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Do you use a ramp on your main player?

Do you use a ramp on your main bass?

  • Yes

    Votes: 16 15.7%

  • No

    Votes: 74 72.5%

  • Not on my main, but I got bass(es) with one

    Votes: 5 4.9%

  • Carrots

    Votes: 7 6.9%
  • Total voters
    102
#21
Whatever works for you I guess. I know relatively few players that use a ramp. But all of the ones I do know tend to seriously overplay IMO. All of them.

Is that something having a ramp encourages?

I've never used one, so I don't know if there's a correlation. Any ramp players out there want to give me some insight on this?
 
#22
All my main basses have ramps. I think they look goofy, but I just love how they improve my playing. I feel naked without one.

ADB5855C-4C92-4E86-83D1-BA0879345249_zps2nzo2p80.jpg

676FEF28-48C3-4BF3-BAAE-6E06B827441A_zpslll4zjcf.jpg
 
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#24
I don't have any basses with them, I don't really find them that useful- I seem to be able to play fine without resting on pickups when I really need to. Considering I play a Jazz or a T-bird, there's enough positions where there is support, and my hands are large enough to comfortably stretch from there if I have to. The only players I've ever encountered with them seem to be jazz/solo guys with coffee-table basses, I don't think I really need it for doom riffing.
 
#26
40Hz said:
Whatever works for you I guess. I know relatively few players that use a ramp. But all of the ones I do know tend to seriously overplay IMO. All of them.

Is that something having a ramp encourages?

I've never used one, so I don't know if there's a correlation. Any ramp players out there want to give me some insight on this?
Click to expand...
Interesting observation. Could be like, if you have a sports car, it's way to easy to drive too fast kinda thing? :)
 
#29
My BTB33 came with an adjustable ramp, and it is my favorite (and most-played) bass. I like the bass mostly for the ergonomics (scale length, bridge position, neck dimensions, balance, and fret access), rather than the presence of the ramp. I do like the ramp, though.

SRSC805_SR500_BTB33_2016-04-02%20-%204_zpsncbp6jro.jpg
 
#32
I've always been curious on these!!
can I purchase one online @ a local GC ?
or do they need to be custom made for the bass?
and what's the cost?
 
#34
ole Jason said:
The ramp isn't used an anchor point for your thumb, it might be worth giving a shot.
Click to expand...
Exactly. The No Treble article on bass ramps helps explain what they are for-
"... it is simply a piece of wood, shaped to fit directly in between the pickups so it would feel uniform all of the way across.
This is especially appealing to players who play finger-style and need to play fast at times. It is significantly easier to develop a light and speedy touch with a ramp because it simply doesn’t allow you to play too hard (especially if you keep your pickups and ramp pretty high and close to the strings."
 
#37
madbass6 said:
I've always been curious on these!!
can I purchase one online @ a local GC ?
or do they need to be custom made for the bass?
and what's the cost?
Click to expand...

They need to be custom made as they need to match the radius of your fretboard as well as be the proper length, width, and height for between your pickups. They can be anywhere from $50-$200 depending on who you get them from. I have John Maghini of M Basses make mine.

To answer the OP, I've had them on every bass I've owned for 11+ years now. They are not thumbrests as some have pointed out- they create a short and completely consistent stopping point below your strings, which for some people (not all) can give a faster and more consistent recovery as well as promoting a lighter touch. Here is a vid I made yesterday of one being used up close:
 
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#39
Hey what ever works i guess !!
Or you can just learn the proper technic the rite way to avoid playing to hard (it works too.. ;)
 

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