Warwick_Official

My pleasure!

[quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1337686977' post='1663923'] No human involvement then. Nice! Theres a video of this machine in action on the fodera website. How does that stop the frets sticking out/sinking in, after a few days in a dry/humid environment? Which is something that happens to the best of us. [/quote] There is quite a lot of highly skilled human involvement throughout every step of the entire process...but this type of machine is used for consistency and quality. After the necks leave the machine they are hand sanded, fingerboard edges are rounded by hand, etc. Something no machine can do. Keep in mind...Warwick is not a small luthier like yourself, and doesn't claim to be. But, what other major builder goes to such lengths to create a consistent product? A lot has changed at Warwick Germany in the last 4 years. Current production is +/- 50 instruments a week, +/- 2500 per year...whereas previously it was closer to 9000 per year. The goal is to provide a higher quality, more consistent end product than ever before. Each person is highly trained and able to focus on their particular task, while maintaining strict quality control along every step. It really is a unique blend of modern technology and hands-craftsmanship. And you are correct...nobody is beyond the powers of nature and the environment she creates. But we will do whatever possible to innovate, and create great instruments for the players who choose them. Thanks!

[quote name='Teobass88' timestamp='1337685390' post='1663881'] Very interesting description...is this album avaible? [/quote] I'm not sure what plans there might be for an album...but there are a couple of videos posted on the Warwick Official youtube page. The vids are from primarily Musikmesse and Bass Player Live...some talented guy, for sure! http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=warwick+official+JoStLe&oq=warwick+official+JoStLe&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=youtube.3...20847.26857.0.27213.25.25.0.0.0.0.381.2614.12j12j0j1.25.0...0.0.WFpLWF1C1j4

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1337683577' post='1663823'] Many manufacturers I would say. The smaller builders I know and have seen a little of how they work know how to use wood and look after it before using it. (Like Letts and Ou7shined in this thread) Large scale manufacturers is different- and Warwick has always bigged up that they know how to use wood. To give an example I recently went into an unnamed music store and tried a lot of basses. The fenders were awful with a lot of banana necks- one shockingly so. I mentioned this to the staff and they said that they had to go around and tweak the necks every couple of weeks as they were so unstable in the room as it cooled at night. Aparently it got so warm in the last summer the frets started coming out some of 6 string guitars. Partly I think that the shop should sort it's temperatures out but also.... what's going on with the basses????? Warwick are the most annoying brand ever. (and I'm a graphic designer so that may be why) The product is great- but the brand positioning, communication and marketing and graphics suck- (though great for you to get involved at this level! ) I just wish they would sort themselves out, it's from a design point of view such an exciting job someone's got there. [/quote] Fret sprout is an issue that can occur with changes in temp/humidity...the fingerboard wood shrinks as it dries and the frets poke out. The factory here uses a proprietary technology called IFT, Invisible Fret Technology. Its a highly specialized CNC machine that is capable of creating a fingerboard radius from 9.5" to 47", cuts nut the nut slot, then cuts fret slots without going all the across the fingerboard. It leaves a bit of wood on each side running the entire length of the fingerboard...which adds stability and also prevents fret sprout. It then goes on to lay the frets with laser precision, presses them in, and then does the leveling and crowning, It finishes by drilling holes for side dots....and is really something to see in action! Of course all final work -sanding and rounding the fingerboard edges - is done by hand. This is a relatively new machine, and is now used for all German made Warwick necks. As far as the rest of your comments, be assured it is something we are working on...thanks!

Very cool, dood. Jonas is really an incredible musician. His use of tension, drone, and chordal work is stunning....then he follows it up with some mean slap work! Super versatile. His latest project, JoStLe, with Steve Bailey and Lee Sklar is great...3 of my favorite bass players from such different backgrounds, combine to make a very original project.

