Why a tugbar?

[Chaddycakes]

Why is the tugbar located where it is? It seems to make more sense that people would want one on the other side so they can pluck like an upright right over the pickup.

Who prefers a tugbar? Who would want one if it were on the other side?

[line6man]

Leo figured that players would play his electric bass with their thumb, and thus, the tugbar. Players ended up using their fingers or a pick, and thus, the change to a thumbrest.

[petrus61]

It was intended for players to put their fingers under, with the assumption that they would mostly be using their thumbs to pluck. It was eventually moved above the pickup, where it then functioned as a thumb rest. Today, they more or less serve the aesthetics of a vintage style bass more than having any practical use. I like them on my Precisions for the look and will occasionally use a tug bar for its intended purpose.

[RCCollins]

I've never liked having a thumbrest. I feel like it gets in the way.

[Chaddycakes]

Anyone see a bass with one on the other side?

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by Chaddycakes

Anyone see a bass with one on the other side?

Yes

[SactoBass]

Originally Posted by Chaddycakes

Why is the tugbar located where it is? Who prefers a tugbar?

This guy named Brian...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIYQhh7o9OM

That was the style back then, so Fender put it there. As the style morphed into finger playing, Fender moved it to above the strings to reflect what players wanted (although Fender was a bit slow to respond.....it wasn't until around 1973/74 when Fender started putting it above the strings for a thumbrest).

[Chaddycakes]

Originally Posted by SactoBass

.....it wasn't until around 1973/74 when Fender started putting it above the strings for a thumbrest).

Ah, that's the info I wanted. I guess I just could have asked. Maybe my Fender Mark Hoppus Signature needs a mod.

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by SactoBass

This guy named Brian...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIYQhh7o9OM

That was the style back then, so Fender put it there. As the style morphed into finger playing, Fender moved it to above the strings to reflect what players wanted (although Fender was a bit slow to respond.....it wasn't until around 1973/74 when Fender started putting it above the strings for a thumbrest).

The funny thing is that when they put it there ('51), there was no style yet at all, Leo was assuming it would get played that way but there was no precedent!

Seems like players used all kinds of styles from the outset, interestingly.

[TimWatson]

Because it is cool. And I find use for it sometimes as it was intended...
On my main player.

[MarkMgibson]

I hate the things and take them off - they're just in the way.

[Shakin-Slim]

I've got one, cause I wanted to get my bass close to its original state. I don't ever use it, but my hand never goes it near it. It's not in the way for me, and it looks bada**

[bassie12]

When I got this bass body, it already had holes and the impression in the lacquer of a tugbar near the bridge. I installed one just to see what it looked like. It's actually very useful to me there, so I left it. I never would have thought to do this on my own. I could even see doing the same to another P-bass. Of course, YMMV.

[bootsox]

My P has one, and I use it as intended. it doesn't get in my way at all.

[tmdazed]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

I've never liked having a thumbrest. I feel like it gets in the way.

Same here, My thumb usually rests on my neck pickup edge

[jefkritz]

none of my basses have them, but i like them. sometimes you just need to dig in with your thumb. it gives a much bigger sound, especially if there's a 'tugbar'.

[Lee Bruton]

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

I hate the things and take them off - they're just in the way.

+1 for me too

[jchrisk1]

HUh....I always thought it was for when your strap comes undone you would have something to hold onto and still keep playing until the end of the song.

[Geroi Asfalta]

Originally Posted by jchrisk1

HUh....I always thought it was for when your strap comes undone you would have something to hold onto and still keep playing until the end of the song.

It does that too! Kinda...

I had one on my P one the bass side, in front of the bridge. Its not really the easiest thing to hook onto if your strap fails. I tried, but I found it easier to hook my pinky into the bridge

[millsbass5]

If you check out some old clips from back in the day, a lot of players actually used them the way Leo intended them to be used. After that, it's been an evolution.