Thumb NT Balance

jester

jester

ocdemon
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Hello there,
calling out to Thumb NT users, can you comment on the instrument's balance? I read in another thread ("Warwick Thumb Bolt-on versus Warwick Streamer LX") some people found the BO Thumb uncomfortably neck heavy. I wonder if something like this happens on the NT version, considering the small size of the body.

Thanks a million!
 
balance

my thumb nt is slightly neck heavy when compared to my dolphin nt. probably because of the shorter horn. but it has never been a noteable amount. even though it weighs nearly 13 lbs.
 
If the bass hangs over your knees when standing, you'll have problems to reach the lowest notes.
The Thumb has to hang high, your strap should be adjusted so that when you stand, the bass is in the same position than when you sit.
 
I've owned both 4, 5 and now 6 string Neckthru Thumbbasses..
The 5 and 6 stringed are very good in balance but the 4 string was very Neck heavy...

That was the reason I sold it.
 
I completely agree with Thumbfreak, I play both my thumbs in the same position that it would be when sitting down.

Never had any problems.
 
You can't wear your 4 string bass like that if your a ROCKER!!! :wink: :roll:
 
I also find the Thumb NT to be a bit neck heavy, but if you wear it suitably high, then you should have no problems... I do find myself leaning over slightly backwards sometimes when playing close to the nut?
 
I find my thumb 5 NT heavier than my other basses(cort A4 NT & alembic europa 5 NT) but i dont seem to have the problem of neck dive.Some rock bassists play their intruments so low it looks like the whole friggin thing is taking a dive, :wink: I just put that down to,"cool before comfort".
 
My main bass is a Thumb NT six string. I don't have hardly any weight issues. I also didn't get recessed strap locks so I have a little extra length to even things out. I feel like having a heavy neck makes the bass stable in my arms and around my neck. I have other basses that are more body heavy and they just seem to flop around on my body. The contoured design helps a lot too.
 
No matter what kind of bass, I strap it very high for slapping, I found it should be a problem if you are a short guy....
 
marcbass said:
You can't wear your 4 string bass like that if your a ROCKER!!! :wink: :roll:
Click to expand...

"rocker" -lol- i find that term funny cause i tend to associate it with the MTV fans.

ryan martinie. make him your role model (minus the make up) and you'll feel better about strapping basses high *lol*
 
I'm a "rocker" and I have always like the look of a bass up high. You just look sloppy, uncomfortable, and unprofessional if your bass is lower than needed. Then again Justin Chancellor's is pretty low and he kick azz.
 
I've had no weight or balance issues with my Thumb NT 6 . It does have neckdive but it doesn't bother me, I wear it relatively high. I'm doing longer warm-ups than usual, though, because sometimes it's a b*tch to stretch out to te low C. My left shoulder felt a bit sore the first days. The Thumb also changed the way I move while playing, I seem to find myself rocking more back and forth rather than side to side.
The only time I felt really bad because of the Thumb's weight was when I accidentally dropped it on my right foot - I limped for 4 days and my toe changed to all the colours of the rainbow :lol:
 
I like the way the thumb feels. It's feels more like a third arm rather than something hanging from my neck. I think that comes with the weight of the neck.
 
INDEED.
SO... always check if your straplock is really locked in. :)
Don't worry, the bass is fine - it's a frigging tank, not a scratch. My foot is alright, too. It healed in a week.
What can I say? a lightweight bass wouldn't have left such a big impression on both me and my foot :wink:
 
And a light weight bass would sound like thunder either. Good to hear your both ok.
 
In my opinion only...Owning 3 6 string wicks...the NT balances the worst. If i wanted balance and comfort....the corvette would be my choice. If i wanted tone, the thumb would be my main choice. My BO 6 thumb feels great compared to my NT 6. They both neck dive, but the NT dives like crazy. I'm sure people get used to it, and say they balance ok...but as soon as you put the NT down and pick up another bass...its like night and day...Example...I'll jam my NT 6 for about an hour and then pick up my BO 6 and be so relieved in weight and arm strain. I've had 6 string ibanez basses that balanced 95%better than thumb basses, but I would rather strain myself than give up that warwick tone. No pain...no gain... :wink:
 
+1

Even with its neck dive, the Thumb is my choice, by far.
 
I also play a Streamer LX six string and it does balance better but its a different feel and sound than my Thumb NT six. I love them both but the Thumb is just too good to replace.
 
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