Need Advice: Replace v. Repair on JANII on 02ThumbNT5.

[mencken]

I purchased a new 2002 Thumb NT 5 this past Sunday from a local Guitar Center. The bass had a couple of minor issues (missing treble knob, one noticable ding) but I pretty much fell in love with it and took it home with me at what I think was a good price. (About 40% of the MSRP.)

The important details for me are: (1) It is six years old, and seems to have spent a good deal of that time on display. (2) I really like the ovangkol body (which has been darkening for six years already.) (3) I'm completely in love with the way it plays and sounds.

I noticed when I took the strings off for a waxing a couple of days later that the clips on the JANII were broken and called the store I bought it at to ask about a warranty replacement for the JANII (halfway hoping that it would get upgraded to a JANIII.)

The sales clerk called me back today and told me that they wanted to replace my bass with a "new" Thumb NT 5. I asked, and he said it would be one of the 2008 models. (Certainly not a 2002, with a ovangkol body.)

I'm looking for pros/cons regarding on a complete replacement vs. convincing them to just replace the nut. One the one hand, cash-value-wise the replacement with a truly "new" instrument is the obvious choice, but on the other hand I have no idea whether I'd feel the same way about the new instrument.

Any thoughts/suggestions/derisions greatly appreciated.
--mencken

 

[EVOLVEBASS]

An NT with an ovangkol body? Interesting.

Does it have an ovangkol or wenge neck?

I'd probably go for the new one, in part because I prefer bubinga pommele to ovangkol cosmetically (but tonally they are very similar) and in part because the 'ding' would bug me. On the other hand, there could be something magic about this bass that makes it sound and play the way it does. If it does have a wenge neck (which I like better), that's something to consider as well...

 

[Tv IV Dogs]

Pics?

I'd go for the new one most likely....bear in mind that JAN III's are pretty cheap and easy to come by....a lot of guys have recieved them (and even spare ones!) for free.

 

[golem]

`

Will they let you keep the 2002 until the 2008 is arrived for you ? You
can always make a last minute comparison, even if it would be a touch
embarrassing to turn down the new one at the last minute. It's a big
company. If you stick them with the new one, they will put it out on
clearance and you will of course give everyone here a heads up

I got my fretless $$ Corvette 4 via GC clearance. Someone special
ordered it with a Jan-1 and flatwounds. Nothing major, but it constitutes
a special order. Then he chose something else instead, and left them to
clearance the special order ax. It's SOP at GC. And me likey!!

`

 

[bassoctopus]

As someone who doesn't care about having brand new stuff - cars/guitars etc, I'd stick with what you've got if you like it.

These are bits of wood and as such no two basses will ever be exactly the same.

 

[sjw1971]

The important details for me are: (1) It is six years old, and seems to have spent a good deal of that time on display. (2) I really like the ovangkol body (which has been darkening for six years already.) (3) I'm completely in love with the way it plays and sounds.

What is the serial number of the bass? If it has an Ovangkol body, then it is usually a bolt-on. Warwick used Bubinga for neck-thru models until they changed to Bubinga Pommele. If the bass truly has an Ovangkol body with neck-through construction, then it is a custom-shop bass. If this is the case, I'd wonder what other changes it might have. Post all the info you can so we can give you more insight.

If it were me, I'd be inclined to take the brand-new model if we're talking apples to apples. That way you can take care of it the right way from day one and not spend any more money/time worrying about broken items or damage due to being on display for six years. If, on the other hand, this is a CS bass that someone bailed on, it would be worth comparing the values before making a decision. Seems strange to me that GC would want the bass back from you. Maybe you got too good a deal?

 

[mencken]

Neck and body are both ovangkol (fretboard seems to be ebony.)

I suppose in a perfect world, I'd get them to order the replacement and make up my mind after I'd had a chance to play them both.

I think I'll see if they're willing to go that route. (I'm guessing that might be hesitant to have another Thumb NT5 in stock, since the one I bought looks to have been there for about 6 years!)

So how 'bout this: All other factors being equal, quick poll on preference of body wood for a Thumb NT 5 (ovangkol or bubinga?)

 

[mencken]

The important details for me are: (1) It is six years old, and seems to have spent a good deal of that time on display. (2) I really like the ovangkol body (which has been darkening for six years already.) (3) I'm completely in love with the way it plays and sounds.

What is the serial number of the bass? If it has an Ovangkol body, then it is usually a bolt-on. Warwick used Bubinga for neck-thru models until they changed to Bubinga Pommele. If the bass truly has an Ovangkol body with neck-through construction, then it is a custom-shop bass. If this is the case, I'd wonder what other changes it might have. Post all the info you can so we can give you more insight.

If it were me, I'd be inclined to take the brand-new model if we're talking apples to apples. That way you can take care of it the right way from day one and not spend any more money/time worrying about broken items or damage due to being on display for six years. If, on the other hand, this is a CS bass that someone bailed on, it would be worth comparing the values before making a decision. Seems strange to me that GC would want the bass back from you. Maybe you got too good a deal?

I don't think it's a custom-shop order, the SN is D 092410-02. I saw someone selling an '03 Thumb NT5 in the used equipment forum that had the same neck and body (I think his fretboard when wenge, while mine is ebongy), and there was a lot of back-and-forth there about it being an unusualy combination. I was in the middle of a 10 year bass-vacation in 2002, so I wouldn't know, but I wouldn't be surprise if mabye the ovangkol body was a standard option on the Thumb NT5 is '02/'03 and isn't anymore?

