Warwick = Soon to be Korean Made?

[Woodchuck]

hairy German-ex-wives got the better of me.

LOL!!!!

 

[JPSBassist]

Some of world's tallest buildings(dubai burj khalifa, petronas, taipei 101) and largest ships are built by koreans. If they can do that, I can trust them to make wooden instruments.

Here's a funny one. NO JOKE. My ex-wife (the hairy German-chick) drove a Kia mini-van. We were some of the first in the USA to get one.

It was an awesome van. She abused that van (like everything else in her life) for 5 years and it was like a tank.

I've thought more than once... I shoulda married a Korean woman!

 

[itsalljustaride]

My apologies, you didn't call me anything. I was projecting some of the negative comments directed my way from loyal WW players in past debates.

Sorry.

I've heard only the zero scenareo. I played a vintage Steinberger for years and most of my info has come from conversations with people who had worked for either Steinberger Sound or Spector back in the day.

I only started playing Spectors last year. I took a 10 year break from playing. Life, work, hairy German-ex-wives got the better of me.

I honestly like the Corvette and just like rippin' on Streamer players... mainly because many I've spoken to have gotten defensive and projected a bunch of stuff not based on the facts my direction.

If anyone from WW officially came out and said "Hey, you guys are all wrong, here's what happened and here's how we handled it." and Spector's camp came out and said, "This is true, it's all cool." then I think there'd be no more issue. But that's not going to happen because the issue was never settled.

So like I said, nothing but respect to any musician who wants to walk the difficult road of the bassist... so long as they don't do it with a Streamer... LOL.

The real question is, why does anyone give a rats behind about this silly argument except Ned Steinberger and HP Wilfer?

The only people I ever see actively perpetuating this silly argument are Spector fanboys living out some proxy butthurt victim complex that they had no stake in.

Yes, the two look alike. Yes, it was pretty much a ripoff in the beginning. Now, I consider the issue settled. If Ned Steinberger wants some money from WW he can sue them again. If he loses, then there's no issue. The law has settled it.

 

[JPSBassist]

The only people I ever see actively perpetuating this silly argument are Spector fanboys living out some proxy butthurt victim complex that they had no stake in.

Interesting...
"Proxy Butthurt"
That's really funny.

I take it that looking at your profile name, itsalljustaride, you are familiar with butthurt?

Butt seriously the reason I enjoy these interchanges is that I have a degree in psych and I really enjoy pushing the buttons of people with psuedo-entitlement/latent anger issues stemming from their seeming position of societal submission and the residual resentment that comes from not being in any true position of authority in their lives.

Your turn.

 

[aledeville]

Warwick had some problems in the most recent past, there were heavy accusations about their way of treating the employees (very very bad salary, almost no vacation, prohibition of an employee organisation etc.).

In the german speaking bass-community it was quite a shock, because people always thought that when you buy something from germany (Deutsche Wertarbeit) then you pay more but the people get paid right etc. Just like fairtrade product from Max Havelaar.
It was just the other way around.

I don't know whether that has something to do with that matter discussed in this thread, but I think it might.

This is the link, much fun with the german...
http://www.stern.de/politik/deutsch...-horst-koehler-und-die-ausbeuter-1513438.html

 

[groooooove]

Sigh. I guess it's good that I never really dug Warwick basses.

thats exactly what i thought.

im sure this will be a chance for people to start claming that the german ones are far superior, due to the fact that..well..they aren't being made anymore.

then again, the korean workmanship is pretty likely to stink.

 

[itsalljustaride]

I take it that looking at your profile name, itsalljustaride, you are familiar with butthurt?

That's what Astroglide is for.

 

[JPSBassist]

That's what Astroglide is for.

Awesome!

Really, it's all in good fun. I am a Spector "Fanboy", but basicially because I've owned a bunch of different basses by different makers and Spectors "fit" me best. I simply like the way they play, feel and sound.

I prefer them over my old Steinbergers actually.

I have nothing against WW players.

