NBD! the 94 warwick thumb NT 6

[FollowMeDown]

Have the same exact bass except mine is fretless and I had a local guy install blue LED fret side markers in mine and one in the “W” on the headstock so it would light up.
It’s by far the heaviest instrument I own. I swear it feels like it weighs 35lbs... it made my shoulder feel like it was holding up a tree hahahahaha But it just sounds so damn good and was so expensive that I kept it even though I never play it anymore. I’ll see if I have a picture of me playing it somewhere, otherwise I’ll have to go into storage and get it out.

I would love LED side markers on my fretted thumb 5 NT but had always presumed it couldn't be retrofitted. Is it even doable with an NT? Did they have to take the fingerboard off the neck? Is there a risk of screwing the bass up?

 

[Cygnus0820]

I would love LED side markers on my fretted thumb 5 NT but had always presumed it couldn't be retrofitted. Is it even doable with an NT? Did they have to take the fingerboard off the neck? Is there a risk of screwing the bass up?

I’m sorry, I wish I could answer all the technical questions but I’m really not a tech head. I don’t know the answers to your questions or how the luthier did it. He said he could do it, I knew people who had used him and recommended him and I just had him do it.
I wish I could help you

 

[wvbass]

Those bell brass frets give it some serious zing.

I don’t question the zing, but I do question the cause. I think maybe Warwick does too.

I was playing my Thumb 5 BO tonight. If the OP’s bass is half of what my bass is, he’s got an incredible bass. But...mine doesn’t have bell brass frets and it has no shortage of zing. I think the tone is in the preamp, the active pickups, and the pickup position. I think the “Sound of Wood” and the bell brass frets are largely just romantic ideas of what makes a bass sound great.

I think Warwick agrees. Their slogan is now “Basses, Amps & Rock’n Roll.”

 

[TheMaynorD]

I don’t question the zing, but I do question the cause. I think maybe Warwick does too.

I was playing my Thumb 5 BO tonight. If the OP’s bass is half of what my bass is, he’s got an incredible bass. But...mine doesn’t have bell brass frets and it has no shortage of zing. I think the tone is in the preamp, the active pickups, and the pickup position. I think the “Sound of Wood” and the bell brass frets are largely just romantic ideas of what makes a bass sound great.

I think Warwick agrees. Their slogan is now “Basses, Amps & Rock’n Roll.”

Well, the pickups and preamp in this monster are both aguilar so some of the zing factor is definitely in the wood and construction. I was never a fan of the MEC electronics' sound, and i think i m going to swap the preamp out with a nordstrand 2b + to get some more oomph. I also hate VV so I really want a V Blend.

In reality we all know there is some ancient Germanic tree magic that they put into the process that makes the Warwicks super special.

 

[sumgruuvz]

I really love my Thumb BO5. It has emg-xlj's and the aggie obp-3 in it. One mistake I did make was putting the wrong strings on it. D'Addario Pro Steels on it sounded like poo. In fact, I was so disgusted by the tone I was getting, I put it on the trading block. But, I did try a different set of strings, LaBella Stainless Steels (which are now discontinued) and she came back to life a roaring monster. Now I have to see what strings I can replace the SS with since they are discontinued. Maybe LaBella SuperSteps?? idk. lol They are a wonderful bass though. Congrats on your new bass. Fine piece of axe.

 

[TheMaynorD]

I really love my Thumb BO5. It has emg-xlj's and the aggie obp-3 in it. One mistake I did make was putting the wrong strings on it. D'Addario Pro Steels on it sounded like poo. In fact, I was so disgusted by the tone I was getting, I put it on the trading block. But, I did try a different set of strings, LaBella Stainless Steels (which are now discontinued) and she came back to life a roaring monster. Now I have to see what strings I can replace the SS with since they are discontinued. Maybe LaBella SuperSteps?? idk. lol They are a wonderful bass though. Congrats on your new bass. Fine piece of axe.

I use dr lowriders on all my basses due to their punch and playability. Great for slapping and tapping, and with the Warwick they punch like the Koolaid man through a wall.
I never liked the daddario prosteels anyway.

 

[sumgruuvz]

I use dr lowriders on all my basses due to their punch and playability. Great for slapping and tapping, and with the Warwick they punch like the Koolaid man through a wall.
I never liked the daddario prosteels anyway.

I used to use dr lowriders on my Spector. Then I tried the ProSteels on my Spector, and with that bass, they definitely sound better than the lowriders, to me of course.