(SOLD) Warwick Thumb BO 5 Natural Satin 1998
Warwick Thumb Bolt-On 5, made in Germany 1998, natural satin. There was a time in my youth when this bass was the absolute peak of low-frequency desirability. The Thumb popped up all over records from P.O.D., Mudvayne, Puddle of Mudd, Karnivool, Slipknot, Fishbone, Story of the Year... they all featured the Thumb at some point. The sound is distinctive: big thick weighty low end, super fast attack, snappy treble, clear harmonics, powerful sustain. The unusual slanted pickups pushed right back towards the bridge add the top end stank, while the bubinga body and clever hardware add the low end oomph. Now, there's Thumbs and there's Thumbs, and this is about as Thumb as a Thumb could hope to be. The pre-2000 examples have a solid African wenge neck, later discontinued due to material shortages, which looks and feels incredible. The five string, solid wenge examples are the sought after ones, and as such they're tricky to find. It lives up to the hype in the hands: the natural sustain is immediately apparent before you even plug it in. This is a great piece of engineering and a very fun instrument to play. Why not max out your life and become the first person you know with three thumbs?
Model: Warwick Thumb BO 5
Made: Germany, 1998
Serial: B-044987-98
Finish: natural satin, oil+wax neck
Body: bubinga
Neck: solid wenge inc fretboard, 34" scale, 47mm nut, modern D shape, 12" radius
Weight: 4.630kg
Mods: none
Pickups: MEC single coil x2, active pre-amp
Accessories: non-original hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a small dent and some dimples on the end, some dimples on both edges and some scuffs on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and some rub wear on the back only. The back has some rub wear around the neck join and top and bottom edges, as well as some dimples and surface scratches in the middle of the body and on the horns. The sides have minor dimples on both horns and the elbow area and some rub wear along the bottom side and elbow area. The front has some dimples around the knobs, scuffs around the bridge and play wear above the pickups and on the horns.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 45/130 Stainless steel strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only