For those of you looking for spare necks....

This statement is posted on ebay by DBG auction for the two 4 string Corvette neck :
On Jun-17-11 at 07:36:08 PDT, seller added the following information:

These necks have been paid for by DBG and both the manufacturer (for the last three years) and its various distributors have had numerous opportunities to buy these necks. Time to get them into the hands of those that want/need them.

If your purchasing a used Warwick, IMHO, ALWAYS ask the seller for the serial # and then run it thru Warwicks Serial # Finder. There were a few cases [2 or 3] where the # DIDNOT match the model that was being offered. Then there are some cases where the seller will not give the serial # citing that I/WE don't give out the #'s because of some dishonset people will make fakes and use those #'s. Maybe I'm wrong, but would you purchase a Vintage Corvette [car] and not get the VIN # first to insure it's was the seller says it is or be told that you'll get the VIN when you purchase the car.
 
Well, finally I've got an answer about how much would cost me to get a JAN for my Dolphin from Habro, Warwick representatives in Brasil.
Just a nut R$ 256 (EUR 115) plus shipping
Just a nut Brass R$ 768 (EUR 343) plus shipping
The Import taxes in Brasil are around 60% for a regular person; companies pay much less.
Looks like they are making a lot of money over it.
It took 5 months for them to answer me.
just found out, these prices are for 4 string nuts, and I asked for 5.
 
I'm so on the fence about this...

I have never bought a Warwick new. From a business perspective, I am irrelevant and have not contributed a dime to them. As such, I am not under any warranty - nor should I be. As such, any damage to the instruments is my financial responsibility.

But aren't warranties a tit for tat situation? We use the basses like Warwick wants for the duration of the warranty, and in return Warwick will look after us if something breaks. After the warranty, all bets are off - but Warwick will not provide necks to people out of warranty. Is this an attack on the pre-owned market? If it is, it's a wise business move that makes you look bad. What next - specific routing to deter electronics replacement?

I'm only semi-serious about the paragraph above, but I'm not sold on the neck policy. Swapping necks void your warranty. That's the consequence. It's our bass, and we should be able to do what we want with it, and in turn we should understand the consequences of doing so. What's so wrong with Franken-Wicks? Do you really think it'll deter from CS sales - especially when considering how many CS jobs are top shelf, NT stuff? I'm probably going to get screamed at for saying this, but not selling necks in order to preserve the company's integrity while having the W logo on RockBasses and moving the production of the Corvette to Korea is so hypocritical...

EDIT: If Warwick's outsourcing production and making products for every price level, they're smart, and their desire is to be a market leader. Market leaders also give birth to an aftermarket. If Warwick's wish comes true and they're up there with Fender (which I think will happen), there's going to be demand for aftermarket stuff. What is Warwick going to do when Allparts and Warmoth make Warwick replacement necks? Sue them? Let the market do what it wants. If you're offering Asian basses, offer replacement necks. The Custom Shop will forever cater to the high-end, because the people without money buy used anyway. Embrace it. Besides, Warwick necks ONLY FIT WARICKS anyway!!

EDIT 2: I think me being able to purchase a Vampyre NT for two hundred ($200) dollars is more of an issue than different necks on different bodies!
 
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thefitz said:
I'm so on the fence about this...

I have never bought a Warwick new. From a business perspective, I am irrelevant and have not contributed a dime to them. As such, I am not under any warranty - nor should I be. As such, any damage to the instruments is my financial responsibility.

But aren't warranties a tit for tat situation? We use the basses like Warwick wants for the duration of the warranty, and in return Warwick will look after us if something breaks. After the warranty, all bets are off - but Warwick will not provide necks to people out of warranty. Is this an attack on the pre-owned market? If it is, it's a wise business move that makes you look bad. What next - specific routing to deter electronics replacement?

I'm only semi-serious about the paragraph above, but I'm not sold on the neck policy. Swapping necks void your warranty. That's the consequence. It's our bass, and we should be able to do what we want with it, and in turn we should understand the consequences of doing so. What's so wrong with Franken-Wicks? Do you really think it'll deter from CS sales - especially when considering how many CS jobs are top shelf, NT stuff? I'm probably going to get screamed at for saying this, but not selling necks in order to preserve the company's integrity while having the W logo on RockBasses and moving the production of the Corvette to Korea is so hypocritical...

