West LA) seems like a huge Achilles Heel to me.
I love warwicks! I have owned 10 not one purchased new.
Why? i hate buying sight unseen.
i cannot go to a store in a 700 mile radius from where i live and find more than 15 wicks total available for me to touch.
I can manhandle Fodera's, Elricks, Rob Allens, Rick Turners, Warriors, Alembics, Smiths ETC in far greater numbers (individually) than that!.....

it's mindbogglingly sad!

cant afford one, but if i could get my paws on a dolphin, well the gas pains would probably force me to ....

(the Dolphin i played back in 1999 in GC is still calling me...)

on another note, since all the Warwick / MEC hardware and electronics are available through outside sellers... I could have a local luthier replicate much with the woods and published dimensions of your product, and it would cost the same or less (in USD)....

resale value would not be equal, it would probably be more than my invested dollars.

That said, that is NOT a knock on the craftsmanship that is te warwick hallmark, but as a luthier (albeit without tools and a shop at the moment,,,) i recognize that the magic is in that small details but still.....


recognize that the US is a VAST market, and there is plenty of money changing hands for warwicks, it's just that the last time Warwick DE saw any money was back in 2005 or 6 when they virtually disappeared from the store shelves.

Warwick first has had 3 US distributors in the US in 6 years.

Your distributors are NOT doing you justice! they get Marshall, Washburn, Digitech, Eden, and (ugh) Jay turser into the mega warehouses, Costco?, and mom and pops across this HUGE nation, yet not your product...

Did Dana B. Goods screw it all up for you? compounded Hanser music corp?

Is it that your pricing vs profit vs minimum unit orders are just too steep?

MarkBass is FLYING off the shelves, pricey but KILLING the sales of ampeg For EX.

Warwick, could/should you set up a US. corp and become your own distributor?

I read and hear frustration from players interested in German Warwicks like this all the time. It’s justified complaint not to be able to play one and check it out in a store I agree. But we are not talking about a $1,200 Fender. Most of these bass mentioned are 2-3-4-5 thousand dollar basses. If they stock them they have to buy them and order them and then if they don’t sell that year it must be sold at a lesser price the following year because it’s now an old stock item. Also the Guitar Centers I have been in lately are not letting instruments that cost that much up on the walls anymore for any old person to fondle and ding up. I no longer see many high end Paul Reed Smith, Gibson guitars in there anymore or Euro or USA Spectors it’s all Fender, Ibanez, Dean and other less expensive lines. Fender came up with the “road worn” series to have a market for instruments that got messed up on the walls for a year waiting to sell. They relic them further and still get a premium price. That’s a great idea but it remains profitable.

At the end of the day it’s about maintaining a bottom line amount of profit and sustainability. Personally I don’t want to buy a $4,500 bass that’s been in a Guitar Center with Beavis and Butt head jamming on it. It’s a hard thing to do as a buyer or seller. I don’t have an answer or even a better idea about how to do it but it seems to me all the stores are no longer stocking crazy expensive stuff anymore of anything because of the cost. Internet sales have made it even worse for retailers to compete with and this has also made it more difficult for store big or small. Of all the Warwicks I have owned and still own only like 4 or 5 I bought new and that’s not a lot compared to all that I have had.

Maybe because I’m left handed all this is easier for me to understand and stomach because I almost never have options of trying before buying all that there ever was garbage low end stuff in stock in a lefty option. It’s the way things are that keeps things the way they are. I don’t know exact figures but it must be at least 45% of list for a store to inventory something and say 10 Warwicks at an average of $3,500 each would be around would still cost a store over 15K to inventory. Most likely more. Warwicks especially among expensive basses are not for the normal guy the average buyer/player we are a sort of left than center crew that well I am glad to be a part of no matter what a pain in the ass it takes to get there is all I know.

[/\/\3phist0]

I see 4 and 5000 dollar less Paul's I see 10000.00 Jacob jazz basses I see eh frankenstien remakes. Clapton blackies.... plenty of 3000 dollar Ernie ball basses but not even rockbasses.... I see 5k keyboards in GC.... So stocking high dollar items is not the whole picture.
Warwick not in GC I understand that they don't want to be another claimant in a chapter 11 .... Fmic is owner distributor for the vast majority of the products lining gc's shelves.. And they are in financial trouble too...