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Warwick thumb v. Ric 4003
- Thread starter Fender2015
- Start date
Neither. Either one is the kind of bass where you need to know that it's really what you want. The question disqualifies you.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Get the Rick so you don't take a bath on the re-sale.
the 2 are so vastly different that im a little skeptical about the question. Are you asking the general public on this forum what they would choose and why? or are you stating that you have the money for one of the 2 and want our input on what YOU should get?
Mike Tyson Vs Carl Lewis. Discuss.
What, exactly, are you looking for in a new bass? If you don't know, keep your money in your pocket.
What, exactly, are you looking for in a new bass? If you don't know, keep your money in your pocket.
buy used and don't lose any money on either one
I've played the Ric and love it, never played a German Warwick. Played a rockbass before I I felt the MECs were too trebly for me. But I love the quality of the Warwick. I really WANT to like it. Then there is the punchy Tony Franklin, but....I have a few pj basses.....
If you love a Rick and are trying to love a Wick...then the answer is clear. However, you may want to try a few German Wick's just to make sure, but I have a feeling you favor the Rick (...or Wick if you talk like Elmer Fudd...)
I've owned both, and they are about as different as you can possibly get, in tone, feel, and appearance. If you've played a Ric and love it, then get it. I wouldn't get a Thumb unless you could try one first, because they are oddballs in comparison to what most would consider typical basses. I've also owned a P-Lyte like what you have, and there's a third bass that is totally different from those two. Basically you are going to have to test them out and see what you hands and ears tell you.
as a thumb bass owner and user i can confidently say that you need to already want a thumb bass to play one.
the tone, feel, user experience is not like your normal bass. Don't buy one hoping you'll fall for it, its not that instrument.
she farts in bed, snores and her friends suck. but she cooks up a mean Pork and Chorizo jambalaya with a side of Jalapeno cornbread.
the tone, feel, user experience is not like your normal bass. Don't buy one hoping you'll fall for it, its not that instrument.
she farts in bed, snores and her friends suck. but she cooks up a mean Pork and Chorizo jambalaya with a side of Jalapeno cornbread.
Wow, normally I kind of laugh off this type of response but in this case it is spot on.
I have a 2015 RIC and a 1995 Thumb. They are not interchangeable. I can use a Ric where a P or a J would be appropriate, finger style. Those same situations (soul, Motown, country, Rock) would require some tone shaping gymnastics to get a mellow fat sound. Now for slap or metal or if a Thumb is Your Tone, a Ric isn't going to get you there.
A Thumb is really a special sort of super Jazz bass. Sort of, but even that isn't really accurate.
A Thumb is really a special sort of super Jazz bass. Sort of, but even that isn't really accurate.
This is a fun question because these basses could hardly be any more different from each other, and are also rather different from anything else.
I own 3 Ricks and a Thumb NT.
The Thumb is in a league of its own for slap/pop/tap. It has that trademark deeper grumbley kind of sound which, when used for slap and pop, sounds thick, warm and pleasant, and won't get harsh and clangy at all. It's responsiveness and articulation are amazing, and make tapping a dream.
The Rick, on the other hand, is awful for slap. It has a much more present/brighter/belchy/gurgley kind of growl, which is just tone Heaven. It is in a league of its own when used with a pick, especially when using the stereo output, where its full potential shines.
Here is a great example of the Thumb tone:
Here is a great example of the Rick tone:
If I had to pick one or the other, I would certainly go with the Rick. It's just, "my sound." But, it can't do what the Thumb does. And what the Thumb does, it does with excellence (and vice-versa).
I own 3 Ricks and a Thumb NT.
The Thumb is in a league of its own for slap/pop/tap. It has that trademark deeper grumbley kind of sound which, when used for slap and pop, sounds thick, warm and pleasant, and won't get harsh and clangy at all. It's responsiveness and articulation are amazing, and make tapping a dream.
The Rick, on the other hand, is awful for slap. It has a much more present/brighter/belchy/gurgley kind of growl, which is just tone Heaven. It is in a league of its own when used with a pick, especially when using the stereo output, where its full potential shines.
Here is a great example of the Thumb tone:
Here is a great example of the Rick tone:
If I had to pick one or the other, I would certainly go with the Rick. It's just, "my sound." But, it can't do what the Thumb does. And what the Thumb does, it does with excellence (and vice-versa).
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I played a Thumb yesterday and loved it. It was amazing.
And I am diehard Ric player going back to 1991 and am totally McCartney inspired. My Ric has a thick neck but up the neck its just superb. The tone with flats is unbeatable. Its going to the grave with me.
The Thumb made me finally lust for another bass in a way my Sadowsky didn't. Thumb really has a unique but superb tone. I think Jack Bruce was onto something when he found them, he mentions it in his book. The thumbs felt comfortable to me sitting and standing to play. The preamp is fine and the pups let you play soft and mellow, but when you dig in with your plucking fingers oh boy it can get some serious grit going in a good way. I would get one in a heartbeat for the right price.
For build quality, the Warwick smokes the Ric by the way.
And I am diehard Ric player going back to 1991 and am totally McCartney inspired. My Ric has a thick neck but up the neck its just superb. The tone with flats is unbeatable. Its going to the grave with me.
The Thumb made me finally lust for another bass in a way my Sadowsky didn't. Thumb really has a unique but superb tone. I think Jack Bruce was onto something when he found them, he mentions it in his book. The thumbs felt comfortable to me sitting and standing to play. The preamp is fine and the pups let you play soft and mellow, but when you dig in with your plucking fingers oh boy it can get some serious grit going in a good way. I would get one in a heartbeat for the right price.
For build quality, the Warwick smokes the Ric by the way.
