Check out my invention for bass

[Hekbass]

Ok, I've been playing for 20 years. The last few years I've been pushing my technical limits, especially on my picking hand.
I learned Todd Johnson's 'floating thumb' technique, which I loved. The thing is, when playing your lowest string, your thumb is literally floating - it's got no support. When playing any other string, it's better, because your thumb is leaning against the lower string(s).

So, I devised a contraption that "mimics an additional string," so to speak. It's round, about the thickness of a heavy gauge B-string, and it's set up to be the exact height (or a little higher) than the adjacent string. It is height-adjustable. I guess the contraption is in the ballpark of a thumb rest, but I believe it's quite a different thing. Thumb rests are flat, with 90 degree edges, usually noticeably lower than the strings, and often installed quite far from the lowest string. Since my apparatus goes over the pick up (like a bridge goes over a river), then it can be placed as close as you want to the string, but it's obviously better if it's at about the same distance from your lowest string as the next lower string would be (where a B string would be if you got a 4 string, or where an F# string would be if you had a 5 or 6, and so on.)

https://www.facebook.com/TheBassRail

Check out the video demo, and the "about" section to really get a grasp on it.

IF YOU FIND IT INTERESTING, LIKE THE FACEBOOK PAGE!!! I appreciate any support.

DISCLAIMER: The thing is working marvelously for me. If no one else finds it interesting or useful, that's perfectly ok. But, I thought I'd share it with the bass playing community at large.
So, if you think it flat out sucks, that it's pointless, fine, but I think it would be equally pointless to throw things like "it sucks" or "it's pointless" at me. It gets us nowhere, don't you think? If you don't find any use for it, fine...just click on to another page. Constructive critiques are ok, though!
Again, it's working like a charm for me, and if I'm the only one in the world that finds it useful, I'm perfectly ok with that.

Cheers.

 

[sevdog]

Ok, I've been playing for 20 years. The last few years I've been pushing my technical limits, especially on my picking hand.
I learned Todd Johnson's 'floating thumb' technique, which I loved. The thing is, when playing your lowest string, your thumb is literally floating - it's got no support. When playing any other string, it's better, because your thumb is leaning against the lowest string(s).

So, I devised a contraption that "mimics an additional string," so to speak. It's in the ballpark of a thumbrest, but I believe it's quite different.

https://www.facebook.com/TheBassRail

Check out the video demo, and the "about" section to really get a grasp on it.

DISCLAIMER: The thing is working marvelously for me. If no one else finds it interesting or useful, that's perfectly ok. But, I thought I'd share it with the bass playing community at large.
So, if you think it flat out sucks, that it's pointless, fine, but I think it would be equally pointless to throw things like "it sucks" or "it's pointless" at me. It gets us nowhere, don't you think? If you don't find any use for it, fine...just click on to another page.
Again, it's working like a charm for me, and if I'm the only one in the world that finds it useful, I'm perfectly ok with that.

Cheers.

I actually really like playing a 5 string for exactly that reason. I feel like my technique is a little better when I'm on the E string of a 5er or the A of a 4. Great idea.

 

[Hekbass]

I actually really like playing a 5 string for exactly that reason. I feel like my technique is a little better when I'm on the E string of a 5er or the A of a 4. Great idea.

Boom! You grasped the concept!

 

[dmonroe]

Liked AND shared!!! When can I be expecting mine in the mail?

 

[Hekbass]

Liked AND shared!!! When can I be expecting mine in the mail?

THANK YOU! Unfortunately, I'm no position to sell the thing. I'm just a bass player that had an idea. It just so happens that my wife's uncle is an excellent craftsman, and he built it for me. But, I can't burden him with building too many of them. In fact, I almost felt bad asking him for a couple more - just 2 more. He agreed, but honestly it feels like I'm pushing my luck. LOL!

My dream is to get it licensed. Maybe Warmoth, or All Parts, or any other guitar parts/accessories manufacturer will "buy the rights" from me and mass produce it.

As it is, I think almost anyone can build at least a good semblance of it. The thing itself is relatively simple to make, it's the idea behind it that seems to have eluded us all for so long. So, as long as people don't claim ownership of the idea and/or start to sell them without crediting me, I'd have no problem if someone built one just for him/herself.

