I Miss My Warwick Thumb 5

[Mastiff_5]

It’s true. The fretboard was flat as a airport landing strip compared to anything I was used to (which forced me to improve my left had technique) , I gigged it for a decade, never had an issue (why every bass doesn’t have an adjust-a-bridge, I’ll never understand) and it never failed that seasoned players would approach me and compliment that “dark woody” tone!!!!

Ahhhh….
Miss you, my beloved German maiden!!!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Why did you let it go?

 

[scottycameron]

There's nothing like a thumb.

I have a BO-4 that will be with me til death.

 

[BGroovy]

what's the lightest thumb 5 I can get with minimal neck dive? I love the tone of a Thumb

 

[Mr_BK]

AFAIK the neck dive is built in the Thumb. The body is very small and the upper horn is shorter than on standard basses, thus the neck has a tendency to be horizontally oriented. It dies not go lower though. I have read that on numerous occasions here in TB and experience it myself on a Thumb 5 NT.
It wants to be horizontally oriented but won't diver further.

The Thumb has to be concquered, earned. Ergonomics are not easy when playing standing.

But the tone. Boy. There is no other of my basses that can do that woody growl.

 

[Leisure Weaver]

I hear ya! My Thumb has been in its case for the last few years because of a twisted neck. Playing it does not bring as much joy as it once did. But I just got notice a few minutes ago that the replacement neck I finally ordered will be shipped out tomorrow!

 

[Klangfarbe]

In regard to the always mentioned neck dive: The 4-String doesn't really have it. Since the Body is pretty heavy and the headstock is a little smaller than the 5, there isn't much downward pull. Still the overall ergonomics are slightly different.

The 5-string, as Mr_BK already mentioned, has a slight tendency to tilt vertically. However, this is easily fixed by using a "grippy" strap and wearing it a little higher.

The stories and concerns that you can always read here are exaggerated in my opinion.

Spoiler: I think Jack Bruce would agree with me on that. ;)

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Buy it back . Buy another. Life is too short to live with regrets.

 

[fauxtoe]

It’s true. The fretboard was flat as a airport landing strip compared to anything I was used to (which forced me to improve my left had technique) , I gigged it for a decade, never had an issue (why every bass doesn’t have an adjust-a-bridge, I’ll never understand) and it never failed that seasoned players would approach me and compliment that “dark woody” tone!!!!

Ahhhh….
Miss you, my beloved German maiden!!!

I see more Thumb and Corvette basses for sale than anything else Warwick has ever made through the usual places. I'm pretty sure if you ever wanted to get another that it would be a pretty easy deal other than maybe the affordability factor.

I'm two Warwick's deep (PNut III and Dolphin Pro I 5), so I totally understand the love for them. I've only had one custom made Thumb in my hands where I was like...ohhh...I might have to cave and buy one, but I'm not sure I can do the small body neck divey thing especially since I don't experience that with anything I own.

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

Always wondered why they didn’t put the thumb pickup setup in a streamer. Thumbs sound great and look cool but I wouldn’t want to fight with one.

Also it’s wild that this bass has an infamous reputation for having a submarine headstock that dives deep to the floor of the ocean, but they keep making and selling them every year. Who’s buying these things? Haha

 

[bass12]

Regarding neck dive: how much depends on the bass. My BO 4 and NT 5 would hang horizontal, but the two BO 5s I had would dive right towards the floor. It was so bad that I returned each of those basses within 24 hours.

 

[fauxtoe]

Always wondered why they didn’t put the thumb pickup setup in a streamer. Thumbs sound great and look cool but I wouldn’t want to fight with one.

Also it’s wild that this bass has an infamous reputation for having a submarine headstock that dives deep to the floor of the ocean, but they keep among and selling them every year. Who’s buying these things? Haha

There was just a custom one for sale not too long ago that had the Thumb pickup configuration in a Streamer Stage II. They do exist!

 

[Fan Fret]

I loved my Thumb 4 string but I had to face facts. I'm just too fat to play a bass like that

 

[monsterthompson]

My Thumb 5 is definitely one I regret selling. I’ve considered buying another but haven’t really got room for it in my place.

 

[Danksalot]

I've got a thumb 6-string if you're looking to get your 5-string back with interest!

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

There was just a custom one for sale not too long ago that had the Thumb pickup configuration in a Streamer Stage II. They do exist!

No way! Got a link?

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

Regarding neck dive: how much depends on the bass. My BO 4 and NT 5 would hang horizontal, but the two BO 5s I had would dive right towards the floor. It was so bad that I returned each of those basses within 24 hours.

This makes me sad. I’ve had a SSII for about 20 years. I have fenders and EBMM’s and love them all but I always enjoy coming home to that Streamer.

 

[NeonVomit]

I have a '99 Thumb BO 6. It's gone into semi-retirement due to the weight and kinda weird balance, but truly nothing out there sounds like it. That's why I haven't sold it - I just know I'll miss it if I ever do.

Apparently the newer models have better balance and are a little bit lighter on account of subtle design changes and different woods, but I haven't tried one.

 

[bass12]

This makes me sad. I’ve had a SSII for about 20 years. I have fenders and EBMM’s and love them all but I always enjoy coming home to that Streamer.

I had a '91 Streamer Stage 1 for several years and that bass balanced perfectly. The Thumbs are just a weird design (tiny body and short upper horn).

 

[bass12]

I have a '99 Thumb BO 6. It's gone into semi-retirement due to the weight and kinda weird balance, but truly nothing out there sounds like it. That's why I haven't sold it - I just know I'll miss it if I ever do.

Apparently the newer models have better balance and are a little bit lighter on account of subtle design changes and different woods, but I haven't tried one.

They started shaving wood off the upper horn area on the NT Thumbs by the time I bought my first one (2002). I don't know if they've modified them even more since (or if they started modifying the BOs as well), but I much prefer the look of the original Thumbs.