Do you think thumb rests will ever come back in style?

[Bassman Spiff]

I personally cannot stand the style/aesthetics - but that's just me. As well, a treble side rest seems utterly useless for a fingers (not thumb) player.

For bass side rests (particularly for my favored jazz/humbucker config), I simply prefer to use the neck pickup as my anchor and move up and down the strings as needed for sound.
As mentioned above, some like to use ramps to span that gap between pickups. They are not for me as I much prefer the two pickup look and have pretty much entrenched my use of the pickup as a rest.

Do what makes you a better bass player and satisfies your own needs, style, and aesthetics. No one else matters at all.

 

[smoothbrain]

I thought they just got in my way.
I took all of mine off.
I don't know much about "in style."

 

[bassdude51]

It's never gone "out of style". And, it never was a "style" feature. Duh! But, we already knew that.

It was almost 10 years later after the creation of the 1951 P Bass that anyone even knew what to do with it. It was way ahead of it's time. The stand-up was still king.

Thus, in the beginning, many bass players not knowing of another way, used the thumb for plucking and the thumb bar was a grab-on for the fingers to hold unto while the thumb played the notes. But, we already knew that.

I'm 72 years old now and I remember the first time back in the mid 60s when bassists started using the fingers for plucking and it was VERY IMPRESSIVE to see that and a very big change in the way the electric bass was played.

For many decades now, the thumb bar is an icon of the Fender Bass so yeah, perhaps it is a thing of style.

Although not needed, mounted below the G string, at least it's not in the way except for slapping as mentioned by Matt O (very funny posting!)

IMO, IME mounted above the E string it is too high for me and I don't like the slant. And, I don't like it's appearance sitting up there. But, "to each his own".

SFM (speaking for myself), I used to anchor my thumb on the top of the pickup and pluck with index and middle. Then, I bought a SCPB Fender and anchoring on top of the round edge did not feel good and the weight of my hand also moved the pickup around in position. So, I started anchoring on top of the E string and would pull off when playing E string notes. Took me awhile to get used to doing this but now it's my way.

Thumb bar? It's up to the player. (I don't think a vintage or vintage type Fender Bass looks quite right without one, below the G.)

Leo playing one of his basses...............the right way! ha ha ha ha

 

[bigdaddybass12]

I guess I am out of style !
Does the pickup count as a thumb rest ?

 

[tb-player]

I don’t mind the treble side tug bar on my precision. I never really use it. But the one by the E string on a jazz bass? No thanks! I’ve hit that thing more than once with my thumb in a slap frenzy and felt it all the way up to my elbow. Ouch!!

 

[LowWay]

I like the integrated pickup cover/ramp solution myself. I have 2 Nordstrand DCs in there.

 

[Jogobass]

I installed a thumb rest above the E string on my first 4 string bass. I play a 5 string with a ramp now, which functions as a thumb rest when I play the B and E string. Do whatever you feel works for you. If you play bass with your thumb you might install a tug bar in the appropriate place.

 

[Savage_Dreams]

Do you only do things that are in style? that usually equates a short career in music

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

It's never gone "out of style". And, it never was a "style" feature. Duh! But, we already knew that.

It was almost 10 years later after the creation of the 1951 P Bass that anyone even knew what to do with it. It was way ahead of it's time. The stand-up was still king.

Thus, in the beginning, many bass players not knowing of another way, used the thumb for plucking and the thumb bar was a grab-on for the fingers to hold unto while the thumb played the notes. But, we already knew that.

I'm 72 years old now and I remember the first time back in the mid 60s when bassists started using the fingers for plucking and it was VERY IMPRESSIVE to see that and a very big change in the way the electric bass was played.

I think you got this exactly correct. I'm an old geezer, too. And, this is as I remember it.

 

[bradd]

Thumb rests are always in the way. I use the tug bar quite frequently, and I don't waste time slapping.

Do what you want. Life is short.

 

[mambo4]

Plus the longer length covers more areas to play.

My primary issue with most thumb rests is their uselessly short length
I pluck everywhere from the bridge to 12 fret depending on the tone I want
Few thumb rests offer that range

 

[dalkowski]

My thumbs never rest, and I've already disclosed too much about myself right there.

 

[RichardW]

I don't know from "style," but I installed a thumb rest on my '07 Jazz, right between the neck and the neck pickup, because 1) I like the tone when I pluck the strings there and 2) it's easy to find when I'm not looking. I still rest my thumb on the two pickups as well.

 

[jimmydean]

A Thumb Rest/Tug Bar is like those expensive chrome tire spinners for your car.......looks cool , but why do it ?

 

[57pbass]

As weird as this thumb rest looks in that spot..it actually works well.

 

[lermgalieu]

I thought I wanted a thumbrest until I tried one and realized I didn't.

 

[Vitrius Humor]

As long as we have thumbs, it is a possibility.

 

[Stewie]

I don't use them, but if I end up with a Fender that doesn't have a tug bar, I add one. I haven't gone as far as adding hootenany buttons, but I just might.

 

[Jehos]

I play a six-string so I've got four natural thumb rests in addition to the pickups and the edge of the fretboard.

 

[Seth DuSith]

I think a single pickup stingray could use them. I prefer plucking by the neck