I'm truly torn... I'm on the same page as you regarding the peace of mind that goes with cradle-to-grave ownership, but I'm also keenly aware that the potential replacement isn't the same bass I fall in love with last weekend

Looking at other folks comments, it sounds like it will probably be easier than I though to get the GC folks to order a new bass and let me try it out before I make up my mind. (And that's obviously the best solution.)

 

[mencken]

Pictures of the '02 Thumb NT5 in question. If anyone would care to validate/repudiate my assessment of the types of wood in body/neck/fretboard, please do so!

 

[mencken]

Two more pics....

Also, GC has confirmed that they are going to order a replacement instrument and give me my choice of the new bass or replacing the nut on the old-one after I've tried them both out. (Couldn't really ask for anything more than that!)

 

[EVOLVEBASS]

The body looks like bubinga pommele to me...

 

[Benjamin]

That is beautiful, dark bubinga pommelé, my friend!
It's a great looking bass, very unique pattern!
If the alternative is getting a replacement treble knob and a JANIII for you, I'm sure GC will give you that for free if they don't have to get you a brand new thumb. The JANs are very easy to switch.
Once again, that is a BEAUTIFUL thumb! Top 5 slabs of bubinga I've ever seen. If you wanna sell, let me know

 

[schlobodan]

That is beautiful, dark bubinga pommelé, my friend!
It's a great looking bass, very unique pattern!
If the alternative is getting a replacement treble knob and a JANIII for you, I'm sure GC will give you that for free if they don't have to get you a brand new thumb. The JANs are very easy to switch.
Once again, that is a BEAUTIFUL thumb! Top 5 slabs of bubinga I've ever seen. If you wanna sell, let me know

+1 on that

 

[ThirdthumB]

Definitely Bubinga Pommele body. Fretboard is Ebony. Neck is 5 piece Ovangkol with Ekanga veneers. It has got the exact same specs as the 2008 version, with the exception that the latter has got strap locks. It is also possible that the 2002 version has got a 18 Volt system instead of a 9 Volt. I believe Warwick changed from 18 to 9 Volt amp around 2003: I'm not 100% sure though. Best thing is indeed to A/B both basses. Good luck.

 

[mencken]

Thanks for all those quick replies! And thanks for setting me straight on the body wood.

I thoughat it was ovangkol based on the shade of the wood (which came out much lighter in the pix than it does to mere human eyes), and wasn't paying any attention to the grain. Looking at some samples of ovangkol and bubinga pommele it really does seem clear that the body is bubinga pommele (and, yes I agree, a might fine looking hunk of it at that!)

The electronics are 9V, not 18. I was under the impression that the '08 Thumbs had tigersrtipe ebony fretboard? (Not that I'd know the difference between tiger-stripe and non-tiger-stripe ebony if I saw it anyway.)

Lucky me; it's like Christmas comes twice this year. I can't wait to see how the new guy looks/plays/sounds, and even if he's not for me, I've still got what feels like a full-on life-partner with the '02.

 

[Grgzilla]

Congrats on the new Thumb mate.& sorry to hear your nut broke,but it only takes 5 minutes to replace it to the new just a nut 3.Get your dealer to supply you with a new nut & all ya need is super glue to replace it.There's an online guide for changing nuts here,


**edit.You dont have strap locks because your bass's strap pins wont accept them.Your 02 Thumb has conical strap pins,like my 03.

 

[ThirdthumB]

I was under the impression that the '08 Thumbs had tigersrtipe ebony fretboard? (Not that I'd know the difference between tiger-stripe and non-tiger-stripe ebony if I saw it anyway.)

The official name of the fretboard wood is Tigerstripe Ebony. This was announced in 2006. This is exactly the same wood used before 2006, but was called (regular) Ebony. Warwick uses eco Ebony, and the trees are much younger when they're cut. This is the reason that the wood is usually not entirely black. A lot of people liked this, and Warwick started to use non entirely black pieces of Ebony as well. The tree has always been the same. 8)

 

[maddrakkett]

The '08 Thumb NT has a tigerstripe ebony fingerboard, which means it may have a few streaks of brown among the black board.

As for a JAN III and a knob, you can call Tyler at the Dana B. Goods shop at (805) 856-1709 and he'll send you replacements for free. He's the Warwick service shop manager and a very nice and cool guy!

I agree that the '02 has one of the nicer bubinga pommele grains and the '08 may not be as impressive - but you won't know that until you see it. As for how the bass is constructed, feels, and sounds, they are the same as far as cut and construction. Of course setup differences and other subtleties will make for slight differences, but the '02 already has some nice "break-in." Depending on the ding, those can be carefully sanded out and restored to new looking.

Either choice you make, you are going to win! If only all our lives could have such hard decisions to face... :lol:

 

[Grgzilla]

Up to 06,regular ebony(died) was used for fingerboards.After 06 they started using tigerstripe ebony,which is from the same tree.It's just now they use almost all of the tree rather than just the choice cuts used prior to that.
An 02 & an 08 Thumb NT5 will be the exact same bass.Although the 08 might not be dinged.This link might help ya with that ding.

 

[sjw1971]

Thanks for all those quick replies! And thanks for setting me straight on the body wood.

That's what this forum is all about. A lot of helpful folks here.

At 40% off MSRP, you're getting one heck of a good deal. If you end up keeping the '02, then great. It looks fantastic, and I love that multi-veneer neck!

Either way, I think you'll be in great shape. Welcome back to the bass world!