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uethanian
10-17-2007, 11:38 PM
not sure if this is luthierire or setup...

i use floating thumb technique and i've been a little annoyed with my performance on the bottom string. i either have to press my hand against the body or try to hold my hand up in the air. not a consistent sound (for me at least).

the idea came to me that something along the lines of a ramp/thumbrest could be attached to the body to aid with floating thumb. im picturing a ridge above the low string, spanning the length between the bridge and fingerboard. it would be wide and flat enough for the thumb to rest comfortably on, and it would be far enough from the string to not cause problems with slap. it would be equal height with the string so the hand transition between the two would be seamless. sound like a plan?

vicenzajay
10-17-2007, 11:41 PM
idea at all. I've completely switched to floating thumb for all my basses - 4 or 5 string, and it is a bit "interesting" holding the thumb in the air while playing the bottom string.

Good idea - Jay

uethanian
10-18-2007, 12:25 AM
here's a bad visual:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/uethanian/Photo23-1.jpg

so the distance from the block to the string would be equal to the distance between the strings. it would be like having an extra string that you use solely for resting the thumb on. it looks a little strange tacked on to traditional basses, but it would be fine if it was a clear plastic. i picked a p bass for the pic cause im getting a cheap one soon and this is something i'm considering.