Warwick (company)
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| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Musical instruments |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder(s) | Hans-Peter Wilfer |
| Headquarters | Markneukirchen, Germany |
| Area served | Global |
| Products | Bass guitars Bass Amps & Cabinets Bass strings |
| Owner(s) | Hans-Peter Wilfer |
| Subsidiaries | Framus RockBass |
| Website | warwick.de |
Warwick is a Germany-based bass guitar manufacturer company. The company was founded in 1982 by Hans-Peter Wilfer. Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods with 'Neck-through' design. The company also produces Valve and FET amplifiers, speaker cabinets, bass guitar strings, and owns the Framus trademark.
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[edit] The Original Series (Germany)
Warwick produces a wide variety of different models with different woods and electronics, although MEC is standard for most Warwick basses. The original series, that are manufactured in Germany, include numerous models, Corvette, Streamer, Thumb, and Dolphin Pro I being their most popular lines. The only model in the original catalog that's being made outside of Germany is the Alien acoustic bass, which is being made in Korea with high standards. Most of Warwick's Special and Limited Edition are built using 'exotic' woods, different pickups, electronic configurations and custom finishes. There are around forty Special Edition basses currently in production, while the company offer a special-run Limited Edition bass annually. These basses are usually upgraded versions of existing models that have features otherwise unavailable. The company produces near twenty signature basses. Some of the artists that have their signature Warwick basses are Stuart Zender, Jack Bruce, Bootsy Collins, T.M. Stevens, Robert Trujillo, P-Nut, Jonas Hellborg, Adam Clayton, John Entwistle and Jäcki Reznicek. It is also interesting to note that P-Nut of 311 has three signature basses, all Streamer models. Stuart Zender signature bass is designed by the likes of Stuart Zender, and features a body shape new to Warwick basses. In 2010, Robert Trujillo's two signature 5-string Streamer basses were first introduced. Warwick also built a custom 7-string Thumb NT bass for Jeroen Paul Thesseling.
[edit] Rockbass, Pro & Artist Series (China, South Korea)
Warwick Basses have two budget branches of the company, that produce the original models with less exotic woods and different finishes, which makes them more budget-friendly. Rockbass branch of the company is located in China and it produces Streamer, Corvette, Fortress, and Vampyre models, along with Alien acoustic Rockbass models. (The Rockbass Alien is the only Rockbass model that looks notably different from the original). Pro & Artist Series are located in South Korea. Pro Series produce cheaper Thumb BO, Streamer LX, and Star Bass models, while also producing Corvette Standard models (from the original catalog), that were discontinued and replaced by Corvette $$'s in Germany. The reason for this was a high manufacturing price of the specific model in Germany. Artist Series produce budget signature models of some Warwick endeavors.
[edit] Notable players
- Stuart Zender (Jamiroquai, Mark Ronson)
- Jonas Hellborg (solo artist, John McLaughlin)
- Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne)
- Jeroen Paul Thesseling (Nufutic, Pestilence, Obscura, MaYaN)
- Erlend Caspersen (Spawn of Possession)
- Troy Sanders (Mastodon)
- Jack Bruce (Cream)
- Dick Lövgren (Meshuggah, Arch Enemy)
- Adam Nolly (Periphery)
- Jon Stockman (Karnivool)
- Mike Inez (Alice in Chains, Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne)
- Robert Trujillo (Metallica, Infectious Grooves)
- James LoMenzo (Megadeth, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society)
- Bootsy Collins (solo artist, a member of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
- T.M. Stevens (The Headhunters, The Pretenders, Tina Turner, Billy Joel)
- P-Nut (311)
- Sam Rivers (Limp Bizkit)
- Martin Eric Ain (Celtic Frost)
- Emma Anzai (Sick Puppies)
- John Norwood Fisher (Fishbone)
- Marco Hietala (Tarot, Nightwish)
- John Entwistle (The Who)
- Adam Clayton (U2)
- Chris Batten (Enter Shikari)
- Steve Bailey (solo artist)
- Paul Gray (1972–2010) (Slipknot)
