Warwick 4 String Thumb - neck thru vs bolt on

[xray]

I've been eying a 4 String Thumb Bass for quite some time and can't come to grips dropping over 3Gs for the neck thru version. Being in HI you can image there aren't very many opportunities to play one. So I have to try and take the seller in the states work for what they're selling. Does the bolt on model have all the identical parts and pieces as the neck thru? Is there a substantial difference in tone?

 

[4StringsEnough]

The two sound similar but not the same. Woods are different (though I think they now make the BO in bubinga) and you get 18V 3-band electronics on the neck-through versus 9V 2-band on the BO. Both are great basses and many people actually prefer the sound of the BO. YMMV.

 

[MarthaSamira]

Is there a substantial difference in tone?

IME a bolt-on bass sounds punchier and has better sustain than it's neck-thru twin.
I happen to achieve a lower action on neck-thrus, but since I don't use low action that doesn't matter.