- Fretless
- Y
For sale is a fretless Warwick Thumb Singlecut 6-string bass guitar in excellent+ condition. Made in 2010 by what is now (post 2015) known as the “Masterbuilt Custom Shop” in Markneukirchen, Germany, this bass dates to the very first year of singlecut production and Warwick held nothing back when it came to wood selection.
The body wings are light-weight USA Swamp Ash and the most incredible Bubinga Pommelé I’ve ever seen: not only is the “champagne bubble” blister figure a true unicorn set that renders pedestrian the more common horsehair, ribbon, and quilted Bubinga patterns, but it also infuses this bass with remarkable chatoyancy. As you change the angle from which you view the instrument the colors shift from golden browns to rich caramels to reddish-oranges, creating a trompe l'oeil 3D effect. The orangish-brown “Tigerstripe” streaking in Ebony fingerboard and the lighter hues of the 9-piece neck—constructed from 5 laminates of flamed Maple separated by 4 Ekanga stringers—nicely complement the brown shades of the Bubinga.
The ergonomics are outstanding across the board. The singlecut design balances the instrument ideally, eliminating the neck dive which has plagued traditional Thumb bodies for decades. It has a contoured back (see pictures) that feels far more comfortable against my torso than any traditional Fender-style build. Warwick continues the attention to detail on the top, too: not only does the end of the fingerboard elegantly slope into the body, but the downward curve on the bass side aesthetically responds to the shape of the headstock. Of utmost importance, the carving of the singlecut neck-through is extremely well-executed with an ergonomically pleasing thumb recess for easy access to the uppermost register.
The pickups are passive MEC Soapbar HB/HB with active 9v MEC 3-band electronics. The control knobs give you endless tonal options: you have a pickup Balance/Volume (with stacked active/passive abilities!!) plus Treble, Mid, Bass. To top it off, there are 2 mini toggle switches for 3-way coil-splitting.* Talk about timbral flexibility! And I don’t know how Warwick does it, but the low B string sounds tight and focused while the high C is rich and clear.
*In the up position the neck coil of each pickup is activated. In the middle position both coils of each pickup are activated. In the down position the bridge coil of each pickup is activated.
You can read a review and hear this model being played at Warwick Thumb SC Fretless with Warwick Hellborg Rig - Johnny Cox Music. Some additional videos: here and here.
Other videos that showcase the tonal possibilities (on fretted versions) can be viewed here, here, here, here, here, and here.
This particular instrument has a natural oil finish. I have diligently waxed this beauty from day one so there is a good coat built up. I love this bass and if I hadn’t acquired a double bass from a friend earlier this year, I’d never sell it; but both an upright and fretless is redundant for my needs so I’m looking to pass this on.
Here are the full specs:
Includes the original Warwick user kit with trussrod tool and manual. I also have some extra Warwick wax I’ll toss in so you can continue to polish this gem. Also includes Warwick straplocks, fancy red Warwick cloth, and the original Warwick flight case which is so protective it could probably save your bass from being run over by a bus. Or tank.
This bass lists for $12,099.99* and retails for €8,069.00** (~$8,900.00).
*2019 price--Warwick hasn't released a listprice for 2020 that I can find
**2020 price
$5,000 (including PP fees and shipping).
I'm primarily looking for a sale, but I’ll consider trades for a 4-string Marleaux Consat or Contra or similar bespoke build. Must be neck-through and at least 34" scale. Cash can go either direction to even things out.
The body wings are light-weight USA Swamp Ash and the most incredible Bubinga Pommelé I’ve ever seen: not only is the “champagne bubble” blister figure a true unicorn set that renders pedestrian the more common horsehair, ribbon, and quilted Bubinga patterns, but it also infuses this bass with remarkable chatoyancy. As you change the angle from which you view the instrument the colors shift from golden browns to rich caramels to reddish-oranges, creating a trompe l'oeil 3D effect. The orangish-brown “Tigerstripe” streaking in Ebony fingerboard and the lighter hues of the 9-piece neck—constructed from 5 laminates of flamed Maple separated by 4 Ekanga stringers—nicely complement the brown shades of the Bubinga.
The ergonomics are outstanding across the board. The singlecut design balances the instrument ideally, eliminating the neck dive which has plagued traditional Thumb bodies for decades. It has a contoured back (see pictures) that feels far more comfortable against my torso than any traditional Fender-style build. Warwick continues the attention to detail on the top, too: not only does the end of the fingerboard elegantly slope into the body, but the downward curve on the bass side aesthetically responds to the shape of the headstock. Of utmost importance, the carving of the singlecut neck-through is extremely well-executed with an ergonomically pleasing thumb recess for easy access to the uppermost register.
The pickups are passive MEC Soapbar HB/HB with active 9v MEC 3-band electronics. The control knobs give you endless tonal options: you have a pickup Balance/Volume (with stacked active/passive abilities!!) plus Treble, Mid, Bass. To top it off, there are 2 mini toggle switches for 3-way coil-splitting.* Talk about timbral flexibility! And I don’t know how Warwick does it, but the low B string sounds tight and focused while the high C is rich and clear.
*In the up position the neck coil of each pickup is activated. In the middle position both coils of each pickup are activated. In the down position the bridge coil of each pickup is activated.
You can read a review and hear this model being played at Warwick Thumb SC Fretless with Warwick Hellborg Rig - Johnny Cox Music. Some additional videos: here and here.
Other videos that showcase the tonal possibilities (on fretted versions) can be viewed here, here, here, here, here, and here.
This particular instrument has a natural oil finish. I have diligently waxed this beauty from day one so there is a good coat built up. I love this bass and if I hadn’t acquired a double bass from a friend earlier this year, I’d never sell it; but both an upright and fretless is redundant for my needs so I’m looking to pass this on.
Here are the full specs:
- Date: August 24, 2010
- Body: Bubinga Pommelé and USA Swamp Ash
- Neck:
- Flamed Maple with Ekanga veneer stripes
- 9-piece
- neck-through construction
- Fingerboard:
- Tigerstripe Ebony
- 26 frets/intervals
- 47” radius
- Finish: Natural oil
- Pickups: Passive MEC Soapbar HB/HB
- Active 9v MEC 3-band electronics
- Controls: PUP Balance/Volume (stacked active/passive) + Treble, Mid, Bass with 2 mini toggle switches for 3-way coil splitting
- Nut:
- Brass Just-A-Nut III
- 52mm (2”)
- String Spacing: 17.5mm
- Scale: 34”
- Weight: 11.5 lbs.
- Hardware: Black
- Case: Warwick Professional Flight Case (RC 10830 SA W)
Includes the original Warwick user kit with trussrod tool and manual. I also have some extra Warwick wax I’ll toss in so you can continue to polish this gem. Also includes Warwick straplocks, fancy red Warwick cloth, and the original Warwick flight case which is so protective it could probably save your bass from being run over by a bus. Or tank.
This bass lists for $12,099.99* and retails for €8,069.00** (~$8,900.00).
*2019 price--Warwick hasn't released a listprice for 2020 that I can find
**2020 price
$5,000 (including PP fees and shipping).
I'm primarily looking for a sale, but I’ll consider trades for a 4-string Marleaux Consat or Contra or similar bespoke build. Must be neck-through and at least 34" scale. Cash can go either direction to even things out.