EDIT: If Warwick's outsourcing production and making products for every price level, they're smart, and their desire is to be a market leader. Market leaders also give birth to an aftermarket. If Warwick's wish comes true and they're up there with Fender (which I think will happen), there's going to be demand for aftermarket stuff. What is Warwick going to do when Allparts and Warmoth make Warwick replacement necks? Sue them? Let the market do what it wants. If you're offering Asian basses, offer replacement necks. The Custom Shop will forever cater to the high-end, because the people without money buy used anyway. Embrace it. Besides, Warwick necks ONLY FIT WARICKS anyway!!

EDIT 2: I think me being able to purchase a Vampyre NT for two hundred ($200) dollars is more of an issue than different necks on different bodies!
Click to expand...

I don't see the problem here.

We make instruments and want to preserve our brand in our interest and in our customers' interest.

A warwick instrument is made of two main components : a body and a neck. A neck alone is not a Warwick instrument, a body neither. We are not a company that make spare parts for people to assemble randomly in their basement. Other do that, that's their market, not ours. If you have a problem with the neck, you have a problem with the instrument as a whole. You send it back to us, we fix it. We don't fix spare parts. We don't want to see Frankenwick, 'cause it's not what we intend to do with our name. That's it. I mean, at least, as a Warwick employee, that's the way I see it, and Warwick is not the only brand to see it this way IMHE. But that's just my opinion.

But if you think Hans-Peter Wilfer should change the way he does that, write your concerns to [email protected].

Seriously, you'll probably get an answer from the man himself, and see for yourself what he thinks of that. (no kidding, do it!)

;)
 
Well, there's not really one concise question that I'm asking without the context of this thread - and HPW doesn't deserve what would end up being an out-of-nowhere rant from yours trully :P and besides, I wouldn't feel right considering I've never bought a new Warwick.

But this does answer some of my questions - if a third party makes necks, let them - I'd ask if you'd all get mad if people start selling their own necks on eBay, but I'll just wait and see if the first premise happens.

I guess the moral of the story is that if you're going used, you're stuck with what you find. There's nothing wrong with that approach per se, it just seems a little incongruous with what other companies are doing. I know Warwick's always been about that incongruity, but with foreign factories opening up, it seems like Warwick's adopting more common production approaces - just not across the board.
 
i also can't really follow the train of thoughts here.

Warwick doesn't sell any necks, why should they sue somebody building necks that fit on a Warwick?
Headstocks are not allowed to be copied, but the measures of the neck? sure they are.

If you bought a Warwick neck and screwed it to a selfmade somewhat body, it would show "Warwick" as brand by logo and headstock.
If you have a Warwick and want to change the neck and get it custom made (or find a fitting one) ... feel free. It won't have the brand name nor the headstock.
It's about the bad reputation Warwick could get because of "Frankenbasses" that seem to be original but aren't.

Also, afaik, you have the possibility to get a broken neck replaced even after your warranty. If you don't want it the Warwick way (or price), ask a luthier.
I don't see any reason for critizing the neck policy - they don't sell spare necks. Period. Try to buy oreos without biscuit.
 
thefitz said:
Well, there's not really one concise question that I'm asking without the context of this thread - and HPW doesn't deserve what would end up being an out-of-nowhere rant from yours trully :P and besides, I wouldn't feel right considering I've never bought a new Warwick.

But this does answer some of my questions - if a third party makes necks, let them - I'd ask if you'd all get mad if people start selling their own necks on eBay, but I'll just wait and see if the first premise happens.

I guess the moral of the story is that if you're going used, you're stuck with what you find. There's nothing wrong with that approach per se, it just seems a little incongruous with what other companies are doing. I know Warwick's always been about that incongruity, but with foreign factories opening up, it seems like Warwick's adopting more common production approaces - just not across the board.
Click to expand...

I was dead serious, it was not rhetorical, summarize the thread, or link it, then write it to [email protected], saying it's for HPW, and that you don't inderstand his policy. He will give you an answer, regardless if you have or not a Warwick, or if it was bought new or used. I mean, the best you can have on this forum would be my opinion, or Florin's, but we're not responsible for the company policy. You'll get answers to your questions, and no, he won't flame you for asking ;-)

But as I said, the way I see it, we make, sell and service instruments, not spare parts. We sell and service Warwick instruments, which are built the way we intended them to be, not Frankenwick, and we want to keep it that way, at least that is how I understand it from my humble perspective.
 
boebl said:
Try to buy oreos without biscuit.
Click to expand...

Reminded me of that... In the future, you can!

:-)



[video=youtube;2G7Pev7ptsI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G7Pev7ptsI[/video]
 
thefitz said:
.......
and besides, I wouldn't feel right considering I've never bought a new Warwick.

