Thinking of buying a thumb BO5

T

ThomBassmonkey

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Howdy, been lurking here a bit because I've been wanting a Warwick for many years.

Finally decided to save up and I've been offered a thumb for a very reasonable price, so I'm wanting to travel (a fair way) and look at it.

Two questions I have though, firstly here's a picture of the body (apologies for it not being very good, it's just a bit of one that I've been sent clipped for size):



I don't know much about Warwicks, but from the photos I've seen here and a bubinga bass I've owned, the grain looks very straight and not swirly. I do love the look of the grain, just thought it's worth asking if that means it's a different wood or something or if it's just a different grain on that cut of bubinga?

Secondly, when I have a look at it, is there anything special that I need to keep my eyes out for? Any problems that thumbs are susceptible to or anything? Apart from the usual stuff that should be checked on all basses, of course.

Thanks,

Thom
 
Yeah, it's different.

The thumbs you're thinking of are the Thumb NT's. Thumb BO's have an Ovangkol body.
 
Ahh, that explains it. Thanks.

Can't wait to get my mitts on it and have a play! I've been wanting a Warwick for about 8 years, it's amazing to finally have one in my sights.
 
ThomBassmonkey said:
Secondly, when I have a look at it, is there anything special that I need to keep my eyes out for? Any problems that thumbs are susceptible to or anything? Apart from the usual stuff that should be checked on all basses, of course.
Click to expand...

I haven't played a thumb for more than 5 minutes in a guitar shop but some people complain about neck dive, so you might want to try it while standing just to be sure.
 
Nice one, I'll take a strap with me.

My current main bass is an Ibanez BTB406QM which refuses to be any more vertical than perfectly horizontal though and my backup bass is a Mockingbird which won't even go horizontal without a bit of persuasion. So I don't really see neck dive as a problem unless it's extreme, but I'll have a go and make sure, thanks. :)
 
Thumb Bo 5 is an awesome bass, i use to have one until i needed a change of tones, then one thing lead to the next and now pretty much don't play 5 string any more!

I never had any problem with neck dive, the bass balances fine, it just sits more horizontal than other basses. They are also quite heavy - but then most warwicks are and that also adds to thier sound imo. Taking a strap is a very good idea! - they sit a bit different from the NT ones as well not as extreme neck dive and imo it was more comfortable due to the slightly bigger body.

I'd also play the bass completely flat, with the preamp bypassed (pull the volume knob) as imo its the best way to play one (as they have that thumbish slightly unconventional sound) :)

Best of luck :d
 
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My first Warwick was a Thumb BO and I've been hooked ever since. As far as neck dive it can be a problem BUT a quality wide straps fixes that with ease
 
Welcome to the forum Thom.

You need to check only the usual - neck, frets, electronics, cracks, etc.

And yes, trying with a strap is a good Idea, as it has a different position on the body.
 
Ooh, do tell, Florin.

I just had a phone call of the seller and I'm going to go have a look tomorrow.

Another quick question, he has it strung E-C, will any major adjustments be needed to swap it back to the low B? I've got no problems giving it a full setup but I still don't like adjusting the truss rod (never dared to it because I know it can damage things seriously if done wrong). I know that the thumbs have pretty thick necks though so not sure if it'll need any adjustment.

Thanks again, I've been using my BTB for 9 years, it's been my only ever serious gigging bass so it's pretty exciting to offload some seriously pent up GAS!
 
Check out this trhead: written by sethbass (seth horan). Adjustsing the truss is a not as big a deal as everyone makes i out to be, once you know what you are doing!

As for the setup tbh you'll only really know once you restring the bass B-G, the tuning imo won't have as much difference as the types of strings you choise to put on the bass. On my thumb BO i changes tunings from drop C, to E-C and to standard tuning and it needed reletively minor adjustments - mostly intonation and slight action adjustments never touched the truss.
 
Thanks Callum, that thread's a good read. I know I need to adjust the truss rod on a bass I already have so I'll give it a go using the advice on that thread. Never heard the idea of detuning then listening to the fretbuzz, I usually check by fretting two frets 12 apart then seeing the string height.
 
Glad to help. All seths threads are excellent!

I recently sat down and setup my buzzard using all the threads, saved me £40 in getting someone to set my bass up for me and got it playing perfectly. That and seth really knows what he's on about. I used a credit card to measure the relief at the 7th fret and pin the strings with my elbow at the end of the fretboard and fretted the first fret ala gary willis style. - another great guide + on youtube you can get some videos!
 
Well I went down to London and had a play, well, here's some pics of the bass back at my house. ;)

Thanks for all the advice, I'm going to go buy some strings tomorrow and get that low B growling.
 

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Hello fellas!!

I´m using this thread because the tittle says exactly what I have in mind (if there´s any problem, just tell me and I´ll open a new thread).

Here´s the deal: I´m looking to buy an used Thumb BO5 and a guy send me these pictures of the bass he´s selling. Everything seems to be fine, though, the woods of the body looks kinda weird, I mean, I know these Thumbs are made out of three pieces of ovankol, but they always kinda "match" each other, and it´s hard to notice where the pieces are glued. In this bass, on the other hand, the pieces of the body are so diferent that you can see them. (Look at the pic attached)

Is this normal?
thumbbo5.jpg


Cheers.
 
Seems normal to me, if you don't like this one's look than there are plenty of other thumb BO5 out there;)
 
It looks good to me. I hope the price is good. Not everyone here can say they got as a steal.... Though I did.
 
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