Need Opinions (Buying a Thumb)

R

Rainer

Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hello, this is my first post so I hope I do it correctly!

I am planning on buying a used Thumb NT on eBay. I am trying to decide between a 1998 and 1999. I think both the prices and feedback are similar enough between the two basses that I will not take them into consideration.

Here is the 1998:

And the 1999:

If any of you have any opinions on the basses (which you would choose, why you would choose it, etc.), responses would be greatly appreciated.

My thoughts on the basses:

1998: The seller looks serious and professional. I love the looks of this bass, even more than the 1999, and it is in great shape. I am a little apprehensive because it looks like it has not been waxed in a while (maybe the outdoor lighting?), and the headstock looks faded, almost like it is dusty or grey.

1999: The seller looks serious, but his grammar, capitalization, and frequent changes in font and font size (copy and paste, maybe?) make him seem somewhat unprofessional. I think I can rely on him though, because his feedback is great. I love the looks of this bass; nice wood, in good shape, black headstock (hehe). I am a little nervous that the case it comes in is held together by a velcro strap.

Unfortunately, I cannot play these basses and choose, so any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much in advance.



-Rainer
 
Hi Rainer & welcome.
The 1999 Thumb was once owned by a forum member,who took these photos.I recognise his toes.Seriously.A fellow forum member bought his Dolphin SN off this seller & says he's a good guy,but tends to be quite rigid with his pricing.

The 1998 looks fine.It might just be the lighting in the pic that makes it look dry.Even if it is dry,it's no biggy,just give it a good wax & it'll be fine.Lack of wax doesnt cause cracking.There's alot of areas of the bass that dont ever see wax,on basses that are waxed regularly.Areas that've been routed,& they stand up just fine without wax.

I'd see if you can actually phone both sellers up & maybe do a video call,or web cam to web cam thing,like on MSN or Skype,so they can show you the bass in person & ask questions & get a better impression of each seller.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Just to let you know, a woman posted her husbands thumb bo on craigslist (Austin, Texas) for $1500. Looks to be in really good shape. She's needing to sell ASAP according to her post. Just thought you would like to know. Good luck and welcome aboard!!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Look at all of the thumbs on the guitar center web site. Click on used gear.
Remember with guitar center you can take it back if you're not happy...
 
I'd buy the one from 98. By far nicer grain (it will be even nicer after waxing). It looks untouched - check the pickups, they are absolutely new. And I like the recessed straplocks too.
Ask him about neck issues, twisted neck, etc. Be sure he understands the question :-)

CHeers, Flo
 
Wolfgang von Holland said:
..... a woman posted her husbands thumb bo on
craigslist (Austin, Texas) for $1500. Looks to be
in really good shape. She's needing to sell ASAP
according to her post. .......
Click to expand...




While CraigsList is of a less scarey nature than
eBay, unless I lived near Austin and could buy
in person, for about 2/3 of her asking price ...
this just has too many warning flags in it:

  1. "Husband's bass" ?
  2. "Needs sale ASAP" ?
  3. "$1500" for a BO Thumb ?
$1500 is about 50% too high for a normal
sale, and waaaaayy too high for an ASAP
sale by a person who has no attachment, is
not saying goodbye to their own trusty ax ...

​


 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hey guys, thanks the input!

I understand what you mean about waxing the 1998 later myself, Greg. I am sure it would be fine. And thanks for the advice, Florin, you are right about the grain and pickups. I will be sure to ask about the neck.

I wish I could help that woman out on CraigsList, but I am going for a NT with a wenge neck, and as Golem said, it is a little suspicious.

Thanks again for the responses, they are very helpful!



-Rainer
 
Both basses have wengee/wengee necks, that's all that really matters to me. I do agree with Flo that the recessed strap-lock is nicer

Both sellers looks to be dealer, judging from the other items they have. I am more familiar with "equipmant" as I have read a few very positive feedback from buyers on various forums; plus I have been eyeing his offerings for a long time. He has good taste in Warwick.

These are fair price if the bass has no issue. Thou if you are patient, you can find better price, usually from private sellers. But I do have more confident on dealer items, at least small independent dealers such as these listing the two basses here.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Rainer said:
......

