One for Andy Rooney

vakmere

vakmere

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Ever wonder why there are so many mint condition-unscratched-pristine-hardly ever played-like new still in the case-used Corvettes and Thumbs out there? Looking at some of the photos you wonder if all they did was display it instead of play it. Could it be folks buy them new, find out they don’t like them, try to sell them, and find out they have to practically sell for 1/3 or less of what they originally paid when they bought them new? Ebay has tons of them and unless you’re almost giving them away nobody bids. Is the resale value of a top of the line Warwick that low that it doesn’t pay to go to your local music store and plunk down $3800 for an 06 or an 07 Thumb NT5 plus tax because somebody will be so desperate to sell theirs on Ebay that you can grab one for almost pennies? You always wanted one, waited years to get one, finally buy one, then 6 months later want to sell it.
Of course there are those of you who wont play anything else in spite of it all but for the rest who somehow wound up putting this much sought after bass up for sale so soon......I wonder........
 
Bass players often handle the matter of owning basses like their relationships to women.

Some guys want one, buy one and live perfectly fine with one (after some testing around and getting one that suites your preferences - you got your mainbass you use most often - others are only out of aesthetical reasons. because the first one got scratched through the years and is not as nice to look at or whatever.) - others need new ones every week.
buy it, try it, sell it - next please.

It's a matter of taste. :wink:

P.S.: Looking at your collection - are you Mormon? :D
 
Hmm... interesting.

There's definitely an arguement for all the fretless Corvette Standards, a lot of guys pick one up on impulse and soon realize they can't play the damn thing. But Thumb NTs - what's the deal?
 
EVOLVEBASS said:
Hmm... interesting.

There's definitely an arguement for all the fretless Corvette Standards, a lot of guys pick one up on impulse and soon realize they can't play the damn thing. But Thumb NTs - what's the deal?
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there's too much of son of rich guys who listen 2 times to mudvayne, buy a NT, stop playing bass after 3 months, sell it. Have seen enough of them on youtube to really consider this (lol). That's not that bad, that way I can buy a Thumb NT for 1400$
 
I found from experience that impulse shopping without proper real world experience playing a bass guitar is a bad combination. Damn those things look and sound great in the store on amps we don't own don't they? In the end it comes down to being able to get the tones you want for whatever you're into and not brands or looks. I still feel bad for those who had to buy from stores with no return policy and then get treated like crackheads on the open market. No matter what other bass I play or own, when I play the Thumb it feels special. I'm keeping mine. Btw, yes that's my GC review. Had no choice after someone tried to trash it and they left it up as the only review :evil:
 
flipper_gv said:
there's too much of son of rich guys who listen 2 times to mudvayne, buy a NT, stop playing bass after 3 months, sell it. Have seen enough of them on youtube to really consider this (lol).
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Good point #1.

flipper_gv said:
That's not that bad, that way I can buy a Thumb NT for 1400$
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Good point #2. Although I'm always uber hesitant to buy much of anything used, especially on eBay. I figure that Ryan Martinie-wannabe wasn't any better at caring for his bass than he was at playing it...
 
flipper_gv said:
EVOLVEBASS said:
Hmm... interesting.

There's definitely an arguement for all the fretless Corvette Standards, a lot of guys pick one up on impulse and soon realize they can't play the damn thing. But Thumb NTs - what's the deal?
Click to expand...

there's too much of son of rich guys who listen 2 times to mudvayne, buy a NT, stop playing bass after 3 months, sell it. Have seen enough of them on youtube to really consider this (lol). That's not that bad, that way I can buy a Thumb NT for 1400$
Click to expand...

A thumb NT for an uneducated ear may sound at least strange and for sure unpleasant. You buy one because you read the reviews, and you get a bass that don´t sound good in your bedroom. You sell it before finding that it sounds amazing in the real world.
 
Florin said:
A thumb NT for an uneducated ear may sound at least strange and for sure unpleasant. You buy one because you read the reviews, and you get a bass that don´t sound good in your bedroom. You sell it before finding that it sounds amazing in the real world.
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Another good point.

Ironically, flipper_gv's example is pretty much the opposite for me. I think Ryan Martinie is an absolute madman, but I'm not a big fan of his tone. And that likely had some impact in why I'm not a Thumb guy. But I could see that working in reverse for others...
 
I'm a 1 bass kinda guy... Was telling my wife earlier "I would be just fine with this being the last bass I ever own... It's Warwick tough and I plan on proving it by using this as my main and not needing a backup" :P

I have had doubts though as to the heavyness and using this for 5hr long practices with very short breaks... But in the end I love the tone and could'nt achieve it with any other bass so... Time to start lifting the weights :P

I will keep this bass until the day I die... And then plan on being buried with it :P
 
Here's what the seller had to say about the beautiful Thumb NT I won for $1400 USD on eBay the other day:

"Here is a drop dead gorgeous fine German instrument. Although I must sell this angel as used it has been played maybe a dozen times. I took it in service trade from an eccentric good old gentlemen who purchased it new several years ago as a starter bass. He upgraded the strings, tried at it twice, and put it away. I was interested in WARWICK for some time and took this succubus into my home. Poor pitiful me could not adapt and so I must stay with my Fender.

This is essentially a new instrument, flawless. It growls like a tiger when it needs to, and purrs like a kitten when you want it to."