Truth be known, after this post I'm moving to an undisclosed location for my own safety. There is a world-wide conspiracy of Spector players, much like the Illuminati, who are determined to dominate the bass world. They are targeting competitive makers one at a time. There is a tenant of this organization that states we must hijack as many forum threads regarding other manufactuers as possible. This is how it begins. See what you thought was fanboys is something much more sinister...

Now I must run, for surely they will be coming for me.

Man. I've been working in Hollywood too long.

Peace!

 

[JPSBassist]

then again, the korean workmanship is pretty likely to stink.

In WW's defense... or actually that of the Korean people... I disagree. I've owned several Korean-made basses and several made in Indonesia... haven't ever owned a Chinese one but have played a few.

I think (in my limited experience) the Korean worksmanship is superior to the other Asian-made basses I've owned or played.

Like I posted before, my 22 year-old Kramer-Spector NS-2A is beautifully made. On par with my Euro-Made Spectors.

I recommend to people who want a true NS-bodied Spector but don't have the budget for a Euro, to look for the Korean-made NS-2A models. They're really superb basses and you can get them for around $500.

I have no issues with Korean worksmanship.

 

[buzzbass]

There's been rumous about them having serious financial difficulties for some time. I have a good friend who's a former Gibson luthier who's been hearing rumors about WW for a long time.

I know they make some nice basses, but the Streamer model is a direct Spector NS knock-off. And they originally had an agreement to pay Ned and Stuart to use the design and then never paid a thing.

So in my book, that makes them unethical douche-tards (UDT's for short) anyway... and if you're going to steal someone else's hard work and then be like "What can you do about... we're German"

They deserve to go down. That's no way to do business. I mean Germany couldn't win on the battlefield so they have to play dirty in the marketplace... oh... and their women. Don't get me started on German women...

As for Korean-made basses, Spector's been there since 1986 (Kramer). Same shop. And the quality of those basses, ask anyone, is right on. I have a 22 year-old Korean Spector NS-2 that I'll put up against a German-made Streamer any day.

The move is a really bad sign if you like their basses. They have to get cost control under control so they are moving to a more "friendly" location, but in doing so, they cut their own necks because the Asian made basses have never brought the price or prestige of the Euro and USA made basses. Real or not, the perception in the marketplace is that Asian is not as good. Fender learned this the hard way in the 1980's.

BTW: Spector still makes both USA and Europe made basses AND they have their Korean line.

When Warwick is dead and gone don't fret. Come on over and get introduced to the original. Try one with an open mind and be blown away.

Forget than I'm:

1) German myself.
2) a life-long Spector fan and player
3) have a German ex-wife that disgusts me just slightly more than WW stealing the NS design.

I've played both side-by-side. And the Spector basses are just better made, nicer and although the tones can be very different, the Spector sound is better to my ears.

And those of us who are long-time dedicated and loyal Spector players won't even make fun of you for once playing Warwicks... OK. I have my fingers crossed on that last one.

So , by using your logic, Lakland Sadowsky, Valenti, Lull, and others should all go out of business too ? You're not too well thought out, are you ?

 

[itsalljustaride]

Really, it's all in good fun. I am a Spector "Fanboy", but basicially because I've owned a bunch of different basses by different makers and Spectors "fit" me best. I simply like the way they play, feel and sound.

s'cool. I've only played two Spectors in my time, and didn't like the feel. Then again, I'm not a huge fan of the Streamer either, so go fig. There was a time long before I could afford such things that a Spector was my dream bass, but my fickle passions have jumped to other basses now

 

[JPSBassist]

So , by using your logic, Lakland Sadowsky, Valenti, Lull, and others should all go out of business too ? You're not too well thought out, are you ?

Actually you bring up a good point.

I'm not familiar with their basses so I cannot talk about something with any amount of intelligence that I have no knowledge or experience of... which is what I find in most Streamer players when they start yakking their limited gray-matter out concerning Spector.

So if you are willing to lend me your expert opinion concerning the above mentioned bass makers and you can tell me that if they used someone else's design and then agreed to pay a license fee for it but backed out and never did... eventually to make small changes and boldly claim that the design was "theirs"...

