Fender Victor Bailey V VS. Warwick Thumb BO 5

[cdginger]

O.k., so I'm currently debationg whether to buy a Warwick Thumb Bolt-On 5 for $1200, and a Fender Victor Bailey Jazz Bass V for $1500. I saw both of these basses on craigslist and I contacted them both and they were both available and I'm trying them out in the next few days, but If this were you which one would you choose?

 

[bly8397]

I would go with the Fender... but that's because it fits me best. What type of music do you like to play? What kind of tone do you expect yo get out of a bass?

 

[cdginger]

Im mainly looking for a nice smooth R&B tone but also capable of playing, Jazz, Fusion, Gospel, Hip-Hop, with a decent slap tone to be used every now and then.

 

[bly8397]

Up to you, they're both great basses.

 

[bassophil]

Up to you, they're both great basses.

Exactly! BUT completely different from each other. Both would work great for your purposes, you only need to find out which one fits you better.

 

[thebassguy63]

I would go for the jazz bass, it should suit all of your needs!!!

 

[TolerancEJ]

If possible, make arrangements to try both of them & see how each of them feels/sounds to you.

Edit: Just an idea... If you're leaning toward a particular bass, go try that one first. After you've tested it, tell the seller that you're going to check out another bass & you'll get back to him. The seller #1 might drop his/her price to try to keep you from going to look at the second bass.

 

[Absentia]

Warwick Thumb definately, but that's just me.
But they do come in used at around 600 so check craigs

 

[cdginger]

If possible, make arrangements to try both of them & see how each of them feels/sounds to you.

Edit: Just an idea... If you're leaning toward a particular bass, go try that one first. After you've tested it, tell the seller that you're going to check out another bass & you'll get back to him. The seller #1 might drop his/her price to try to keep you from going to look at the second bass.

Yeah this is exactly what i planned on doing.

 

[babebambi]

OP:
Make sure you try the basses, in both sitting and standing with a strap position.

Off Topic:
Warwick Thumb in good condition do not come anywhere as low as $600 (Corvette maybe), but if you want to sell me yours at that price, I would gladly take it.

 

[TolerancEJ]

make sure you try the basses, in both sitting and standing with a strap position

Hmm... I know the Warwicks are fairly heavy. What is the weight of the Victor Bailey model?

 

[Righteous Thunderer]

I lean towards Warwick as well as away from Fender, as in both are extremes on my likes/dislikes, so I'm biased. I know that a whole lot of people LOVE Fender's, though, especially those Marcus Miller ones, so you've gotta figure out what suits you best.