[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1327069805' post='1506023']
Hello Dirk, I'm guessing you have a connection to warwick. If so it is great to see you on the site. (and thank you for making my main bass ) if I am wrong...
I personally, and I guess speaking as a graphic/communication designer, think that warwick's biggest problem is a communication one- you hear folk who have been to the factory, or worked with the distributer hinting how actually we are all wrong and they are brilliant basses, if we just knew what they knew.... there was a fascinating thread last year about it when the new korean models came out, lots of people didn't understand what was going on, and a fella came up and explained actually there was a brilliant plan under way and all these amazing things going on, that he couldn't fully explain. So if what we believe from people 'in the know' warwick are doing some amazing-brilliant things in the way they produce basses in germany and abroad- problem is that isn't getting communicated- I think they need a new advertising/communication agency; to explain [i]why[/i] warwick make better basses than anyone else- and position theme within the culture of popular music successfully
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Yes, I am affiliated to Warwick and part of my job is to improve the issues you described. Well, I already mentioned some important points but I'll gladly outline some points a bit more comprehensively.
Quality:
Even though machines are actually involved in the production process, you should not think of a production line like with an automobile manufacturer. Each intermediate product, no matter if it is a piece of wood or an almost finished instrument is handled with care by human employees during all stages of manufacturing. Nevertheless, machines are way more precise than humans at some tasks, that is for sure. Best known example is certainly the CNC. The more subtle working processes like sanding, quality checks, wood selection, installation of electronics and so on are still done by employees. You must know that Warwick's approach is to achieve the ultimate quality. A bolt-on neck for instance can be hardly removed from the body, even if you take out the screws. Our coatings have higher standards than in the automobile industry and are environmental freindly like almost any other material we use.
Sound:
Some of the greatest bass players there are relate on the Warwick sound and most of them even pay for their instruments. I don't think players like Robert Trujillo, Bootsy Collins, Jonas Hellborg, Larry Graham, and so on would play Warwick if they were not absolutely convinced of the quality and sound.
Environment:
Warwick lately received the FSC certifaction, is EMAS III certified as well, has the largest solar power plant in the region, only uses "green" electricity from sustainable energy sources, uses geothermics, has purchased the most energy-efficient machines there are, is almost independant in terms of energy and will certainly be completely autarchic within the next years. There are more projects to come, but these are the main points for now.
Well, these are some points out of a whole lot. If you have some more questions or if you would like to know something about a Warwick instrument in particular, ask me and I will give or get you the answer ;-)
Best,
Dirk