Serial number on Thumb 6 B.O.

dave2

dave2

Joined
Feb 24, 2007
Messages
254
Reaction score
0
Hello Forum
I am considering buying a fretted Warwick Thumb 6 BO from someone on Craigs List locally. The bassist's father has listed the item and I just spoke with him. His picture in the ad was a bit out of focus. It is a Thumb 6 string bolt on with a gig bag for $950.

I am trying to determine if the bass is made in Germany or not (a Rockbass model). Can I do this by using the serial number?
The serial number starts with 'A' and ends with '99' indicating built in 1999. But where was this bass made is my question?

Any help from anyone here is appreciated. Thank you.

Dave
 
I am considering buying this bass and the owner's father does not seem to know much about it so I posed the question to the Forum. I also emailed [email protected] and received a response from Mr Wilfer this morning USA time. This 1999 Thumb 6 was indeed made in Germany, Ovankol neck and body, had MEC active pickups (have been replaced with Basslines), and manufactured in January 1999.

The owner wants US$950.
My thoughts on buying this bass.
Positives: its a Thumb BO 6 string :-) and it has a gig bag. I love my Thumb 5 stings.
Possible negatives: Pickups are not original. Basslines may be fine pickups and sound great but I don't know. I am not sure if the preamp has been modified - I asked him but no response yet. The owner is the second owner and so he probably does not have the original parts. The bass is said to be rated 7 out of 10 for condition by owner. Its been played and has at least one big scratch on it. Playing an instrument is what its all about... but taking care of an instrument is another thing. My basses are immaculate.

I will see and play the bass on Thursday night. I am debating whether its worth the $950. Should I offer less ...?? I don't see many Warwick basses for sale on Craigs List locally particularly Thumb basses.

All responses from this wonderful forum are greatly appreciated :-)

Have a great day everyone!!

Dave
 
Hi Dave,

950$ for that bass is a very good price IMHO. Don't worry about the pickups, we used basslines a lot in our basses, so you can consider them as originals :-)
 
Hi Florin
US $950 is a great price for a 6 string Thumb bass. But I saw pictures and this bass looked as though nobody took care of it. The pickup screws are rusted, the 4 bolt-on screws are rusty, the bass has a crack in the body and the owner was not to forthcoming about that.

I decided I would continue looking for Warwicks and not buy this one. That was my initial reaction when I heard about the crack. Initial thoughts are usually best so I told the owner I would pass.

I am hoping I will find a used German manufactured Streamer some day soon :-) !

Best to you all!

Dave
 
Dave,

The crack in the body usually is at the lainations, and it has no structural influnece. And it can be fixed... Could you post some pics?

Also, being oil finished you can do a project with your bass, sand it down, remove all the scratches and stains, fill the crack with glue and wood dust, then refinish it with gunstock oil like Tru Oil.

You can have a very nice bass for little money. Be sure it has a good neck and electronics though...
 
Florin
I am very sceptical of an instrument that is used, has been modified, seems to be in only fair condition, and has a crack. I wasn't planning to buy a 'project' bass. I want an instrument that has been taken care of that I can play. I am not a luthier and although it could be fun and educational to repair an instrument, I have little knowledge of repairing and no tools for a project.

I told the owner that I was not interested. I think they will find this bass is hard to sell in this environment with many musicians out of work and a poor economy in the USA.

Dave
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top