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1337682796' post='1663794'] Yeah I'm not saying it's a bad idea and that they will all go like that... what I'm saying is that no matter the wood, the grain or the construction technique, no one is 100% immune from natures will. [/quote] You couldn't be more correct! We take as many steps as possible, but your statement is absolutely right!

To go one step further, moisture content of the wood is also something very important. If a builder doesn't use wood that is dried slowly and to the correct moisture content, it will never perform as well as wood that has. Most wood used today is purchased with a high moisture content, and is rapidly kiln-dried. The internal structure of the wood suffers both tonally and in its stability. To meet demand, many builders don't give this fact much worth...but in the long run it makes a tremendous difference. Warwick stores all of its wood for 3-5 years minimum, where it reaches a moisture content of 8% - 10% average. Its then put in a special kiln that uses moist air to slowly bring it to an ideal 8%. In the factory, every piece of wood is tested on a specialized machine that determines the moisture content...if it is between 5%-7% it is marked and allowed to naturally rehydrate. If it is 9%-11% it is also marked as such and stored for further drying. Only wood that is at the correct 8% is used for building.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1337426683' post='1659722'] And then I guess, why do some manufactures/builder use a 3 piece maple neck, I had just presumed that that was for stiffness? Or my warwick which has a neck made of 3 pieces of maple with wenge strips too... Again isn't that for stiffness? Or is it just more what type of sound you want it to make? interested[/quote] Warwick necks made in Germany are contructed of multiple laminates, selected by hand, to insure the grain runs like this: \\\|||/// Its done for stability, and as an added bonus looks nice when carved. The Rockbass and Pro Series use a multi-laminate neck made of maple with ekanga veneers...again, for stability and to prevent twisting.

The Hellborg preamp is built with top quality components and some brilliant design, and as others have said...what you hear in a studio recording is more than the bass/rig used by the artist. There are so many more components to the recording process, as well as final production. The end result, in many cases, is that the sum may be greater than the parts. In my personal experience, the Hellborg gear offers a faithful reproduction of what you and your instrument are putting into it, warm yet defined, with a wide frequency response and little to no coloration of tone. The components are studio grade, etc....but in the end it boils down to this: Does the gear work for you? And, are you happy playing it? We are quite fortunate to have so many options available....its a great time to be a player/gear-head!

Thanks for the welcome Kev! No worries on reception...everyone is entitled to their feelings, and as I said...with time, my intentions will hopefully be clear to everyone. I think, for the most part, we're past that now...have moved on, and can have some fun! Either way, you take the positive with the negative, find a balance...and in doing so, serve the community better. I try to use this thinking in life, as well as the forum! Glad you're enjoying your Thumb NT!

Hi LukeFRC, I am based in California, in the San Francisco North Bay Area. However, we get together for team meetings at the Warwick factory in Germany. Thanks!

[quote name='GregBass' timestamp='1337594902' post='1662348'] The Rockbass Corvette's that I have seen have a totally different neck too - I seem to remember them having a maple neck rather than the ovangkol of German made Warwicks - and they feel completely different. [/quote] Yes, the Rockbass Corvette has a maple neck, with ekanga veneers and rosewood fingerboard.

Thanks again! As far as I know quite a few of the employees play either bass or guitar, and are really enthusiastic in their work. I am a bass player for 20+ years, play a bit of guitar too...and have always had a deep passion for creating music!

Hello Nigel, Thanks for the kind words, and glad to hear that you've found THE ONE! The finest way I can imagine to promote any company is by supporting its existing and potential customers. I'm here for relations, rather than sales and marketing...which admittedly may seem somewhat of a grey-area at times. But without the support of the players, it doesn't matter how great the instruments are. Please let me know if there is anything I can assist you with!

Thanks Bert. I appreciate your reply...its always a pleasure to meet on common ground! Cheers!

My first bass was 73 Fender P. Blonde with Tortoise shell PG. It had the classic cig burn on the headstock, and years of road wear from the owner before me (who was Cher's bass player! LOL) I sold it when I got a 76 MM Sting Ray in Inca Silver...but always wish I hung on to it!

