spectoremg Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Calling all Thumb aficionados. My GAS for one of these has surfaced again - it's never far away. Looking for a pre-owned 4-string NT natural finish/black hardware. What should I pay and any other advice welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbobothy Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Be careful about the ergonomics with the NT versions (I've had a NT4 and NT5). The first position is a few frets further away. The BO versions are a bit closer, but still take a while to get used to when swapping from say, a streamer. However that being said the tone is the best I've heard with everything set flat, really thick and organic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted September 24, 2016 Author Share Posted September 24, 2016 (edited) [quote name='jimbobothy' timestamp='1474703832' post='3139911'] Be careful about the ergonomics with the NT versions (I've had a NT4 and NT5). The first position is a few frets further away. The BO versions are a bit closer, but still take a while to get used to when swapping from say, a streamer. However that being said the tone is the best I've heard with everything set flat, really thick and organic! [/quote]Many thanks. There's this on eBay for £1295/best offer EMG loaded.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361734979734?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Edited September 24, 2016 by spectoremg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulhauser Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 I had a NT5 from 1991, the most un-ergonomic bass I have ever had due to what was said above: the 1st position is really far. The sound was thin and while I wanted to like that bass as it was nice and with some tweaking I could get some useful tomes out of it I eventually sold it. I think I sold for around 1000 GBP or such. Interestingly some of the best fretless sounds I've heard were on Thumb fretlesses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defo Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Im assuming you've played one - I always had serious GAS for a thumb until I played it, felt clunky and awkward - but I'm sure thats just my cacky technique Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted September 24, 2016 Author Share Posted September 24, 2016 I previously owned a BO fiver which I got rid of cos I decided I didn't like the extra string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmjos Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 I have an early NT6. Wanted one since I was a lad and bought one in lovely condition a few years back. Its about the same weight as a baby grand piano so its my 'sitting down bass'. On the other hand the build quality is as good as my Fodera and it has a bottom B that is so clear punchy and deep that its almost digital, you could kill a pig with it at 50 yards. Is it practical, is it good at everything, is it going up in value? no - but its that bass I always wanted in the day and now I can enjoy it. If you want one do it because you want to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lw. Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 Lovely basses - if you like that Warwick sound then definitely go for it. I've seen thumbs go for between 1200 & 1600 depending on construction/year/condition. The playing position for most Warwicks is completely different to traditional style Fender type shapes (as stated above) - you're looking at everything being around two frets further away, this isn't a problem in itself but some people do struggle with the transition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 [quote name='pmjos' timestamp='1475164412' post='3143664'] If you want one do it because you want to. [/quote]Totally agree. I owned an BO fiver years ago and got rid of it because I couldn't get on with a 5-string. It had a weedy sound (those models have two bridge pickups IMO) and it could out-neck dive an ostrich. I saw Cass Lewis with one in '87 and got GAS before it was called GAS. The 4-string models look effing gorgeous. I just want one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12stringbassist Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 I've got this Custom Shop Thumb NT. At the time a one-off finish - gloss walnut, or so I was told, anyway. Shops will tell you anything. It's lovely to play - shallow, wide neck, stack knob controls. 26 frets (though I don't play up the dusty end much of the time). As much bottom as you could want. Worth spending the money on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 good opportunity to show mine off I think! 1985 - one of the super early ones with the short horn. This one has has the active seymore duncans and a solid mother-of-pearl truss rod cover that signified what was the closest they got to a custom shop back in 1985... but they can't remember who it was built for.... anyway - everything is about 3-4 frets further left, the ergonomics are different, you'll want a suede or something strap that doesn't move... but they sound awesome. My one is like a kinda like a funky jazz bass but with a big fat angry bottom that means a P bass lover like me likes it Interestingly I've only seen two other 1985 short horn thumb bass with the seymore duncans, one was was a fretless owned by a certain Mr Bruce ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted October 2, 2016 Author Share Posted October 2, 2016 [quote name='12stringbassist' timestamp='1475410178' post='3145677'] I've got this Custom Shop Thumb NT. At the time a one-off finish - gloss walnut, or so I was told, anyway. Shops will tell you anything. It's lovely to play - shallow, wide neck, stack knob controls. 