Warwick Thumb versus Peavey Cirrus

[BrainiacManiac]

I have an opportunity for either a used Warwick Thumb 4 string made in Germany 2015 or a vintage Peavey Cirrus 4 string neck-through made in USA.

I owned several Warwick basses and I love the Warwick sound, I currently still own one, a nice 1994 Fortress One active version. Whereas Peavey, I personally have no prior experience with them but I have heard good things about them.

My current budget is a bit tight.
The Warwick Thumb is € 1.2k, and the Peavey Cirrus is €800.

I know the Peavey Cirrus is the allegedly “poor-man’s Ken Smith” and I love the sound of a Ken Smith bass, I just could never afford a real one. Also I like to use very thin strings (30-85 or 35-90) on my 4 string basses, the 35 inch scale length of the Cirrus is a plus for me as it helps with the string tension.

I cannot decide which one to get. What are your thoughts? Which one will you get if you are in this situation?

The basses I currently have: a 6 string fretless NS Design CR Radius, a 4 string made in Germany 1994 Fortress One active, an Overwater 6 string Progress.

The basses I previously had: a Warwick Custom Shop Infinity 5, a Music Man Stingray Classic 4, a Sandberg Forty Eight 4, a Schecter Stiletto Studio 6, a made in Germany Warwick Fortress One passive, a Warwick Streamer LX 4 string, a Tune Zi Somnus 6 string fretless, a 6 string Ibanez BTB 20th anniversary model, a vintage 1982 Ibanez Musician MC924 PJ, a Status Graphite S2 5.

 

[BrainiacManiac]

Bump

 

[nonohmic]

I'd buy the Thumb and rip the frets out of it.

 

[BrainiacManiac]

I'd buy the Thumb and rip the frets out of it.

Fretless Warwick basses are awesome. I know that Steve Bailey is currently with Warwick and I love his sound.

Personally I want all my fretless basses to have at least 6 strings so yeah I do not see myself playing a 4 string fretless.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

While I haven't owned a German-made Warwick Thumb before (good grief, would I love to), I did own a USA Peavey Cirrus 5'er several years ago. Ehhh...not really my thing, as I found the Warwick Rockbass Corvette I owned a few years later to be a far superior bass in terms of tone. Peavey was well-made, but I think the pickups and preamp weren't my thing.

In your shoes, I'd grab the Warwick before it's too late.

 

[FRoss6788]

Ever had a Thumb on a strap?

I LOVE the tone of the Thumb and MUCH prefer the ergo’s of the Cirrus.

 

[VS]

I'd definitely go for the Cirrus, personally. I found my Warwick Dirty Blonde Thumb bass to be very thin sounding and rather limited in it's range. It probably needed a preamp upgrade to get the best out of it. I've owned 5 U.S. Peavey Cirrus basses and I live by them. I owned a 95' Fortress Masterman 5 and found it far superior in tone to the Thumb bass. The Fortress is my Warwick of choice.

 

[overit]

Looks like you’ve had a bunch of Warwicks. With the tight budget and the scale length being a positive thing for you, I’d give the Peavey a go.

I used to drool over Thumb basses then I got to sit down with one and I just didn’t find it comfortable. I’ve also had a couple USA Peaveys and they were great, got em for cheap but didn’t hold onto them.

 

[groovaholic]

Those are two VERY different basses - both in sound and in neck profile.
I imagine that you'd have a clear preference within a couple seconds of playing.

So, go try them both if you can.
You have a much better idea of what you want - the sound you want to hear and what feels good in your hands - than we do.

 

[ColinR]

I'm a six string fretless guy myself.

Many years ago, my first 6 was a Peavey TL-6, which I believe in many aspects is similar to the Cirrus series. As I have fond memories of that bass starting my exclusive six string journey, I had to get rid of it because I could not pull the sound out if it I was looking for. That being said, I have never owned a Warwick but always admired them until I spent time with one. I do not like the necks.

It sounds like the better deal here is the Warwick, with possible resale value greater than the Peavey. But as to how they play for you, only you can decide that. Good luck.

