Sadowsky in distribution agreement with Warwick

[Mark Ambler]

Sadowsky's QC has always been 2nd to none. To think he is just going to step back now and let sh!t happen, just isn't going to happen, imo. Sure, the Basses are going to be made under Licence, but he hasn't sold the Sadowsky brand like Fender and CBS. Obviously Roger thinks this can be done right or it wouldn't be happening. Have a little faith in him, yes?

 

[pedroims]

my point is, Volvo is not the class of Ferrari ; is Warwick the class of Sadowsky? in my opinion, not....

but ok, I see what all you guys want, I'll shut up....

We got your point but seems you dont are not getting Sadowsky point of view. They will still building the Ferrari/Lamborghini's/Porches for people like you but at the same time they will start producing Fiesta/Rio/Versa for people like me and other millions bassists of around the world that do not the money to spend $2500-$5000 in a bass.

As an example, Lakland Skyline and G&L tribute are extremely popular in Latin America. With this strategy Sadowsky will have a chance to get a piece of the pie while still producing instruments for the boutique market.

 

[James Collins]

I think it's more like Ferrari outsourcing to Koenigsegg.

my point is, Volvo is not the class of Ferrari ; is Warwick the class of Sadowsky? in my opinion, not....

but ok, I see what all you guys want, I'll shut up....

 

[NeonVomit]

Warwick have their own factory in China for the Rockbass line. They don't outsource manufacturing to a third party. It took a while to get it running properly and putting out consistently good quality with all the associated problems, but that's what you have to do if you want to have 100% control of what goes in and what comes out of it. Not many companies do this. I don't think you need to worry about counterfeit parts and whatnot (which is a problem in China). They all come from one place. Then they're all then inspected and set up in Germany. Dingwall have a similar system in place for their Combustion line and I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain about those.

Also, they come with a lot of the features that you only see on the more expensive Warwick basses (Rockbass line comes standard with straplocks, adjustable nut, gig bag, that cool invisible frets technology thing they do, etc.) I can't think of any other Chinese-made instruments that have those features, but correct me if I'm wrong!

The new ME series I guess will be comparable to the Rockbass line in terms of quality and price. There's clearly demand for Sadowsky basses of that cost and quality level. I'm pretty sure they did their market research

I have to say it's entertaining to see people directing someone else on how to run their own business and manage their own brand. I'm pretty sure Roger Sadowsky knows a bit more about the business side of all this than we do and has considered everything mentioned here plus a hundred other things that none of us have thought of.

I think a lot of this noise is people annoyed at their own instruments supposedly losing their perceived value or rarity, but that's all externally-affected isn't it? I mean, like, you still own an amazing instrument that you love playing for the myriad reasons that you chose it. If you bought an instrument primarily for the very small section of the population who knows/cares enough to go 'oooh' and 'ahhh' at the name on the headstock, and are worried that name will lose some of its fanciness, you bought it for the wrong reason.

I mean, how is this any different from MTD's Kingston line or, like, Spector's Legend or Euro series? Small custom shop expands, puts out great products for a wider market. Both are still regarded as some of the top builders around and their custom shop instruments are just as coveted as ever.

In this case they're teaming up with an established larger-scale manufacturer who has all the facilities ready to go and who have had the time to iron out the kinks in production at all levels, meaning there shouldn't really be any teething problems with the new Sadowsky lines.

For everyone who is somehow upset about Sadowsky teaming up with Warwick, just be glad they didn't sell off to Gibson, which would've doomed the brand completely. And besides, they didn't sell off to Warwick - just using their manufacturing facilities and distribution network.

Hopefully it'll be the kick in the rear Warwick need to sort out their North American distribution which, it seems, has a fair few problems. And like, fix their car crash of an early-2000's website, too, because I mean what the hell, guys.

 

[Dave Hill]

I have the utmost respect for Roger and his crew, and I love my NYC PJ as much as you can love a bass. That said, I can’t help but feel that 1k Chinese basses will cheapen the brand. I mean, isn’t that exactly the point?
I wonder if Roger would have done this if he wasn’t in the twilight of his career(?)

 

[mmon77]

I can’t help but feel that 1k Chinese basses will cheapen the brand. I mean, isn’t that exactly the point?

I can report that these prices are not official or final.

No one knows what they will cost yet.

Besides, didn't the Metro, and Metro Expresses already "Cheapen the brand" compared to your NYC? (I don't think so)


I guess I don't understand why someone with an NYC in hand would care. If anything, wouldn't it make yours worth more?

Do MIM Fenders cheapen the Fender brand, or did they do that themselves by building inconsistent instruments?

 

[projectapollo]

I think a lot of this noise is people annoyed at their own instruments supposedly losing their perceived value or rarity, but that's all externally-affected isn't it?

If anything, existing Metros will likely bump up in value at least until the new instruments are in the market and proven to be just as good. I'm not seeing anyone worry about the value of their existing instruments. The concerns are mostly over the future of their beloved brand.

 

[projectapollo]

Besides, didn't the Metro, and Metro Expresses already "Cheapen the brand" compared to your NYC?