26 frets (though I don't play up the dusty end much of the time). As much bottom as you could want. Worth spending the money on. [/quote]That's gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted October 2, 2016 Author Share Posted October 2, 2016 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1475438438' post='3145942'] good opportunity to show mine off I think! 1985 - one of the super early ones with the short horn. This one has has the active seymore duncans and a solid mother-of-pearl truss rod cover that signified what was the closest they got to a custom shop back in 1985... but they can't remember who it was built for.... anyway - everything is about 3-4 frets further left, the ergonomics are different, you'll want a suede or something strap that doesn't move... but they sound awesome. My one is like a kinda like a funky jazz bass but with a big fat angry bottom that means a P bass lover like me likes it Interestingly I've only seen two other 1985 short horn thumb bass with the seymore duncans, one was was a fretless owned by a certain Mr Bruce ... [/quote]Had rubber grips around the neck of my strap when I had a 5-string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goingdownslow Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1475438438' post='3145942'] good opportunity to show mine off I think! 1985 - one of the super early ones with the short horn. [/quote] Love that short horn, I wonder if it is possible to retro one of mine. Are those switches on the pickups, what do they do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trueno Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1475438438' post='3145942'] good opportunity to show mine off I think! [/quote] Thanks for sharing that... a good start to the week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted October 3, 2016 Author Share Posted October 3, 2016 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222268066829?_trksid=p2060353.m2763.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Any thoughts guys? Bank transfer or cash on collection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyerseve Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 [quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1475500762' post='3146401'] http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222268066829?_trksid=p2060353.m2763.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Any thoughts guys? Bank transfer or cash on collection. [/quote] Fair price for a NT in very good nick. That bubinga pommelle is stunning. I would feel better about it if the payment terms were different though.. Try and speak to the guy, even on the phone prior to committing yourself. Should put your mind at ease or help you decide it's not for you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyerseve Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) [quote name='goingdownslow' timestamp='1475448005' post='3146053'] Love that short horn, I wonder if it is possible to retro one of mine. Are those switches on the pickups, what do they do? [/quote] Of course it would but think how it could affect balance. If you did do it the best thing to do to acheive the best finish would be to refinish the bass at the same time. not difficult either if you have the right tools and aptitude. I had a 6 string thumb with a bolt on broadneck briefly - it was a truly stunning instrument but neither the 6 strings not the broadneck was for me so I moved it on. Will post some pics later... Edited October 3, 2016 by dyerseve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted October 3, 2016 Author Share Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) [quote name='dyerseve' timestamp='1475526185' post='3146713'] Fair price for a NT in very good nick. That bubinga pommelle is stunning. I would feel better about it if the payment terms were different though.. Try and speak to the guy, even on the phone prior to committing yourself. Should put your mind at ease or help you decide it's not for you... [/quote]Thanks. The terms make me nervous but they come along quite often. It is a stunner though. Edited October 3, 2016 by spectoremg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 [quote name='goingdownslow' timestamp='1475448005' post='3146053'] Love that short horn, I wonder if it is possible to retro one of mine. Are those switches on the pickups, what do they do? [/quote] I wouldn't, when I emailed Warwick to ask about the truss rod cover Hans mentioned that it was one of the one's where he had made a mistake in the design and made the horn too short. As it happens in my example it doesn't matter too much as it balances quite well. Switches trim the top end and put a boost around the cut off freq. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyerseve Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1475533320' post='3146794'] Switches trim the top end and put a boost around the cut off freq. [/quote] Ive never seen that before - what type of pups are they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 Seymour Duncan Active EQ bass I think they are called. See attached - they later did a version with two switches... and then decided not to do them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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