Alright. So I want to get a plan on what I will buy for my next bass. I can't afford one right now, but I want a german Warwick. No shops in my state supply German Warwicks so I can't try any out. Right now I have the rockbass Corvette $$, and I would consider getting a german one as my next bass. It's just that I would rather have the Thumb for it's growl. I would the BO, but I've heard that some of them have neck dives. Is this just on NTs or on older models?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Warwick Thumb vs. Corvette $$
- Thread starter Tomsu99
- Start date
I have a 93 thumb BO and it has no neck dive issues whatsoever. Neck dive is a big no go for me, but I have played one or two (more recent) BO's and an old fretless 90 NT with light neck dive tendencies. One was a dirty blonde, light as a feather , though... And since my previous Wick was a 'Neck dive free' fretless Vette from 97, I can assure you the Thumb is a no brainer. Go for it
Thumb in normal position (never mind the Wal in front of it)
Thumb in normal position (never mind the Wal in front of it)
Since you already have a corvette, altho rockbass, I think a thumb will be a better choice for variety. Rockbasses are already 90% there vs german builds imho.
Thumbs, to me, are "must try before buying" basses. They are very particular and not, ergonomically speaking, for everyone. Regarding neck dive, Thumbs are definitely prone to diving as they have such short upper horns. Some are, however, worse than others. You also might want to keep in mind that Thumbs can be quite heavy.
I have both models and both are 5 string bolt-ons. The thumb is from 2006 and has the ovangkol baseball bat neck. It does have some neck dive and weighs slightly over 10 pounds. My Corvette $$ was made at the end of 2012 when they switched back to wenge and a slimmer neck profile. It is a bit lighter than the Thumb (not by much though) and balances better. I think if you're getting a 4 string Thumb from 2013 or later neck dive may not be as much of an issue. But it is best to try one as bass12 said, or buy from a store with a return policy.
what folks call neck dive is a difference in expectation of the bass position. A Thumb is played high and naturally balances almost horizontally. I have a 4 and 5 strings and love them. the neck is super fast and the sound is so unique. I also have a StingRay and a Jazz and i had a Streamer too. they just sit more at an angle but again it is not more or less comfortable. it is just different. I find that I love the Thumb position and I dont try to "fight" but adapt to it.
My Thumb BO 4 hung horizontally but the two Thumb BO 5s that I owned would actually dive below horizontal. This is where it can be important to try the bass out first, because they don't all behave exactly the same way.
I noticed you're from Ottawa. The first Thumb I bought was at Long & McQuade in Ottawa (there wasn't anywhere selling Warwicks in Montreal at the time). It was a BO 5. I tried it out in the store and liked the sound (although I wasn't crazy about the huge neck). I got back home to Montreal with my new bass and strapped it on. Oops - the headstock headed straight for the floor. In all my excitement at the shop I hadn't tried the bass while standing! I drove back to Ottawa first thing the next morning and traded it for the BO 4 (which had less neck dive and ended up being a great bass).
I bought my Thumb used but it most likely originated from Long and McQuade, which unfortunately doesn't carry Warwicks anymore. I love playing the thing but God help me if I had to do a 3 hour gig with it!
