Question about Thumb Basses...

[Morgoth]

Hi All!
I've been in love with Thumb basses since several years. Especially with their tone.
I'd love to own a NT but it's way too expensive.
Hopefully, there's the BO's version.
I'd like to know if, as far as sound / tone is concerned, there is a big difference between a BO and a NT Thumb.
Thanks! :d

 

[EVOLVEBASS]

I'll be smart and let the 'Thumb guys' determine how much difference there is between the two. But I did want to suggest that, at least in my opinion, the ebony fretboard versus wenge fretboard is an important consideration here that often gets lost in the NT versus BO discussions. I owned a Thumb BO LTD 2001 for awhile (bubinga top/ovangkol back, ovangkol neck, ebony fretboard), and to me it sounded way more like the NT version (see ebony). The easy part is that they are both great basses. 8:

EDIT: Granted it did have the bubinga factor as well...

 

[Grgzilla]

Bo's will have a stronger midrange,be a little snappier,very growly & aggresive.
Nt's will have a little more sustain,more refined sounding if it has an ebony fingerboard & more refined highs & slightly weaker midrange.
Hope this helps.

 

[Doog]

I thought NT's and BO's both had wenge boards unless they're fretless, then they both have ebony boards. Isn't a fretted ebony board a CS option?

 

[Shoewreck]

Wenge on fretted BO's and on older NT's.

 

[Le Cowboy De Chernobyl]

for me, that's the classic BO



finger funk style

[video=youtube;j-HqiyQDpPg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-HqiyQDpPg[/video]

 

[Gusts]

I have both and don't really see much of a difference. The NT is a bit heavier, more sustain, BO seems to be growlier, but other than that they are both great basses.
=g=

 

[Stroud]

The bottom line is they're both thumbs. They both will have that tone you love (in spade fulls)

 

[Florin]

Hey Morgoth,

As my buddies already told you, they are pretty similar in sound. And a lot of people actually prefer the Bolt On version, which sounds even tighter.

 

[saxonbass]

I prefered the bolt on, after much auditioning... but I'd like to have one of each.
They're similar but slightly different, and both totally awesome!
... I'm biased!

 

[Callum]

I like BO for slap and NT for fretless personally.

I honestly heard a little more difference between 4 and 5 string thumbs than NT and BO, as i felt the pickup positions made more of a difference to tone. however the differences are minimal and all have the classic thumb growl!

My recommendation is go for whats in your budget, you won't be disappointed in any of the if your a thumb lover.

 

[james brunnning]

I like the way the nt looks better but I like the sound of the bo more.I think the ltd or gc version is a nice compromise,ebony board and bubinga top.