Warwick Thumb Bass

[Ole Man Blues]

I tried to get out today and check out some Warwick Basses but could not get away. I would like to hear some feedback on the Thumb Bass, pics would be great too. I know the weight seems to be an issue with these. Mostly interested in the 4 string Thumb........

 

OMB

[Ole Man Blues]

No one owns a Warwick Thumb Bass in this Forum?????????

 

 

OMB

[GrooveMonkey]

I sold my Thumb BO4 after it KILLED my shoulder. It's a combination of the weight, neckdive, and the reach to the first position. I loved the feel & tone but I couldn't stand and play for a whole show without paying for it over the next three days.

[Ole Man Blues]

I never realized they were that heavy..........

 

Thanks for the heads up............

 

OMB

[GrooveMonkey]

Originally posted by Ole Man Blues I never realized they were that heavy.......... Thanks for the heads up............ OMB

 

It's not so much the weight but the ergonomics + weight + neckdive = OUCH!

[Ole Man Blues]

 

Originally posted by GrooveMonkey It's not so much the weight but the ergonomics + weight + neckdive = OUCH!

How could such a high end high priced Bass have so many problems?

 

OMB

[illidian]

 

Originally posted by Ole Man Blues How could such a high end high priced Bass have so many problems? OMB

 

 

Ergonimics and neck dive because they "look cool."

 

Weight because the use heavy woods without chambering the bodies.

[jpo259]

I have never really been into the original Thumbs, but I have big-time GAS for a Bleached Blond Thumb!!! These basses' are noticeably lighter then the original thumbs, have KILLER tone, and look cool, too!! Oh, I own a Corvette fretless. It, and most Thumbs I have played, don't neck dive nearly as much as my Rickenbacker..............................

[bleepo]

thumb5 bolt on. Love it, but I can't play it low. It just doesn't work... The strap bends in a funny way. All my pics are too big, and I'm on my way to work.

[DontLookJustGO]

I tried a thumb out once, but I played sitting down, and I didn't notice any problems. It had smoothest action I've ever played. Someone prbly thinks that that's sad, right?

[Bowie]

I was on the quest for the ultimate bass (for my sound, at least) and would have never even considered the Thumb until the sales guy talked me into just trying one. After the first few seconds I knew this was it.

Mine is the nech-through version and, tonally, everything about it is just beyond awesome. I don't like the look or uneven weight but I quickly learned to deal w/ it because of the tone.

Changed the pickups to Fender Custom Shop 60's Reissue w/ an Aguilar OBP-1 preamp which gives me a very fat, growly, deep-throated tone.

[4string]

I had a FNA Jazzman for a few years, it was not a dream to play, even though it sounded alright.

 

I traded if for my Music Man, and while the MM is heavier, its more comfortable to play and just as nice tone, if not better.

[fastplant]

I own a Thumb 5 neckthrough. I love the hell out of it. Yeah, the neckdive was an issue for about a month. But then I got used to it. It's nothing that you can't get used to. In fact, I don't even notice it anymore. Besides that, the tone is worth any issues. I get the best tone out of this thing than any other bass I've played.

 

[Ole Man Blues]

Originally posted by fastplant I own a Thumb 5 neckthrough. I love the hell out of it. Yeah, the neckdive was an issue for about a month. But then I got used to it. It's nothing that you can't get used to. In fact, I don't even notice it anymore. Besides that, the tone is worth any issues. I get the best tone out of this thing than any other bass I've played.

Great looking Bass Fastplant. You look like you're enjoying yourself............

 

OMB

[M-1 Fan]

I can concur about the neck dive. Nice bass, too much for me. The total wood feel of the neck is a little unusual.

[Ole Man Blues]

Finally got down to GC to play a few of the Warwick Basses. I played a 5 string Thumb, no 4 stringers in stock. Pickups were real hot. Not my cup of tea, neck was so so.

 

I played a Corvette with Dual Humbuckers...... not me either.

 

I played a Corvette Standard Passive. Great Bass. Liked the neck, not to heavy, played smooth and my tone I could easily find. $899.

 

Played a Corvette Fretless.....lost like a puppy on this one. Needs tons of practice.

 

Played a Spector Euro4, not bad, loved the neck, setup was lousey.........sound was an 8.

