Warwick "JD" Thumb bass

[howlin]

It's funny that I never really considered a Warwick until recently when I saw someone demoing a Thumb bass and I realized that it had some appeal to me and then this bass pops up and now an actual Warwick Thumb pops up as well:

According to the description it's a neck-thru with Seymour Duncan EQ-able pickups and he mentions someone named "John Deere" hence the JD. Here's a photo of the serial number from the top-edge of the headstock:

I wrote to Warwick and sent them these images but I kinda need to move on this ASAP as it's priced around 500 bucks and I don't think it will be around too long. Thanks.

[Yes, I am actually looking for a 5-string but this might be too good to pass up so I'm considering my options]

 

[ole Jason]

For $500 that is a steal unless it has some kind of major neck issue.

 

[Minirehak 212]

If you're looking for a 5 string buy that and we can talk about a trade. That's my dream bass right there and I swear to god tmif you don't pick that up at that price something will die

 

[nixdad]

Nice find!

I haven't seen one of these in years. This is one of the early Thumb basses which still had the "spline" down the back of the headstock. I believe "JD" stands for "John Davis" who was an American slap and pop player who was somewhat responsible for the design. At some point they removed the initials from the truss rod cover.

 

[ole Jason]

If you decide to pass on it let us know where it is, I'd buy it right now for $500

 

[barginkov]

500 ? For that bass.. I would have bought it first ,, ask questions later

 

[howlin]

Wow! Just WOW!

I had no idea what this thing was and now I'm champing at the bit thinking this could be the deal we all dream about.

In the meantime: I had sent an email inquiry to Warwick before posting this thread and, since it's the weekend, I figured I wouldn't hear anything before Monday at the earliest. Low & behold I open my email this morning and I get this from the man himself, Hans Peter Wilfer:

thanks for your request and interest into your Warwick Bass and for
giving me the requested information. Please note as following :

- Bass Thumb Bass NT 4-string

Serial Number A 652 87

Year 1987

Month January

Number 652

Neck Wood Wenge Wood with Bubinga lamination

Fingerboard Wenge Wood with mother of Dot Inlays in the fingerboard

Frets Bronce Warwick Frets

Nut Just a Nut Brass Version

Neck construction Neck through hidden neck construction

Body 3 pcs. solid Bubinga Wood

Surface Oil Finish / Beewax

Pickups 2 activ Seymour Duncan Pickups

with mini EQ Switches

Electronic active 2 Band MEC Electronic

Hardware Black Hardware made from Schaller for Warwick

Made in West Germany / Pretzsfeld (Franconia)

We wish you an ongoing pleasure playing your Thumb Bass NT

4 string Warwick Bass and if you have time and personal interest

to join our Facebook page please sign up under

- Framus/Warwick Facebook

Framus & Warwick | Facebook

with best regards

Warwick GmbH & Co Music Equipment KG
H.P.Wilfer 18.09.2016, 10:32
Framus & Warwick / Markneukirchen / Germany

I was curious if the SD pickups were original but this reply states that they are.

 

[HalfManHalfBass]

It looks like a great deal, but what's going on with the tuners in the 1st picture? They look like they're sitting in huge bushings (one of which is lifting) and their posts are splayed outwards?! I've never seen anything like that before...

I remember those pickups, they have 2 or 3 tiny little dip switches at their ends.

Peace,

Rob.

 

[HalfManHalfBass]

It looks like a great deal, but what's going on with the tuners in the 1st picture? They look like they're sitting in huge bushings (one of which is lifting) and their posts are splayed outwards?! I've never seen anything like that before...

I remember those pickups, they have 2 or 3 tiny little dip switches at their ends.

Peace,

Rob.

My bad, but good old Google search!

There was a similar model for sale (actually on here once) with the same tuners it would seem:

SOLD - FT '87 Warwick Thumb JD *Rare*

Peace,

Rob.

 

[Triad]

The early models had the tuners tilted and the back of the headstock "carved". Nice stuff.
JD is for "John Davis" if I remember correctly. An american bass player that served in a german base and worked with Warwick for the first prototypes of the Thumb bass.