.........
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Thaz the second time you've expressed that feeling.
There is no good solid reason to feel that way. I'm
also a scavenger. My new [non-pre-owned] items
are ALWAYS acquired at silly-deep-low clearance
or scratch-n-dent pricing. Even tho I get a legit new
item warranty, I'm a scavenger. The rest of my stuff
is bought used. We scavengers are important to the
retail environment, just like scavengers in nature. We
make room for the new-new stuff. Seriously ! Ease up !
 
boebl said:
i also can't really follow the train of thoughts here.

Warwick doesn't sell any necks, why should they sue somebody building necks that fit on a Warwick?
Headstocks are not allowed to be copied, but the measures of the neck? sure they are.
Click to expand...
When I said that I over-thought exactly how desperate Warwick was to keep FrankenWicks from cropping up - and if a third party starts making them, this could happen. Big if.

I am curious now - because these necks still appear on eBay - does Warwick intend to do anything?
 
Sigh, I do indeed carry a tremendous amount of guilt considering the deals I've had on some of the NT models - there's such a disparity between the prices of new models and used models it's almost sad... I'm worried it'll get to the point that people will only buy used!

That said, I don't intend on stopping scavenging :P:x;)
 
Well, I'd say yes, but I'd much rather just find a Scavengers' club lying around... ;)
 
I can understand Warwick wanting to preserve their integrity. Ok so I bought the black bridge from DBG...yah i feel a little guilty now...

As far as necks go...so if my vette's neck somehow develops an issue...it's broke or something...it's either send the whole bass to germany or it's no good anymore? I'm a poor player, I couldn't afford to send it all the way there, not to mention worrying like mad if i lost it in transit....i couldn't afford another one right away. I think I was super lucky to have gotten my Warco honestly.

I didnt know the necks aren't paid for! Now im like, was my bridge a paid for or they get it free? then i am in possession of stolen items....i don't like that. :-(

I'm saving, slowly, my next bass I plan to be the 2010 'vette....at least it's born with the black hardware.
 
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Lady Warwick said:
I can understand Warwick wanting to preserve their integrity.
Click to expand...

Arg... Warwick wants to preserve integrity by not selling parts but has the W on the headstock of RockBasses, and makes the Corvette out of Korea... I get it - they're not in the business of selling parts, just basses - but am I really that off the perch by thinking that it's a funny way to preserve integrity?
 
If ya need expertise on necks, call a giraffe. Not Dana B. Goodies.
 
Meh.
Warwick is fantastic, and DBG has been nothing but helpful to me over the years.
I wish both the best.

Nothing good will come from speculating here.
Let the lawyers sort it out if need be.
 
thefitz, what I don't understand is why you are trying to dictate how Warwick should handle the marketing and support/service of their products. It might sound harsh, but that's what it is actually. I don't see how complaining about it can help you or anyone for that matter. Are you trying to help the company? I bet they know what they are doing and why (Rockbasses, W logos on RBs, Korean vettes, etc.) Perhaps we should place you responsible for all these things and general strategy in the company. :) I hope I do not sound too harsh. I think Alex's idea is very good, write to Mr. HPW, I bet you 'll get a great response, and say to yourself something like "oh yeah it makes sense now". You can't have all the details and reasons why W is functioning this way from your current position.

PS. This comes from a guy that replaced the 32" scale neck of his ONE AND ONLY Warwick which was also CUSTOM and VERY EXPENSIVE, first with a RB 34" neck for testing and then with a jewel of a W neck (maple) from 1993 I happened to find on the ads section on this forum. You won't see me complain about the lack of stray W necks on the market, and believe me I understood all the risks and assumed full responsibility for my actions. If anything went wrong it would be my fault and not Warwick's, zero complains there as well. In my humble opinion, a calm and accepting attitude is best. You primarily need to adapt to your environment, not change it according to your wishes. Again I hope I don't come through as too harsh or arrogant, just stating my honest opinion.

Best wishes on your W bass endeavors. :)
 
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I don't understand... Does other company sells necks? I remember when I was a Music Man user - you cannot buy even the pickups for them. Want a MM pickup - buy a Music man...

I think our reasons are obvious, why is so hard to understand beats me. You put it in a way like we don't care about customers. We care about customers, and we will replace the neck with a new one even if the bass is not in warranty.

So we sell you the neck, and we mount it too. You pay for the neck only anyway. And all you need is to contact a dealer, or the distributor, and rest is easy. I've serviced more basses in my country, and it is very easy.

So please, try to make me see clear - what is the problem here?
 
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