Then yes. They can burn in the same lower pit of perdition that I've heard will be reserved for German women, WW and of course myself for wasting so much time on Streamer-defending bone-heads.

Is that a satisfactory answer?

 

[JPSBassist]

s'cool. I've only played two Spectors in my time, and didn't like the feel. Then again, I'm not a huge fan of the Streamer either, so go fig. There was a time long before I could afford such things that a Spector was my dream bass, but my fickle passions have jumped to other basses now

I totally understand. I played electric 6-string from the time I was 12 until I got out of college and then got busy with life and stopped playing all together.

I met a few actors on a movie set almost two years ago who'd sit and play music, guitars and basses between takes. I started hanging out with them and next thing you know... I'm getting basses. I went through Ibanez, Steinberger... looked at and almost got a Corvette, MusicMan and then played my first Spector. And it was all over. I've bought, traded and sold several now and finally have the stable of basses that gives me a wide assortment of sound/tone.

And in all seriousness I'm really not bothered by the Spector WW thing. It's often enlightening to go into another forum and just mix it up. You meet some really cool people.

I wanted to play bass as a teen, but my dad, an accomplished 6-string player had that unfortunate prejudice that many guitarist seems to have against bassists.

So I feel like we can all pick fun at one another and all of that. What you play (type of music) and what you play it on (bass brand) doesn't really matter, it's that we're all bassists that counts.

It's all good.

And if I have offended anyone here I'm sincerely sorry. It's just good fun. You taught me a new awesome favorite saying today... I love what you said to me eariler. I was crying I was laughing so much. It honestly made my day.

So nothin' but love to all you WW players... of course those of you who play Streamers should feel shamed and either burn them to exorcise the evil demons that I know must live in them... or trade up for the real deal. LOL. Couldn't resist.

 

[buzzbass]

Actually you bring up a good point.

I'm not familiar with their basses so I cannot talk about something with any amount of intelligence that I have no knowledge or experience of... which is what I find in most Streamer players when they start yakking their limited gray-matter out concerning Spector.

So if you are willing to lend me your expert opinion concerning the above mentioned bass makers and you can tell me that if they used someone else's design and then agreed to pay a license fee for it but backed out and never did... eventually to make small changes and boldly claim that the design was "theirs"...

Are you serious ?!?!

There are literally 100s of companies making fender knockoffs. Not one of them paying any lic. fees. You're so opinionated and sure of yourself, tell me this. Are you one of those tea party yahoos ? FYI, I've owned both an American NS and currently own a Streamer. There is no comparisson, the Streamer blew the NS away. That's why I got rid of the NS. The body carving and hardware differences, alone, make it superior IMO.

 

[Buslady7803]

It won't. EVERYTHING WARWICK STAYS GERMAN MADE, EXCEPT THE CORVETTE STD THAT IS NOW KOREAN MADE.

OOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK thanks for clarifying...maybe i misunderstood the post

 

[JPSBassist]

Are you serious ?!?!

There are literally 100s of companies making fender knockoffs. Not one of them paying any lic. fees. You're so opinionated and sure of yourself, tell me this. Are you one of those tea party yahoos ? FYI, I've owned both an American NS and currently own a Streamer. There is no comparisson, the Streamer blew the NS away. That's why I got rid of the NS. The body carving and hardware differences, alone, make it superior IMO.

Actually because the laws regarding the trademark on design for musical instruments of a certain vintage (meaning before the latest copyright and trademark law updates in the late 1960's, only applied to the shape of the headstock. So Leo Fender's original P and J bass shapes are not protected.

And Fender has spent a lot of money in the past two decades trying to lobby and have that changed. Several manufactuers who make a living off Fender knock-offs have been putting money in to fight Fender's retro-law attempts. If Fender was ever successful, everyone who makes ANY electric bass guitar would have to pay them a license fee because Leo Fender invented the electric bass.

I am actually very educated on copyright and trademark law, I work in Hollywood and constantly have to deal with the various unions and guilds fighting for the ownership rights to this and that. Us working guys often get caught in the middle. The film is green lit... the film's in litigation... the film is green lit... etc...

