Thumb NT 4 2001. or 1989.

Goran

Goran

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I have a dilema.There are two Thumbs currently on the market. Thumb NT 4 made year 2001. and the older one from 1989. I haven't tried neather of them yet 'coz they are cca 600km apart from each other...I have pictures of 1989. one and waiting for pictures of 2001. to arrive...
Thumb from 2001. lists for 1200€ cca 1400$ and the older one is 1500€ cca 1800$...

Which one would you try and buy?

P.S. I know the whole story and the pros. and cons. between those two models...and I've tried a couple of Thumbs from thoose two specific years of production..So I'm interested in what would YOU do if you're in the same situtation!
 
I have checked out a 2001 Thumb 5 NT. It sounded really bad in my opinion. I can't believe there is so much difference between a 2004 model (which I have) and the 2001 model. I'd definitely go with the Wenge necked Thumb.
 
Go the 89! EMG pick ups, wenge fingerboard, wenge / bubinga neck, Jan1, classic & only going to improve in value. Better sounding & built instrument than the 2001.

For the extra $$$ its well worth it..

Cheers'
Rusty
 
the 89 one, vintage thumbs have a magic about them that you just don't find in any of the newer ones!
 
whichever one you get, get a proper case for it. I imagine that Peavey case is way too big for a thumb body.
 
the only problem with the 89, is that it has been living in that Peavey case for god knows how long, so it may be confused about it's identity, :wink:

kidding aside, I too vote for the 89, because of the wengee neck :)
 
89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89 89. What a great opportunity to practice RH thumb-index-middle-finger triplets while NOT playing my bass. Oh I like the 89.
 
There seems to be a trend here...........
 
DiabQ said:
I have a dilema.There are two Thumbs currently on the market. Thumb NT 4 made year 2001. and the older one from 1989. I haven't tried neather of them yet 'coz they are cca 600km apart from each other...I have pictures of 1989. one and waiting for pictures of 2001. to arrive...
Thumb from 2001. lists for 1200€ cca 1400$ and the older one is 1500€ cca 1800$...

Which one would you try and buy?

P.S. I know the whole story and the pros. and cons. between those two models...and I've tried a couple of Thumbs from thoose two specific years of production..So I'm interested in what would YOU do if you're in the same situtation!
Click to expand...
It depends what you want. The older one has a nice "hand made" feeling, it is slim, and very nice to play. It has a round pleasant sound, from that era. It can sound modern too, but her voice is "80's bass"
The new one is brighter, and growlier. The sound is more on the modern side for the new one. I like them both, but they are different instruments for different purposes.
You have to decide which sound you like...
 
Thnx for the answers.

It's going to be really hard to decide which one to buy.

I like a design of the body and radius of the neck on the new ones and I also like the sound of wenge neck and EMG pick-ups from the older one...
Tonally they really are two different animals...
 
Assymetrical Opportunities

`

Altho you will enjoy which ever ax you buy, also true
of whichever ax you choose you'll have 2nd thoughts,
doubts, more GAS, etc etc. IOW, owning a great bass
is, emotionally, seldom if ever a "done deal". On that
basis alone, I'd snag the 89 cuz you don't get such an
opportunity every day. Lotsa 21st century Thumbs will
continue to present themselves should you decide the
89 is just not for you. OTOH, vice versa is not so easy,
as 89s aren't exactly littering the landscape.


`
 
well, my choice would be the 2001 because I prefer the sound of modern era warwicks. Also, with a recent bass, there are more chances that it's on a better shape then the older one. Also, as much as I hate to say this, vintage warwicks don't sell for much more than present warwicks. So, for the moment, it isn't really a good investment. Sure a new trend for vintage warwicks could emerge but I sincerely doubt it. Vintage fenders are about the only vintage basses getting a lot of resale value with age. I remember seeing some Gibson EB0 and EB2 selling for 1500$ on ebay, that's not a really good resale value considering they are 40 years old and about as old as bass production at Gibson could be.
 
This is my 200th post here....I know I'm no Greg or Paperbag or anyone else for that matter....but.....

I say go with the 89. Can't beat handmade.
 
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