Warwick 5 thumb

[patrikmarky]

I’ve rediscovered my love of Warwick  that I had in the late 90’s early 2000 and now have a steamer pro M  and a corvette 5s and I keep finding myself looking at a thumb bolt on 5 I love that certain growl you only seem to get from those ..there still big money and ive heard there an acquired taste and take some getting used to ….anyone had experience of these ..good and bad of course..

[Kev]

Great basses, very unique sound, the most "Warwick" Warwick bass.

 

Main con of the BO 5's is the neck dive.  Its horrific and notably uncomfortable, at least on the ones I've owned/tried.  I completely fell in love with a mid-00's one I had when playing with it sat down.  When I put it on a strap, it was listed for sale the next day.

 

NT models much improved.  I haven't tried a post-2013 one so they may have improved it, definitely a try before you buy if live use is planned.

[patrikmarky]

Thanks Kev ..I know a lot aren’t bothered by neck dive ..I’m not one of those but that’s good to know ..🤟

[Terry M.]

I have a 2001 bolt on Broadneck 5 that I simply will never get rid of. It's fairly heavy however and is happiest when worn with a wide strap up higher rather than lower. It has a sound I've simply never heard replicated from any other bass,which is great if you like that sound. The ergonomics threw me originally as for example the neck wants to hang more horizontal than what is "standard" and the first fret will seem further away than most basses. Once it clicked though with me there was no looking back.

Edited Wednesday at 20:54 by Terry M.

[Kev]

3 hours ago, patrikmarky said:

Thanks Kev ..I know a lot aren’t bothered by neck dive ..I’m not one of those but that’s good to know ..🤟

No probs.  You may be fine with it, but just try it first!  I usually have no issue with neck dive, but the BO thumb 5's are something else entirely, especially when combined with how far away the first fret feels on these basses due the small bodies.  Conversely, a NT 4 is my fave Warwick despite the mild dive!

 

[Machines]

The ergonomics of the lower pickups meant me not keeping mine, I need a pickup higher up as a thumb rest (I now have a Corvette $$).

 

But as other have said - no bass can replicate that sound.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

The only 5 string I've ever played where the B sounds like it's supposed to be there, rather than an extra few floppy notes. 

The greatest 5 string ever in my humble opinion, and such a killer growl. 

[Terry M.]

37 minutes ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

The only 5 string I've ever played where the B sounds like it's supposed to be there, rather than an extra few floppy notes. 

The greatest 5 string ever in my humble opinion, and such a killer growl. 

I have to agree with this. It totally debunks the "have to be 35 scale" thing which I personally don't subscribe to.

[ajkula66]

I've owned two Thumbs - a 4 and a 5 - from around '89-91, both bought new at the time. NT models.

 

Stunning sound-wise, I preferred the EMGs that the 4-string came with although the MECs in the fiver were not bad.

 

Ergonomics were the reason for getting rid of both, as lovely-crafted and great-sounding as they were. The headstock felt like it was located on a different continent altogether, and the reach for the first couple of frets was just a royal pain. 

 

The ultimate Warwick - apart from possibly Dolphin - in my book, IF one can handle it. I couldn't.

 

My $0.02 only...

 

Happy shopping.

[fretmeister]

Ergonomics (and weight) are the problem for me too.

 

Even long time Thumb enthusiast Ryan Martinie has moved away from them and had Fodera build him something that sounds exceptionally close but with a body that allows for good balance.

 

 

9 hours ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

The only 5 string I've ever played where the B sounds like it's supposed to be there, rather than an extra few floppy notes. 

The greatest 5 string ever in my humble opinion, and such a killer growl. 

 

8 hours ago, Terry M. said:

I have to agree with this. It totally debunks the "have to be 35 scale" thing which I personally don't subscribe to.

 

 

I had a Marleaux like that - the low B was as clear as all the others and was 34 inch scale. Construction and string choice is far more important than scale length.

[Terry M.]

1 hour ago, fretmeister said:

 

Even long time Thumb enthusiast Ryan Martinie has moved away from them and had Fodera build him something that sounds exceptionally close but with a body that allows for good balance.

 

I had a Marleaux like that - the low B was as clear as all the others and was 34 inch scale. Construction and string choice is far more important than scale length.

The Thumbs are basses you have to get to know. Interestingly though that even an ageing sick Jack Bruce never gave up on them (to my knowledge at least). They either work for you or they don't. And yes about the 34" scale comment. Despite plenty of evidence to support this the 35" scale argument still stays with us. 

Edited 21 hours ago by Terry M.

[Mrbigstuff]

9 hours ago, ajkula66 said:

Ergonomics were the reason for getting rid of both, as lovely-crafted and great-sounding as they were. The headstock felt like it was located on a different continent altogether, and the reach for the first couple of frets was just a royal pain. 

Same for me. Probably would have kept mine if I could have afforded to but I did struggle with the first few frets. Mine was fretless and it made intonation quite difficult.

[bassbora]

Out of curiosity what is the difference in tone between the BO and NT? I only have experience of NT. I agree with previous posters the emg pickups in the older ones are great. 

[fretmeister]

2 minutes ago, bassbora said:

Out of curiosity what is the difference in tone between the BO and NT? I only have experience of NT. I agree with previous posters the emg pickups in the older ones are great. 

 

 

 

 

Not massive differences, but still noticeable.

[Kev]

3 hours ago, bassbora said:

Out of curiosity what is the difference in tone between the BO and NT? I only have experience of NT. I agree with previous posters the emg pickups in the older ones are great. 

Same as the 4's really, the NT has a deeper and slightly more scooped tone, the BO has a bit less low end and more pronounced high mids.  Its all quite subtle though.

[Terry M.]

I would say the bolt on has a slightly more punchy sound. As said previously it's a very subtle difference that may will even out in a live mix.