Tea Party? I may come across opinionated, sure... but do I write like I'm a redneck dufus? And I'm from the South. Nashville to be exact.

Nope... just a "Spector fanboy living out some proxy butthurt victim complex"

And you are entitled to your opinion about the differences. I'm perfectly OK with that. Art, music, life... what's good and bad is subjective. I'm a little concerned you may suffer from a dopamine/seratonin imbalance because the three Streamers I've held, inspected and played were on the level of the nicer Korean model Spectors I've owned. Not as nice as my Euros and all heck and gone from the quality of the USA models. But who knows... perhaps the three I messed with were made by guys at the German factory who just had visits from their German wives or something so they were a little shell shocked? Or perhaps it was one those labor abuse holidays I heard about on this board?

And I have said several times I'm not trying to offend anyone. Just having a good time chatting it up with you guys while I kill some time.

My NS-2 is in my lap and between writing messages here I'm doing my daily bass workout. So it's all good until somebody get's their eye poked out.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[JPSBassist]

Are you serious ?!?!
There are literally 100s of companies making fender knockoffs. Not one of them paying any lic. fees.

Another point though... None of the Fender knock-off companies have ever offered to pay Fender and then back out.

And I don't recall any of them changing the bridge placement and then telling Fender, "what are you talking about... this is OUR design"

And thus, the heart of the beef with WW.
Clones and knock-offs are one thing. In your face forgery, brazzen arrogance and backing out of agreements is another.

Any of you guys want to sell your Streamers? I think I'd like to get on just for the fun of it.

 

[dj150888]

Really JPSBassist....3-4 years studying for a degree and your idea of entertainment is to come onto an internet forum and attempt to psychoanalyse people with all the skill of someone with a set of first year notes? Then mix that up with dropping in a few little buzz words to show you know the tiniest bit of brain chemistry? I know the markets taken a dive, but is employability so poor that you have to resort to that to get your kicks? Or maybe you've a little bit of a complex yourself....


Just before you accuse me of being, "butthurt" as you so maturely call it, I have no interest in either WW Streamer or Spector NS basses.

 

[abngourmet]

I heard that the Korean Baseball League was running out of bats ... so they went down to the Nakwon musical arcade in downtown Seoul and tried a few Warwick necks ... and voila! No more baseball bat shortages!

Yes, I realize I'm going to hell for that bit.

 

[JPSBassist]

Really JPSBassist....3-4 years studying for a degree and your idea of entertainment is to come onto an internet forum and attempt to psychoanalyse people with all the skill of someone with a set of first year notes? Then mix that up with dropping in a few little buzz words to show you know the tiniest bit of brain chemistry? I know the markets taken a dive, but is employability so poor that you have to resort to that to get your kicks?

Just before you accuse me of being, "butthurt" as you so maturely call it, I have no interest in either WW Streamer or Spector NS basses.

Retirement to be precise. And why would I accuse you of being "butthurt?" The post in question if you'll look carefully, stated that I was "butthurt". I liked it so much I made it my signature.

I do have a medical education... med-school and practice as a doctor for several years. So unfortunately, I have more than a slight understanding. Visit my website and read my bio and then come at me with a better understanding of what you are up against.

After patenting a medical records system and selling the company I retired at age 35. And my wife is a stock broker, so the economy issues really haven't affected me any.

Honestly, in all seriousness, money can only buy you one thing. "Time" If you have enough money you become free of the bonds that working a regular job require... mortgage, car payment, groceries. You can then choose to do what you want. I, like many, decided to have fun with my next career and learn the art of film making. And when I work I enjoy every second of it. That wasn't the case with medicine.

I think other than my obvious ribs which are really quite inane, that I've been polite and objective. And I haven't attacked anyone. So that leads me to ask...

I'm curious as to why you would take offense and a side in an argument that's not an argument? In a fight that isn't a fight... one in which no one has directed anything specifically at you?

Projection. Check it out on Wiki. How's YOUR life going at the moment my friend? You seem to be the one who's angry.

Whatever the issues are, I hope things get better for you. I sincerely do.