Macko1968

It does seem that things are not moving well at the moment but Warwicks seem to be suffering the most. I have my own ideas about why this is and might tread on few toes here. I think, as a company, Warwick have totally lost their way. In the halcyon days they arrived on the scene as a company making instruments to a standard an not a price, they snagged a number of hugely influential endorsees - Jack Bruce & John Entwhistle being the most notable. When you bought a Warwick you were buying a no compromise, hand-made instrument that could compete with any boutique maker out there. Over the years they have pushed in to the mainstream, to the detriment of the instruments they make. I now see a company who's primary goal is no longer to make instruments, it's to make money. The decision to embrace a roster of endorsees that is primarily made up of "metal" players has alienated its original demographic & I doubt the average Slipknot fan has £1k to spend on a bass. The quality of the product has gone from exceptional to merely acceptable; plastic nuts, MEC pick-ups, the current bridge, all have been to cut costs with a corresponding cut in performance. What I see on dealers walls now are decent instruments and I'm sure owners are more than happy with them but I just don't get the "wow" factor I got with the early models. The image of the brand has undoubtably slipped which helps explain why warwickhunt & Woolf have both tried & failed to sell exceptional early instruments despite asking utter peanuts for them. Folk just don't see Warwicks as being special anymore. Interestingly, in the 90s I saw Status heading up the same blind alley, their decision to move to wooden necks alienated their fan base & I seriously feared for their future. It is a big relief to see them back doing what they do best, unique graphite basses with the wow factor that makes them stand out from the crowd.

Must admit that Modulus, along with Lakland are the only basses I will buy without trying first. Every one that I've had has been an absolute peach, beautifully made, perfect set-up.

Can't believe this hasn't sold. £800 is absolute peanuts for an instrument of this quality.

Always liked Thumbs, especially the original JD model. I find them really uncomfortable to play though, I think it's the top strap button position, seems to push the bass to the left making the first 3 - 4 frets a real stretch. Still, at £800 you won't buy better.

Jim Cairns is the slowest builder in the world, 12 weeks to refin a 'ray for me a few years back. That said, his work is simply superb, his necks are wonderful & he still makes the best strat pickups I've heard. £250 for anything built by Jim is the deal of the decade.

£2k for a P bass seems mad but, given they are back ordered to 2009, they must be well worth it.