=The Warwick Thumb Club=

Thanks eyvindwa! :)

Here's the case. I was so stoked when I opened the box and saw orange :eek:

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...one thing is for sure, there's something about these hand made eighties basses that makes them special to me. They feel different (or maybe it's just my mind :p)

Always loved the back of the headstock on that early Warwicks.
 
aguacollas said:
...one thing is for sure, there's something about these hand made eighties basses that makes them special to me. They feel different (or maybe it's just my mind :p)

Always loved the back of the headstock on that early Warwicks.
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Seriously J. They really do have this sorta of...solidness, that just has a different feel. I definitely think it has everything to do with it being truly handmade. You can feel all the hours of rasp and sanding...and pure love and devotion that went into it.

In HP's response last night about this JD, he said the same about the scalloped headstock. Said he thinks it looks so classy, but remembers it took a lot of time to do each one. No doubt why they stopped when production ramped up.
 
What is a 'JD' Thumb? I've not seen that term before.


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ectoflanger said:
What is a 'JD' Thumb? I've not seen that term before.


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The very first Thumbs were "JD Thumbs", named after a player named John Davis. So technically, it was Warwick's very first signature model.

John Davis
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From the spring of '85 to sometime in the early half of '87 or so. As you can see on the truss rod cover on the last page. And that is pretty much the main distinction...the "JD" truss rod cover.

Since the Thumb went through several revisions during the time the JD truss rod cover was being used, you can't pin it down to one revision of the Thumb. There are a few unicorns out there. Including the famous "Strumb" prototype...that are not true Thumbs...yet have the JD Thumb truss rod cover.

I did a comparison of 1985 JD's. There's a bunch of info...but it'll give you a good understanding of at least that year :)

1985 Jd Thumb Revisions And Comparisons
 
Too funny. Never in a million years would I have thought that. Thanks for the info! I'll have to add that to the JD comparison thread ;)
 
Wow, the difference between those horns is really drastic! How is the balance on that JD? Is it compensated in some other way?
 
eyvindwa said:
Wow, the difference between those horns is really drastic! How is the balance on that JD? Is it compensated in some other way?
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It's incredible how different they are. Also just the overall mass. This baby is so freaky thin. I imagine similar thickness to '85 Streamers. No...the balance is not compensated for at all. Not a bit. In fact, it doesn't even rest very well sitting on your leg, like modern Thumbs at least do. It want to falls forward, because the bottom horn is so tiny and it's at least 2 pounds lighter. I'll have to weigh it soon.

I moved the strap button backs to it's original spot last night. Tried it standing up...and... lol no. I'll keep it there for history sake though. This bottom strap botton is actually past parallel of the front one. Yeah. Crazy. And totally awesome in all it's unbalanced glory :) I never plan on using this standing up too much...so it's all good.

This has quickly become my favorite (sorry Jackie). SO fun to play. Feels so different to my others. The EMG pups are fantastic.
 
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I recall there's been several debates over the years, as to whether or not you should oil the headstock veneer. Especially on vintage Wicks. I've always done it with newer Wicks and my '87 has a high gloss finish over the veneer, so no need there. When I got the JD, I thought I'd leave it alone, in all its faded veneer glory. That mindset lasted all of about a day. Last night I gave the JD the full treatment, including oiling that veneer.

And holy ballz... SO glad I did. Darkened it up considerably and evened out the color. Brought that veneer back to the same condition as the rest of the bass. If you're hesitant...don't be. Do it. I use Nomad F1 oil. Thomann sells the same stuff, same company, just a different name.
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