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Post your thumbrest pics here!

debassr

debassr

Jan 23, 2008
1,835
18
Boston
#1
As an eternal "anchored thumb" bass player - I'm always looking for new & interesting ideas for thumbrests. Thought it would be cool if we could have a thread showing how us "thumbresters" make, mount, and use them - complete with pics. I'll kick it off...

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For my Sterling, I made a thumb rest out of wood, painted/cleared/polished it then attached it to the pickguard by drilling holes through the back of the pickguard and into the underside of the thumbrest. I beveled the holes in the back of the pickguard so the flathead screws would countersink slightly into the pickguard.

This way, there's no holes in the bass, the thumbrest is really secure, there's no screw heads visible anywhere, and it blends well (almost disappears on stage) with the pickguard because it's white. Sure, if I ever want to change how it's positioned I'd have to get a new pickguard, but it's better than having holes in my Sterling, right?

Here's what it looks like...

2458980619_06219483eb_o.jpg
 
#4
That looks like a great idea, actually. I anchor my thumb on top of a pickup, usually, but I guess that might be a little harder when you only have one p/u.

I've also seen people attach the Fender-type "thumb rests" that you sometimes see on the bottom half of old jazz basses in a position where they can actually use it for their thumb.
 
#10
FL Knifemaker said:
I'm amazed that you guys can play with your thumbs way the HECK up there :confused: I use the top string, muting as needed with my thumb. When I try to use a thumbrest, I can't even play :p
Click to expand...
I could totally say the same about the way you play. I actually get physically uncomfortable when I play a bass without either a thumb rest or a pup cover... Different strokes and all that. :D
 
#11
mjolnir said:
I could totally say the same about the way you play. I actually get physically uncomfortable when I play a bass without either a thumb rest or a pup cover... Different strokes and all that. :D
Click to expand...

I use my pup cover as referece point using my thumb along the legth of the strings. It seems like when I put my thumb up on the pickup or thumbrest my top string, B or E just makes too much unwanted sound. :confused: You're right, different strokes. :bassist:
 
#16
I need to put something on my SG. Resting my thumb on the neck pickup is way to far forward. And the bridge pickup is too thin and curved. I have a Fender thumbrest laying around here, but I don't want to drill into a perfectly good bass.
 
#17
OptimusPrime said:
I need to put something on my SG. Resting my thumb on the neck pickup is way to far forward. And the bridge pickup is too thin and curved. I have a Fender thumbrest laying around here, but I don't want to drill into a perfectly good bass.
Click to expand...

...and the SG doesn't have a pickguard on the top so that option is out for you too. I saw someone who was making stick on ones but I have no idea if they're removable...

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