I think I need a Thumb

K

Krabster

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K, I'm new to the Warwick world, but my Corvette Proline is a pretty impressive bass. I've had a number of Fenders, a Modulus (dang cool...), and others, but hearing that track by Bassplayer22 has pretty much sold me on a Thumb BO5. I may have to sell a bass or two to make it work, but having heard the "Thumb sound" on record and on the above mentioned track, it's what I'm looking for.

Some Q's:

-Is it possible to find semi-lightweight examples (10 lbs. or less)?
-Are the wenge necked models preferable (I'm looking at used)
-Anything else I need to know?
 
Hi Krabster & welcome.One feature of the Thumb bass is the weight,it's pretty heavy,unless you order a custom shop Thumb made with lighter woods.But then,it would'nt have that sound you fell in love with.
The wenge necked Thumbs are usually pre 1998,when Warwick used wenge predominantly as it's neck wood.Some people prefer the pre 98 wenge necks & some dont.Personally,I cant hear much of a difference between wenge & ovangkol but I certainly can feel the difference.Wenge is more opened grained & slightly heavier than ovangkol.Most pre 98 Thumbs feature a wenge neck & fingerboard which adds a little more weight,some also have solid brass hardware which also adds weight.The newer Thumbs with the ovangkol neck & ebony fingerboards are a bit lighter.The best advise i can give you is to buy a Comfort Strapp,or similar strap which will distribute the weight a little better than conventional straps.If you're looking at buying used then your in for a bargain.Used Warwicks have never been cheaper & there's plenty available on ebay.
Good luck with your search & keep us posted how you go.
 
don't worry about the weight too much... after playing with a darklord for many months now, i guess you make a conclusion that no 4 and 5 string can outweigh this monster...

hmmm... my concern with a thumb NT 5 is basically the neck dive, but then again, i tend to wear my bass high... so it probably wont be a problem for someone like me.

i also plan to get a thumb in the future... every warwick fan has to have a thumb :)
 
The Thumb bass is the best thing I ever found. Yes, it's a personal choice among many other 'high end' basses. Mine weighs in at about 8.5 pounds, but the hardness and density of the wood (ovangkol and wenge) lends directly to the marvelous tone of this instrument. With two-way electronics (the stock version) there is no challenge in dialing in a tone that gives delight with every attack. Attack it lightly, you get a nicely contoured sound. Atack it more aggressively, you get a sound more rich in harmonics, and not just louder. Give it a snap, and you get a punctuation that defies comparison. The Thumb basses have a broad vocabulary of timbre for those that would coax it out.

I'll allow that a different set of ears could have a completely different experience.

My Thumb BO is a tone monster, and it is no exception to the rule.

Do you need a Thumb bass?

Hell yes.

O
 
Glad I could help in your decision, which will soon turn into infatuation. And YES, you need a Warwick!

:D

Tim
 
I have a Thumb on the way - the shop has taken the money out of my account, so hopefully they'll be shipping sooner rather than later *fingers crossed* Looking forward to it - my friend, buy one!
 
The Thumb NT was my dream bass. Then I found an incredible deal on eBay and now that bass is mine. As for the weight, well mine's a 4, not as heavy as a 5, but I was so in awe after getting my Thumb that weight never entered my mind and to this day, has never been a factor. I'm still in awe and have to pinch myself whenever I go to play my Thumb, while in my head i"m saying, "I'm not dreaming - I actually DO own a Thumb and I actually do get to play it for real!"
 
I have several thumbs and they are my favorite basses among the Wics and among all the brands.
 
Wow, thanks, guys! I guess it's time to start scraping my meager funds together and go shopping.

The thing I find most amazing about the Thumb is the B string. I've had some 5's, and I hate a mushy B. The definition, clarity, and growl of the Thumb B is just astonishing. The rest of the strings are kind of a bonus. :D

Bassplayer22, any more tracks you'd like to share?

Also, if anyone can recommend any music with the "Thumb sound", that would be really cool. I'm already familiar with Ryan Martinie and a few others.
 
So, some people think you should get a thumb, and others disagree.

Well...you're in a good space dude, I've seen it argued repeatedly that opposable thumbs are the basis of all civilization... ;)
 
Krabster said:
Bassplayer22, any more tracks you'd like to share?
Click to expand...

I have a few more tracks that should be available soon. They are being mastered in the studio now, so hopefully soon.

Tim
 
IncX said:
i also plan to get a thumb in the future... every warwick fan has to have a thumb
Click to expand...

+1

I've owned and sold two of them, but I have to think one will find it's way into my collection again at some point. I don't think I'd play one live because I'm not a big fan of the Thumb's high tones and I hate the neck dive, but I'd love to have one for the studio for sure...
 
Krabster said:
... The thing I find most amazing about the Thumb is the B string. I've had some 5's, and I hate a mushy B. The definition, clarity, and growl of the Thumb B is just astonishing. The rest of the strings are kind of a bonus...
Click to expand...

This is not a flobby B string. I love it and I thrive on it all the time. :twisted:

get your funds together and go for it. try the BO and the NTs and then make a decision. they are similar but sound different. to me... gotta love the NTs' bubinga. :twisted: :twisted:

Addict to thumb. check my post on the Thumb club and you'll een see a mini thumb..yes I like them That much.
 
trujo777 said:
Addict to thumb. check my post on the Thumb club and you'll een see a mini thumb..yes I like them That much.
Click to expand...

I gotta get me one of those minis. I still crack up when I think about a bid I saw on eBay where someone bid like $500.00 or something really high on one of those, probably thinking they were bidding on the real thing and getting a bargain! :shock: :lol:

I do have a Thumb mousepad I got for free when I visited Dana B. Goods that I can add to my Thumb NT and Thumb Dirty Blonde collection... :wink:
 
maddrakkett said:
trujo777 said:
Addict to thumb. check my post on the Thumb club and you'll een see a mini thumb..yes I like them That much.
Click to expand...

I gotta get me one of those minis. I still crack up when I think about a bid I saw on eBay where someone bid like $500.00 or something really high on one of those, probably thinking they were bidding on the real thing and getting a bargain! :shock: :lol:

I do have a Thumb mousepad I got for free when I visited Dana B. Goods that I can add to my Thumb NT and Thumb Dirty Blonde collection... :wink:
Click to expand...

i got mine from Allen and I know you got him as dealer too. so give him a ring and he'll hook you up.

I am sorry forthe guy that bid $500 for it. he could have gotten around 8 of them for that price.
 
The Tumb is a unique bass... like was already said, the B string on the 5 is a godsend - I've never found another bass with a B like that!

But it is also a slightly different sound - more punchy and not as open as most other brands.

If you like the tone of a thumb, then you won't really worry about the weight IMO
 
I grabbed my very first Warwick, a Thumb BO, about a month ago. I say 'very first' because I'm gassing for 5-string Thumb now. :)

It took a while to get used to playing it, especially coming from playing the ultra-slick Ibanez SRs for so long....but the tone was so fantastic that I've went from practicing/playing a 1/2 hour a day to 2 hours a day. I just can't put her down!

Good luck on the search!
 
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