 

[s_mcsleazy]

neat idea, its not my thing

 

[compressit]

I have always wanted to try a thumb rest, this looks like a much better idea than the traditional. The video shows an obviously higher rail in relation to the string. I take it you found this better than level with, or even slightly lower than, the adjacent string?
I do need something that can mount with my existing pickup screws however.

Definitely food for thought, thanks for sharing this!

 

[Hekbass]

I have always wanted to try a thumb rest, this looks like a much better idea than the traditional. The video shows an obviously higher rail in relation to the string. I take it you found this better than level with, or even slightly lower than, the adjacent string?
I do need something that can mount with my existing pickup screws however.

Definitely food for thought, thanks for sharing this!

Thanks. Yes, I've noticed that if it's a bit higher than the string, it feels and works better - for me. Which, again, is a vast improvement over the available thumb rests, which are pretty much always lower than the strings. As mentioned, the height on my contraption can be adjusted - another noticeable improvement over the good ol' thumb rests that we've always known.

 

[groove_druid]

I really dig this idea.

 

[FretlessMainly]

Thumb rests are flat, with 90 degree edges, usually noticeably lower than the strings, and often installed quite far from the lowest string.

I admire your inventiveness, and I'm glad this is something that works for you.

Just to express another view, not all thumb rests are flat with a 90 degree edge (my luthier, Jim Mouradian, has made me a couple of lucite cresents with a center screw that work fabulously). Also, I prefer the thumb rest to be below the height of the string because that reduces the clack sound when I play a note on the A string and come to rest on the E string (I play very hard and have for over 30 years).

Lastly, I prefer my thumb rest to be at least an inch away from the E string so I can stretch out my plucking hand and not feel all cramped up.

So, good on you for creating something that works well for you and it looks as though there are at least several folks here who would buy one. But dissenting views are not necessarily just presented to disagree. Many an invention has been improved through dissention regarding a prototype. So, I offer my opinion in that spirit only.

 

[Hekbass]

I admire your inventiveness, and I'm glad this is something that works for you.

Just to express another view, not all thumb rests are flat with a 90 degree edge (my luthier, Jim Mouradian, has made me a couple of lucite cresents with a center screw that work fabulously). Also, I prefer the thumb rest to be below the height of the string because that reduces the clack sound when I play a note on the A string and come to rest on the E string (I play very hard and have for over 30 years).

Lastly, I prefer my thumb rest to be at least an inch away from the E string so I can stretch out my plucking hand and not feel all cramped up.

So, good on you for creating something that works well for you and it looks as though there are at least several folks here who would buy one. But dissenting views are not necessarily just presented to disagree. Many an invention has been improved through dissention regarding a prototype. So, I offer my opinion in that spirit only.

That's cool. I'm not saying I don't want to hear anything but compliments. But someone simply saying "it sucks" and nothing else would be kind of pointless. Constructive criticism is ok.

Looks like your playing style and hand position preferences are basically the opposite of mine. I also strive to play with a lighter touch. Playing too hard would hinder the speed and agility I'm aiming for. We're all different, and that's cool. This thing is not for you, great.

When I speak of thumb rests having that 90 degree angle, I mean pretty much what you find when you search for thumb rests (like the one I use in the video to contrast with mine.) I try to avoid using words like "all" ("All thumb rests are...") because it's been my experience that there's always exceptions. Although I guess that if we want to get really technical with the grammar, the sentence you quoted me saying could be viewed as *implying* that I meant that all thumb rests are like that, but that wasn't my intention. The thing is, I did extensive searching on every conceivable website - eBay, All Parts, Hipshot, and all the music dealers - and I don't recall seeing anything different from the thumb rest I used in my video, aside from one exception. I found a website promoting a set of thumb rests called 'The Bass Buddy.' Link Removed They do look a bit more rounded, but that's where the similarity with mine ends. *shrug* I sent an email to the address listed several days ago, and I haven't received a reply. Odd.

I'd love to see a pic of your thumb rest. Got any links?

 

[slowburnaz]

I wonder if making it out of an actual length of bass string would be feasible?

You'd get the "feel" of string, down to the flexibility, etc. Just a thought. Well, not exactly, since it wouldn't be as long as a string, but maybe you could figure some way of of having the tension adjustable. Eh, probably too complicated for a thumb rest...

 

[Bassamatic]

Good idea - I think that you have found a niche.

My company does development and manufacturing of new products for the last 25 years. Some advice.

