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  #1  
Old 08-19-2010, 05:00 PM
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Where do most people rest their thumb when playing a P Bass

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I've just gone from a Jazz bass to P bass, and wanted to know if most of you P Bassists rest you thumb on either:
* The pickup
* The E string (and float the thumb when playing the E)
* The Bass itself


Cheer
  #2  
Old 08-19-2010, 05:02 PM
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I don't rest my thumb on any bass. I'm a floater...
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Old 08-19-2010, 05:03 PM
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the pup. on both sides of the screw. I have a p/j too and the j is too far back for me, though I wish I had a spot in the middle, just haven't found the right thing to screw into my bass . . .
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Old 08-19-2010, 05:03 PM
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The pickup when playing low E, the string below the string I'm playing for everything else.
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Old 08-19-2010, 05:07 PM
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floater here.
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Old 08-19-2010, 05:08 PM
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Floater.
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Old 08-19-2010, 05:13 PM
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On the B string or the E string depending on what I'm playing- so yeah, I'm a floater.

I usually pluck just behind the pickup.
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Old 08-19-2010, 05:15 PM
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Originally Posted by MRDOOM View Post
The pickup when playing low E, the string below the string I'm playing for everything else.
+1
  #9  
Old 08-19-2010, 05:17 PM
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I rest mine either on the pickup or the E string if i am plucking in the higher register.
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Old 08-19-2010, 05:22 PM
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The pick up or sometimes even the base of the neck... all the while contemplating installing a thumb rest.
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Old 08-19-2010, 05:36 PM
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Pickup. Specifically on the bridge side of the screw.
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  #12  
Old 08-19-2010, 05:40 PM
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I'm a multi-rester. Sometimes, on the string, sometimes on the pickguard, sometimes floating, other times resting my right hand in the pickup cover. It's never one thing all the time, I'm far too ADD for that!
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Old 08-19-2010, 05:55 PM
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I used to rest my thumb on the string just above the one I'm playing. When I played the E (four string) I floated.

Now I float on all strings.
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  #14  
Old 08-19-2010, 11:16 PM
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Pickup or thumb rest.
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Old 08-19-2010, 11:24 PM
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Originally Posted by stratovani View Post
I'm a multi-rester. Sometimes, on the string, sometimes on the pickguard, sometimes floating, other times resting my right hand in the pickup cover. It's never one thing all the time, I'm far too ADD for that!

This. I don't have the patience or concentration to stick with ONE position. I guess it really depends on the song/style.
  #16  
Old 08-19-2010, 11:30 PM
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it's on the edge of the pickguard between the neck and pickup for the E string and then on the E string for the rest of the strings for me, sometimes floating
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  #17  
Old 08-19-2010, 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by stratovani View Post
I'm a multi-rester. Sometimes, on the string, sometimes on the pickguard, sometimes floating, other times resting my right hand in the pickup cover. It's never one thing all the time, I'm far too ADD for that!
+1
  #18  
Old 08-20-2010, 12:01 AM
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Converted floater here. I used to rest my thumb on the E string, neck-side of the pup while plucking the A, D, and G, and anchored onto the pup when I plucked the E string.

I've been using the floating technique for the past few months and am really liking the results. The plucking hand is in a more natural, relaxed state and I'm experiencing far less fatigue than the old method. I'm also finding fast passages easier to play.

I also find it better for moving my hand between the neck or bridge depending on the tone I want to achieve, therefore not needing to limit my position to one or two anchor points.
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  #19  
Old 08-20-2010, 12:13 AM
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Originally Posted by spiker View Post
I've just gone from a Jazz bass to P bass, and wanted to know if most of you P Bassists rest you thumb on either:
* The pickup
* The E string (and float the thumb when playing the E)
* The Bass itself


Cheer
The pickup, the string(s), and sometimes nothing at all.
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  #20  
Old 08-20-2010, 01:26 AM
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Yet another floater.

Did not realise that the floating thumb was so popular.
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