Here's a pic of it from the seller:



And I'll be keeping (and playing) it forever!
 
looks like a beautiful find to me. And you know vakmere... It's because of this that I'm getting my first warwick at the price i've been searching for so long to find. So it's this that gets us into Warwick. I've had my rockbass for about 2 years... and i've wanted a Warwick since the day i got it. When i actually get that 'wick, i know it won't end there. that's when the GAS starts... and buy i will! (when i get more money...)

so thank you to all those who make buying a warwick a viable option for those who don't have a lot of money or aren't willing to let a lot of money go!
 
I find it very difficult to understand the use of multiple basses. I can get most tones I require for my style of playing using my Streamer. I keep wondering what people do with the multiple basses that they use in the same show etc ...

Maybe I am not exploring tones as much as I should be ... and also, the whole thing about the fender tone and the ibanez tone and the warwick growl, I find that I can get most of these sounds from my Warwick itself ..

That kinda makes me a 1 bass kind of guy! At least right now, the only reason I would carry a second bass is as a backup ...

Or maybe I should start saving for a Thumb?

I'm confused!
 
I've often wondered about the lowball re-sell value of Warwicks as well. I really do not see how, aside from a custom-ordered bass, anyone would buy a new one at all. I did once, but I will not again. I love my 'wick and will def. get more (I too am jonesin' for a BO Thumb 4 and an old Fortress) but I do not see the need to look anywhere else but Craigslist or the 'Bay..
 
derherr said:
I find it very difficult to understand the use of multiple basses. I can get most tones I require for my style of playing using my Streamer. I keep wondering what people do with the multiple basses that they use in the same show etc ...
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In my case, I like a number of different basses. Prolly for looks more than anything. But after spending years in post secondary school (about 12) I can afford them. So if I want one I get it. I do play my Rockbass the most however.
 
motleycrew said:
I've often wondered about the lowball re-sell value of Warwicks as well. I really do not see how, aside from a custom-ordered bass, anyone would buy a new one at all. I did once, but I will not again. I love my 'wick and will def. get more (I too am jonesin' for a BO Thumb 4 and an old Fortress) but I do not see the need to look anywhere else but Craigslist or the 'Bay..
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It depends. For me, my first three Warwicks were bought new from Guitar Center. It started with a sudden desire for a Corvette fretless. I had two to choose from and have been happy with the one I picked. In fact, it gets the most play time even today!

Then I needed a 5 string fretted and the $$ was just the ticket, especially since I couldn't let go once I tried it out!

The the second Corvette fretless caught my eye with its incredible figured Tigerstripe Ebony fingerboard and perfectly matched uniform Bubinga body grain with a 3-D look to die for. I admit I kinda bought that one on a whim; I didn't really "need" it, but I also couldn't let it go, much less get its incredible image out of my mind! Turns out it has more "mwah" tone than even my first one!

But through all this Corvette fun, I had always wanted a Thumb bass (the small and contoured body is sooo inviting) and finally settled on seeking out a neck through. But the price has been a barrier, plus the fact that there aren't any where I live. I also started desiring an older model, so that forced me to go used. eBay has gotten better at security and I've had good success receiving the items I've won.

So I for one am greatful for the used market and affordable pricing, but I also buy new if the bass strikes me just right.
 
derherr said:
I find it very difficult to understand the use of multiple basses. I can get most tones I require for my style of playing using my Streamer. I keep wondering what people do with the multiple basses that they use in the same show etc
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Like you mention later in this post, having a backup is a big reason. Some guy who jams out with his combo and never leaves the house, not so much. But there's nothing worse than throwing away 15 minutes of a 45 minute Theater set in front of 2,000 fans because you broke your E-string! :oops:

Another one is if you use multiple tunings.

Personally I like having "different flavors" also. The $$ is a dream come true for me thanks to the coil-tap switches. One flick, and I can radically change the sound of my bass. And that doesn't even get into haveing different body or neck woods, etc.
 
motleycrew said:
I've often wondered about the lowball re-sell value of Warwicks as well. I really do not see how, aside from a custom-ordered bass, anyone would buy a new one at all. I did once, but I will not again. I love my 'wick and will def. get more (I too am jonesin' for a BO Thumb 4 and an old Fortress) but I do not see the need to look anywhere else but Craigslist or the 'Bay..
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Second that brother bear. My Rockbass Fortress 5, with Premium (not the cheaper deluxe) gig bag was well under 400 bones, in close to new condition off Ebay.
 
motleycrew said:
I've often wondered about the lowball re-sell value of Warwicks as well. I really do not see how, aside from a custom-ordered bass, anyone would buy a new one at all. I did once, but I will not again. I love my 'wick and will def. get more (I too am jonesin' for a BO Thumb 4 and an old Fortress) but I do not see the need to look anywhere else but Craigslist or the 'Bay..
Click to expand...

I think it is bass dependant. Sure, if you can't afford a Thumb NT new, and one in really good condition pops up on eBay for $1,400 - then absolutely.

On the other hand, I see Corvette Standards go for $800 on eBay too. I'd rather drop $100 more for a new one that I know didn't get dropped down the stairs or have a bottle of Bud Light spilled all over the pickups. But that's just me.

I drive a new SUV too. :lol:
 
I don't quite get the entire "used Wicks for half the prize thing" either, but I don't complain :) Got my Thumb 5 NT for 'bout 1250£ which is very cheap in Denmark for a Thumb. Now as for only having one bass I dunno. I want one for every situation. And I like Fenders so have to have that as well. In time I'll be adding a fretless, acoustic and a doublebass to the collection. And maybe a 6-stringer too :) In time that is. As off now I have all the basses I need and "want".
 
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