Recently scored an amazing deal on a 2007 Warwick Thumb 5 neck-through. Gorgeous wood and huge sound. Yes it's heavy, but not much more than average. I'm on the short side and it fits me well. A 3-1/2 inch sheepskin-lined strap keeps it in place. You do have to get used to reaching further for the low positions since it's long in the neck, but no more so than a 35-inch scale - I used to play a Schecter Stiletto Elite 5 and it had the same long-in-the-neck feel. The Warwick has major bottom end, lots of "snarl" but the active preamps give it enough versatility that you can make it thud for more of a classic rock sound. But it's perfect for funk and good for jazz. Not a great slapper - the taperwounds are part of the problem with their stiffness and odd harmonics so I recommend having the bridge modified for conventional strings. I'm planning to switch mine over to TI Powerbass strings (my personal faves) to add some warmth and "pop." But it will never sound like a bolt-on so you should have one of each. And it deserves to be played through something cleaner than an Ampeg!

I gave it only a 4 on value just because they cost so darn much, but then it's pretty much hand-finished. And a 4 on features because of the cheesy plastic nut - go back to brass, please! Plus a bass in this league should really have an 18-V preamp. But overall it's a bottom-end monster.

I use this as my main bass onstage and in the studio with the bolt on 5 as my live backup. the sound is as solid as it gets. This bass will make a fender feel and sound like a toy. Get the instrument jack replaced asap as the original barrel jacks go out easy. they are neck heavy but I use a 4 inch wide leather strap and I can let it go and it doesn't move at all. For players that are more into fiddling above the 12th frett the bolt on actually cuts threw more high on the neck, but you can't top the low end on the neck threw.

I upgraded from a 5-string Corvette (which I liked a lot), and although I had to sell my car to get the cash, it was totally worth it. The sound is impeccable, it plays awesome (i am primarily a finger funk player), and it looks great. HOWEVER...3 things. 1) I am a little surprised that it doesn't sit all that well on me. I am 6'4", so perhaps that's part of it, but the smaller body's center of gravity (in relation to the Corvette) means that, for me, it makes the bass drop towards my right side slightly, as opposed to sitting square. Not a huge deal, just a little surprising. 2) Warwick has a nuts next to the tuning pegs that allows you to set the action of the bass. It is propped up by two screws, one of which lost its thread. Fortunately, the shop I took it to was familiar with the problem and fixed it by forcing a larger screw through, but 3) i emailed Warwich twice for a replacement (just in case) and never heard back from them. Some customer service... That said, ain't going to stop me from playing it!

I wanted punch, and clarity. I got it. If you want a "P" sound, buy a "P" bass. If you want a "J" bass, buy a "J". I own a thumb 4&5, because I like many people have gotten addicted to the growl, and use it to define my own sound. The only gripe is that in order to get a decent slap sound you have to keep you strings changed often. Mainly due to the fact that it is neck thru, but I knew I was goin to lose a little attack when I bought it. Was it worth it, I think so. For most of my slap stuff I use a dirty blonde thumb. I have other big money basses, but the sound, fit(I am short) and playability, keeps going back to my thumbs. I would suggest the same. Also adjust the strap screws when you get one, they neck-dive like crazy.

This bass has all you can ask for in a bass, the slap sound is great, the deep growl is awsome, and all the different tones it can produce is amazing. You will find a tone for the style of music you are playing. Not only does it sound great, its is very compfortable to play. The back of the bass has concave to fit your body.