Pricing/opinion on a Warwick Thumb NT5?

[jpdischi]

Hey all! It's been a long time since I've posted here. I just want to say firstly thank you to the community for being so kind and providing great insight.

I'm looking to get a replacement 5 string bass that hopefully I'll keep for late. I've had a Spector Legend 5 since 2015 and I think it's time to move something a little more comfortable for me.

I went to a store in Maryland that had some really nice basses including a 1992 Warwick Thumb NT5 from the 90s. It's really comfortable, it feels like the nut width must be smaller than my Legend 5 which is better for me. (I'm primarily a guitarist).

However, they're asking $2800 for it. Which feels awfully steep. It isn't also cosmetically in the greatest condition.

Why does the headstock for example look withered like that?
Frets look discolored as well?
What's up with the nut?

I feel like asking people in this forum with experience is more helpful than trying to haggle with them as they almost seemed reluctant to reduce the price at all. I've only found ONE sold on Reverb all time, $2270 was the sale price.

I'm also open to other suggestions for 5 string basses to replace my spector legend 5 that's more comfortable for someone on the smaller side of finger length.

See images below:

 

[Goatrope]

Interesting. I’ve seen that laminated headstock plastic fade, but never so much. Maybe it’s the light, but it’s hard to believe it started out black like most. The adjustable insert under the G string is flipped sideways. Somebody just goofed on that while putting strings on it. The frets are brass, so the color looks about right for the vintage.

IMO it’s not worth the $2800 in that condition. Not to me. It would need to be $2000 or less, assuming all the electronics worked. And those tuners should be replaced. Lots of them suddenly snap.

If you find it comfortable, and the neck plays well, by all means make them an offer.

 

[Katoosie]

Hi there, OP.

I do not think it is worth 2800 Dolores. Here is my reasoning:

Plus +
1) 90s Warwick. These are coveted and usually go for a bit more than any run of the mill Teambuilt Thumb that's current. Think of the 90s Wicks' as the current Masterbuilt shop, because that is what they essentially are before all the rebranding and such.

2) Brass nut and frets. That's the good stuff!

3) Neck thru. Again, nowadays that is a premium on Wicks.

Neutral
1) The headstock might be some special edition thing, usually Warwicks have their signature gloss black headstock, the only time they are different is on the Custom Shop line or some special editions, which this one could be. I could also be wrong here and this might be a 90s thing - I wouldn't know. Maybe some of the people from the Warwick club would be able to give more info on that?

Minus -
1) Overall condition - it looks fine for a vintage but at the same time it looks like nobody took care of it and it needs some TLC. A proper cleanup is in order, fixing and setting that horribly mistreated G string by the nut, probably some electronics work. If the neck has no bad bow or anything to it, this would clean up nicely with some time, effort and possibly a small investment. It's just covered in grime and looks disgusting

2) Price - it's kind of up there, but at the same time a good and properly taken care of Thumb from the 90s would be worth it, in MY opinion.

If I was serious about looking into obtaining this Thumb, I would definitely:
- Make sure the truss rod is fine and that the neck takes adjustments easily
- Check the condition of the frets and the neck itself, make sure there is no bow to the neck or any other unwanted damage
- Check the electronics. They will probably need some cleaning up, might be scratchy or worse given the visual condition of the entire instrument.
- If you want more info on it, take the serial number and send it to Warwick. They will tell you more about it
- Ask for a price reduction.

Anyway, that is my uneducated take. It's a nice Thumb but it definitely needs some work if everything is okay with it in the structural sense.

 

[ModuMan]

I don't know what to make of that nut, very strange. Maybe it will polish up? Also easily replaceable. The headstock is unfortunate.

Honestly, I'd pass, there are better examples out there. This is listed on Reverb as well, take a look there too.

It would need some good recovery work and a very thorough check of everything. Seems like it was well-played but then neglected for just about as long.

 

[tom5string]

Hi,

first of all: this is too expensive!

Headstock looks the same as with my '92 - thin laminate of (whatever) wood.

Frets are not discoloured, they're made of bell-brass which is according to Warwick the best and hardest material for frets they have found yet.

Nut is the original Just-A-Nut - as far as I can see. Which I like, because it allows you to fine-adjust each string height. Someone in the store in Maryland misunderstood the concept and turned the G-String adjustment by 90 deg so that the string does not fit in the slot. The screws are supposed to hold the strings in the nut and then to be adjusted in height by 180 deg turns ....

Overall a thumb is a cool but very special instument, punchy high-mid, slap zing and a powerful B-string. Weighs a ton (someone in the british forum stated: crafted out of black-hole-wood), ergonomically rather on the clumsy side. BUT: if the neck is straight, the bridge (which can be adjusted in height completely and additionally per string) and Just-A-Nut allow an extremely low action which (for me) compensates for the rather bad ergonomics.

I have no idea about the American market, here in Germany they sell in the 2k range - but admittedly pop up rarely. Early 90's are supposed to be from the "golden age" and very much sought after ...

