Thumbrest - desireable or not?

Popbumper · #1 06-13-2011, 01:20 PM

Hi all:

Thumbrests - From the early (non-thumb) rests below the G string, to the thumb rest above E, do those playing finger style find them useful, or is the bridge/E-string adequate to your needs? Have you ever found yourself wanting the thumbrest as opposed to the bridge, but can't have one because of an absence of pickguard, or fear of modifying the instrument? Curious as to other opinions, thanks.

Chris

bolophonic · #2 06-13-2011, 01:23 PM

I have always had one right above the E on my Precision basses. They are AWESOME... so much nicer than resting on the edge of the pickups.

**StrangerDanger** · #3 06-13-2011, 01:28 PM

If you dont plan on slapping or playing with a pick then yes its fine. Desirable? Well desire is pretty personal for this part of the internet.

OnlyJerry · #4 06-13-2011, 01:36 PM

I never understood the meaning of a finger/thumbrest under the G string. But a thumb rest above the E string looks nice. I have one lying that I will fit on my incoming vintage modified jazz bass

Why do some basses have rests under the strings?

FunkMetalBass · #5 06-13-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnlyJerry

I never understood the meaning of a finger/thumbrest under the G string. But a thumb rest above the E string looks nice. I have one lying that I will fit on my incoming vintage modified jazz bass

Why do some basses have rests under the strings?

It's referred to as a tug bar. The idea was that you put your fingers there and play with your thumb.

OP. I have a thumb rest in between my pickups so that I don't have to rest on the strings. They're desirable to some, not to others. I would never put one up by the neck, but some people play there.

Popbumper · #6 06-13-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

It's referred to as a tug bar. The idea was that you put your fingers there and play with your thumb.

OP. I have a thumb rest in between my pickups so that I don't have to rest on the strings. They're desirable to some, not to others. I would never put one up by the neck, but some people play there.

FunkMetal:

How is your thumbrest attached? Screwed into the body? Did you install yourself or was it already on your bass? Thanks.

Chris

FunkMetalBass · #7 06-13-2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popbumper

FunkMetal:

How is your thumbrest attached? Screwed into the body? Did you install yourself or was it already on your bass? Thanks.

Chris

Installed it myself with double-sided tape. It was originally a ramp that I made and decided I didn't like, so I pulled it off, cut it, and re-taped it on as a thumb rest. If I ever decide I want a ramp again, I can just tape the rest of it back on and BAM! Good as new.

Evil Undead · #8 06-13-2011, 02:21 PM

I have a tugbar on my Squier. But I don't use it. I just think it's pretty.

walterw · #9 06-13-2011, 02:41 PM

my P-bass has one in the vintage spot below the G just because it looks cool.

i don't slap so it never gets in the way (which never occurred to me until a friend who does slap borrowed it and found it got in the way, to the point he had to remove it for the gig.)

i'm mostly a pick player, but what fingerstyle i do (i'm getting a bit better at it) is all floating-thumb; why force your hand to spread way out for some strings but not others? the thumb just sits on whatever string is below the one i'm hitting, leaving the wrist comfortably at the same angle for all 4 strings and muting the extra strings like it should.

FunkMetalBass · #10 06-13-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

my P-bass has one in the vintage spot below the G just because it looks cool.

i don't slap so it never gets in the way (which never occurred to me until a friend who does slap borrowed it and found it got in the way, to the point he had to remove it for the gig.)

i'm mostly a pick player, but what fingerstyle i do (i'm getting a bit better at it) is all floating-thumb; why force your hand to spread way out for some strings but not others? the thumb just sits on whatever string is below the one i'm hitting, leaving the wrist comfortably at the same angle for all 4 strings and muting the extra strings like it should.

I do this too, except it becomes problematic for the lowest string. Hence, the thumb rest.

PDGood · #11 06-13-2011, 03:16 PM

I like using pickups and strings, maybe because I have small hands and the shorter the distance I have to stretch, the better.

jabsys · #12 06-13-2011, 03:29 PM

Don't have one and can't see me ever having one, my thumb is either on the pickup or E string.

chadhargis · #13 06-13-2011, 03:33 PM

I took the tugbar off my Jazz, but just recently put it back on. I don't use it, but I kept intending to fill the holes left by the screws and never got around to it. Figured I could use some epoxy on the pick guard and color it black (it's a tort guard).

I think it's a nice tribute to the old school days, but I'm a function over form guy, so I'm sure it will get removed again.

fhm555 · #14 06-13-2011, 04:21 PM

When I'm doing the usual two finger style I play anywhere between the 12th fret and the bridge so no need for a thumb bar.

I also do some stuff where I use my thumb and first 2 fingers in a pseudo banjo style finger picking and I curl my third finger and hook it on the bottom edge of the neck pup on my j bass when I do it.

I used to anchor my thumb on top of the neck pup when I played regular finger style but over the years I just started moving up and back from there and one day I realized I no longer anchor my hand at all when playing regular finger style. I sometimes catch myself resting my thumb on the edge of the neck when playing up in that area but only if I'm hanging around there instead of moving. I'm hoping as I become more comfortable with the thumb and two finger thing I'll quit holding on to the neck pup and just let my hand float like it does now when I'm doing the usual two finger.

BigOldHarry · #15 06-13-2011, 04:25 PM

I always removed it from the Fenders I had; I trained myself to either "Float" my thumb, use the pickup or the B string.

Mayers · #16 06-13-2011, 04:31 PM

I hate those things. It makes your hand bend in a very very very bad way, even glue your thumb on the pickup or the E strings. I prefer floating thumb, much better for your hand.

billy57 · #17 06-13-2011, 04:38 PM

I play an epi allen woody&have been using the p'ups for a thumb rest,but don't want to rub the gold finish off. The bass has neck&middle(8" from bridge) p'ups. Does anyone make a nice looking wood thumb rest? This bass has a gorgeous burgundy stain&I don't really wanna put a plastic thumb rest on it. Peace&bass to all...

JTE · #18 06-14-2011, 10:27 AM

Took it off and threw it away on the '73 Precision I bought in '76. Then again with the used '78 I got in '80. I did install the one that came with my VS '62 in 1982, but only left it on for a few days. Tug bars are pointless to me, and the thumb-rest sided ones just get in the way for me.

John

Gaius46 · #19 06-14-2011, 10:33 AM

I use either a string just below the one being played or a pickup if I'm playing the B string. If I'm plucking over the neck I'll rest my thumb on the side of the neck.

mowburger · #20 06-14-2011, 11:21 AM

I never used a thumbrest with soapbar pickups but since I switched to a P-bass the screw that holds the pickup down irritates my thumb so I installed a lil thumbrest next to the pickup, works great. I use several different styles (pick, thumb, finger, floating and stationary) thruout gigs depending on the song I'm playing. Here's a pic. . .

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