- Joined
- Jan 28, 2019
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- 2
- Reaction score
- 8
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2008
- Messages
- 2,380
- Reaction score
- 2,137
Welcome to the forum 
Do you own it, or thinking about buying?
Some observations...
This Thumb has had a few things done to it. An official brass JANIII nut has been installed, as well as gold saddles put on the bridge. Aftermarket strap buttons as well. Aside from that, it looks fairly standard/stock. Nice, somewhat unique figuring in the bubinga body... especially with that knot on the lower half of the body. It's got a typical Ovangkol neck with ebony board and bell brass frets. All normal for this time period.
If you don't own this yet...I'd recommend getting some more pictures of it. Just a few more, front and back... making sure the truss rod works, neck is straight...no damage, cracks, electronics work properly etc. All the standard stuff.
Do you own it, or thinking about buying?
Some observations...
This Thumb has had a few things done to it. An official brass JANIII nut has been installed, as well as gold saddles put on the bridge. Aftermarket strap buttons as well. Aside from that, it looks fairly standard/stock. Nice, somewhat unique figuring in the bubinga body... especially with that knot on the lower half of the body. It's got a typical Ovangkol neck with ebony board and bell brass frets. All normal for this time period.
If you don't own this yet...I'd recommend getting some more pictures of it. Just a few more, front and back... making sure the truss rod works, neck is straight...no damage, cracks, electronics work properly etc. All the standard stuff.
Hey thanks for the reply.. im amazed on how you can tell all that from just pics! well im pretty much the owner of it. It should be mine to take home in a couple of weeks. I managed to snatch this gem for under $1k USD. How do you know if thw trus rod is good? The cover looks messed with. Here are some more pics
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Here are 2 more. Im going to be honest. Im NOT a bass player.. im a drummer but LOVE the bass! I can follow a grove and slap but dont know notes. If you tell me change to a different key i wouldnt know what to do. But i love the feel of a quality instrument.
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- Joined
- Nov 4, 2019
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 3
I’ve a 4 string BO, always fancied a 5. NT would be preferred too.
Looks a beauty. Do you have the opportunity to play it? You won’t be disappointed. Serial no indicates it’s a 2002.
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2008
- Messages
- 2,380
- Reaction score
- 2,137
As long as it's in good working order, under 1k is a hell of a deal. Score. As for the truss rod, you have to just take the word of the seller that it's functional...until you're able to get your hands on it. Lots of YouTube videos on how to check for that and adjust relief etc. The truss rod cover is the original "bubble font" cover and seems to be in good shape. It's normal to see a bit of plastic damage where the quick access notch is (for prying it up with a screwdriver etc). I've always just unscrewed the cover, to not damage the plastic.
Congrats... Even though you're not a bass player (yet), you've chosen one hell of a 1st bass. Thumbs are amazing works of art...and the Ebony board ones ring out like pianos. Solid, present... incredible sound. You'll be stoked.
Feel free to poke around the Thumb Club here, from the beginning... for lots of useful info and pictures. And don't forget to post some pics when you gain possession
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2008
- Messages
- 444
- Reaction score
- 18
Was lucky enough to get my hands on this beauty about a week ago. Heaviest Thumb I own by far, but it's stunning.
en/Warwick---Products--Instruments--Customshop---Masterbuilt--Basic-Bass-Models--Thumb--Thumb-BO--Thumb-BO-5-String--Thumb-BO---17-3463--5-string--Features.html
en/Warwick---Products--Instruments--Customshop---Masterbuilt--Basic-Bass-Models--Thumb--Thumb-BO--Thumb-BO-5-String--Thumb-BO---17-3463--5-string--Features.html
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- Joined
- Apr 1, 2008
- Messages
- 444
- Reaction score
- 18
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- Joined
- Dec 10, 2019
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 6
Hello all!
First time Warwick owner here! I have been wanting a thumb 5 NT for quite a while, and finally found one at a guitar center that was a good price. It was listed as a ‘98, but I have my suspicion that they were looking at the serial number upside down, and it’s actually an ‘86, which is much better, since that’s my birth year! I would be appreciative if anyone can confirm this!
First time Warwick owner here! I have been wanting a thumb 5 NT for quite a while, and finally found one at a guitar center that was a good price. It was listed as a ‘98, but I have my suspicion that they were looking at the serial number upside down, and it’s actually an ‘86, which is much better, since that’s my birth year! I would be appreciative if anyone can confirm this!
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- Nov 4, 2019
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- 16
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- 28
That is stunning. I've seen a 87 NT5 and that had the one piece bridge so maybe this IS a 98?
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- Dec 10, 2019
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- 3
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Yeah I don’t really have any experience dating them. Any expertise to shed light is welcome
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2019
- Messages
- 16
- Reaction score
- 28
My serial number (88) reads looking down on the headstock with the front of the bass facing away from me.
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2019
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 6
Cool. In that case , she’s a 98. I wasn’t sure if you were supposed to look at it that way, or if you were looking at the preceding digits of the serial number right side up
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- Jun 16, 2008
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Easiest way to tell if it's a '86...would be the bridge. It would have a one piece Schaller bridge. A '98 would have the classic/modern 2 piece bridge/tailpiece. Also...the '86 (1st year of the Thumb 5'er) would have extremely angled pickups. After '86...they mellowed the angle of the pups to more like you see nowadays.
Here's an example of a '86 5'er...
HEY THERE... sorry for the late reply... Yes i do have the oppertunity to play it.. The feel of tye neck on these TO ME feels AMAZING.. MY FAVORITE bass of all time is/are pre-Gibson Tobias.. then the Warwick thumb.. then a Ken Smith.. then Warrior basses.
I can mimic what my bass player does and follow or make a rythym but I DO NOT know notes/ scales. What or how do you recommend i do to start learning? I usento play Saxophone in band so i can read music.
As long as it's in good working order, under 1k is a hell of a deal. Score. As for the truss rod, you have to just take the word of the seller that it's functional...until you're able to get your hands on it. Lots of YouTube videos on how to check for that and adjust relief etc. The truss rod cover is the original "bubble font" cover and seems to be in good shape. It's normal to see a bit of plastic damage where the quick access notch is (for prying it up with a screwdriver etc). I've always just unscrewed the cover, to not damage the plastic.
Congrats... Even though you're not a bass player (yet), you've chosen one hell of a 1st bass. Thumbs are amazing works of art...and the Ebony board ones ring out like pianos. Solid, present... incredible sound. You'll be stoked.
Feel free to poke around the Thumb Club here, from the beginning... for lots of useful info and pictures. And don't forget to post some pics when you gain possession
This wouldnt be my 1st bass. Itbwould be my 1st WARWICK. Ive had Pre-Gibson Tobias'..(my favorite) a Cort Curbow(luthite body) and a Toby. Ive ALWAYS loved the DEEP plump sound on these.. you can hook them up to almost any cab and they sound amazing. I feel like they dont make instrumemts like they use to.
