Does Anyone Use A Precision Tug Bar/Thumb Rest?

[msb]

I have three Pbasses with tug bars , and I do sometimes pluck with my thumb when I'm looking for an upright sound , but the Pbasses are mostly retired now . I tend to play other basses .

 

[Killing Floor]

I have one on a '73 that I'm not messing with. The '73 I play lost its plastic before I owned it and I've never replaced it. But I may just to cover the screw holes. Never learned to use one. But they do add to the vintage look I think. Subjective.

 

[jd56hawk]

This:

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Beat me to it, but maybe I should post some more pics since some people still missed the OP's point.

 

[JPaulGeddy]

I like the aesthetic of the tug bar, for some reason. But no, I don't use either. The P (or front J) pickup is my thumbrest when I use one. And/or the bottom string.

 

[DavC]

i lost my tug bar in my last divorce .. !

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

I'm also wondering if the tug bar wasn't used also with a pick. I use the bottom of my Jazz bridge pickup as a tug bar (or anchor point) by hooking my pinkie under it when using a pick. The original tug bar would be too close to the neck for using a pick.

 

[Chef]

tug bar: underneath the G string, you're supposed to curl your fingers around it for stability and grip while you play with your thumb.
these are useful for that, but I don't use that functionality much. these were from 51-74, I think, tho I have 72's with the other kind which are:

thumb rest, above the E string, rest your thumb on it and play with your fingers. from 74 on, I think. I do use this functionality,

 

[bmusic]

I’m agnostic on the whole thing. I had a 57RI with a tug bar that I never used but never removed. I have a 73 with a thumb rest that I do sometimes use, and a 74 with a newer pickguard, no thumb rest and no holes (and I’m not inclined to add any).

 

[micguy]

All my basses have thumb rests. A tug bar is as useful to me a tug boat.

 

[Ostie]

I actually prefer the tone I get playing with my thumb vs. fingers. It’s a little mellower, probably because my thumb is fleshier than my fingers. But I can’t play as fast with my thumb. It’s just awkward, so I mostly use my fingers, especially for faster runs and stuff.

 

[hieronymous]

Aesthetically, I like both. I don't use the tug bar (though every now and again I give it a whirl) on my Donald Duck Dunn Signature bass, but I do use the thumb rest on my '70s P. I used to anchor my thumb on the pickup but have moved mostly to anchoring closer to the neck or floating thumb - the thumb rest is actually kind of in the way but I've adapted to it.

 

[Jim Carr]

Jazz musician Monk Montgomery probably influenced Leo Fender's design for the first P-bass. He played with his thumb and definitely used the finger grip. He worked with Art Farmer, Lionel Hampton, and many others. His brother was Jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery.

Monk Montgomery - Wikipedia

 

[son_of_mogh]

I like the tug bar ( but not the thumb rest ). It gives me a nice "home base" for my fingers when I do a double thumbing run, or play pick-style at the end of the fretboard. I don't pop/snap much, but it's never been in my way.

 

[Jim Carr]

This:...

Cool photos! Who is this guy (below)? I wonder where he got a custom color '55 P-bass?
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[Vinny_G]

Cool photos! Who is this guy (below)? I wonder where he got a custom color '55 P-bass?
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Nappy Lamare - Wikipedia
Invalid Link Removed

 

[D Bopp]

I love the tugbar. Use it on my Fenders all the time when I play with my thumb. However, I don't like the 70s position thumbrest. That gets in my way.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Yes I do.
But.....it's right here......guess why?

And no.....I don't wrap my pinky around it.

 

[lowphatbass]

Yes I do.
But.....it's right here......guess why?

And no.....I don't wrap my pinky around it.
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Cable management?

 

[Watchootognbout]

Cable management?