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History of Warwick (Especially the Thumb NT)

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by stompfrog, Dec 6, 2005.

  1. Dec 6, 2005 #1
    stompfrog

    stompfrog

    Apr 12, 2004
    Reading, England
    I have heard lots of snippets in many threads about the first warwick thumb, then the second coming and then the new one with the 3 band EQ and then that the late 80's early 90's being best etc etc etc blah blah blah....

    Does anyone know a website which outlines the history of the warwick thumb? After getting my new NT 4 a week ago I can't put it down and want to know more about it. It is at least 93 but maybe earlier?

    Serial on headstock looks like this...


    G 3031
    9

    What other clues can i give you... Ovangkol body, 7 piece wenge and ovangol neck brass frets (26) and nut, 2 piece bridge. 2 band stacked EQ pot, blend and push/pull volume. Original MEC J/J p'ups and active electronics.

    Can anyone help?

    Are their any photos I could take of specific parts of the bass to help you guys identify the year??
     
  2. Dec 6, 2005 #2
    Aj*

    Aj*

    Jun 14, 2005
    West Yorkshire, UK
    If it was really early model (ie. late 80s), it would have Bartolini J/J pups so I'd guess your estimate of the age is probably about right but I'm no expert.
     
  3. Dec 6, 2005 #3
    Woodchuck

    Woodchuck

    Apr 21, 2000
    Atlanta (Grant Park!)
    Gallien Krueger for the last 12 years!
    The earlier ones also had bubinga bodies.
     
  4. Dec 6, 2005 #4
    stompfrog

    stompfrog

    Apr 12, 2004
    Reading, England
    Mine has a bubinga body but I am pretty sure the pick ups are MEC


    Thanks for the contributions :hyper:
     
  5. Dec 6, 2005 #5
    SpiralStatic

    SpiralStatic

    Nov 1, 2005
    Dundee, Scotland
    is it wrong to feel sexually attracted to Warwick Thumbs?
     
  6. Dec 6, 2005 #6
    jive1

    jive1 Commercial User

    Jan 16, 2003
    Alexandria,VA
    Owner/Retailer: Jive Sound
    I thought the early models had EMG pickups
     
  7. Dec 6, 2005 #7
    Daywalker

    Daywalker

    Apr 13, 2005
    SOCAL
    Yes Jive, they did...
     
  8. Dec 7, 2005 #8
    Frank Martin

    Frank Martin Bitten by the luthiery bug...

    Oct 8, 2001
    Budapest, Hungary, EU
    The earliest I've seen was from IIRC 1987, and it had EMGs and a one-piece Schaller bridge. But bubinga and wenge were already there, even though I remember some cherry-bodied ones, too.
     
  9. Dec 7, 2005 #9
    Aj*

    Aj*

    Jun 14, 2005
    West Yorkshire, UK
    Well I saw a 1987 with Bartolinis, it had the single piece bridge but the Barts were confirmed as origionals.
     
  10. Dec 7, 2005 #10
    alexclaber

    alexclaber Commercial User

    Jun 19, 2001
    Brighton, UK
    Director - Barefaced Ltd
    My 1987 Streamer has EMGs and a one-piece Schaller bridge. Wenge fingerboard, 5 piece wenge/cherry neck and a cherry body. I've seen even earlier ones with Spector-style headstocks and straight tuners.

    Alex
     
  11. Dec 7, 2005 #11
    plankspanker13

    plankspanker13

    Jun 19, 2002
    Mesa, Arizona, USA
    Only if yer not into asymetrical bodies that aren't evocative of a woman's curves, the way a P-bass (or even a Warwick Corvette bass) is.