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Warwick to become 'Exclusive Licensee' to Sadowsky!

warwickhunt

By warwickhunt,
in Bass Guitars

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cetera Grand Master

cetera

Posted
Posted

I give it three years.... and then they'll produce the same instrument, change the tuning peg angle and stop paying Sadowsky for the license ;)

 

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warwickhunt Grand Master

warwickhunt

Posted
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Posted
Just now, chris_b said:

Metro's to be made in Germany now!! He's cutting out the Japanese side of the business?

It could mean Warwick will produce Metro in Japan; they made the Dolphin Pro II there back in the early 90's.  

thodrik Mentor

thodrik

Posted
Posted (edited)

https://www.sadowsky.com/sadowsky-warwick-announcement/?fbclid=IwAR0ByXnN5qtBGX01Lz-fV48cU642Dkg9_hJDexz9anGByAph_GCuddZZZcI

In an announcement that will surely lead to Talkbass users losing control of bodily functions and Basschat users to go 'hmm, vaguely interesting', Sadowsky and Warwick have come to a deal whereby Warwick will now be the exclusive constructors of the Metroline and Metro Express series of basses, that were previously constructed in Japan. 

Obviously, this also means that Roger Sadowsky is effectively handing over a bit more control to a third party, allowing him to go back to building basses in New York rather than have to constantly monitor expanding overseas production (the Metro Series and Metro Express involved two different construction processes in different locations, so quite a lot to oversee while you are still trying to manage the NYC workshop and business). 

Despite being a proud owner of a Metro bass, I am actually fairly interested in this partnership. If the Sadowsky Metro series are constructed and price at a similar level to the German 'team built' line, then this could see the price of the Metro series come down. A five string team built Warwick Thumb is now about £1500, which I think is pretty good value in the current market. If the Sadowskys are priced closer to that level then that is great news and really would lead to the Metro line being priced at or around the Sandberg and Fender lines, rather than £800+ above them as they are currently. 

I wonder if the Metro Express line will be a 'Rockbass' equivalent. 

Any thoughts?

Edited by thodrik
Sibob Grand Master

Sibob

Posted
Posted

Yeah, it doesn't mention specifically that they'll be German made, or whether Warwick will utilise an overseas factory.

Interesting news, but no real change for the consumer I imagine.

Si

yorks5stringer Grand Master

yorks5stringer

Posted
Posted
57 minutes ago, warwickhunt said:

It could mean Warwick will produce Metro in Japan; they made the Dolphin Pro II there back in the early 90's.  

All the Rockbass series are made in China so maybe there?

Lfalex v1.1 Veteran

Lfalex v1.1

Posted
Posted

Hmm, vaguely interesting.

More seriously, is it Warwick (Germany) doing the building, or their Asian counterpart?

This further brings into question the reason for the change. If they can produce the Metro at the same quality at a lower cost, will that saving be passed on to the consumer or contribute to Sadowsky's profits. I can't see how German production costs can significantly undercut the Japanese operation.

More questions than answers, there, I'm afraid!

Not sure if it's good news or not!

molan Veteran

molan

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Sibob said:

Yeah, it doesn't mention specifically that they'll be German made, or whether Warwick will utilise an overseas factory.

Interesting news, but no real change for the consumer I imagine.

Si

Or a factory that isn't overseas but also isn't in Germany but allows them to retain a 'made in Germany' label. . .

Mike2tone Apprentice

Mike2tone

Posted
Posted

I asked myself the same questions when I heard the news and knowing the guys at Warwick, I am sure regardless they will make a great product.

I have asked the relevant questions, with regards to manufacturing and distribution, both to Warwick and the European distributor, but not news yet. In fact, the European distributor or at least the person I spoke to, did not even know about it!

I guess i will know more at the NAMM show, when they get released. i will post more as I get the info and I am allowed!

Drax Proficient

Drax

Posted
Posted
9 minutes ago, ezbass said:

Just as we're about to become liable for import duty and VAT from Germany. GAH!

Don't worry - we won't be paying import duty from USA soon :)

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MrCrane Experienced

MrCrane

Posted
Posted
16 minutes ago, ezbass said:

Just as we're about to become liable for import duty and VAT from Germany. GAH!

I think we're already liable to pay VAT for goods from Germany.

 

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ezbass Grand Master

ezbass

Posted
Posted
15 minutes ago, MrCrane said:

I think we're already liable to pay VAT for goods from Germany.

 

You are correct. However, it is at whatever their is rate and not on top of the quoted price. Then again, I suppose, we’ll be able to buy them without their VAT and have whatever our rate will be at the time added on. 

thodrik Mentor

thodrik

Posted
Posted
7 minutes ago, Mike2tone said:

OK so, Custom Shop and Metro Line will be made in Germany and the Metro Express in China. That is all I know. 

Custom shop as in the current NYC/Satin line? Interesting, I thought that the NYC workshop was staying open.

thodrik Mentor

thodrik

Posted
Posted
8 minutes ago, Mike2tone said:

I guess there will also be a German made Master built/Custom Shop version, as well as the NYC. The whole thing is being released at NAMM but this came from the horse's mouth. 

Okay. Sounds like an equivalent or something similar to the Satin line. Though if it is like Custom Shop Warwick prices then the price could be even higher than current Satin/NYC prices.

Though if the Metro prices are similar to the team built prices for the Thumb, Streamer etc, then that is much lower than current Metro prices

Honestly, I am intrigued to see how it works out.

MrCrane Experienced

MrCrane

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, ezbass said:

You are correct. However, it is at whatever their is rate and not on top of the quoted price. Then again, I suppose, we’ll be able to buy them without their VAT and have whatever our rate will be at the time added on. 

And if Royal Mail get involved we’ll also have their fee to add on. 😕

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Cuzzie Veteran

Cuzzie

Posted
Posted

Well, that’s Sadowsky’s share price dropped, maybe they can right royally fcuk up another companies good bass like the Status Buzzard and spread their weird management practice to another brand 

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ianrendall Rising Star

ianrendall

Posted
Posted (edited)

It does seem a little out of character for someone like Roger to hand over production to a high profile company - a competitor even - like Warwick.

Either something went very very wrong in Tokyo such as QC issues or simply not able to match demand quick enough for whatever reason.

Or Sadowsky as a whole are in financial trouble and need the backing of a larger company with deeper pockets, and part of the rescue package was a licensing deal.

Or it might just be that Rog wants an easier way to get basses into Europe and Warwick was the answer. 
 

A few months ago Sadowsky were teasing images of what appeared to be a Sadowsky-built Marcus Miller sig to tie in with the 40th anniversary. Then all of a sudden it was delayed. I wonder if this new agreement has anything to do with it. 

Edited by ianrendall

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