Sadowsky in distribution agreement with Warwick

[socialleper]

Warwick can only make them available. They can't force stores to buy them. But it seems a bit strange to me that with your proximity to the greater LA area that you can't find anyone who has any.

Agreed. It bums me out. Occasionally I find a beat up used Thumb. In the late 90s and early 2000s they were easier to find. In the early 2010s even the Rockbass models were AWOL.
If a company wants to get their product out there, they can work on incentives for businesses. I worked in retail for 15 years. I know they can grease the wheels.
Sadly it goes along with a general slimming down of bass Inventory in stores. These days the GC I worked at in the 90s only carries boring basses. When I worked there they sold Warwick, Spector, Zon, Pedulla, along with the other big names. They only carry 2 or 3 brands of amps; mostly just cheap combos. The only time I find cool gear these days is in then used section.
Strangely I have quicker access to Sadowsky than Warwick. The Mesa shop and Bass Exchange has some.

 

[ElMon]

Embarrassing story from a guy who has more hi-end basses than he has gigs (Le Sigh, and it didn’t used to be this way. Thanks divorce!):

I can’t believe no one has mentioned Ibanez as an example of overseas excellence. That or I ain’t-been-reading-all-that-good.

I had a Sadowsky Metro back in 2008 or so, but I wanted to snag one of those mahogany-body, wenge necked 6 string soundgears, for a gig that required some self-indulgent, prog-y type playing.

I’m embarrassed to say that that bass played like a million bucks ... putting aside the tight string spacing which I do NOT like ... and fit the gig better than my expensive Sadowsky Metro would have.

Not gonna tell a lie ... I own two NYC Sadowsky basses: An ash/ebony fretless ‘modern’ 5 and an alder/brazilian rosewood PJ5 ...

If I can get ahold of an ash/maple PJ5 or an ash/maple Modern 5, just because they’re within reach financially whereas my NYC purchases were once-in-a-lifetime purchases (thank you Oil and Gas Boom of 2010-2015 R.I.P)?

Watch out Chase Bank associates. This CC’s gonna have smoke coming off of it.

 

[James Collins]

I've only been to the airport in LA once and I know of one store in LA that regularly has Warwicks. Worse is trying to find a store with classical guitars. I wish I lived in Los Angeles for that!

GC just started carrying the Rockbass series again. There are also a half dozen $9k custom shops scattered throughout the chain. Far from a good selection.
MF is worthless. You can't try out instruments from an online store.
One or two random stores isn't much of a distribution chain. Chicago music has them too. Am I going to fly to Chicago to try out a bass?
Warwick isn't some tiny company with one guy making basses in his garage. They have the means to have them more readily available.
I love the sound of their basses, but so many of their business decisions are baffling.

Warwick can only make them available. They can't force stores to buy them. But it seems a bit strange to me that with your proximity to the greater LA area that you can't find anyone who has any.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Embarrassing story from a guy who has more hi-end basses than he has gigs (Le Sigh, and it didn’t used to be this way. Thanks divorce!):

I can’t believe no one has mentioned Ibanez as an example of overseas excellence. That or I ain’t-been-reading-all-that-good.

I had a Sadowsky Metro back in 2008 or so, but I wanted to snag one of those mahogany-body, wenge necked 6 string soundgears, for a gig that required some self-indulgent, prog-y type playing.

I’m embarrassed to say that that bass played like a million bucks ... putting aside the tight string spacing which I do NOT like ... and fit the gig better than my expensive Sadowsky Metro would have.

Not gonna tell a lie ... I own two NYC Sadowsky basses: An ash/ebony fretless ‘modern’ 5 and an alder/brazilian rosewood PJ5 ...

If I can get ahold of an ash/maple PJ5 or an ash/maple Modern 5, just because they’re within reach financially whereas my NYC purchases were once-in-a-lifetime purchases (thank you Oil and Gas Boom of 2010-2015 R.I.P)?

Watch out Chase Bank associates. This CC’s gonna have smoke coming off of it.

I mentioned Ibanez and Yamaha as companies that could provide quality and superior distribution. Ibanez is producing more models with wide string spacing that play and sound great too.

 

[socialleper]

I've only been to the airport in LA once and I know of one store in LA that regularly has Warwicks. Worse is trying to find a store with classical guitars. I wish I lived in Los Angeles for that!

Is it a goofy little shop in the worst part of downtown that has a lot of accordions?

 

[Jim C]

Embarrassing story from a guy who has more hi-end basses than he has gigs (Le Sigh, and it didn’t used to be this way. Thanks divorce!):

I can’t believe no one has mentioned Ibanez as an example of overseas excellence. That or I ain’t-been-reading-all-that-good.