 

[birminghambass]

Owned and gigged both. The Thumb has a VERY distinct voice and feel. I love Warwicks (still own a Streamer) but I'd go Cirrus all day long.

 

[Klangfarbe]

Nate Navarro made a nice comparison some years ago.



However, since the 4 String versions are in question, I like to add that the difference between your Fortress and a Thumb won't be that huge. This is to the rather similar PU placement compared to the "2 Bridge PUs" on the 5 string.

 

[JoeyFab]

Currently own a Cirrus 5; never owned a Warwick.

The Cirrus 5 is my go-to bass for EVERYTHING. It's SOOOO versatile, reliable, and easy to play. It's my fav, and I will only part with it when I expire. I've also owned an Alvarez 5 (yuck, it's GONE!), a Yamaha 5 (used to gig with it before the Cirrus, still constantly practice with it), a Schecter Stiletto 5 (GREAT value, but it's also gone), a SBMM 4 (gigged with it tuned to drop D for a heavy sound), a Jackson Spectra 4 (got a great deal, gigged with it often), and a Fender acoustic/electric 4 (gigged with it a few times on special acoustic occasions).

If I ever get destitute and homeless, the Cirrus 5 will be the only one with me on the streets. It's THAT good.

 

[ole Jason]

It would be the Warwick for me, no question. Just be sure the ergonomics work for your body, that's always the sticking point with the Thumb.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Those are two VERY different basses - both in sound and in neck profile.
I imagine that you'd have a clear preference within a couple seconds of playing.

So, go try them both if you can.
You have a much better idea of what you want - the sound you want to hear and what feels good in your hands - than we do.

THIS is by far the best reply to your query that you've received thus far, BrainiacManiac. It isn't always the case that getting hands on the instruments in question is the best approach - but in this case it certainly is.

I've never played a Warwick - though I'm well aware of their reputation for distinctive excellence. I've only demo'ed a Cirrus - and was very impressed with the extraordinary clarity of the instrument "Poor man's Ken Smith" indeed.

For me, transitioning from a 34-inch scale instrument to a 35-inch scale instrument would be an important issue to consider. Certainly doable with some substantial woodshedding - for a fretted bass guitar; somewhat more of an issue if we're talking fretless. Would just take some additional woodshedding.

Hard to go wrong with either option. Good luck and good drummers to you!

MM

 

[Ron Berenato]

Yes - PLAY THEM BOTH. I've lusted over many, many basses only to be completely unimpressed when I finally got my hands on one.

 

[BrainiacManiac]

Responding to all the concerns about the ergonomics, I mostly play seated in classical position, so heavy basses or basses that are not perfectly balanced usually do not bother me much.

I have played someone else’s 6 string Thumb in the past, both neck-through version and bolt-on version. I much prefer the neck-through version as the neck feels much more comfortable to manoeuvre around. But the one I am currently looking at is a 4 string bolt-on version so I guess I will have to try it out first.

The 6 string Overwater I have also has 35 inch scale length, so I am familiar with longer scale lengths.

 

[cyclopsbookworm]

Ever had a Thumb on a strap?

I LOVE the tone of the Thumb and MUCH prefer the ergo’s of the Cirrus.

4" Moody strap with suede back. It'll change your life.

 

[Leisure Weaver]

I've have owned several Warwicks and still have my '99 Thumb BO and a modified Fortress Rockbass. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably choose the Peavey just to have something different in my collection. If I didn't have either, I'd go with the Thumb.

Regarding the neck-through vs bolt-on, I felt, for years, that maybe I was missing out on not spending a little more to get the neck-through, until I needed a neck replacement, and then I was sooo relieved.

 

[logdrum]

Nate Navarro made a nice comparison some years ago.



However, since the 4 String versions are in question, I like to add that the difference between your Fortress and a Thumb won't be that huge. This is to the rather similar PU placement compared to the "2 Bridge PUs" on the 5 string.

The Peavey sounds really great. Also reminds me why StingRay EBMM 5 strings do not work for me (I had owned them 2 times). Also , I know people love Dingwalls dearly, but based on tone alone, I can't jive with that. The Warwick was really plinky on the slap

If all Cirrus basses are like that, I'd go Cirrus