@aceofbass131 Those were D'addario Prosteels on all those basses. Gauges: .028w, .040, .060, .080, .100, and .130T (tapered). My favorite, decently-affordable strings. But the strings were very new, so on the Thumb, you're hearing a mixture of those new strings, the room sound, the original Warwick pre and pickups, and the SWR workingman's 12 combo. Good luck!
@MrBassdog They are, although they're slightly more tilted on the SSII. I favor the neck pickup for the treble strings, and the bridge pickup for the bass strings. So the bridge pickup is higher on the bass side, neck is higher on treble side. However, I do that to kind of approximate the pickup placement that the Thumb naturally has, so on that bass, I do it much less. Also, on the SSI, the pickups are less tilted, but would be slightly tilted as I've described.
@lexefx Excellent! you're exactly the demographic I was looking to reach, then! I think almost none of the tonal character is coming from either preamp. Most on board preamps don't color the sound much in my opinion - just boost or cut at slightly different freq's compared to eachother, which doesn't change the overall tonal personality of the bass. Also, I never really cut or boost on board much at all, so all the on board EQ is fairly close to center detents on all of these clips.
@Sabiano Hey, Sabiano! Well, I certainly didn't intend for that to be the feeling that comes across. I don't feel like the Thumb sounds or feels cheap in any way. Did you watch Part I of this video, also? That features a little bit of a different sound from the Thumb. Yes, the amp and amp settings are the same for each bass. But this bass uses the standard MEC III preamp, where as I have an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp in the SSII and the SSI.
@lexefx Also, the SSII can sound a little more thumb like by favoring the bridge pickup and boosting the 400hz mid freq, which the Aguilar OBP-3 preamp, along with the little switch by the mid control, allows me to do. So you can get a more throaty sound with those settings - but that tonal character never fundamentally changes, so if it's the Thumb's sound you like, you should go for a Thumb! My fav's the SSII though, I have to admit.
@JacqueRamon Hey! Well, I've been playing the SSII for 10 years, so it's practically a part of me. I've only had the Thumb for a couple weeks. So right now, I'd definitely say I prefer the SSII for playability and tone. That said, the Thumb cuts through better so far, it seems, when I play with my drummer, and its playability is great, too! The SSI is a little too wide-necked for my personal comfort level, and is the heaviest of the 3.
@bigvelvetdog Sure thing. The SSII has a fuller acoustic tone that resonates more, and is both bright and deep. The Thumb is also very bright and deep and sounds great, but has less mids and sounds a bit more compressed in comparison, and while it resonates plenty, it doesn't as much as the SSII. The SSII has an Afzelia body and Ovangkol neck. They're all 34". I made a 35", and there's not much difference. I would try to clone the SSII or merge the qualities of that and the Thumb!!
Very helpful. I'm on the hunt for a P-Nut II, but can't find anyone willing to sell, so I have a feeling it's probably going to come down to a SS1 and SS2. I think the 2's goona get the nod if it comes down to that.
I've kinda always been after the SSII's sound, I would love to hear its more throaty approach. to me the thumb has a cool effect, but the SSII is just SO rippin! Thanks again for the replies and the vids
Wicked! I really dig the Thumb and the SSII. The thumb's got this mid-range I really appreciate. The SSII has a much clearer and more ringy tone - would you say the preamp difference play a big factor- or is it the basses themselves? I'd love to see how much you could get the SSII to sound like the thumb. I'm looking to snag one, so this vid set is right up my alley- Cheers! thanks bro!
Hey Sean, Great vids! I was wondering if I could get your opinions on the basses unpluged. Since this is a comparison topic, before you even plug it into an amp which bass resonates with you the best and what woods is it made of??? How about the scale? Are they all 34"? In other words, based on your experiences if you were going to build the ultimate bass what would you build it out of bases on what you already like?
what your personal preference for playability and tone? I used to own a fortress one which I had for many years before selling it and now I've just purchased a streamer pro (due to my budget) as I've decided to go back to playing a Warwick bass again.
what kind of strings do you use on the thumb? I have a 97 Thumb BO and I have tried DRs, Ernie, D'addario, and GHS's...what do you use to get that enhanced growl?
I've been looking at a Thumb 6 for some time but in this vid next to the SSII its sounds kind of lame and cheap. Are u using the same amp set-up and settings for all of them or do u change them?
Sean, thanks so much for this comparison video, as I'm contemplating getting a SSII fretless 4 string. Did that low B on the SSII 5 string seem to be flopping on you? Would some heavier flat wounds with higher string tension have fixed that?
Jim Nesta, I'm so glad you got something out of it! The SSII is a fantastic bass. I like low-tension strings with low action, so that may have been what you were perceiving. When I use heavier B strings and raise the action up to where most like it, the B string is not unusually floppy. And yes, flats, generally having higher tension, would go a long way towards tightening up the B and all the others :)
@Sabiano Hey, Sabiano! Well, I certainly didn't intend for that to be the feeling that comes across. I don't feel like the Thumb sounds or feels cheap in any way. Did you watch Part I of this video, also? That features a little bit of a different sound from the Thumb. Yes, the amp and amp settings are the same for each bass. But this bass uses the standard MEC III preamp, where as I have an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp in the SSII and the SSI.
@aceofbass131 Those were D'addario Prosteels on all those basses. Gauges: .028w, .040, .060, .080, .100, and .130T (tapered). My favorite, decently-affordable strings. But the strings were very new, so on the Thumb, you're hearing a mixture of those new strings, the room sound, the original Warwick pre and pickups, and the SWR workingman's 12 combo. Good luck!