 

That's all I had time for.............

 

OMB

[4string]

Originally posted by Ole Man Blues Finally got down to GC to play a few of the Warwick Basses. I played a 5 string Thumb, no 4 stringers in stock. Pickups were real hot. Not my cup of tea, neck was so so. I played a Corvette with Dual Humbuckers...... not me either. I played a Corvette Standard Passive. Great Bass. Liked the neck, not to heavy, played smooth and my tone I could easily find. $899. Played a Corvette Fretless.....lost like a puppy on this one. Needs tons of practice. Played a Spector Euro4, not bad, loved the neck, setup was lousey.........sound was an 8. That's all I had time for............. OMB

 

Some company named Fender makes basses, you should see if a store near you knows of them.

[Ole Man Blues]

Originally posted by 4string Some company named Fender makes basses, you should see if a store near you knows of them.

I've been a diehard Fender man for 40 years. It does not hurt to look around and see what else is available. I currently own and play a Fender 78 Precision Bass..........

 

OMB

[fastplant]

 

Originally posted by Ole Man Blues Pickups were real hot.

 

 

I agree, they are really hot, but I like it that way. So, again, it's all about preference. And thanks for the compliment.

[LO_RYDER]

I own a Warwick Thumb 6. It's a great bass in my opinion. Some have a problem with spending this much cash on an instrument but, you can still spend a lot more on other brands...so it ain't "that" bad. The tone is warm but able to get really crisp highs. I like mid range so I put a Bartollini 3 band EQ with Barto pups in it and that made the difference for me. It comes 2 band EQ unless you buy the neck through model ( for about another $1000) The Bartollini parts and labor only cost me $350. One thing you may have heard about this bass is absolutely true.................IT IS HEAVY! At 13 lbs it takes some getting used to...but, after a month or two you wont notice the weight. So.... if you are interested in this bass...get it! it's well constructed...sounds great and will serve you well! Oh, one last thing...you WILL have to polish it with the bees wax once a month if you don't want it to dry out or accept moisture!

[version]

i have a thumb bolt-on 5 string set up with a high c. i use it when i need a more hi-fi sound, as opposed to my p which i use for pretty much everything else

[humpy]

hey,I have an 03 model thumb 5 neck thru,some people put {censored} on warwicks,the later model warwicks ( ovankol neck) along with anything else they happen to not like for whatever reason.I happen to like my thumb for alot of reasons & i also like my vampyre but thats just me.I dont happen to expierence neck dive or feel the necks like a baseball bat,but then i dont "hate"any particular brand,they just dont appeal to me the way warwick,alembic,jerzy drozd basses do.thats my 2 cents.

[LO_RYDER]

Originally posted by GrooveMonkey I sold my Thumb BO4 after it KILLED my shoulder. It's a combination of the weight, neckdive, and the reach to the first position. I loved the feel & tone but I couldn't stand and play for a whole show without paying for it over the next three days.

 

I had a Warwick 6 thumb wide neck. This moster was 4.2 inches wide at the 24th frett and 2.5 inches at the nut! it sounded great but after 2 months my left wrist, elbow and shoulder were all in constant pain and it weighed 13lbs! ( I finally noticed the weight) . I traded it for a brand new Warwick 5 thumb (10 lbs)....I am used to 5's so this feels like home! ! I love it!

 

[cavy]

I think warwicks play poorly and sound o.k. and are over priced. Don't buy a bass from guitar center. In my opinion there are some nice manufactured basses, fender, yamaha, MM, etc... but you really can't beat a handmade botique bass. My bass is handmade, has a sick top, and and even sicker tone. I paid 1200 used... would have been over 2000 new...

[gazman]

Originally posted by humpy hey,I have an 03 model thumb 5 neck thru,some people put {censored} on warwicks,the later model warwicks ( ovankol neck) along with anything else they happen to not like for whatever reason.I happen to like my thumb for alot of reasons & i also like my vampyre but thats just me.I dont happen to expierence neck dive or feel the necks like a baseball bat,but then i dont "hate"any particular brand,they just dont appeal to me the way warwick,alembic,jerzy drozd basses do.thats my 2 cents.

 

Heya Humpy, welcome to HCBF.

 

Where exactly do you live? And when won't you be home?