Custom Thumbrest for a Jazz

[BillySid]

Hey,
I've searched high and low and can't find anything on this. Anyone ever made a custom thumb rest for a jazz bass and what did you use and where did you get it? I know I can buy them cheap, but was just looking for a solution I could make today. Thanx!

[JustDavid]

Cheapest source I've found for small pieces of rosewood is the handle of a kitchen knife from a thrift store. Some cutting, sanding, oiling, drill the starter holes for the mounting screws & viola!!

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Cheapest source I've found for small pieces of rosewood is the handle of a kitchen knife from a thrift store. Some cutting, sanding, oiling, drill the starter holes for the mounting screws & viola!!

That's a good idea!

[MarkusBass]

I also heard of people using black piano keys.

[Vic Winters]

Wooden dowel or for the super cheap, cut yourself a section of a plastic coat hanger.

[BillySid]

Good ideas. Anyone have an idea the type of stuff Tim C from Rage uses? Maybe a plastic type of frame border or something that a craft store would have?

[JustDavid]

I've no idea what Tim uses.

Until we find out, there's likely something at a craft store that can work. A hobby (trains, airplanes, et cetera) shop might give better luck. Or search around the thrift store; might be a black plastic knife handle you prefer the colour of.

How are you going to mount this?

[Lizooki]

Square wooden dowel rod from a craft store. Might even be able to find them at a real hardware store.
Several sizes......anywhere from 1 to 3 ft. lengths.

I bought the 1/4", 3/8', and 1/2" in 1 foot lengths.

I cut to desired length, coarse sand the ends down to a curve, fine sand to a nice finish and paint it whatever.

I use the double-faced foam sticky tape stuff and just stick it where a want it....been there a long time.


Matt

[BillySid]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

I've no idea what Tim uses.

Until we find out, there's likely something at a craft store that can work. A hobby (trains, airplanes, et cetera) shop might give better luck. Or search around the thrift store; might be a black plastic knife handle you prefer the colour of.

How are you going to mount this?

I was thinking either very strong tape of some sort or screws. Right between the two pickups above the E. I dont' want a large piece going across there, just about the size of a regular Fender thumb rest.

[JustDavid]

I don't think a taped one would last me 2 songs.

Is this location over a pickguard? Is the bass painted or open wood?

[BillySid]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

I don't think a taped one would last me 2 songs.

Is this location over a pickguard? Is the bass painted or open wood?

Your probably right. Yeah, part of it would be over the pickguard and the rest on the wood.

[line6man]

My jazz bass is setup for only a bridge pickup, so i needed a thumbrest so i could anchor my finger where the neck pickup was...

I took a piece of 1/4" thick poplar wood that i had in my garage and made a thumbrest out of it.

1. Take the wood and mark off the outline of the thumbrest.
2. Take a coping saw and cut out the thumbrest. Make sure that you cut it slightly larger, because you will need to sand it down.
3. Sand the sawed edges straight on a disc sander.
4. Drill your holes where you want them. First drill a hole for the screw shaft, and then countersink it with a larger drill bit.
5. Bevel the edges carefully on a belt sander. This is the toughest part IMO, because you have to do it evenly.
6. Paint the thumbrest if you want, or just leave it natural.
7. Paint over the thumbrest with clear polyurethane to protect it.

here is a picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28212214@N05/2669524626/

[JustDavid]

My preference would be to screw the thumbrest on from the bottom of the pickguard, likely on a spare pickguard. Might have to go custom pickguard or extend the length of the thumbrest if there's only room for one hole.