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Just got my Warwick Thumb NT 5 Fretless back
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Author:  gravesbass [ August 22nd, 2011, 6:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Just got my Warwick Thumb NT 5 Fretless back
I have been wanting an older Neck Thru handmade Thumb bass for a long time. I am a proud owner of a "take a chance" fooked neck thumb bass. This bass was on craigslist in Philly over a month ago and my bro thumbslam went out of his way to look at it for me. We did the deal over the phone with the owner. I almost didn't snag her because the neck was dippy and had a horrible bow in it. The truss rod was maxed out tight also. I closed the deal and had it shipped to me. I took it to my luthier, Gary Brower in San Francisco to heat bend the neck (took several times) and level the board. There was no promise it would work but the results are stunning. It worked. :)

I sent a letter to Warwick and Hans Peter Wilfer, President of Warwick sent me a reply that it was a rare one in great shape and one of the first built. One of the board administrators "Florin" replied and said Hans built this bass. Back then they were all built by hand, no machines except for router and drilling. He handmade this bass and it was the first year they produced the 5 string thumbs in left handed. This is one of the first production fretless basses. I am a happy camper and give thumbslam a big thank you brotha for taking care of me with this. Good dude there!!!!

Just in time to install the Bartolini Pickups and Aguilar OBP3 18v Preamp. This bass is 12lbs….. Ouch!!

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Author:  gravesbass [ August 22nd, 2011, 6:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just got my Warwick Thumb NT 5 Fretless back
It is in fantastic shape for a 1987 (24 year old bass). It lived under a rock for many years.

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Author:  belinmad [ August 22nd, 2011, 6:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just got my Warwick Thumb NT 5 Fretless back
Wow! Really, really beautiful bass, it seems it was well worth the effort.
Wouldn't mind some sound samples if you're up to it.
Author:  gravesbass [ August 22nd, 2011, 6:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just got my Warwick Thumb NT 5 Fretless back
Just got it back... Lots of work still to do to it and electronics and pups to install. I do most of the work myself but not touching the heat bending leveling part.
Author:  Frenchy-Lefty [ August 22nd, 2011, 8:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just got my Warwick Thumb NT 5 Fretless back
Quote:
Just in time to install the Bartolini Pickups and Aguilar OBP3 18v Preamp. This bass is 12lbs….. Ouch!!


Why not keeping the original electronic?
Author:  gravesbass [ August 22nd, 2011, 9:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just got my Warwick Thumb NT 5 Fretless back
Frenchy-Lefty wrote:
Quote:
Just in time to install the Bartolini Pickups and Aguilar OBP3 18v Preamp. This bass is 12lbs….. Ouch!!


Why not keeping the original electronic?


Because they are 2-band, no mids and 24 years old and the EMG Pups are weaker with age. The B and G string could be more pronounced. If you follow the Warwick boards, a LOT of people put Bart pups and electronics in these basses. I chose the OBP-3 Pre for optimal aggressive growl. perfect match with the Bart pups! :mrgreen:
Author:  Frenchy-Lefty [ August 22nd, 2011, 11:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just got my Warwick Thumb NT 5 Fretless back
Actually as much as I don't like the Barts on a fretted bass (too dark and no bite in my opinion), I love them on a fretless so thumbs up on your choice. The bass looks awesome!
Author:  AzWhoFan [ August 23rd, 2011, 9:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Just got my Warwick Thumb NT 5 Fretless back
nice score Graves!

Tell me, how do you heat treat a neck-thru? Did your luthier have to take the body wings off?
Author:  gravesbass [ August 23rd, 2011, 10:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Just got my Warwick Thumb NT 5 Fretless back
AzWhoFan wrote:
nice score Graves!

Tell me, how do you heat treat a neck-thru? Did your luthier have to take the body wings off?


Thanks man... As far as I know, they loosen the truss rod and put the neck in clamps on a bench. They then heat with heating blankets or some other elements (depending) and bow the neck back while heating and leave for hours at a time. This is a multi-process. It heats the glue and sets in a different spot of the neck. It cools down and with several heat treatments, they can get it straight again (hopefully). My neck was horrible and the truss rod was maxed and still had too much relief and worse on the bass side. After the process, the luthier leveled the fingerboard. So far it seems ok but time will tell. He did it enough that now the truss rod is not doing as much work keeping the neck straight and the Wenge is so solid and hard that it almost doesn't even need a truss rod... LOL
Ill find out today exactly what they did. Didn't get to talk with Gary yesterday.
Author:  NoXX [ August 23rd, 2011, 6:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just got my Warwick Thumb NT 5 Fretless back
Fantastic!!
Author:  markcv [ September 6th, 2011, 8:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Just got my Warwick Thumb NT 5 Fretless back
Gorgeous bass Graves! :) Nice project. Glad to hear that so far it appears to have worked out for you. I'd like to second the call for sound samples if you get the chance or the inclination.

Cheers!
Author:  soulfunkbass [ November 15th, 2011, 11:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Just got my Warwick Thumb NT 5 Fretless back
OMG!! Love it.. Damn.. Yea man, once you got the new elecs in there post some clips please :)
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