BobTheBassist Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Hi Guys, Long time lurker, first time poster - nice to meet you all. What has prompted me to come out my cave you ask? Well, it goes like this. I'm currently looking to sell my Warwick Thumb 5NT and get something which is, to put it kindly - a bit nicer to play. Don't get me wrong, I love the sound to the Thumb but it's a heavy beastie, and the neck dive is at the best of times - very annoying. I should point out that I do wear it high, and that I have very thick leather strap - but despite that it's still not exactly comfortable. More and more I find myself playing it less and reaching for a guitar (I know, I'm sorry!) simply because playing it is more like a work out than pleasure. I'm looking at some of the Ibanez as a replacement, had a play on a SR1200 today and thoroughly loved it but I was wondering if anyone here has experience of the SR1800 and what the general thoughts on it were? I like the tinner neck of the 1200 and the tone is actually very nice, though obviously not in the same league as the Thumb. I am also looking at ditching the 5th string as there isn't much I actually use it for and I can always get a cheep 5er if I really feel the lack of it. So, any thought or advice guys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acebassmusic Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 I moved the rear strap button on my Thumb and it helped with reducing the neck dive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobTheBassist Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share Posted August 16, 2016 TBH my biggest issue with it is that first position is just slightly to far away to be comfortable. It's actually really nice to play around the 5th fret and higher but at the bottom end it's just not quite a natural stance and the result is an arm that's going to sleep after an hour playing. It's also a mid 2000's model with the baseball bat necks they had then. Don't get me wrong, not saying it's a bad bass (it's absolutely not) just trying to explain why I've fallen out of love with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 The 1200 / 1600 / 1800 are pretty well the same basses with a different top cap, so it will be pretty well the same as the 1200 you tried but a bit better looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobTheBassist Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share Posted August 16, 2016 The thru neck doesn't have that much of an effect then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 [quote name='BobTheBassist' timestamp='1471379926' post='3112717'] The thru neck doesn't have that much of an effect then? [/quote] On what? None of the sr1200-1800 are neck through, they are all bolt on. I am not sure what difference bolt on really means on some guitars, I have the older SR1000 premier which is neck through, it is very solid and possibly more stable but without anything to directly compare it to it is hard to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Some are neckthrough http://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/products/ibanez_sr1400_t-vnf-yibanez34924.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 (edited) I know what you mean. I had a Thumb Bass, which I played for years. I loved the tones that could be generated by the thing and it was great to play whilst seated. However, because the top horn and strap button are so far back, the first fret is so far away that playing around there is extremely uncomfortable and fatigue-inducing when playing live. It's a heavy bass, and with neck dive issues too, for sure. My Thumb bass was from the early 2000's, so it also had a chunky neck. Not ideal. I got rid of mine in favour of a Streamer. Every one of those issues was instantly erased. The Streamer is a different animal altogether. Extremely comfortable to play. Perhaps consider trying one, before taking the plunge on an Ibanez? Bear in mind, with Warwick basses, the neck thickness varies dramatically. The era of the chunky necks was the decade from about 2000 onwards, I think. Please, somebody correct me if I'm wrong. Edited August 17, 2016 by Fionn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobTheBassist Posted August 17, 2016 Author Share Posted August 17, 2016 Thanks everyone. Ref the neck thru - you are quite right, it's the 1400t that's got that. My bad! Fionn - good tip on the streamer, I did like the one I played it just failed to really grab me if you know what i mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 [quote name='Machines' timestamp='1471409703' post='3112822'] Some are neckthrough [url="http://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/products/ibanez_sr1400_t-vnf-yibanez34924.asp"]http://www.richtonem...ibanez34924.asp[/url] [/quote] Oh yes, the older models with the 't' in there, so the 1400 tVNF is neck through but the later 1400 VNF isn't. There aren't any current neck throughs (which is a bit odd). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Don't rule out the SR3000-SR5000 series. I had a SR3005 for a while and it was a fantastic bass. As good a sounding bass as any I have played but a bit complicated for my needs. Good luck with your search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowhand_mike Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 i have the SR1805 NTF and rate it very highly, if it were german or US made it would probably cost a hell of alot more. Its light, the neck is lovely and smooth to play and it balances really well. The Nordstrand pickups have a great range of tones and can get slightly growly and the eq is flexible. any other questions fire away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobTheBassist Posted August 17, 2016 Author Share Posted August 17, 2016 Again, thanks everyone. I've asked my local PMT to get in the 1800 and 1805 (I figure maybe I'll love it in a 5er) and I'll give both a try. I looked at the 3005 and the 5005, both looked good, but a bit more than I want to pay and I know better than to "just try it, even though I won't buy it". That way leads to no money and a house full of bass guitars! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 I have found many basses uncomfortably heavy, may older bones can't take it, but I have Spector basses lighter and more comfortable to wear. Worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobTheBassist Posted August 17, 2016 Author Share Posted August 17, 2016 I tried the a spector - I liked it to play. I just don't like their sort of 'vintage' look if you know what i mean? There's just something about the shape which fails to excite me. Not that looks are important (they totally are), or that I'm shallow (I totally am). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 [quote name='BobTheBassist' timestamp='1471441162' post='3113070'] Again, thanks everyone. I've asked my local PMT to get in the 1800 and 1805 (I figure maybe I'll love it in a 5er) and I'll give both a try. I looked at the 3005 and the 5005, both looked good, but a bit more than I want to pay and I know better than to "just try it, even though I won't buy it". That way leads to no money and a house full of bass guitars! [/quote] I love the 1605 I have which is very similar to the 1805, it is my main bass for most things. I must admit that I would love a 5005, maybe I will get one one day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobTheBassist Posted August 20, 2016 Author Share Posted August 20, 2016 Thank you for everyone's advice and help. As I have little or no self control I went ahead and bought the 1800, and I can honestly say i could not be happier. It plays beautifully, sounds fantastic (lovely growly sound when you dig in, smooth as butter when you don't) and looks stunning. It's also light weight and really well balanced, and the neck is [i]seriously [/i]fast. [attachment=225931:BASS.JPG] I did have a play on the 1805, and it was a close run thing - but the four just ticked the boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted August 20, 2016 Share Posted August 20, 2016 [quote name='BobTheBassist' timestamp='1471725436' post='3115418'] Thank you for everyone's advice and help. As I have little or no self control I went ahead and bought the 1800, and I can honestly say i could not be happier. It plays beautifully, sounds fantastic (lovely growly sound when you dig in, smooth as butter when you don't) and looks stunning. It's also light weight and really well balanced, and the neck is [i]seriously [/i]fast. [attachment=225931:BASS.JPG] I did have a play on the 1805, and it was a close run thing - but the four just ticked the boxes. [/quote] Looks lovely. Great grain on the top! The SR serious are really fabulous basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 Nice. It won't disappoint you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 [quote name='BobTheBassist' timestamp='1471725436' post='3115418'] Thank you for everyone's advice and help. As I have little or no self control I went ahead and bought the 1800, and I can honestly say i could not be happier. [/quote] Looks beautiful apart from the missing string! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobTheBassist Posted August 21, 2016 Author Share Posted August 21, 2016 [quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1471793571' post='3115910'] Looks beautiful apart from the missing string! [/quote] My partner took one look at it when I got it home and said "Well at least this one has the correct number of strings on it!". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.