Causing damage to bass due to thumb position......

Damani311 · #1 01-26-2008, 05:15 AM

I never really paid attention to where my thumb rests, but apparently it's been digging in right next the the pickup, using the pickup as a ledge. I actually like this setup, and can't really seem to use floating thumb well (mainly due to lack of practice) as having to reposition my thumb every time I change strings does not strike me well.

I COULD just try keeping my thumb up on the corner of the pup, but for some reason it feels more secure/comfortable on the wood. If anyone wants to explain/link the merits of doing it differently please feel free.

Anyway the main point is that I'm causing wear to the wood where my thumb sits. I'm never planning on selling this bass, so as far as resale I could care less. Since it's only been 6 months since i've got it and it's already turning white, I'm not sure how far this damage could go (if it'll make a groove after awhile), or if something like more frequent waxing would solve this. Just curious.

My playing position:

The effects after half a year:

Thanks for any replies!

MarloweDk · #2 01-26-2008, 05:51 AM

I play the same way, deep grooves on some of my basses, but Wear adds "Mojo";-) IMO

Arduy · #3 01-26-2008, 06:40 AM

Hello, Damani 311. Wear adds "MOJO" AND (IMHO) devaluation of the instrument. It only matters if you are planning to sell the bass. If I were you, I'd repair the damage and then apply a thin plastic material (screenshields?) to the area as to protect it. The only other way of not having that problem again is to change your hands/thumb position (this could be difficult...I would stick to the first solution). Bye.

Turnaround · #4 01-26-2008, 08:35 AM

I wouldn't worry about it. Here's a photo of a high-end bass that belongs to a heavy-duty player in my area. He's excavating a nice hole next to the pickup. I just smooth it out, add a bit of colour and finish. The owner says the divot feels like home now.

Attachment 80023

sublime0bass · #5 01-26-2008, 08:38 AM

a rock star friend of mine has those all over his basses. it happens. LOVE

Pilgrim · #6 01-26-2008, 09:46 AM

I'm very oriented to keeping my basses in pristine condition without nicks or scrapes, but even I wouldn't worry about it that much. It's honest playing wear, not some fake-o relic. If you really want to worry about it, add a chunk of clear plastic pickguard over the area that wears.

Valerus · #7 01-26-2008, 10:37 AM

If it's not affecting the playability or anything, then it's cool.

rfclef · #8 01-26-2008, 11:58 AM

One of those little plastic sheets you put on your cel phone or digi camera screen like someone earlier suggested sounds like the ticket.... oughtta stic by static or suction maybe, easily removeable....

davedamage · #9 01-26-2008, 12:21 PM

same thing over the bridge pickup on my wick as well. first bass i've actually put some wear on that i bought new. i was proud.

knuckle_head · #10 01-26-2008, 04:38 PM

...that you'd have to trim yourself;

Clear guards for acoustics

nsmar4211 · #11 01-26-2008, 05:08 PM

Most bass players I know use the pickup as a thumbrest (myself included) so not a bad thing. Never seen the wear like that though

... prob cause of the finish on our basses. But hey, it adds

Snow14 · #12 01-26-2008, 05:12 PM

If you do it too much it will end up looking like this

(Thats my bass by the way)

bassman275 · #13 01-26-2008, 05:26 PM

I don't see this as a problem...I make the same wear marks in about a month of playing...You are not alone...There are ways to minimize this.(if You care)..Clear vinyl or,mylar in these areas will work.(replace as needed.)FWIW.......

Damani311 · #14 01-27-2008, 02:27 AM

Wow Snow how in the world do you get those groove UNDER the strings? Just curious

Thanks for the replies guys, glad to know I don't have to change technique. Do any of you guys move your thumb off the pickup to the strings, or is it mainly on the pickup and B string only?

PilbaraBass · #15 01-27-2008, 06:15 AM

why are you worried about a little wear?

take a look at willie nelson's flat top

you are a musician...the bass is your tool...USE IT!

Zooberwerx · #16 01-27-2008, 08:48 AM

Yep, I've started some wear spots / divots on all my oil-finished basses. I trim my right thumbnail aggressively and am practicing my "floating thumb" technique. My secondhand walnut Cirrus 5 came to me with a nice crater just above the neck pup; I'm starting another at the bridge pup.

Seriously thought about carving a T shaped ramp from veneer and sliding it between the pups for a little added protection. Or I could just have my thumbs surgically amputated like Willem Dafoe's character in "The English Patient".

Riis

JDHayes · #17 01-27-2008, 09:02 AM

My main player is starting to do this too. However I have been playing this bass at least once a week for the last 3 years. Trim your thumb nail, that's more than likely causing 99% of your wear IMO.

**Eric Perry** · #18 01-27-2008, 09:10 AM

I use a small half-circle of the furry side of Velcro cut to the width up of pickups, right above each. It works great, and the Velcro isn't slickery like plastic sheets would be when ya get sweaty.

Bass Below · #19 01-27-2008, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damani311

Do any of you guys move your thumb off the pickup to the strings, or is it mainly on the pickup and B string only?

When I had a bass with a neck pickup, I never took my thumb off of it. I definitely never rested my thumb on my "B" string, not that I think there's anything wrong with that, but I tend to put a huge anmount of force down on my thumb while I play.

Which explains why I could probably never pull off floating thumb. It also explains why I needed to install a thumb rest on my current bass which only has one pickup. It's closer to the bridge than I normally play, so adjustinig to a different playing position wasn't really an option I was interested in.

I'm guessing you probably don't want a thumbrest, since on your bass that you have pictured here, it would drastically change your playing position, but for me a thumbrest is a must. It gives me a much wider ledge for my thumb than any pickup would, so my thumb rarely even touches the body of my bass. I even did some checkering on the surface of my thumb rest to add texture because my thumb kept slipping off, especially on stage where it's 9,000 degrees.

bass71 · #20 01-27-2008, 12:03 PM

Hi,
Easy solution to this.
Your playing and your lovely bass will be much happier if you use the floating thumb method.

Let the thumb rest between E and A to start with, it might feel a bit uncomfortable initially but after a while youll find it much easier to mute and youll stop damaging the bass.