@MrBassdog They are, although they're slightly more tilted on the SSII. I favor the neck pickup for the treble strings, and the bridge pickup for the bass strings. So the bridge pickup is higher on the bass side, neck is higher on treble side. However, I do that to kind of approximate the pickup placement that the Thumb naturally has, so on that bass, I do it much less. Also, on the SSI, the pickups are less tilted, but would be slightly tilted as I've described.
@lexefx Excellent! you're exactly the demographic I was looking to reach, then! I think almost none of the tonal character is coming from either preamp. Most on board preamps don't color the sound much in my opinion - just boost or cut at slightly different freq's compared to eachother, which doesn't change the overall tonal personality of the bass. Also, I never really cut or boost on board much at all, so all the on board EQ is fairly close to center detents on all of these clips.
@myflash, You're soooooo welcome!
@Sabiano Hey, Sabiano! Well, I certainly didn't intend for that to be the feeling that comes across. I don't feel like the Thumb sounds or feels cheap in any way. Did you watch Part I of this video, also? That features a little bit of a different sound from the Thumb. Yes, the amp and amp settings are the same for each bass. But this bass uses the standard MEC III preamp, where as I have an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp in the SSII and the SSI.
@lexefx Also, the SSII can sound a little more thumb like by favoring the bridge pickup and boosting the 400hz mid freq, which the Aguilar OBP-3 preamp, along with the little switch by the mid control, allows me to do. So you can get a more throaty sound with those settings - but that tonal character never fundamentally changes, so if it's the Thumb's sound you like, you should go for a Thumb! My fav's the SSII though, I have to admit.
@JacqueRamon Hey! Well, I've been playing the SSII for 10 years, so it's practically a part of me. I've only had the Thumb for a couple weeks. So right now, I'd definitely say I prefer the SSII for playability and tone. That said, the Thumb cuts through better so far, it seems, when I play with my drummer, and its playability is great, too! The SSI is a little too wide-necked for my personal comfort level, and is the heaviest of the 3.
@bigvelvetdog Sure thing. The SSII has a fuller acoustic tone that resonates more, and is both bright and deep. The Thumb is also very bright and deep and sounds great, but has less mids and sounds a bit more compressed in comparison, and while it resonates plenty, it doesn't as much as the SSII. The SSII has an Afzelia body and Ovangkol neck. They're all 34". I made a 35", and there's not much difference. I would try to clone the SSII or merge the qualities of that and the Thumb!!
Very helpful. I'm on the hunt for a P-Nut II, but can't find anyone willing to sell, so I have a feeling it's probably going to come down to a SS1 and SS2.
I think the 2's goona get the nod if it comes down to that.
@threeforty7 I'd go with the II ;)
I've kinda always been after the SSII's sound, I would love to hear its more throaty approach. to me the thumb has a cool effect, but the SSII is just SO rippin! Thanks again for the replies and the vids
Wicked! I really dig the Thumb and the SSII. The thumb's got this mid-range I really appreciate. The SSII has a much clearer and more ringy tone - would you say the preamp difference play a big factor- or is it the basses themselves? I'd love to see how much you could get the SSII to sound like the thumb. I'm looking to snag one, so this vid set is right up my alley- Cheers! thanks bro!
Hey Sean, Great vids! I was wondering if I could get your opinions on the basses unpluged. Since this is a comparison topic, before you even plug it into an amp which bass resonates with you the best and what woods is it made of??? How about the scale? Are they all 34"? In other words, based on your experiences if you were going to build the ultimate bass what would you build it out of bases on what you already like?
Great video! I wish I had seen it before I bought the thumb nt...I know lots of people like the sound but it's just not for me.
what your personal preference for playability and tone? I used to own a fortress one which I had for many years before selling it and now I've just purchased a streamer pro (due to my budget) as I've decided to go back to playing a Warwick bass again.
amazing staff :)very helpful!!! nice travelling at 4 :11;)
2:54 Mmh that sound
what kind of strings do you use on the thumb? I have a 97 Thumb BO and I have tried DRs, Ernie, D'addario, and GHS's...what do you use to get that enhanced growl?
I've been looking at a Thumb 6 for some time but in this vid next to the SSII its sounds kind of lame and cheap. Are u using the same amp set-up and settings for all of them or do u change them?
Thank you soooooooooooo much
Sean, thanks so much for this comparison video, as I'm contemplating getting a SSII fretless 4 string. Did that low B on the SSII 5 string seem to be flopping on you? Would some heavier flat wounds with higher string tension have fixed that?
Jim Nesta, I'm so glad you got something out of it! The SSII is a fantastic bass. I like low-tension strings with low action, so that may have been what you were perceiving. When I use heavier B strings and raise the action up to where most like it, the B string is not unusually floppy. And yes, flats, generally having higher tension, would go a long way towards tightening up the B and all the others :)
didnt hit the sixth string once!!
am I the only one who feels that the SS II sounded horrible?
@Sabiano Hey, Sabiano! Well, I certainly didn't intend for that to be the feeling that comes across. I don't feel like the Thumb sounds or feels cheap in any way. Did you watch Part I of this video, also? That features a little bit of a different sound from the Thumb. Yes, the amp and amp settings are the same for each bass. But this bass uses the standard MEC III preamp, where as I have an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp in the SSII and the SSI.