Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Sadowsky in distribution agreement with Warwick
- Thread starter burk48237
- Start date
This makes sense. Roger Sadowsky, like Ken Smith and Stuart Spector, is an older man now. I believe Roger turned 70 this year. It makes sense that he would work out something with a larger company for his import line and accessories and then concentrate of his handcrafted instruments. Warwick ergonomics are not for everyone, but Warwick knows he to produce quality instruments, therefore, I expect Warwick to faithfully execute Roger Sadowsky’s designs. I am looking forward to much success!
I don't know how well Warwick will execute their end of the deal, but for Roger's sake and the sake of everyone out there that wants a Sadowsky without the NYC cost, I surely hope that they execute it very well.
I absolutely agree with you as to the likely reasons for this. I don't "know" Roger Sadowsky, but I have spoken to him via phone and email as well as watched several interviews. It seems quite obvious to me that his passion is in the instruments. I seriously doubt he ever saw the metro lines going to such a level of demand. I can certainly see how he could get consumed with dealing with all of those headaches and have no time to do what he actually wants to do.
If this is the path he sees to improving his quality of life, I say good for him and wish him the very, very best.
As a 60-ish retired person with time to pursue some bucket list items and now play bass a lot more, I'm sure Roger is looking for more time of his own - while at the same time keeping his legacy intact. I bet that licensing agreement is precise and controlling. I doubt seriously that Sadowsky Metro and ME will be divided into pre-CBS and post-CBS worlds.
Last edited:
It's difficult to see "your bass" get "sold out" so to speak. It's part of business I think. Look at Genz Benz for example. Sold to a larger umbrella company. No more Genz Benz amps. I think the GB technology went into Fender Rumbles - hence the reason they sound so much better. Then, after the non-compete clause expires, we get Genzler Amps. Better than the previous Genz Benz amps and that' ssaying something.
Not that Sadowsky is being sold like that, but maybe some good will come from it. I was very disappointed to see Genz Benz go away. I probably stated so in a thread similar to this one. But I am happy to support Jeff Genzler again with his Genzler amps.
I'm a Roscoe guy, and I would be very sad to see that company sold/swallowed up by an umbrella that may or may not keep making the basses I love. I get the reaction over this news.
Not that Sadowsky is being sold like that, but maybe some good will come from it. I was very disappointed to see Genz Benz go away. I probably stated so in a thread similar to this one. But I am happy to support Jeff Genzler again with his Genzler amps.
I'm a Roscoe guy, and I would be very sad to see that company sold/swallowed up by an umbrella that may or may not keep making the basses I love. I get the reaction over this news.
Warwick cut him loose a few years ago.
I didn't respond to invalidate his experience. I responded because his wording, at least to me, seemed to imply a general case, not more of an isolated one. That said, I'm done with this side thread. No good can come from it. All points made, comments heard.
I can guess, a bunch of people that will never buy one in the first place bitching about how they'll never buy one and Fender sucks.
Yes, of course. I'm sure you have strong reasons to have your negative opinion.
Arguably my favorite gear-related post on TB, ever!
Obviously, this is a quality of life decision by RS to outsource the Metro and Metro Express lines. I'm encouraged when someone realizes there's only so much time and so much money, and look for smart ways to be successful and still leave time for a life. You can always make more money, but none us can add one second to our lives. Roger wants to go back to doing what he does best, and outsource all that other business to someone smart who is happier living on airplanes and wearing out their Asian-to-English translator.
I'm thinking Warwick will leverage the OEM builders they use in the Far East who already build all their non-Germany product. To build those in Germany would lose all the price advantage they offer vs. the NYC-built axes.
Like any of the ventures, IF it's overseen properly it could work out well. Look at how well the Sterlings do for EBMM. Though not all of these ventures work out that well, it can be done.
I'd echo that Warwick's distribution has seemed scattershot at times ( . . . . just like Metros and ME's . . . . ), so if they can improve that and keep them faithful to their original quality and performance targets, this will be a good thing.
I'm thinking Warwick will leverage the OEM builders they use in the Far East who already build all their non-Germany product. To build those in Germany would lose all the price advantage they offer vs. the NYC-built axes.
Like any of the ventures, IF it's overseen properly it could work out well. Look at how well the Sterlings do for EBMM. Though not all of these ventures work out that well, it can be done.
I'd echo that Warwick's distribution has seemed scattershot at times ( . . . . just like Metros and ME's . . . . ), so if they can improve that and keep them faithful to their original quality and performance targets, this will be a good thing.
This, exactly.
All the best to you, Roger, and I hope that this new endeavor succeeds for you.
Does EBMM do anything with the Sterlings other than collect a license fee? I thought that line was essentially all outsourced.
Warwick seem like a good match for this because they have factories and capabilities in place, a world wide network and probably most importantly - no jazz bass type model in their lineup that would be a competing product.
Furthermore (and this applies to Canada) will we see them at our Long & McQuade music shops? I've never seen a Sadowsky in person and I'd certainly be happy to try one. I see this as a positive move as far as getting product out to a wider audience.
Yeah, the only Sadowsky that I've seen in a store was a used Metro. Wait, that's not true, one at a local dealer that's had the same bass for years - limited hours so it's a rare, pre-planned trip there.
Cyber, that's exactly why I pointed out the Sterlings as an example of 'outsource-done-right'; I can think of others that didn't turn out as faithfully. Build them right and distribute them, send Roger a check, and hopefully as successful as the Sterlings, and far more easily available than their current situation.
Still a little confused here...
Where (what country, what factory) will the Metro’s be built now?
If staying in Japan, is Warwick just going to step in and oversee production production in the existing facilities?
Will final QC and setup be somewhere else, e.g Germany or USA?
Where (what country, what factory) will the Metro’s be built now?
If staying in Japan, is Warwick just going to step in and oversee production production in the existing facilities?
Will final QC and setup be somewhere else, e.g Germany or USA?
As someone who is approaching the age of retirement, I think this makes sense - a truly rich person is one who is able to offload/stop doing the stuff that feels like work, and then concentrate on the things you LOVE to do - your passions. This may or may not be the impetus for this move, but if I were Roger, I think I'd be looking for things that move the needle in that direction.
