Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $5,237
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Warwick Thumb NT 5 Strings". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 19, 2026.
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Description
The Warwick Thumb NT 5 Strings is a masterwork of German engineering that seamlessly blends style, substance, and sound. Since its inception in 1985, this bass has been the go-to choice for musicians across genres, thanks to its versatile design accommodating all playing styles. This version of the Warwick Thumb NT introduces stunning craftsmanship with its sleek, compact body and a tigerstripe ebony fingerboard that offers a smooth playing experience. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the frets are leveled using Warwick’s Invisible Fretwork Technology (IFT), ensuring comfort with no fret-edge protrusion.
Powerful electronics are at the heart of this bass, with Bartolini MM and stacked-coil J-style pickups providing rich, dynamic tones. The MEC preamp offers a 3-band EQ, allowing for easy tonal adjustments to suit any musical setting. Whether you're a session musician or a touring bassist, the Thumb NT’s formidable active electronics ensure you have the right sound at your fingertips. Its ergonomic design includes angled tuner keys and a Tedur Just-A-Nut for effortless adjustments, making it a reliable companion for your musical journey.
Key Features:
- Active Warwick 3-way electronics
- Solid walnut body with flamed walnut top
- Bolt-on wenge neck
- Tigerstripe ebony fingerboard
- Extra-high, extra-hard jumbo brass frets
- Invisible Fretwork Technology (IFT) for comfort
- Passive Bartolini MM-style bridge pickup
- Passive Bartolini Jazz neck pickup
- MEC preamp with 3-band EQ
- Tedur Just-A-Nut III nut
- Warwick tuning machines and 2-piece bridge
- Handcrafted in Germany
- Includes Warwick gig bag
Videos
Framus & Warwick
Warwick Product Specialist Andy Irvine - Demo- Thumb 5 NT
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Warwick Thumb NT 5 Strings.
Comparisons
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Some owners find the Thumb's tone reminiscent of a MusicMan due to the pickup placement close to the bridge, providing a nasally growl.
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A user noted the 5-string version has more neck dive than the 6-string, possibly due to the heavier body of the latter providing better balance.
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The Thumb NT5's neck profile varies by era, with '90s models featuring a thinner wenge neck, as opposed to the ovangkol necks with a flatter D shape.
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Unlike some models, the Thumb NT5's neck isn't overly thick, avoiding the "baseball bat" feel, which some other Warwick models have been criticized for.
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Use cases and applications
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Despite its tonal challenges in a band setting, the Thumb NT5 is praised for its distinct sound and is loved for personal practice and solo performances.
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While known for slap and solo playing, the Thumb NT5 is praised for its performance on low notes, enhancing its versatility in different musical styles.
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The Thumb NT5 excels in metal genres, especially when paired with Neural DSP Parallax or Darkglass gear, delivering a distinctive "growl."
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Features and functionality
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The Thumb NT5's unique tone is described as "woody" and becomes especially aggressive and "beastly" when paired with distortion effects.
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The Thumb NT5's pickups are positioned to encourage a unique right-hand angle, influencing distinct playing techniques, especially for fingerstyle players.
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Setup and maintenance
User experience
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The Thumb NT5 is described as having a mid-heavy, burpy tone that can be challenging to fit within a band mix, especially in classic rock settings.
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Owners have experienced neck warping; inspecting the neck before purchase is crucial to avoid potential issues.
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Despite neck dive concerns, a wide padded strap can effectively mitigate the issue, keeping the neck level during play.
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The small body size leads to ergonomic challenges, requiring players to position the bass higher, almost in the armpit, for comfortable playing.
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Owners report the bass being significantly heavy, similar to an Ibanez BTB, affecting playing posture and potentially causing shoulder strain.
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Mods and upgrades
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Lightweight Gotoh tuners are recommended to replace stock tuners on '90s models for better balance and to preserve the collectible "West Germany" tuners.
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Build quality
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 2 Ratings
96
There is nothing like it it! Complex chords up to fret 26 like a piece of cake.
This base has everything! Upgraded with Bartolini pickups, it actually can sound like a a fretless with warm beautiful tone and solid wood design.
Artist usage
Add artist
In the YouTube video titled "Ryan Martinie - Dig (just him!)," Ryan Martinie is seen playing a Warwick Thumb NT 5 Strings bass guitar, showcasing his skillful technique.
Throughout the music video for Bi, you can see a White 5 string Thumb. You can tell it’s a Thumb by the two angled pickups at the bridge
In this video, Williams is clearly seen playing a Warwick Thumb. Williams stopped using the trusty thumb bass after he was offered a signature bass by Kiesel. Amos now solely plays Kiesel Basses.
This interview says that he uses one. https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2012/02/10/new-school-nick-schendzielos/
In his later career, Billy Bass Nelson has been frequently seen using a Warwick Thumb NT 5-string bass, as evident in user-uploaded photos.
Kevin Sherwood has mentioned using a Warwick Thumb NT 5-string bass. While the specific construction method is not confirmed, it is likely a neck-through design, as suggested by the accompanying user-uploaded photo.
This photo shows Unearth guitarist Buz McGrath playing guitar while on the shoulders of former bassist, John Maggard. John is playing a Warwick Thumb 5 string bass in a natural finish.
In this photo of Mingay playing live, he can be seen playing a Warwick Thumb 5 NT, as evident by the 26 frets.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Warwick Thumb NT 5 Strings, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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