Warwick Bolt Ons

[pasIII]

Hey Warwick Thumb Bolt On owners, I'm curious... I have an opportunity to buy one but this neck pocket look really small, neck screws seem very close to each other between North and South screws compare to other basses I own. Anyone had stability issues with this? What's the distance between north and south side screws? Thanks!

 

[GTHintz]

So is it a 4 or 5 string? It looks very similar to my Corvette.

 

[direktor]

I've had a couple.

It's never been an issue. Warwick is pretty good about making those CNCd neck pockets VERY tight and square, so the bolts can do their job right.

 

[pasIII]

So is it a 4 or 5 string? It looks very similar to my Corvette.

GTHintz, this is a 5 string.

 

[pasIII]

I've had a couple.

It's never been an issue. Warwick is pretty good about making those CNCd neck pockets VERY tight and square, so the bolts can do their job right.

Good to hear! This joint just looked way too compact for such a long neck compared to other basses I have.

 

[Jefus]

I've got a pair of late '90s Thumb BO 5s, one fretted, one fretless. The fretted was my go-to for many years and was used and abused on stages all over the Southwest. I've never had any neck or stability issues with it. They're rock solid. The only issue I've ever had with a Warwick was with the output jack, which was self-inflicted.

 

[Pizza1988]

I own a 99' Thumb BO 5 and no issues. Used it live for years (before getting a streamer) and I surely threw it around a lot

Also this:

Warwick is pretty good about making those CNCd neck pockets VERY tight and square, so the bolts can do their job right.

 

[Taustin Powers]

I have a 1994 Thumb BO 4. I will repeat what has been stated: Rock solid, no issue whatsoever!

 

[Durham52]

Yes, they've been building them that way for decades. I've never heard of anyone complaining that the neck joints have issues. Even the Cheaper Rock Basses seem to be super solid. Close tolerances and tried and tested design I guess.

These days with CNC machinery, there really is no excuse for bolt on necks with sloppy joints. (Not looking at any manufacturer in particular here....)

 

[burgerdj]

Nope, never had a problem - but agree that based on looks alone it may seem insufficient. Don't worry - it's not.

 

[Chrisk-K]

I had had three MIG Warwick bolt-ons for 15 years. All of them were super stable.

 

[sleepingEB0]

Personally I feel if you're going used then set necks aren't that much more based on what I've seen

 

[Barticus]

It's all about precision CNC with Warwick… that neck pocket is so tight that the neck is never gonna move. I have a Thumb 5 BO as well, it's my favorite Warwick due to the super thin neck.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

GTHintz, this is a 5 string.

My 2006 MIG Corvette is the epitome of stable. That pocket is tight as a drum.

 

[Barticus]

Personally I feel if you're going used then set necks aren't that much more based on what I've seen

Warwick only makes a few different basses in a set neck the Infinity SN is one that comes to mind. Otherwise it's really neck through or bolt-on.

 

[gcbake]

Also slightly asymmetrical which also improves stability.

 

[Barticus]

Also slightly asymmetrical which also improves stability.

The Thumb BO is not asymmetrical and I'm not aware of any other asymmetrical necks as a standard.

I've only owned 1 asymmetrical neck from Warwick and that was a 1997 Corvette 6 that was one-off not standard.

 

[SC Bassboy]

I'll join the chorus: Warwick neck pockets are ridiculously well crafted and stable. Even with the screws out the necks can be a little tricky to remove from the pocket. At first glance the pockets look too small and don't inspire confidence but keep in mind they typically use really hard woods for construction (hence why Wicks are notorious for being hefty) which make them even more stable. If you do buy the bass and remove the necks screws keep in mind they are different lengths on some of the models and need to go back exactly where they were.

 

[direktor]

The Thumb BO is not asymmetrical and I'm not aware of any other asymmetrical necks as a standard.

I think he's talking about the bolt pattern, not the neck profile. Having the bolts not be 90º to each other helps make it more rigid.

 

[TNCreature]

I wouldn't worry for a second.