Difference between Thumb & Corvette

The position of the pickups is quite an important factor in the overall sound of the Thumb too so if you got a custom 'vette with ovangkol body and Thumb pickup positioning, you would get pretty close soundwise

 

Well, you can't really assume that there are not too many differences between the 2 models, all things equal (body/neck construction, materials, etc...). It's almost like saying, "A Fender P is made of alder, a Fender Jazz is made of alder, they both have bolt on necks...what's the difference?"

They are 2 different basses.
But take a look at Warwick's custom shop gallery, there are almost endless possibilities as far as body woods, pickup styles/configurations. Depends on how much you want to spend.

 

The shapes are slightly different, of course, but one big difference is that the Corvette body is flat, and the Thumb body is arched (though it's not so easy to see in pictures).

Mike

 

the Thumb body is also a good amount smaller in size, though it weighs the same if not more than a 'vette. pick up placement, shape, wood, and even the bridge can be different between the two, but custom shop orders are virtually limitless

 

+1

 

having an arched body takes a lot more wood than a normal one. So, it adds up to the price.

 

I have 2 vettes (both standards, I can't speak of the other ones - $$, etc) and used to own a thumb.

1. body shape is different - the thumb is much more prone to neck dive

2. pickup placement - the vette has 2 j's spaced apart. Well, I can't say on the thumb - I've seen thumbs with pickups in every position possible. the one I owned had 2 j's at the bridge.

3. sounds is different - I prefer the vette sound myself. The thumb (probably due to pickup location) didn't have as much low end.

I have a fretless 4 (bubinga body, ovankol neck, ebody fretboard) and I just acquired a fretted 5 (same as above, but with wenge fingerboard). I used to own a fretted 5 vette but with the swamp ash body and it had terrible neck dive (swamp ash body being light, ovangkol neck being heavy. ahck. sold it)

 

I have a BO Thumb 5 (Ovankol) and a Corvette Standard fretless 4 (Bubinga). I can confidently say that whilst they share the trademark Warwick growl, the small difference make a big difference to their sound and feel.

The larger body of the Corvette makes it balance perfectly on the strap, whereas the Thumbs is prone to neck dive and it's neck feels longer as the headstock sits a little further away. However, the subtly arched body is extremely comfy once strapped on.

The p/ups on the Thumb 5 are very close together and placed by the bridge, which give a greater degree on tonal variance than you'd think, but give a very defined, punchy, middle orientated tone, similar to a typical MM equipped bass, whereas the more traditional p/up layout of the Corvette gets closer to a traditional J tone, so a lot warmer, with a greater bottom end.

The Thumb does have a weaker low end than you might expect, but I would say the general frequency reponse is more even from low to high. So rather than booming lows, it cuts through the middle of the mix more. The high end is also crystal clear, almost a glassy quality, but not that buzzy, zingy high end you get on certain other basses. It certainly does have a sound of it's own that nothing else seems to quite match. Definitely one of my favourite tones, but not to everyone's taste. Sadly though, it's poor ergonomics have relegated mine to backup duties.

If you wanted the best of both worlds, the FNA Jazzman might be worth a look. It has MM style bridge p/up for that punchy Thumbish tone, but with the added neck J for warmth and low end strength.

 

Or, custom shop a Corvette with Thumb pickup placement.