thumb position tonality

[solutionbassist]

I have zero clue where to put this so Ill put it here. I have this bass Im renting but Ive had this problem with every bass Ive ever played. Whenever I play notes in thumb position, I can not get them to "sing." Ive been told my thumb position notes sound like a beehive. Any suggestions?

[Eric Hochberg]

Could be the strings are too low, the fingerboard needs dressing to work better in TP, you're not pressing the string fully into the FB, a different string may be less buzzy... Take it to a luthier to see if it's the bass' setup.

I'd post this in setup and repair.

[kerrycares]

1) go find the best thumb player in your area, close your eyes and listen
2) go hang or pay for a lesson ,close your eyes and listen
3) create the sound in your head with your eyes closed

once the sound is in your head you can get it in your hands

[JtheJazzMan]

Does the fingerboard curve slightly upwards?

[Paul Barsic]

Are you playing on the tips of your fingers or on the pads? If I get sloppy and press with the pads rather than the tips, I get a buzz. Also, is your right hand at the end of the fingerboard or do you let your right hand creep up to be near the left hand?

[Wilnew]

kerrycares has offered a great solution. One additional point: remember that the string is much shorter when you are in thumb position. You have to define the contact point proportionally to get a good tone. In other words, go closer to the bride please. Also the speed of the bow is much different in thumb position. Hopefully that helps.