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Will Warwick become the new Fender?

#21
They tried their best in the mid to late 90s when they bought up all the ad space they possibly could in Bass Player magazine and endorsed every player they could. It's not likely they'll reach that level of popularity again, and even then they weren't close to overtaking Fender.
 
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#26
Bryan R. Tyler said:
They tried their best in the mid to late 90s when they bought up all the ad space they possibly could in Bass Player magazine and endorsed every player they could. It's not likely they'll reach that level of popularity again, and even then they weren't close to overtaking Fender.
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I think they have easily reached that level already. Do you know how many people show up for their bass camps? And how many non Warwick endorsed players go.

I don't think they are trying to be the new fender they market to a completely different population that's why they make so many models. Do you see any fender deminsion basses out there? In my opinion fender is trying now to be like other bass companies cause the market is changing. There is no question they will always have the jazz and pbass players, however, even those people are choosing sadowski and lulls to fenders cause they are just more for the money.
 
#31
lancimouspitt said:
Okay,
let......
So for better or for worse, could the day come when band members groan if you pull anything out other than a warwick?
Am I alone in thinking their domination of the bass world won't end?
Is it a paranoid delusion?
Opinions or onions?
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Onions!

768px-Mixed_onions.jpg


onion-nutrition-facts.jpg


more onions:

healing-the-body.jpg


and more more onions:

Onions-white-red-yellow.jpg


tons of onions!!

onions.jpg


Onions.jpg
 
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#32
Warwick has a very agressive endorsement policy. It seems that the way they sound is not for everybody. Though I live in Europe, I never had the opportunity (or will) to try a German one, which by the way are extremely expensive. Their Asian products don't look very attractive. I'd better go with instruments like Skyline Lakkies or Tribute G&L. Popular instruments here are more Ibbies, LTDs and Yamahas, because they are cheaper/better value for money.
 
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#34
I like them, and if I had unlimited funds I'd probably own one, but I can't see them becoming any type of industry standard. I think they have a big following amongst the technical metal community, but I might be wrong. I'm basing that assessment on memory and the personal preference of some guys I know.
 
#35
I believe it is still the case that if you pull out anything other than a Fender in the studios, you had better be the new thing that some A&R person is pushing. If you are a hired gun, the engineers still have all their dials set for Fender. Likewise, if you are auditioning for any mainstream cover band gig, better to show up with a Fender because that's what most non-bass playing weekend players know and are comfortable with. At least in the US.

One more thing to consider is that popular music and instrument sales still revolve around guitars. The Fender Strat is one of two mainstream guitars, and that isn't likely to change any time soon. Bass perception is highly influenced by the guitar establishment.

Warwicks are very nice. The late '90's Thumb 5's were particularly nice. I played a Corvette 6 that was awesome for several years. Otherwise, there are a lot of basses out there that are much nicer than Fenders. But, trying to displace the standard won't happen in this particular era of music. Too many reasons against and not enough for.
 
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#36
Fender basically invented, marketed and popularized bass guitar as we have seen it for the entire existence of bass guitar. That is why they are what they are. Warwick did not; Fender will remain Fender. Warwick has hardly even been a noticeable percentage of the bass market for the post 30 years, they're not cheap, which means learners will not likely be drawn to them, and they're hard to find, so people don't see them on a regular basis. Even when people don't see actual Fender basses in a storefront, there are basses made to look like Fender, it is iconic at this point. Even Gibson, Rickenbacker, etc, who have been selling bass guitars in large numbers since the 60s or earlier do not have the claim to bass guitar that Fender has.
 
#40
Bass Viking said:
Warwicks are great but his question is preposterous. Overthrowing Fender?!! Where the hell did he get that idea?!! Has he ever visited a music store?
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at one time, kmart overtaking sears was seen as crazy
they did
then wal mart did it to them
etc
etc

fender can slip if someone (sire maybe) builds similar quality at a lower price

I won't buy a fender unless it is used, or a mim. The american prices? I would just get a custom exactly how I want for those prices and get something original.
 
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