I wish I could help that woman
out on CraigsList,......
Click to expand...





Yup, there often IS some fun to be had
in "helping out" a lady who is pissed at
her husband or ex, but then it's time to
Get Outa Dodge, taco pronto !

​



 
Ebay is a lot safer than it use to be, and it seems even though his grammer and spelling was terrible (doesn't anyone click on spell check anymore?!) it doesn't mean he's any less reliable or serious. Plus it seems he's been on this forum, so people here know him. IMO older Warwicks in general sound better, but the diff between a 98 and a 99 is probably minimal. Don't worry about the damaged case, when you're spending that kind of $ on an instrument, what's another $125 for a brand new case? Plus you can sell the old case and get 40 or 50 bux back towards the new one. That being said, I like the post above about asking for a video, that way you see the finishes without the effects of a flash or the lighting and stuff, plus the seller can narrate. Good luck, amazing bass regardless of which one you end up with, congrats! You'll love it!


Andy
living.syndication
 
livingsyndicationbass said:
.....IMO older Warwicks in general sound better,....
Click to expand...

That's a statement I've never agreed with. I owned and tried a lot of Warwick basses, new and old, and I've never heard differences in the quality of sound.
The pre 90 Warwicks, feel different, and some might like that feel better, but the sound is not better...
Probably because the wood is well dried enough before making a Warwick bass. That's one reason I like Warwick - you buy a new one, you open a case, and it kicks ass. I was a long time a Music Man fan, and the new ones felt like jokes to me... Warwicks are not like that. Nevr seen a new Warwick to sound bad.
A Warwick made in 1988 will sound different as one made in 2008, because they are two different instruments, made with different technologies, in different factories. But I never noticed the old ones to sound better. The most impressive Warwick I've used in studio was actually a new Streamer Stage II, while I sold all my old Warwicks.

 
Wolfgang von Holland said:
Just to let you know, a woman posted her husbands thumb bo on craigslist (Austin, Texas) for $1500. Looks to be in really good shape. She's needing to sell ASAP according to her post. Just thought you would like to know. Good luck and welcome aboard!!
Click to expand...

Thou shalt not support women selling their husbands basses :-))
 
LOL schlobodan! Agreed! Florin- much appreciated insight, thanks! That's a good point, new Warwicks do sound great right out of the case, as you put it. Perhaps it is more the feel I've liked better in the older Warwicks, though I still wanna say the older necks made of wenge are superior to the newer models. Idk, I'd love to A/B my '98 with an '09 thru my rig and truly compare. I'm sure you're right, the sound quality as a result of progressing technology is probably quite similar. Florin, you really seem to have paid your dues with Warwick and have prob played every model, I'm jealous. : ) Do you know the deal with the electronics... is MEC exclusive to Warwicks?

Well thanks again, I'm really lovin this forum. Some very knowledgeable individuals here. Love it. : )


Andy
living.syndication
 
MEC is not exclusive to Warwick. Anyone can buy their pickups and preamps. I know at least 2 manufacturers in Poland using MEC (Mayones, also known as Fame in some countries, and GMR) as a standard in their basses.
 
Oh, very cool, thanks for the reply. I've seen lots of bassists switch their MEC's out for Barts but I'm happy with the way they sound, and like the tones the bassists who stick with the stock pickups have. My Thumb 5 has adjustable trim pots or somethin I believe, which I've only tickered with once and should def investigate deeper immediately.

Thanks again.



Andy
living.syndication
 
Because must of us have the compulsive need of changing what we love :-) Not because Barts are better than MEC's :-)
 
Hey guys, thanks for all the advice.

Well, I was just about to buy the 1998, and then I passed a 1990 along the way and ended up buying it this morning! It should be here in a couple of days. I will try to post some pictures when it gets here.

Thanks for the help, and I will be seeing you guys on the forums!



-Rainer
 
Rainer , congraz
early 90's is my favorite Warwick era
because their standard neck wood is just how I like it the most
2-piece bridge and JAN1 ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top