After playing Fender style basses, I played recently a Warwick bass (is late 1990s Thumb NT that is belong to my friend) for first time. I loved so much its sound! After this, I decide I must buy one for me, but I know they are having so many different models and I think the qualities are also changing over many years. What I love about my friend's bass was the 'growl' that it have, I don't know how I'm describing it, but maybe Warwick lovers know this sound. So question I am asking, is which of the Warwick basses have the most "growly" sound, of any model and configuration and year?
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What is most 'growly' Warwick bass?
- Thread starter bassbrowser
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Any German made Corvette or Thumb will do the growly low-midrange thing. Most people prefer the bubinga body models over the swamp ash. The ash basses can be much lighter, personally I think they still get "the sound" just fine. Neck specs have changed a lot over the years and it just comes down to preference. Some people think the necks from around 2006 to be too baseball bat like but I love them, very easy on the hands if you play with good technique.
Thumb. Many claim that having both pickups located so close to the bridge gives the bass its signature growl. Others believe bubinga and/or wenge have an effect - I do not personally believe that.
100% this. The thumb pickup angle unlocks so much growl. Why else would the Fodera Ryan Martinie bass have the exact same pickup scheme? That’s a big part of that tone.
OK, so it seem that Thumb bass and Corvette bass will have the most growl. Corvette is less expensive, but I like thin neck, so maybe to avoid near to 2006 models and get older one. As for sound, is any configuration of electronic pieces better than another? I know for example there are humbucker and single coil models, and I think also different preamp types.
The kind of growl you’re probably thinking of is at its max with a Thumb. But I played a Streamer Stage II a long time ago and I’ll never forget the natural throatiness and growl that came out of that bass, even unplugged.
I guess that the Thumb will growl the most. The open question is what are the exact differences between the different configurations:
- BO vs NT
- 4 string with the neck pickup closer to neck vs 5 string with 2 angled pickups near the bridge vs 6 string with soapbars
- ovangkol vs buginga and wenge
- neck shape and it's impact on timbre
Lately I was thinking about buying a Thumb, maybe even a new one, but there are too many options to choose and there is really no source that would provide sound samples showing the differences between them
I think I can get close to the Warwick sound with my Ibanez SR with ovangkol top, wenge neck and Nordstrand Big Singles (but I'm probably wrong):
- BO vs NT
- 4 string with the neck pickup closer to neck vs 5 string with 2 angled pickups near the bridge vs 6 string with soapbars
- ovangkol vs buginga and wenge
- neck shape and it's impact on timbre
Lately I was thinking about buying a Thumb, maybe even a new one, but there are too many options to choose and there is really no source that would provide sound samples showing the differences between them
I think I can get close to the Warwick sound with my Ibanez SR with ovangkol top, wenge neck and Nordstrand Big Singles (but I'm probably wrong):
Of the German Warwicks I played (Dolphin, Thumb, Streamer, Corvette), pretty much all of them could get pretty growly.
The SSII has a huge midrange sound. Absolutely growls, although not as much as the thumb.
Yup, Thumb, specifically the 5-string models. I'm not sure why Warwick went with different pickups in different locations, but that 5-string placement really nails it.
I have a 6 string Jazz Bass and I noticed, that the neck pickup starts to sound too boomy with the low B string, while the bridge pickup is too twangy with the high C string. Maybe that's the reason why a) the Thumb's pickups are angled, and b) the 4 string Thumb uses more standard neck pickup position, while with the 5 string Thumb the pickup had to be moved.
Yeah, streamer stage 2 definitely has that growl too, it's even there when played on the front pickup.
They all kind of have that Warwick thing, the thumb being the most pronounced. The SSII is cool because it can pretty much get there, but do other things as well. I have a Masterman now, and is my fave besides the SSII.
i have a 2006 MIG Corvette. Plenty of growl. all other descriptors posted about them, weight, baseball bat type neck are accurate. That said IMO, it’s a very playable bass and you can get one of these for less than the price of a used G&L Tribute, or Lakland Skyline series bass. I got mine a few years back for under $600 including a brand new semi-hard case.
I think the wenge has a small part in it. I’ve played other basses with wenge necks and they have that sort of midrange growl that Warwicks have, just not as extreme. I’m with you on the pickup placement/angle…especially on the 5 string. The “neck” pickup on my Thumb 5 is growl city, like a grizzly bear.
Thumb bass is the King of Warwick growl:
• Bolt-on and neck-through models both growl. Neck-through offers a bit more treble extension
• 4-, 5-, and 6-string models all growl, even with their varying pickup types and placement
• 1990s Wenge necks not only offer the most growl, but also the easiest and best playing feel. 1990s wood selection overall is the best.
No need to overthink it. 1990s Warwick Thumb for growl and playability. Forget about the rest, especially if you haven't experienced a '90s Thumb.
Caveat? The Thumb can be a total pain in the wrist, regardless of year. Short upper horn causes neck dive for virtually every Thumb. It's well documented on TB. Search if interested in learning about its major ergonomic flaw.
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