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1337338464' post='1658358'] Nothing. I welcome it. No, I wouldn't like "the opposite", whatever that might be. No, I wouldn't like a J.Hall Rickenbacker approach. Not that I know what that is, but I understand from this forum that J. Hall is an a**hole. So, did I answer your questions? I think so. Did you really relate to what I'd really written? I think not. Rather, you set up straw men. I fail to see why I should be the target of your straw men, seeing as I first welcomed Garey, and only reacted negatively after his over the top adspeak. Up to this point, Garey has warmly thanked for any support, but has failed to adequately respond to the core of the criticism: that he abused the forum with adspeak when he could just have relaxed and be one in the gang, and a highly appreciated one at that. I still warmly welcome this, Garey. You are in a position where you can be an important part of building the finest of relationships between factory and user. Boasting about the superduper range and what important people use it, should not be part of that. Also, being sorry for the effect of your words is not the same as being sorry for the words, you know. Now please be a good boy, do your work well, and we'll be good friends. /condescendence best and good luck, bert [/quote] Hello Bert, Whether you believe it or not, my post was meant to inform...and I completely see your point of view. While trying to provide a bit of historical reference and pointing out the relationship between Warwick & Framus...as well as what makes Framus different today than what it was historically...I suppose I overstepped. I did not mean any abuse, or blatant adspeak. For this, I apologize. I'm very enthusiastic in my position, and will proceed with a greater awareness of what you're saying. I hope we can move forward. I would like to be a part of the gang, to be present, join in on some great chat, and have a nice time. I'm certain you will come to see this...so thanks for giving me the opportunity. And truly, all comments and feedback - positive or negative, are welcome.

[quote name='peted' timestamp='1337321444' post='1657934'] Cool! Great to see Warwick officially represented on this forum. Always had Rock Star service from Warwick when I've emailed them directly with questions in the past about my Thumb bolt-on. Welcome! [/quote] Thanks for the warm welcome peted. We are glad to be on the forum! Except for a few posts here, we've gotten a very positive response across the boards. Glad to hear you've had a good experience with service in the past...we hope to continue to make improvements and make it better for everyone! Be well!

Thanks Walplayer. Our goal is that, exactly. We are interested in bridging the gap between company and player. In the end, we hope it will be a benefit to everyone.

Thanks again for the welcome!

Thanks for the feedback. The joint Facebook page is disliked by a few, and liked by many. We are trying to create a better experience for all, and along the way we know that we can't please everyone. I will bring any and all comments to our Social Media Team!

Hi guys. Sorry if anything came across wrong. Its certainly not a corporate cut'n'paste...but rather an extension of ourselves through the forums, and I thought some history on the company would be nice. I just want to be present to support anyone interested in Warwick or Framus. I will certainly take all comments to the team....and constructive criticism is more than welcome! I hope, with time, this will become evident. Thanks...

Thanks for the feedback! We've recently combined the pages to offer the New Warwick & Framus Facebook page. Warwick Basses and Framus Guitars are made side by side here in Markneukirchen, Germany (as well as the Framus Vintage/Artist Series and the Warwick Pro/Artist Series, made in Korea)...which many people do not know! Fred Wilfer (Father of Warwick's Hans-Peter Wilfer) created the Framus company in 1946. For decades Framus was one of Europe's leading stringed instrument company, played by artists such as John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Billy Lorento, and Bill Wyman. In the late 70's Framus was forced to close due to competition from the Asian market...but after a couple years of transition, Warwick was founded: 13 September 1982, by Hans-Peter Wilfer) Now, 30 years later, Warwick and Framus offer an amazing array of models and options...as well as an incredible Artist roster. The factory is a blend of cutting-edge technology and hand-craftsmanship...with a dedication to high environmental standards. We welcome all your comments...thanks!