DB thumb position technique for BG?

[billyfalconer]

I've seen classical guitar players using what is called thumb position technique in the DB and cello worlds. That is, when playing higher notes above where the neck joins the body of the instrument, the thumb of the left hand goes onto the fretboard and the thumb and other fingers are then used for fretting.

I'm wondering if there are any Youtube videos by competent guitar players that describe this technique. It would save me from having to get cutaway bass guitars .

[Rusty the Scoob]

What's there to describe? You just take your thumb off the back of the neck and let it float. I use it for extra string-muting, it also gives you at least something of a reference-point for your left hand.

[Audiophage]

No, the OP is talking about actually using your thumb to stop notes just like the fingers, but up from under the fingerboard.

I've seen Steve Bailey and Percy Jones using that technique. Being a double bassist I've tried it out myself, but the positioning of the bass guitar is kind of awkward for that sort of arm positioning.

[Mayers]

I only saw Steve Bailey use that kind of tehcnic on electric bass. Being a upright player myself I find it a little awkward on electric bass because of the position of the instrument and because the neck joint isn't at the same place.

[Fergie Fulton]

On a vertical instrument, independent of the body, the technique works well because the body mechanics can handle vertical better than horizontal. This allows the knees shoulder, elbow, etc to influence how the instrument is played as any of these factors do not directly affect the instrument because it is independent of the body. A bass hangs on the body, so where the body goes the bass goes. Any alteration in height, for example the shoulders, the bass will follow. On the DB technique, when a player leans over the instrument and puts the hand on top, the instrument is in the same position, the access to the lower fretboard is not compromised but helped.

Yes it can be done of a bass guitar, with the fretting hand either over or under the neck to allow the thumb to come in front and be used....but why bother? The modern instruments are designed to make this not a problem (the neck cutaway). So i personaly would invest in one, rather than invest time in making it work.