btw: the nice cat is included?Hello,
I've got a little question for the community, hope it's ok to ask here...:
I'm the owner of an old Thumb NT5 that doesn't get much action nowadays, so I'm thinking about selling it.
Thing is, I have no idea how much it's worth realistically in todays market. I've not been following the used market for quite some time.
I've seen some rather mental asking prices on Reverb and the like....no idea if those are pure fantasy or what's the deal with that.
So, could anyone here help me figure out a fair price to ask for this?
A bit more info about the Thumb:
It's completely painted in black (all original, no refinish) and the serial is painted over.
H.P. Wilfer told me that that was normal back then (they stamped in the serial first an afterwards painted the basses... ) and that it should be an '86 or at the latest an '87 model.
Supposedly one of the first with the final pickup position and the two-piece bridge. Still got the "JD Thumb" cover for the trussrod and the carved headstock.
It's equipped with an active 2-band preamp and EMGs, also all original.
The bass plays and sounds great, frets are in good condition, everything is working as it should.
Just a few dull spots in the paint and some slight scratches. Should be as good as new with a bit of polishing.
It's a bit on the heavy side, but I guess that's to be expected with solid Bubinga and Wenge...
I'm based in Germany btw.
Thanks in advance!
Janis
Oh, and here are a few pics:
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Hey now, thats not what the previous sale prices was!to be serious: I hope it is still a „free market“ out there…the realistic price is what customers are willing to pay! I think anything between 2000 to 2500 Euro - depending on the technical status of the bass (no neck twist, no neck break, trussrod ok and working, electronics, tuners ok, etc etc etc)…
btw: the nice cat is included?
Very nice Thumb!btw: I own a similar Thumb 5 and she is from December 1986.
View attachment 25083
thanks!…about the age: yes, I think so. HP confirmed that the 2-piece bridge on mine is original - as they started end of 86 with the 2-piece bridge on Thumb 5.Very nice Thumb!
That one looks nearly exactly like mine, just in red.
Then I guess H.P. was right and mine really should be an '86 model too. Maybe even a tiny little bit older than yours, since mine even has the old "JD Thumb Bass" trussrod cover.
Thanks for the feedback @Hoggles - I'm seriously considering buying this bass locally. I guess I'll just have to move the strap button if I do (sacreligious, I know!).Oh the dive is definitely worse @eyvindwa ...but the cool factor is so much better
If you recall with the first JD's...the rear button used to be nearly on the top!
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just my 2 cents: my Thumb 5 86 has got no head-dive. I think the „older“ Thumbs with massive 2-piece bridge and thin wenge necks had a - more or less- good balance. It worsened with the light 2-piece cast bridge and thicker neck profile, i e heavier neck.The older Thumb basses had the strap button located higher up on the back of the bass - what does this do to the balance of the bass? Is the dive worse due to this?
View attachment 25096
On the other Thumbs that I have, the back strap button is located on the center of the neck.
My '88 sits pretty much at 90 degrees - no problem. Others from the early '80s like Alembic Series-I and Arias have a more pronounced head-dive.just my 2 cents: my Thumb 5 86 has got no head-dive. I think the „older“ Thumbs with massive 2-piece bridge and thin wenge necks had a - more or less- good balance. It worsened with the light 2-piece cast bridge and thicker neck profile, i e heavier neck.
Hi mate! Looks all original to me. Seems to be a fine bass!Hi gents, same kind of question here. Just registered on the forum to get some inputs from specialists of the WW brand.
I do have a J.D Thumb / 1986 / Seymour Duncan dip-switch pickup / EMG preamp / Schaller bridge
I have three questions :
-Is the EMG preamp original?
-Is the extended routing inside cavity original? It does not seem so. See pictures.
-What would be a fair price (to sell) for this bass? I think about selling it, as I had enjoyed Thumb's for a period and now want to test new models...
Pictures