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Barticus]

Hey all! It's been a long time since I've posted here. I just want to say firstly thank you to the community for being so kind and providing great insight.

I'm looking to get a replacement 5 string bass that hopefully I'll keep for late. I've had a Spector Legend 5 since 2015 and I think it's time to move something a little more comfortable for me.

I went to a store in Maryland that had some really nice basses including a 1992 Warwick Thumb NT5 from the 90s. It's really comfortable, it feels like the nut width must be smaller than my Legend 5 which is better for me. (I'm primarily a guitarist).

However, they're asking $2800 for it. Which feels awfully steep. It isn't also cosmetically in the greatest condition.

Why does the headstock for example look withered like that?
Frets look discolored as well?
What's up with the nut?

I feel like asking people in this forum with experience is more helpful than trying to haggle with them as they almost seemed reluctant to reduce the price at all. I've only found ONE sold on Reverb all time, $2270 was the sale price.

I'm also open to other suggestions for 5 string basses to replace my spector legend 5 that's more comfortable for someone on the smaller side of finger length.

See images below:
View attachment 5113067 View attachment 5113068 View attachment 5113069 View attachment 5113070 View attachment 5113071 View attachment 5113072 View attachment 5113073

You may want to repost in the Warwick thread, vs here for feedback from other Warwick owners.

However, they're asking $2800 for it. Which feels awfully steep. It isn't also cosmetically in the greatest condition.

Why does the headstock for example look withered like that?
Frets look discolored as well?
What's up with the nut?

That price is in the ballpark for a Golden Era Thumb. The thing about a Warwick is that all of the materials are intended to be maintained and can easily be cleaned up, and that bass would look like a brand new bass with about an hours worth of work.

• The frets are bell bronze, which can easily be polished back to their original luster.
• The nut is brass which could be polished back to original luster as well. The G string string path is turned perpendicular. It should follow the string path as you can see the string is not setting right into it.
• The body and neck can easily be gone over it, and any scratches removed easily and then apply Howard‘s Feed n Wax to restore

That bass (90s) in that condition, at that price, if listed online would not last long.

Keep in mind that the upper horn on a Thumb is shorter so the reach will feel a bit longer. If you’re a Spector player, you may consider a Streamer as another model to try.

 

[avi]

Hi.
It's a little high but not completely out of the ballpark. I would look at where the laminates meet. If the headstock is that faded it means it hasn't been waxed. When Thumbs don't get waxed the wood dries out and shrinks. You then get things like fret pops and the laminate joints pulling away from each other.
The neck is an early non-volute neck. I find these really comfortable but they are less stable necks and have more of a chance of twisting. The volute adds strength to the neck. I would look in the control cavity to see what was in there.
I would say this, if working well otherwise, it would need to be about $2400 for me to buy it in this condition. But I'm cheap! At that price it will sell. It can be rescued pretty easily as long as the neck is straight.
Someone commented on the tuners. Yes that's a thing. Do I have a spare set in a drawer. Yes. Not a deal breaker.
The headstocks are not gloss normally. It is a wood composite that needs some wax. The color should come back.
The frets are brass. They look fine.
The nut is fine as someone else mentioned. The nice thing is those nut slots can be replaced easily if they get worn. They screw in and out.
This isn't the worste example I have seen. There is a Thumb NT 4 in a music go round in one of the states I've traveled to in the last year that has a lot of shrinkage and a faded neck plate and they wanted $3400 for it. Kind of crazy. They have had it for a few years and were firm on the price last time I was there.
Good luck.
Oh and if you enjoy the neck you might want to look at Streamers from that era. I just bought a 97 Streamer LX (with the volute but still all wenge neck, bolt on). Its been upgraded with Delano's and EMG preamp and I paid $1300 for it. It's a different animal than a Thumb but most things are. Thumbs are pretty awesome. I owned an early 90's bolt on for about 10 years. Have fun!

 

[jpdischi]

Wow there is so much expertise and insight from this thread! Thank you all so much! It sounds like maybe this bass has it's work cut out for it at this price especially. I'm particularly concerned because I don't know how to check these things properly on the fly in a store like this. The store is more of like a warehouse setup, they do "setups" there, but it's not exactly a high end boutique store or anything like that so I think they probably gave it a once over.

Maybe if they came down on the price to like $2k~ I'd buy it. I'm definitely going to check out this Streamer as two different folks mentioned it!

