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How do I get the Thumb Bass sound using a Non Thumb?

W

Whippet

Aug 30, 2014
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#1
I really like the Thumb Through neck 5 string. Bubinga body and Wenge neck, Ebony fret board. Sadly since I ordered a bass recently, I don't have 3000 bucks.....

Is there a cheap or cheaper alternative? (other than used, I already looked it up and there are none in my area)

Or must I just save and buy the thumb 5?

Thanks for all information in advance.
 
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#3
This question gets asked a lot, you can use the Search feature to read similar discussions from the past.

The "Warwick growl" in my opinion/experience is all about the mids. I've had good luck simulating this on non-Warwick basses by plucking closer to the bridge and panning the pickup blend toward the bridge pickup. Hopefully your new bass is a JJ, PJ, or similar? ...
 
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#5
I'd have to agree with Gorn.
Try out one of these. More tones than you'll know what to do with, and active-passive to boot with a truly great passive tone.
G&L Magnetic Field Design humbuckers backed by the flexible Tri-Tone control system. The Tri-Tone system features a trio of mini toggles for pickup selection, series/parallel signal routing and passive/active/active with treble boost, operation, as well as the active boost-cut knobs.

aw8hvd.png

This is the USA-made G&L L-2000, $1,500 or less, new, but the Tribute sells for $700 and less and they have the same USA-made pickups and electronics.
I went with the Tribute and I'm still amazed by the many different tones I can get out of mine...$529 brand new!
 
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#6
Mushroo said:
This question gets asked a lot, you can use the Search feature to read similar discussions from the past.

The "Warwick growl" in my opinion/experience is all about the mids. I've had good luck simulating this on non-Warwick basses by plucking closer to the bridge and panning the pickup blend toward the bridge pickup. Hopefully your new bass is a JJ, PJ, or similar? ...
Click to expand...

I do have a Corvette half way across the world in Bubinga, Wenge configuration. I tried it briefly a month ago and had no luck. I need to try it again. My new bass is a JJ and a JH. I will give that a go.

I looked up some old threads and got to read your posts so I will definitely try your technique, especially with the blend towards the bridge.

THX for the info.
 
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#8
Gorn said:
I don't mean to sidestep your question but I'm sure you can find a bass tone you like for a lot less than three grand. I doubt the thumb sound is specific enough for anyone to point out sight unseen.
Click to expand...

That thumb sound. what is it? is the mid compressed? I'll be trying out some right hand placement and blend tinkering but I kind of find it hard to get convinced that the dual slanted pickup placement can be substituted.....
 
#11
Whippet said:
That thumb sound. what is it? is the mid compressed? I'll be trying out some right hand placement and blend tinkering but I kind of find it hard to get convinced that the dual slanted pickup placement can be substituted.....
Click to expand...
Oh I honestly have no idea. But it can't be so unique that only a thumb can produce it, IMO. I'm sure that's not a popular opinion as many people feel only a P can sound like a P and a Rickenbacker like a Rickenbacker and so on.
 
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#14
you know there was a 2004 thumb nt 6 on here not too long ago for 2000 which is a steal in my opinion. i got mine for 2800 which is a 2003. it has bubinge pommele body, ovangkol neck with wenge streamers and an ebony fretboard same as mine does for 2k i almost bought another but i must save my money not spend it lol.
 
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#16
used, I got my 6 string thumb nt for 2800, then paid a luthier 900 to defret, poly, and put in bartolini pickups, and a bartolini 3 band preamp without tapping extra holes. The electronics ran me about 350. So not too bad of a deal to get exactly what I wanted.so 4200 all in I suppose. But if you just want a fretted there are deals all around just on talk bass the other week or so ago dood had a 2004 nt thumb 6 pretty much mint for 2100... so the deals are around save your money and wait. It took me a few years to make it happen but it was so worth it in every way.
 
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#18
songwriter21 said:
If you end up going the Thumb route, regardless, here's something to entice you even more...Ryan Martinie is a freakin' MONSTER on his Thumb on this track.

(try to ignore the vocals, as they're not everyone's cup of tea)

Click to expand...

Dude.....you have no idea how long I've waited for the isolated Dig bass track to pop up, I love you.
But to the OP, I don't have a Thumb but I feel like I can get pretty close with my Corvette. I boost the bass, low mids, treble and cut high mids. You really need a Thumb or at least something with the same woods/pickup config. I did get pretty close to a Warwick sound with a Stingray in single coil
 
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#19
Gorn said:
Oh I honestly have no idea. But it can't be so unique that only a thumb can produce it, IMO. I'm sure that's not a popular opinion as many people feel only a P can sound like a P and a Rickenbacker like a Rickenbacker and so on.
Click to expand...

For real. I would venture to say that with decent pickups and a sweepable mid control you can get darn close to just about anything.
 
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