NAMM Show 2009- Der komplette Rückblick Rising up from Hall B, Warwick’s booth, number 5768, was an awe-inspiring presence at NAMM, sort of like Superman’s “Fortress of Solitude” or Darth Vader’s “Death Star.” Big and black with the Warwick logo splashed about in iconic yellow, the booth merged the best of Warwick’s past with the potential that lay ahead. Perhaps the biggest news at NAMM this year surrounds the change in Warwick’s US distribution: Warwick basses will now be distributed exclusively by the Hanser Music Group in the United States. Comprised of several distinct divisions, the family of companies under the Hanser Music Group umbrella, shares one similar goal: Complete Client Satisfaction. With a corporate history now spanning 80 years, Hanser Music Group is a dynamic, multi-faceted organization represented by several successful divisions in the music products and audio industries. Hanser’s roots as a company began in 1924 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Davitt & Hanser Distributing began as a family-run distribution business serving retail music stores in the local area. Today, Hanser Music Group serves over 5,000 customers around the world. No more walking into a store and finding only Corvette basses. Though we love the Corvette it has always been Warwick’s intention to afford the end-user a vast array of choices when it comes to Warwick instruments. Thanks to Hanser’s commitment to client satisfaction you’ll once again be able to walk into a store and find Streamer Stage I and II basses, Thumb 4- and 5-string basses and so on.
Instigated by Warwick’s new relationship with the Hanser Music Group, Warwick redesigned the Rockbass series of basses and introduced several of the new instruments at NAMM. The instruments now feature the iconic Warwick “W” logo on the headstock (“Rockbass” now appears only on the truss-rod cover) and the patented Warwick 2-piece bridge, giving them the noble look and world-renown playability that is commonly associated with higher-end Warwick instruments. Displayed at both the Warwick booth and the Hanser booth, the Rockbass line of Warwick instruments was one of the hotly anticipated debuts at NAMM 2009.
 Warwick also introduced three new signature models at NAMM: the TM Stevens Signature, the P-Nut III Signature and the Stuart Zender Signature. Though the latter was not on hand to play, TM and P-Nut were and both drew large crowds on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. TM teamed with Jonas Hellborg (who performed on his own Warwick signature model) for his performances and together the two were definitely a highlight of the show, warranting a few warnings from the Sound Patrol and clogging the aisles with spectators. They were joined at various times by fellow Warwick endorser John B. Williams and later by vocalist Evelyn “Champagne” King and P-Funk guitarist DeWayne “Blackbyrd” McKnight. P-Nut not only rocked his signature model, but also unveiled his 10-string custom shop Streamer Stage II, made form Bubinga. Along with drummer Sammy J. Watson, P-Nut tore through some trippy, funky grooves that epitomized the Warwick “growl.” For more on Warwick’s current signature model basses, please log on here... John B. Williams’ subtle, nuanced performances on the Warwick Triumph E-Upright varied from solo, spoken word poetry to duets with his vocalist wife, Jessie Williams to jams with Framus artist Mordy Ferber on guitar and drummer Danny Gottlieb. The trio not only brought the house down, but also caused the venerable bassist to break a sweat and shed his “signature” glasses.
Yet another highlight at NAMM was the highly-touted Hellborg Amp System. All of Warwick’s performers at NAMM played through the Hellborg System, including Sean Tibbetts (Kamelot), John B. Williams, Kevin “Brandino” Brandon, TM Stevens and of course, Jonas Hellborg, the amp’s designer. These revolutionary new amps are already being used on tour and in the studio by P-Nut (311), Viktor Krauss (Lyle Lovett) and TM. Juan Alderete from the Mars Volta was on hand checking it out (he also took the Hellborg Signature bass for a spin), as was Brian Bromberg. For more on the Hellborg Amp System, please log on here…
Also on hand (though they didn’t play) to lend their support were Warwick endorsers Emma Anzai (Sick Puppies), Hansford Rowe (Gongzilla), Peter Charell (Trapt), Norwood Fisher (Fishbone) and Mike Inez (Alice In Chains), who signed autographs for a never-ending line of fans on Friday and Saturday. One-time Warwick endorsers Jimmy Earl (Jimmy Kimmel Live) and Traa Daniels (POD) were on hand to reacquaint themselves with the company and inquire about possibly working together again in the future. Traa even emphasized his bandmates’ desire for him to return to Warwick because of the difference our basses make in the sound of the band. Josh Paul, bassist for the soulful Grammy-nominated rock act, Daughtry (led by American Idol alum Chris Daughtry) and formerly of hallowed punk/funk/metal outfits Suicidal Tendencies and Infectious Grooves was on hand checking out Warwick basses. Don Felder (The Eagles) stopped by to inquire about obtaining a second Streamer Stage II for his upcoming tour. We’d also like to express our gratitude to Warwick players like Cary Jordan, Ben Jones, Lex Sadler, David Celestin and Jasmine Cain who attended NAMM on our behalf. We’d also like to extend a sincere thanks to Warwick endorser Jen Zielenbach (Antigone Rising) who was on hand filming performances and interviewing our artists for the Warwick site and her own video magazine.Look for videos (of performances and interviews) on the Warwick site in the coming weeks.
One thing became immediately apparent at the Warwick booth this year. Whether you choose to look back at the company’s hallowed past or ahead to its bright future, there are no two bass players alike within our artist roster. Almost every single one of them is unique in his, or her, own way. The only thing binding them together is the sound of wood. | |
