2 Questions for Thumb Owners

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fu22ba55

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I'm interested in buying a Thumb (4 string), but I've never played one and no local stores carry them.

I just tried a Corvette $$ BO, and loved the neck, but I didn't like where the bass "sat" on my body when standing up. (I have the same problem with P-basses... the body shoots over to the right when I stand up)

1) Does the thumb sit more to the left (bridge closer to the center of your body) than the Corvette? I hope so.

2) What years have the "baseball bat" neck? I LOVED the neck I just tried on the new Corvette $$. When did the necks change from "thin vintage" to contemporary "baseball bat"

Thanks.
 
For most people, a Thumb sits well off to the right side of your abdomen, assuming you're right handed. A Thumb is definitely not a bass to purchase without first playing it and getting a feel for it's unique ergomomics. For most people, the Thumb is a love it or hate it bass.

As for the necks... generally speaking, if it is a newer Ovangkol neck, it will be the thicker profile. Keep in mind that the thinner profile was still available as an option all along. If it has a wenge neck, it will likely be a thinner profile. You'll need to go back to the late '90's for one of these on the used market though - unless you do a custom shop bass.
 
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A Thumb bass sits much more on your left side, compared to a Precision bass.
 
I have limited experience with Warwick basses (my Thumb is my 1st Wick) so I can't really compare my Thumb with other W models, but I'd say it tends to shift more to the left than any other bass that I've owned; however, I feel more comfortable playing it when balancing it to the right. You really need to play one before buying, it takes a while to adjust to its ergonomics; I switched between Fender, ESP, Spector, Ibbys & Corts and the only time when I really felt I need an adjusting period was when I first picked up my Thumb.
As for the baseball neck...mine is brand new 2009 Thumb BO 4. The neck is very thin at the first frets (almost the same to a Ibby SR's), and very thick & chunky towards the body (it felts like a 5er's at first). It feels weird at first, but as you play it it becomes more and more comfortable and tbh now I find it just right (this coming from someone who previously played only EDB & SR Ibbys).
 
I have previously owned a Thumb 6 and found 2 things fairly unique.
1. I like to play with my basses strapped fairly low and found to make the Thumb comfortable you definitely have to strap it at least 'gut' height. Not for me but to each his own!
2. When strapping on the Thumb and playing as mentioned above it certainly wants to sit more to the left of your body - due I think to the short top horn.
2 things to also think about - if you have to buy one sight unseen grab a nice wide strap and the 5 and 6 stringers do have a bit of neck dive. Not bad though and remember they do sound incredible!
My 2c!
 
jcburn said:
I like to play with my basses strapped fairly low and found to make the Thumb comfortable you definitely have to strap it at least 'gut' height. Not for me but to each his own!
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You're right! At first it really hurt my left hand playing it as low as I was used to so I was forced for the 1st time in 10 years to strap the bass way higher - but the higher you strap it, the more comfy it gets and less neck dive you get. And yes, the sound sure compensates for all these playing adjustments.
 
These comments are very helpful. Thanks everyone for their input.

IngerAlb said:
As for the baseball neck...mine is brand new 2009 Thumb BO 4. The neck is very thin at the first frets (almost the same to a Ibby SR's)
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THIS is what bugs me. I CANT play a thin neck like an SR, and I thought the newer Thumbs had the baseball bat neck. I WANT the baseball bat! I've tried "thin profile" basses before, and my hand cramps like crazy. Couldn't make it work.

So early ones were thin, and BRAND NEW ones are thin? I guess custom options are always available, but I'm curioius if anyone knows what years the baseball bats were standard issue. (I'm mean narrow nut (1.6" like a jazz bass) but thick FRONT TO BACK. (the "U" profile)
 
Hey man welcome to the forum.

If you order now a new one, it will have a thinner neck. Not Ibanez thin, but thinner than last years.
If you order one let's say between 95 and 2008, it will have a fat neck.
If you order a new one, the fat neck is still a Custom Shop option, so be sure your dealer understands your order perfectly.
If you just want to order from a shop, then ask for the serial No. The last two digits show the year of manufacture. If you see numbers up to 08, then you'll know it has a fat neck.

I hope it helps :-)
And yes, thumbs stay on the left side, they give you good access to the upper register.
 
fu22ba55 said:
These comments are very helpful. Thanks everyone for their input.



THIS is what bugs me. I CANT play a thin neck like an SR, and I thought the newer Thumbs had the baseball bat neck. I WANT the baseball bat! I've tried "thin profile" basses before, and my hand cramps like crazy. Couldn't make it work.

So early ones were thin, and BRAND NEW ones are thin? I guess custom options are always available, but I'm curioius if anyone knows what years the baseball bats were standard issue. (I'm mean narrow nut (1.6" like a jazz bass) but thick FRONT TO BACK. (the "U" profile)
Click to expand...


Years of hand cramping were cured by my Thumb!!!
 
Florin said:
If you order now a new one, it will have a thinner neck. Not Ibanez thin, but thinner than last years.
If you order one let's say between 95 and 2008, it will have a fat neck.
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Thanks Flo for this concise answer. This is what I needed to hear.
 
It seems I wear my Thumb very differently than everyone else :)

I just strapped it on for reference - if left alone, the Thumb sits mid-body on me in the well discussed horizontal neck position. If this is what you like, and if you prefer to play most of your basslines from the 5th fret up, this will be very comfortable. I, on the other hand, tend to play most of my notes from the 7th fret down.

I could play like the above for three sets as I'm 6'4" and have a long wingspan. However, spending all night reaching for those C, F and A# notes would probably get old after one set. Therefore, I find myself moving the bass off center, to my right, in order to comfortably play the lower register freely. I also tend to muscle the neck toward the vertical, which seems to move the body to the right as well.

Good luck.

EX:
 
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sjw1971 said:
It seems I wear my Thumb very differently than everyone else :)
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Thanks for the PIC sjw. (And the PM about the bolt-on nearby I can try out.)

Looks like Casa Nueva in the background of pic? No? Great vegetarian quesadillas.

Thanks all for the help everyone. I'm going to try playing a local BO before I find a fat-necked NT online.
 
My first serious bass was my MM Stingray (pre EB slab body) which I played exclusively for about 10 years. The first time I tried a thumb in the early 90's (at the London Bass Centre I think) I couldn't work it out at all! I tried it strapless sitting down and it was the most uncomfortable bass I'd ever tried. So I didn't bother again until about 15 years ago I saw a guy playing one thru a Hartke XL rig and was blown away by the incredible tone. Within a month I had traded most of my other basses to get my 91 Thumb and learnt how to 'wear' it correctly. I agree it does encourage you to wear it higher, so is not great for low hung rocking poses (that's what Precisions are for IMO), but it is probably the most comfotable basses to use in spite of the heavy woods.
 

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Sparky Mark said:
it is probably the most comfotable basses to use in spite of the heavy woods.
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It seems the Thumb has a strange ability to transform itself :) When I first picked up mine I was a bit surprised how heavy it was (mostly due to the neck, you can really feel its weight), but once you strap it on, it feels quite the opposite (the small body could have something to do with that, I imagine) and it won't break your back if you play it for hours (I'm using a pretty wide strap though).
 
Yeah, when I strapped on my Thumb it felt odd compared to my old Ibanez (of course). But after playing it and adjusting to its ergonomics instead of making it adjust to mine, I find it very comfortable to wear and play.

Just a side note: I believe the NT necks feel a little thinner than the bolt on necks. But I may be wrong there.:confused:
 
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