IMO - It needs to be height adjustable to match the strings on various basses, and perhaps a lot longer as people play in different positions at different times. It should probably also be much more elegant as this looks a lot like a drawer handle. I can already envision several cool designs that I would be glad to put on my bass. I'd suggest contacting a good industrial designer if you want to proceed with this. A good designer will make it attractive and easy to manufacture as well as work well.

However - you need to have it Patented before you can license the concept. You will have to prove that this is significantly different than a standard thumb rest. Without a Patent, you have nothing to license. Making it and trying to market it by yourself is a huge can of worms with many unseen problems. Been to that dance many times.

PM me if I can be of help on this.

 

[Hekbass]

I wonder if making it out of an actual length of bass string would be feasible?

You'd get the "feel" of string, down to the flexibility, etc... just a thought.

I did think of that, believe it or not! But, I wasn't able to "think out" a feasible way of doing it. Strings are under quite a bit of pressure, wound around tightly around the tuners. To replicate that kind of tension, yet retaining a bit of the "give" that they have when you push on them but only using 3 inches of string just seemed impossible to me. I'm not saying it is, I'm saying I couldn't think of a feasible way of doing it. If someone does, by all means, share!

 

[lowfreq33]

That's a neat idea. Kind of specialized. I've always been comfortable resting my thumb on the pickup when I'm playing the B string, but I can see how that might be more comfortable for some people.

 

[Hekbass]

Good idea - I think that you have found a niche.

My company does development and manufacturing of new products for the last 25 years. Some advice.

IMO - It needs to be height adjustable to match the strings on various basses, and perhaps a lot longer as people play in different positions at different times. It should probably also be much more elegant as this looks a lot like a drawer handle. I can already envision several cool designs that I would be glad to put on my bass. I'd suggest contacting a good industrial designer if you want to proceed with this. A good designer will make it attractive and easy to manufacture as well as work well.

However - you need to have it Patented before you can license the concept. You will have to prove that this is significantly different than a standard thumb rest. Without a Patent, you have nothing to license. Making it and trying to market it by yourself is a huge can of worms with many unseen problems. Been to that dance many times.

PM me if I can be of help on this.

It is height adjustable.
Also, it is patent pending right now. The USPTO has it on file. I couldn't afford a full-on utility patent, unfortunately. I acted on the advice of a patent attorney, who's friends with the gentleman that helped me build it (my wife's uncle.) He gave me a free consultation, basically. He suggested I get a provisional patent, put the item out there, and try to see what kind of interest it generates. I have a year to "test the waters." Unfortunately, being poor means that I just can't shell out the several grand in patent fees plus the several grand of attorney fees that a utility patent requires. I'm doing the best I can with what I have.

The rest of your suggestions are very valid, although aesthetics are always a matter of preference. Sure, it can be made (and I hope it one day does) to look any number of ways. It can be made out of wood, plastic and who knows what else. It can be made to look more "ornamental." Also different colors and textures to match different basses, absolutely. I like the way mine looks, though. It's straightforward. Kind of like a "this is a no-nonsense piece of machinery" type of look. Heh.

 

[soundtweaker]

I made something similar to this for my Rick bass. But it attaches in the pickup guard hole.

 

[Hekbass]

I made something similar to this for my Rick bass. But it attaches in the pickup gaurd hole.

View attachment 276533

You mean that big chrome thing around the bridge pick up? Yikes.
I'd love to see it from different angles. I think I'm just missing something...

 

[Hekbass]

I made something similar to this for my Rick bass. But it attaches in the pickup gaurd hole.

View attachment 276533

You made that yourself? Did you patent it, sell it, license it...? I don't recall seeing anything quite like that. But, if you just built it for yourself and never really put it out there, then that's why I probably never found it when I was scouring the interwebs for stuff like this.

I really would like to see more pics of it, or if you have a video in which you show it off, that'd be even better. Thanks.

 

[Bassamatic]

Glad to hear that you have a provisional filed. However, I am sure that you are aware that is NOT yet a Patent - it is only a placeholder that allows you a year of protection to develop and market the item before you file for the REAL Patent, and it is only valid IF you file before the year is up and the Patent is issued down the road. I don't think that you can list the Bass Rail as "Patent Pending" until you file for the Utility Patent.

I have looked up some other thumb rest Patents, and at first glance, it does not seem that there is anything exactly like this. The real issue, though, may be defending your Patent from someone that says that this is not too different than the wood or plastic ones currently available.

Anyway - good luck with it and PM me if I can offer any further advice.