Too Early To Start Pondering The 2024 Ltd Bass???🤔

[DanTM]

Its simply not true that all costs are rising. The opposite is the case. Costs in general are (much) lower than in 2021 and 2022. If Nicolas had wanted, he could have priced those basses a bit more player friendly.

So my take is that they are simply just greedy or that they have to ask those prices because, of course, they have to get back their massive investments in their factory and since their sale numbers can not be that super duper huge because of the price tag of their made in Germany stuff and the past three years full of crises, they have to add even more to the base price of those Instruments.

 

[DiMarco]

I suggest they give them away for free!

 

[DiMarco]

But srsly Dan, show me where costs became lower and why. Because I simply think that isn't true.

 

[DanTM]

Heating oil, wooden pallets, gas, long distance heating, electricity, paper ... just to name a few. Prices are high but trending downwards....at least in Germany

 

[Hardy]

They know the market. Seems that enough people are willing to pay such prices. A regular Thumb NT5 is at 7.399,- Euro now.

 

[Hector]

 

[DiMarco]

Funny how switching the coiltap on the bridge pickup does things VERY reminiscent things to those I am using in my self designed hyperjazz.
The part where Lars decides to go activ and boost bass+mids a bit is where the Thumb begins to shine... I strongly feel Warwicks need their active electronics to further emphasize their characteristic sound. This LTD is no exception.

 

[Nachobassman]

They know the market. Seems that enough people are willing to pay such prices. A regular Thumb NT5 is at 7.399,- Euro now.

Obviously I don’t belong to Warwick’s market target.

 

[Nachobassman]

Price tag aside, seems like Nicolas and HPW has been listening to me, this is the first LTD Ed. that I really dig in a while. Woods, electronics, aesthetics, everything I like in a W.
Good job, Warwick team!

 

[Hoggles]

I agree Nacho. A little less bling goes a long way. And massive props to Nico for putting on the og dot inlays for his first official LTD run...and the lovely old school look on those necks with the stringers. Bravo

Obviously I don’t belong to Warwick’s market target.

Even though you are the embodiment of what Warwick stands for. I dare anyone to try to find an Infinity that has made more people dance than yours...

 

[DiMarco]

So. Pricing. Let's see...

Where do we rank Warwick in the bass tiers? Surely you will agree they are up there with other premium brands right? These basses do not play or sound like mexican Fenders, also not like American pro series Fenders.
That's right Warwick custom shop basses are out there with the likes of Fodera, Alembic, Zon, Marleaux, Spector USA, Le Fay etc. etc.

Fodera Yin Yang 4str is 9600 euro
Fender Custom shop P Candy Apple Red is 9550 euro
Fodera Monarch Standard 7700 euro
Warwick Masterbuilt Thumb NT 6900 euro
Le Fay Pulse 4 5900 euro
Warwick Masterbuilt Corvette $$ NT 5700 euro
Warwick Masterbuilt Thumb BO 5333 euro

Tons of Fender CS sitting around 5000-6000 euro mark.
Would you rank a Warwick CS lower? Really?

I wouldn't. Pricing seems to be right where it belongs within the current market.
If you can't or won't afford it, don't play premium quality basses OR be like many of us and scavenge the used products market instead.

Besides that: This year's Thumb is sweeeeeeeet! Again, Good job Nicholas.

 

[Mr Praline]

Regardless of what Warwick thinks (and I contacted them privately about this), or the fact that the amp is set flat in the video, all the product demos sound very mid scooped (or possibly lacking midrange content, rather) to me, to the point that most basses sound the same in the demo regardless of pickup config and woods. I honestly wouldn’t be able to differentiate between a Sadowsky and a Warwick in those demos with my eyes closed if they didn’t mention it in the video.

I dunno if it’s the base character of the Gnome series of amps or the fact that they are digital, but my Sadowsky MetroLine sounds nothing like the video demos through my Hellborg rig, at all. It has a full midrange with the voicing of the bass coming through really well, even with EQ flat.

Edit: with that said, I’d love to own the master built LTD 2024 5-string. Warwick and Bartolinis are MAGICAL together, but the video demo leaves me wishing for hearing the bass DI:d I have a big tax return incoming that I’d love to spend on a Warwick.

 

[Hector]

Regardless of what Warwick thinks (and I contacted them privately about this), or the fact that the amp is set flat in the video, all the product demos sound very mid scooped (or possibly lacking midrange content, rather) to me, to the point that most basses sound the same in the demo regardless of pickup config and woods. I honestly wouldn’t be able to differentiate between a Sadowsky and a Warwick in those demos with my eyes closed if they didn’t mention it in the video.

I dunno if it’s the base character of the Gnome series of amps or the fact that they are digital, but my Sadowsky MetroLine sounds nothing like the video demos through my Hellborg rig, at all. It has a full midrange with the voicing of the bass coming through really well, even with EQ flat.

Edit: with that said, I’d love to own the master built LTD 2024 5-string. Warwick and Bartolinis are MAGICAL together, but the video demo leaves me wishing for hearing the bass DI:d I have a big tax return incoming that I’d love to spend on a Warwick.

This could very well be due to Youtube's audio compression? Modern "sound" is now made for tiny little headphone speaker or the speakers on an iPhone or iPad. I notice this when listening to youtube videos played on my iPad compared to on my TV with soundbar.. it sounds completely different.

 

[Mr Praline]

This could very well be due to Youtube's audio compression? Modern "sound" is now made for tiny little headphone speaker or the speakers on an iPhone or iPad. I notice this when listening to youtube videos played on my iPad compared to on my TV with soundbar.. it sounds completely different.

I don’t think so. Listen to this clip. You can clearly hear the amp “panting” here when boosting the bass. Also, video compression on YouTube if anything removes bass and treble from a bass tone.


Again this isn’t necessarily a critique, I just don’t think they represent the Warwick growl that comes from the unique midrange.

 

[Hoggles]

I agree, in that the sound from some of the latest W demos is lackluster. Even with YouTube compression, there are plenty of sound demos, that just sound better. Sound wise...playing aside (love ya Lars).

Andy's & Ovi's old demos just had a fulller sound it seems.

 

[Gnermo]

I missed this completely, but it's nice to see they are making a 6 string version!

 

[eyvindwa]

I missed this completely, but it's nice to see they are making a 6 string version!

Are they really? Where did you see that?

 

[Gnermo]

nevermind, i'm stuipid.

 

[eyvindwa]

nevermind, i'm stuipid.

Haha, oh well, at least that makes two of us

 

[Henrythe8]

So. I guess it's time to start the "Too Early To Start Pondering The 2025 Ltd Bass ? "