These Metros and ME's and amazingly good instruments and I was always impressed that Sadowsky kept quality so high in these lines. I had a ME earlier this year and was totally amazed that its quality was indistinguishable to a NYC - to my eyes and hands. Did not cheapen the brand, and were a testimony to Roger's ability to achieve the highest QC from outside his NYC shop.

 

[BigDrew]

Dingwall Combustion - > Made in China.
The Quality of these instruments are superb. Thinking that "Made in China" is a bad thing is so 1999.

I said this above, but again worth noting; Combustions get shipped back to Canada for final inspections and setups. I think this is very important to the overall process and quality.

 

[mmon77]

These Metros and ME's and amazingly good instruments and I was always impressed that Sadowsky kept quality so high in these lines. I had a ME earlier this year and was totally amazed that its quality was indistinguishable to a NYC - to my eyes and hands. Did not cheapen the brand, and were a testimony to Roger's ability to achieve the highest QC from outside his NYC shop.

I totally agree. That being said, I don't understand why people now suddenly think he's incapable of doing the same thing with Warwick building them in China.

 

[chris_b]

. . . . . . . . I don't understand why people now suddenly think he's incapable of doing the same thing with Warwick building them in China.

Because, he won't be running the company making these listed lines. Warwick will. He is handing the business over to another company. I don't know what oversight and safety clauses he has in the licence agreement but, it seems, he will not be making any of those basses or business decisions in the future. The fear is the likelihood that these basses will be Sadowsky in name only.

My confidence isn't as strong as it was at the start of the week. I was hoping for a Metro Express to see me through the remainder of my playing days. I'm highly suspicious that a Chinese Warwick at 1/3rd of the price of the Japanese ME model is going to be an equivalent instrument.

 

[mmon77]

But you even admit that:

I don't know what oversight and safety clauses he has in the licence agreement

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Because, he won't be running the company making these listed lines. Warwick will. He is handing the business over to another company. I don't know what oversight and safety clauses he has in the licence agreement but, it seems, he will not be making any of those basses or business decisions in the future. The fear is the likelihood that these basses will be Sadowsky in name only.

My confidence isn't as strong as it was at the start of the week. I was hoping for a Metro Express to see me through the remainder of my playing days. I'm highly suspicious that a Chinese Warwick at 1/3rd of the price of the Japanese ME model is going to be an equivalent instrument.

You will be able to buy the German equivalent of Metro for about the price of the old Japanese Metros. You do not have buy a Chinese made Sadowsky.

 

[J_Bass]

Imagine how much more money he's gonna make with the budget basses.

For him and for his family. Sons and grandsons, if he has them.

Come on people, it's real life. He made a great move.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I said this above, but again worth noting; Combustions get shipped back to Canada for final inspections and setups. I think this is very important to the overall process and quality.

It has been noted that current Rockbasses get their final setup in Germany just like Lakland Skylines or G&L Tributes get the final
once over in the USA.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Imagine how much more money he's gonna make with the budget basses.

For him,and for his family. Sons and grandsons, if he has them.

Come on people, it's real life. He made a great move.

It seems some want the current situation to stay forever when that is simply not possible because Roger Sadowsky will not be here forever. The alternative could easily have been the end of the brand as has been the case with Pedulla.

 

[Dave Hill]

No one knows what they will cost yet.

Besides, didn't the Metro, and Metro Expresses already "Cheapen the brand" compared to your NYC?

I guess I don't understand why someone with an NYC in hand would care. If anything, wouldn't it make yours worth more?

Do MIM Fenders cheapen the Fender brand, or did they do that themselves by building inconsistent instruments?

Fine. I feel the way I do for selfish reasons. Lol

 

[projectapollo]

It seems some want the current situation to stay forever when that is simply not possible because Roger Sadowsky will not be here forever.

Gee, I haven't seen anyone say that. For me personally, I would have preferred that Roger would have established production here in the USA for all the lines. Moving MetroExpress from Japan to China production just gives some pause for concern. The transfer from Japan to Germany for the Metros sounds great, however. Except, of course, for the workers in Japan that have now lost their jobs.

 

[J_Bass]

The great Sadowsky exclusive basses made in NY will continue to be made.

The difference is that some of the budget basses move from Japan to Germany, which means probably there will be no compromise on quality. Maybe it will even increase.

And there will be even more cheaper basses made in China?

That covers all of the market. Genius.


I don't see the problem, really. Unless the problem for people owning NY Sadowskys is that that headstock will begin to appear everywhere, making theirs less exclusive. Which I completely understand, let me be clear about that.

But it's life. He could stay the same, pass the business to his sons (if he has them), or to a partner and stay small and exclusive. Or he could, with a small and easy move, grow his business immensely, taking care of his family for generations.

What an easy decision.

Sire and similar brands beware. Sadowsky is coming for you.

 

[mmon77]

Moving from Japan to China production just gives some pause for concern.

Again, I don't understand the bias. Do you not believe that quality products can be made in China? If he'd moved production to Timbuktu, would that be better or worse, or the same, or do you even know?