I had a Sadowsky Metro back in 2008 or so, but I wanted to snag one of those mahogany-body, wenge necked 6 string soundgears, for a gig that required some self-indulgent, prog-y type playing.

I’m embarrassed to say that that bass played like a million bucks ... putting aside the tight string spacing which I do NOT like ... and fit the gig better than my expensive Sadowsky Metro would have.

Not gonna tell a lie ... I own two NYC Sadowsky basses: An ash/ebony fretless ‘modern’ 5 and an alder/brazilian rosewood PJ5 ...

If I can get ahold of an ash/maple PJ5 or an ash/maple Modern 5, just because they’re within reach financially whereas my NYC purchases were once-in-a-lifetime purchases (thank you Oil and Gas Boom of 2010-2015 R.I.P)?

Watch out Chase Bank associates. This CC’s gonna have smoke coming off of it.

Cool
There is one example of a kinda high end bass and owner that are happy.
I really can't think of any other excellence for guitars or basses that comes from China.

Here's hoping that team Sadowsky/Warwick can help China turn out high quality musical instruments that are affordable.
Korea has figured out how.

I did play a couple RockBasses that were set up very poorly so no idea if they could have been good players.

 

[Geri O]

Wow, just wow....

I wonder what it’s like to be a Roger Sadowsky, for instance, and have a forum full of folks speculating, guessing, opining, microscope-in-every-orifice, going on and on about his motives, plans, state of the country of origin when he plans to do business, etc, etc.

It’s kinda been like watching car racing. No real interest, but I’m here for the crackups. Which I’m 100% certain won’t be because of Mr. Sadowsky’s doing.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I really think that the bump in the exchange rate around 2007-2009 vis a vis the Euro really crushed Warwick. That was when GC dumped it’s German Warwicks. It took them a few years to get the Rockbass line really efficient and Proline needs better promotion.

Euro Dollar Exchange Rate (EUR USD) - Historical Chart

You can see here where the Euro had a big surge before 2009.

 

[Dave Hill]

But you'll never catch me whining about something that affects my life in zero ways

Caught you.

 

[GregC]

Cool
There is one example of a kinda high end bass and owner that are happy.
I really can't think of any other excellence for guitars or basses that comes from China.

Dingwall has been mentioned numerous times in this thread.

 

[JimmyM]

Caught you.

Big difference between complaining about something that hasn't happened yet and sticking up for the integrity of someone whose products I don't use but has a 40 year career of being tops in his field.

 

[Bass Viking]

I think Warwick will do an excellent job of it and I'm optimistic the Chinese ME basses will be great. What I'm not optimistic about is ever seeing a Sadowsky in a store near me.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I think Warwick will do an excellent job of it and I'm optimistic the Chinese ME basses will be great. What I'm not optimistic about is ever seeing a Sadowsky in a store near me.

Join the club.

 

[SadowskySteve]

I think Warwick will do an excellent job of it and I'm optimistic the Chinese ME basses will be great. What I'm not optimistic about is ever seeing a Sadowsky in a store near me.

You should talk to Fleet Pro sound about becoming anm ME dealer. Was happy when they picked up the Genzler line.

 

[SadowskySteve]

@Bass Viking
Further to that. Dave at club bass did drop a big hint that something was coming that would be of big interest to me (This was just before the Big Warwick announcement). Hopefully he intends to stock some ME's this year. Other than check out the GTA GTG gathering if we meet this spring. Lots of great basses and toys to play with and I bring both of my Sadowskys.

 

[ole Jason]

Sorry if I missed it, was it confirmed these will be made in China and not Germany?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Sorry if I missed it, was it confirmed these will be made in China and not Germany?

The equivalent of MetroExpress will be made in China. Two more expensive lines will be made in Germany and Roger Sadowsky will still make Basses in NYC.

 

[Bass Viking]

@Bass Viking
Further to that. Dave at club bass did drop a big hint that something was coming that would be of big interest to me (This was just before the Big Warwick announcement). Hopefully he intends to stock some ME's this year. Other than check out the GTA GTG gathering if we meet this spring. Lots of great basses and toys to play with and I bring both of my Sadowskys.

Thanks for the info. I have bought some gear from Club Bass. Those Sadowskys will probably fly off the shelves!

 

[Bass Viking]

You should talk to Fleet Pro sound about becoming anm ME dealer. Was happy when they picked up the Genzler line.

They carry Warwick Rockbass so who knows, maybe it’s a possibility!

 

[jmain]

Nonsense. You pay for high quality in China, you will get high quality in China.

I had a Kingston MTD AG5 that was MIC and the QC was spot on. Great fit, finish and parts. On par with MIK and Indonesian Laklands.