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Need more low end from thumb bass

JimiLL

JimiLL

Jan 26, 2009
3,203
1,215
42
Poconos Pa
#1
I have a 2006 warwick thumb bo 5 string, and I like everything about it, except some times in a live setting it doesnt have as much low end as I would like.

Ive kind of been toying with the idea of routing in a reverse P-pickup just in front of the two single coils. Good idea or nay? Will I pick up much more heft to the sound or is it gonna be kinda futile?

I have a guy that can do the routing and such... but could you even hook up a third pickup into the pre amp?
 
#5
JimiLL said:
I have a 2006 warwick thumb bo 5 string, and I like everything about it, except some times in a live setting it doesnt have as much low end as I would like.

Ive kind of been toying with the idea of routing in a reverse P-pickup just in front of the two single coils. Good idea or nay? Will I pick up much more heft to the sound or is it gonna be kinda futile?

I have a guy that can do the routing and such... but could you even hook up a third pickup into the pre amp?
Click to expand...

Unless you are totally married to this bass, it sounds like a terrible idea to me. It will ruin the resale value of your bass. I think you should trade your Thumb for a Warwick with more bottom like a Streamer or Corvette, or Katana.
 
#6
Dr. Cheese said:
Unless you are totally married to this bass, it sounds like a terrible idea to me. It will ruin the resale value of your bass. I think you should trade your Thumb for a Warwick with more bottom like a Streamer or Corvette, or Katana.
Click to expand...

Yeah ur probably right. Its a great recording tool, its very comfortable and easy to play... just need some more lows.. without losing that great midrange sound
 
#11
The Thumb sound is, by nature, very midrangy. You can mess with it all you like and very possibly not be satisfied with the results (and, as Cheese has pointed out, ruin the resale value in the process). Sell it and get something that sounds right to you as is.
 
#12
Speaking as a fellow Thumb5 owner, I beg you - please do not wound the bass by routing it like you've suggested! Many possible solutions could be tried before that heinous act!

- Series/parallel switch
- Boost bass/low mids with the onboard preamp
- Boost bass/low mids with an EQ pedal
- Boost bass/low mids on your amp
- Replace existing pickups with ones voiced for more bass/low mids
- Replace existing preamp with one voiced for more bass/low mids

Whatever you choose to do, good luck with it and have fun!
 
#13
+ 10000
DO NOT MODIFY THE WOODS
If you really want to keep the thumb and obtain a different tone, modify the electronics maintaining the original setup. You can always return back to the stock version if you want (disappointing end results, trading etc.).
The simplest way: sell it and buy a different bass, like others said
My opinion, the Thumb is a wonderful midrangey beast, super-tight bass. I "solved" this relative issue pairing it with a super bottomed amp, like the Genz Benz Streamliner. A match made in heaven, I assure it!
 
#15
sratas said:
+ 10000
DO NOT MODIFY THE WOODS
If you really want to keep the thumb and obtain a different tone, modify the electronics maintaining the original setup. You can always return back to the stock version if you want (disappointing end results, trading etc.).
The simplest way: sell it and buy a different bass, like others said
My opinion, the Thumb is a wonderful midrangey beast, super-tight bass. I "solved" this relative issue pairing it with a super bottomed amp, like the Genz Benz Streamliner. A match made in heaven, I assure it!
Click to expand...

This was another option... I was thinking of picking up a different head to use with this bass in particular.
 
#18
So you want a Thumb to sound like a J Bass neck position?

New pickups, a new preamp, and series/parallel switching is pretty much all you can do.

Good luck on your tone quest.

I would think that SGD would be able to get you a set of custom pickups to do the trick.

In lieu of that, Perhaps Lace would be a good swap?
 
#19
Something jumps out at me here - and this is assuming you have pa support on these gigs...
If it's only a live sound issue that you don't notice through your rig (provided the rig's of decent quality for a fair reference), I would think it has to do with the sound mix on the stage itself - what the audience hears is usually different. PA subs are set up optimally for the audience & monitors will generally give you a clearer tone to work with. Just something to keep an eye on.
A third pickup won't make any difference that new J pickups can't help with just fine.
And you've already switched the pre - the Warwick's bass frequency is 100Hz so it wouldn't have given you much down low. Any idea where the Bart's is located? Most are between 40-60Hz, so I bet you're ok there. I built a Streamer with Basslines in the thumb's pickup configuration with an Aguilar pre, including 40Hz bass, no shortage of available depth here!
If you have plenty of low end through a good amp & cabinet, I don't think you have to worry much, it's elsewhere.
 
#20
Also - there's a chance that in these clubs where you notice the problem, your amp & the subs are causing cancellations. Sound guys have nightmares when a bassist cranks his low end on stage, because the volume can actually drop in many places throughout the venue.
 

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