- Joined
- Mar 22, 2009
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 54
I felt like doing a little experimenting with my single cut 5. Ditched the low b for a high c. Just needed a little tape to make up for the size change at the nut. Honestly it’s a testament to high well built these basses are. This sounds and feels natural, without any major tweaks.
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2021
- Messages
- 31
- Reaction score
- 101
That's a beauty 
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Hi all, new to this forum & looking for some advice from thumb experts. I'm looking at getting a 5 string thumb & have just missed out on 2 NT's one a 2007 @ £2000 & a 2013 @ £1900, I've noticed the NT's if priced reasonably don't hang around. The BO's dont seem to go as quickly. I've seen a 2000 BO at £1750 really nice grain on the ovankol body, a 2022 at £1600 the body & board seem pretty light coloured with a straight grain & a 2019 one in gloss white. I have read that the BO's have a bit more punch & the NT's more low end growl, is that right? But then again I guess its all subjective.
To put in to context apart from the thumb sound etc I was attracted to the NT's because of the bubinga grain (and had always wanted an NT bass), but these are more expensive & if I'm honest a bit out of range. So will I be missing something getting a BO or will it be barely noticeable?
If I do get a BO does the year make any difference i.e. will getting the 2022 be a better bet than the 2000?
And for some reason although I have mentioned about the woods I quite like the look of the white one, in anyone's opinion does having a paint finish on a thumb detract from it at all (as the majority are oil finished) and will it affect resale price and or saleability?
Sorry if these questions have been asked before but any friendly advice would be helpful, cheers.
To put in to context apart from the thumb sound etc I was attracted to the NT's because of the bubinga grain (and had always wanted an NT bass), but these are more expensive & if I'm honest a bit out of range. So will I be missing something getting a BO or will it be barely noticeable?
If I do get a BO does the year make any difference i.e. will getting the 2022 be a better bet than the 2000?
And for some reason although I have mentioned about the woods I quite like the look of the white one, in anyone's opinion does having a paint finish on a thumb detract from it at all (as the majority are oil finished) and will it affect resale price and or saleability?
Sorry if these questions have been asked before but any friendly advice would be helpful, cheers.
Hi folks,
I just joined the forum recently and thought I'd post a few pics of this AMAZING 1991 Thumb 5 NT that I just bought today! It was previously owned by Melvin Gibbs from Rollins Band and used on the Weight album and a number of tours and gigs around that time. Melvin sold it back in 2012 to another guy from Sydney Australia and it has been here ever since. (Yes, I have the original signed letter that Melvin included with the bass.)
I just joined the forum recently and thought I'd post a few pics of this AMAZING 1991 Thumb 5 NT that I just bought today! It was previously owned by Melvin Gibbs from Rollins Band and used on the Weight album and a number of tours and gigs around that time. Melvin sold it back in 2012 to another guy from Sydney Australia and it has been here ever since. (Yes, I have the original signed letter that Melvin included with the bass.)
About two months ago, I bought a Bubinga/Ovankol Thumb BO 5 made in 2000 and today, I bought a Bubinga/Wenge/Bubinga NT 5 made in 1991. Although they currently have different strings, I was surprised to hear that they DO sound fairly similar and the BO does have a little more punch or attack on the notes. If they were both setup the same and had the same strings, it would be hard to tell them apart in a mix, IMO.
I think you'll be happy with a BO 5, they really do sound AWESOME with a good setup and decent strings! (I quite like DR Pure Blues on mine.)
EG
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2016
- Messages
- 2,280
- Reaction score
- 3,006
- Admin
- #3,231
Welcome to the forum! Very nice ‘Wick you have there!
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2008
- Messages
- 953
- Reaction score
- 1,206
Woah, that's very cool! I remember listening to the Weight album a lot back in the day!
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2008
- Messages
- 953
- Reaction score
- 1,206
Welcome! I'm not an expert by any stretch of imagination, but I do have a few Thumbs
In general, I would say yes, the BOs have a bit more "snap", and the NTs have a bit more sustain. The difference is not big, though. I think more important differences lie in the body shape and electronics. The BO have a slightly elongated body, and a couple of frets less. The NT has a three band preamp, while the BOs have a two band (typically). If you can, try them both out.
You will not be missing out - the BOs are great instruments in their own right, but they are a little different, and only you can tell which one is for you.
Well, the newer "masterbuilt" BOs are actually made with bubinga bodies too, if that is important to you. Beyond that, the neck profiles have changed a bit over the years, and the early 2000s typically had fatter necks. Again, what is best is a matter of personal preference.
Can't help you with the resale price, I'm afraid, but FWIW I think the painted ones are cool!
Anyway, welcome to the forum! Hang around - there are lots of funny and friendly people here!
Have fun! I'm pretty sure he was also playing a Tobias Basic 5 at the same time, so it's a bit hard to tell what basses were used on what tracks. (That black Tobias featured in the video for Liar.) Based on the focussed tone, I'm pretty sure the Thumb was used on Icon, Step Back and Alien Blueprint, but not sure what other tracks. I actually got into Tobias basses back in '98 due to Melvin, so it only makes sense that I also have his Thumb in my collection....hehe.
- Joined
- May 17, 2019
- Messages
- 1,247
- Reaction score
- 2,253
Good comparison. The BO has more attack and bite, as expected. The NT is more balanced/body.
Thanks Eyvindwa, that was really kind of you. They sounded very similar to me, prob custom shop had a slight bit more richness to the sound, but really minimal. Just FYI they are both BO's one a pro series the other a custom shop.
Thanks again for taking the time post, much appreciated.
Thanks again for taking the time post, much appreciated.