 

[warbassick]

this is a 92 padddle head meaning it’s HAND made there’s no volute . the nut is an original adjust a nut where you use a flat head screw driver the adjust the height. the wenge neck just needs some polishing as well as the frets and i’m sure the 2 ban mec works well better than the barts that some times take there place that has to weigh 11 lbs that solid babinga pop the cover off and loosen it a 1/4 turn there tighten to see it’s movement. It’s probably not been moved /turned in some time couple drops of lubricant oil and let her sit a couple
minutes and should turn easier . It’s a beast of a bass when it’s on point i’d offer 2350 cash best investment ! They won’t sell it for 2k these are harder n harder to come by

 

[jpdischi]

this is a 92 padddle head meaning it’s HAND made there’s no volute . the nut is an original adjust a nut where you use a flat head screw driver the adjust the height. the wenge neck just needs some polishing as well as the frets and i’m sure the 2 ban mec works well better than the barts that some times take there place that has to weigh 11 lbs that solid babinga pop the cover off and loosen it a 1/4 turn there tighten to see it’s movement. It’s probably not been moved /turned in some time couple drops of lubricant oil and let her sit a couple
minutes and should turn easier . It’s a beast of a bass when it’s on point i’d offer 2350 cash best investment ! They won’t sell it for 2k these are harder n harder to come by

Yeah it seems like they're definitely rare now. It's definitely a solid piece . I'd probably buy it for 2k at this point, but at the price point they're asking I could get a dingwall or something comparable

 

[avi]

I've played a few Dingwals.
I play a Warwick.

Nothing else like a Thumb. $2400 would be a really good price for it. There isn't that much to do there. Polishing the frets and waxing the bass are easy and a little time consuming but it's a nice evening to connect with your bass with a glass of Bourban. General maintenance stuff you would normally do when you change your strings on these.
The control cavity cover pops off. No screw required. See what's in there. Look down the fret board of the neck from the nut and then from the bottom up to see if you see any humps. Separation at the body glue joints is easy to spot. Back of headstock and back of body for that at the edges. Take pictures and post them and we will help you out.
Actually l, I just looked closer at your pics and the joints all look good. The body seems to be in good shape. You'll be amazed at how much this will come alive when you clean and wax it. They are stunning. I might even buy that for the full asking price based on what I've seen them go for.

 

[Not_Shane]

Yeah it seems like they're definitely rare now. It's definitely a solid piece . I'd probably buy it for 2k at this point, but at the price point they're asking I could get a Dingwall or something comparable

a 90's golden era handmade Warwick Thumb (with all the bells and whistles) is NOT comparable to a modern Chinese made Dingwall.
Same price, sure. Same quality? not even close.
my 2 cents.

 

[avi]

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For comparison. They marked it down!

 

[scuzzy]

not a terrible price for a NT5 thumb. they command a lot of $$$.

it appears every other question has been answered.

 

[jpdischi]

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For comparison. They marked it down!

dang! these things go for a pretty penny eh??

 

[jpdischi]

a 90's golden era handmade Warwick Thumb (with all the bells and whistles) is NOT comparable to a modern Chinese made Dingwall.
Same price, sure. Same quality? not even close.
my 2 cents.

I think that's entirely fair. I'm mainly just looking for something a little more ergonomic to my hand size more than anything else at this point

 

[scuzzy]

dang! these things go for a pretty penny eh??

yes.

these are sold listings. too bad you aren't a Lefty!

 

[scott sinner]

What's up with the nut?

Those screws are for adjusting individual string height, a great feature, but someone didn't understand how they work probably. It needs to be adjusted is my guess. Unless it is actually stuck (seems unlikely)

I agree with someone else above though about $2400 would be more market rate in the condition it is in, assuming the nut is fine.

 

[FollowMeDown]

That headstock should not be as light as that, but like others say it might just need some wax/oil. Assuming that's a sign that whoever had it never waxed it, I would definately check the rest of the bass to make sure that no joints have dried out/opened up.
BTW the headstock facia material is apparently a company secret. I tried asking HPW what material it actually is, but beyond saying it's man-made he won't disclose it.
$2800 is high but not crazy. You're paying an opportunity cost because it's not often that a golden years 5 NT ever comes up for sale. The reason is that people generally hold onto them because they are so good, so you probably won't see another advertised for a long time.
It seems to me that the better question is how much do you specifically want a 92 Thumb 5NT? Is paying slightly over the odds worth it to you to get one now? Given you're also thinking Dingwall then maybe you don't know or care about what makes these special. As a very happy owner of a 94 NT5 Thumb I'd happily pay $2800 for mine.
Also don't worry about any small scratches on the body. I mean its 30 years old, its gonna get some rash, and personally I just think of that as mojo, but one of the great things about an unpainted bass is that a light sanding makes it as good as new, if that's your thing. Just don't forget to retreat the wood after.

 

[warbassick]

Yeah it seems like they're definitely rare now. It's definitely a solid piece . I'd probably buy it for 2k at this point, but at the price point they're asking I could get a dingwall or something comparable

well i’ve had a dingwall 6 combustion with a 6 way from fretnation and installed a darkglass pre sounded great but comparatively to my warwick steamer lx no comparison why tonality warwicks are deeper tonally and neck thickness at 17mm compared to 19mm on the dingwall that poopie was wide even for my hands but yes to each there own that bass is over thirty years old and that wood petrifies and you can not duplicate that tone sound feel to any new bass not ever good luck friend
PS by the way, you pick that bass up, get yourself a darkglass micro tubes, and that thing will sound better than any dingwall