I have thought of an idea that makes me want to become a Luthier.

Lots of people rave about the sound of the Warwick Thumb bass. But people complain that the neck is heavier than the body; which, causes an imbalance which causes severe wrist pain. And besides, poor balance is not something you want in a $2000+ bass.

My idea is to build a Warwick Thumb bass ripoff, with a graphite neck.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can find supplies?

Can I buy MEC pickups directly from Warwick?

And since I need to start thinking about college, which one is the best if I want to become a bass/guitar luthier?

Originally posted by Mud Flaps
I have thought of an idea that makes me want to become a Luthier.

Lots of people rave about the sound of the Warwick Thumb bass. But people complain that the neck is heavier than the body; which, causes an imbalance which causes severe wrist pain. And besides, poor balance is not something you want in a $2000+ bass.

My idea is to build a Warwick Thumb bass ripoff, with a graphite neck.

The Thumb balances poorly due to a combination of heavy neck woods, a short upper horn for a strap attachment, and a small body.

- making a lighter neck would help, but would not get rid of the short horn/small body problem.
- I'm told that graphite necks can actually be heavier than wood, depending on how they're constructed.
- if you are looking to get the signature tone of a Thumb, be aware that a good part of it is considered to come from the wood choice - including the neck - which you are changing.
- if you are looking to exactly "rip off" the thumb design, you will probably run into patent problems with Warwick.
- if you want to become a luthier just to make Thumb copies, consider that:
- - unlike all those Fender copies, you are copying a bass that has a small market share.
- - your intended market is further limited to people who want a Warwick Thumb, but are turned off by the poor balance only.
- - a graphite neck will cost more to make than a wooden one, so your instrument will have to sell at a higher price than a "real Thumb."

Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can find supplies?

Can I buy MEC pickups directly from Warwick?

I don't know. But keep in mind that one of the most common complaints about Warwicks, along with balance problems and excessive weight, is the pickups. A fair number of MECs get replaced, especially by "picky" people - who I think might be your intended market.

Also, I doubt they would sell them to someone who is is ripping off their design. Warwick founder and president Hans Peter Wilfer and the rest of the company are real people, not some anonymous corporation that you will be able to dupe into helping you to steal their design.

And since I need to start thinking about college, which one is the best if I want to become a bass/guitar luthier?

I don't know if there are any colleges that teach luthiery. There are several trade schools. Read through other threads in this forum to find mention of them.I know that my reply is negative, but I think that they are valid points.

On the other hand, if you are looking to do something that is at least somewhat original, while achieving something like the "warwick tone," more power to you. In my opinion, of course.

Sorry, my writing during lunch is not great.

I wanted to try the Thumb idea for a bass of my own, not if I became a luthiar.

If I were a Luthier, I would make whatever the costumer would want me to make; unless I became as big as Carl Thompson or someone along those lines.

What would you suggest instead of MEC pickups?

i know that warwicks have come with MEC, basslines, and bartolinis before
basslines and barts are easy to find, look on warmoth.com for basslines and guitarelectronics.com for barts

as far as running into patent problems with warwick, i believe that the only thing that they are allowed to trademark is the headstock as far as appearance goes. i think that was decided a few years back in court cases where fender was suing other companies, such as ibanez.
so, you can copy the body, just reshape the headstock, which is kind of shady, because you're still ripping off their idea, but you can get away with it that way
(probably only pertains if you plan on selling thumb-esque basses to make a profit)

I may have a set of MEC pickups laying around that I could sell you. PM me if you are in the states and you are interested.

Thanks FBB, but I am young and fickle. And now I have decided that I like the MusicMan pickups better, those hambuckers.

I think I am going to back down on my first project, or at least save it to summer. I just got my music for Jazz Ensemble and that needs to be what I need to concentrate on besides the rest of my homework.

Sorry for wasting your time.