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

[fourstringbliss]

I install and use thumbrests for two reeasons:

1. I prefer the sound when I pluck between the pickups.
2. I use a floating thumb technique, so I create them low enough and install them in a position that would simulate where my thumb would be on the other strings when playing. It gives me a nice flow.

 

[logdrum]

There is enough of a ledge on the pickguard if you really need an anchor point. Having these rests is the best way to not do the floating thumb muting technique that I have honed all these years. My first bass did not have even pickguards and I learn to play without any anchor point. If I need it say for 16 note funk- I anchor on the pickup of just friction - arm, hand, thumb will grab pretty well on all types of finish. I also do not anchor my thumb on upright. If you did practice bowing you really do not have to.

 

[jbhaugh]

Every bass come with multiple thumb rests. They’re also called strings and pickups, or the heel of the neck if you’re feeling dubby.

 

[aprod]

It’s not a matter of style, it is a matter of functionality. For me they serve no useful purpose.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Either on the bass or treble side of the strings?

I hope so. I see great utility in placing them between the pickups on a 2 pickup bass.

I'm waiting for them to bring back the tug bar that I had below the G string on my 1965 Jazz Bass.

 

[Yahboy]

Either on the bass or treble side of the strings?

I hope so. I see great utility in placing them between the pickups on a 2 pickup bass.

Thumbs rest between two pickups just ruin my freedom plucking hand placement and movement.

Put any place you want, become your personal style.

 

[Lesfunk]

My entire bass is one big thumbrest

 

[CryingBass]

No need for thumb rests. I have always floated my fingers during play.

These days? Not as much as I would prefer...

 

[CosmicRay]

When I was putting the Warmoth together, I didn't want the meh type of thumbrest....and in my pic, I am using it....LOL!!

 

[retslock]

Either on the bass or treble side of the strings?

I hope so. I see great utility in placing them between the pickups on a 2 pickup bass.

All my basses have them. For me they were never out of style. I made my own from nice wood offcuts.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Either on the bass or treble side of the strings?

I hope so. I see great utility in placing them between the pickups on a 2 pickup bass.

There is no point. Your thumb would never be on it. You use your thumb to mute the strings

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

The B string made the thumb rest obsolete.

It also made your neck wider, your bass heavier, and awkward to play your G string without another string making noise.

 

[Kaplan]

I sold custom exotic wood thumbrests on Reverb for a while. I'm a big fan of the "tug bar" setup (on the "wrong" side for thumb playing).
I did this when I bought a P-bass and hated the hollow plastic thumbrest. It now has African ebony thumbrest polished with wood wax.

Does it it sound much warmer and less hollow now?

 

[C Stone]

I have no need for a thumb rest, I have seen pics here of no mod type plasticy rests using existing PG screws and directly touching the pickup cover, I have always used the pickup cover itself for thumb anchor maybe it’s useful for players that play behind or in front of instead of directly over the pickups but a “tug bar” I dig and do put it to good use.

 

[mrjim123]

I'm still waiting for my index finger rests - back ordered since 1991.

 

[5StringBlues]

whiskey!

I'm still waiting for my index finger rests - back ordered since 1991.

 

[AudioTaper]

To each their own, but I love them when they're on the bass side between the pickups. Here's one I made out of aluminum, Wenge, and Purpleheart (which is not very bright in real life, not sure why it's so bright in the photo)

I tried a ramp but it really got in the way of using a pick (when I use a pick). Note that it's hollowed out a bit under the string for pick clearance. Zero mods to the Cirrus, it uses the pickup mounting screws.

 

[Pings Bass]

It’s a little known fact that Leo put the so called “tug bar” below the G to prevent slap bass playing. He hated slap bass. It drove him nuts. When he sold Fender to CBS in 1965, Leo stipulated in the contract that the tug bar must remain below the G string as a slap guard for 9 years. Then, in 1974, having fulfilled their contractual obligation, CBS executives gave the long anticipated order to move the tug bar slap guard to above the E string to be used as a thumb rest. Finally, free of the restrictive anti-slap engineering control designed by Leo Fender, bassists started beating their instruments mercilessly with their thumbs. Much bass slapping ensued in the years since 1974. In the mid 1980s, the execs at Fender were surprised by research data showing the thumb rest was rarely ever used due to the preponderance of bassists slapping instead of plucking their basses, so the thumb rest was removed as a cost saving measure thereby saving the company from a most certain looming bankruptcy. Leo recognized he lost the “war against slap” years prior to Fender removing the thumb rest and had already designed the Stingray to cash in on the slap trend that he predicted would last until he invented punk rock the following year.

You’re welcome.

Thank you, indeed. it's rare to hear such accurate and thorough interpretation of the Miracles of St Leo (2)(i).

This thread is over for me, thanks for the grin, and enjoy the latest debate on why something that totally still exists isn't around anymore!

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Does it it sound much warmer and less hollow now?

Nope. The finely sanded hardwood just feels more satisfying to the touch. And it looks less cheapo plasticky.

 

[RandomKaren]

Does it it sound much warmer and less hollow now?

Tone is in the thumb rest.