Warwick Thumb NT5 - I am confused about the neck wood.

[superheavydeathmetal]

This is more of a question post than a, "hey look at this!"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-Warwick-Th ... 3d047a1a38

I saw this listing and thought, "a 2000 NT should have a 5-piece Ovangkol neck. This looks like a 7-piece Wenge to me."

I asked the seller for the serial number (which you can almost make out in the back of the headstock in the pictures), and the Warwick serial number decoder indeed says it is a 2000 Thumb NT5 lefty with an Ovangkol neck. But this neck wood looks more like Wenge to me. Ovangkol is much lighter and less reddish.

Any thoughts?

I could send this to Warwick to support to see what they say.

Disclaimer: I am not trying to question the honesty of the seller. The serial number provided matches (as far as I can tell) the serial number in the pictures, and matches the information provided in the listing.

[Addison]

It looks identical to my old NT5 which was a 7-piece wenge and bubinga sandwich.

[fivebass52]

Beautiful bass, and you've got to like all the detailed pics this seller took the time to take and post, especially the micrometer pics!

[superheavydeathmetal]

Warwick says it's a Wenge neck!

Wow! I thought they stopped using Wenge in 1998. I wonder if this bass was made from some leftover stock of Wenge.

Even though the 7-piece Wenge necks are more desireable than the 5-piece Ovangkol, this bass is still listed at several hundred dollars over market value, in my "that guy is a mook" opinion.

Warwick started using Wenge again in 2013 so it is only a matter of time before the newer basses trickle down into the used market.

[gravesbass]

Of all the bass manufacturers out there, Warwick is one of the few that seem to get higher dollars on the used market.

They still used Wenge in early 2000's. Ovankol came later and if you ever owned a Wenge vs' Ovankol you would understand the tone differences. Wenge Wick's are BADASS!! There was also a period of "fat necks" vs thinner "comfortable" necks. There was also a period of body shape. The older ones were shaped different than newer.

Older Wick's are great but $2400+ is overvalued in the used market. It should be more in the range of $1800/$2000 especially right now. Thumb basses have their own thing. I love them but get used to a neck heavy bass even with UltraLite tuners.

**EDIT... Looks like the Wick's have gone up a little in the used market. He might be in the right range now.

[superheavydeathmetal]

There is a guy in the UK trying to sell an NT4 from 1991 for $2900.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1991-Wa ... SwHnFVitDc

It has also been more recently listed on Reverb:
https://reverb.com/item/1184937-vintage ... tar-w-case

I'd love to get my hands on that beast, but not for anything like that kind of money.

[fivebass52]

There's simply no wood that looks as cool, and as primal, as Wenge. The neck in my Custom Bass/Avatar is made up of Wenge, and Maple, with a nice piece of ebony on top. The back is Black Limba, and the top is Quilted Bubinga... balances perfectly, and only weighs 8.5lbs! Not trying to hijack...

[superheavydeathmetal]

Very cool. I especially dig the Black Limba.

[bhunt1]

that is an amazing combo of woods there

[fivebass52]

Thanks Guys....