Ever pass on a bass because the pickups aren't "comfortable"?

[Wisebass]

My mainplayer beeing a one pup only two pots passive frettless Rockmonster,
(my luthier talked me out of having only one pot)
I have to move my right hand a lot to get different sounds out of it,
so that's why I float sometimes.
But when it comes to the "pushing and growling" sound, my thump rests on the pup (feels kinda natural to me)

so: yes! pups, ashtrays, pickguards, thumprests can be more or less helpful or painful

If it hasn' t got the right touch I won' t play it

may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

[Pops OB]

Nope. I actually play them primarily because of how comfortable they are for me.

And that's the way it should be! What doesn't work for one works for another.

 

[TerriblePeril]

I played a Ric locally that felt and sounded fantastic. Fit and finish were top notch. A jetglo 4003 with the push/pull classic circuit thingy going on.

Plugged it into a Jeff Berlin signature markbass combo and was in love. Sticker shock still gets me every time, though

 

[ThudThudThud]

the 2 Rics I own are 4004s

View attachment 1044811

Yeah, I should have mentioned the 4004 is a different beast. I like those, but no need/budget for one.
Pretty bass, Ric5.

 

[whitedk57]

I had an instructor once who told me to NEVER rest your thumb because it restricts your hand movement and leads to ringing notes that you don't want, but obviously lots of guys do it and make it work.

It's funny that what the instructor is saying it does, is exactly what it doesn't do - cause ringing notes. The floating thumb mutes the strings, derp!

 

[Sparkdog]

It's funny that what the instructor is saying it does, is exactly what it doesn't do - cause ringing notes. The floating thumb mutes the strings, derp!

I don't think you're reading that right. What he said was using the floating thumb would prevent ringing notes and overtones you don't want, while resting your thumb on the pickup (absent some other form of muting) would allow unwanted notes and overtones to ring out.

 

[gln1955]

I don't think you're reading that right. What he said was using the floating thumb would prevent ringing notes and overtones you don't want, while resting your thumb on the pickup (absent some other form of muting) would allow unwanted notes and overtones to ring out.

There are lots of ways to mute strings with your right or left hand, that don't involve the thumb at all.

 

[spufman]

My older pre-flange MM pickups are great for planting my thumb, but the pole pieces do occasionally draw blood. The only non-comfortable aspect of the Sterling for me.

 

[Korladis]

There are lots of ways to mute strings with your right or left hand, that don't involve the thumb at all.

I usually mute with either my left hand, or the other fingers on my right hand.

 

[whitedk57]

I don't think you're reading that right. What he said was using the floating thumb would prevent ringing notes and overtones you don't want, while resting your thumb on the pickup (absent some other form of muting) would allow unwanted notes and overtones to ring out.

I did read that wrong - sorry. I switched to floating thumb technique because of Todd Johnson...

 

[woodyng2]

Yes,the pickups on this Japanese Smith bass i had were excessively bulbous and sharp-edged.
(Plus i hated the way it sounded).

 

[eldoryder]

I'm too lazy to read back through all the pages, but ONE manufacturer DID cater to the concerns that the OP originally had:

PEAVEY. Their T20 bass with Super-Ferrite pickup had the special surround which actually WAS a finger rest. Hartley Peavey strikes again!!!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The VERY early Peavey Fury bass also had this "slant-PUP" design. Gotta love Peavey for doing this! Wonder why it never caught on?

 

[emergencybanana]

Does anyone know where I can get some Pbass pickup covers that are scalloped on the sides like on the newer Musicman's? I love Pbasses but hate how uncomfortable they are without a thumbrest...

 

[ShortScale24]

Note: I assume this is only an issue if you're a finger style player.

On the BPU group on FaceBook someone asked for thoughts on soapbar pickups vs MusicMan pickups, and while everyone seems to jump right into the TONAL aspects of these options, for me it's something completely different - I rely on using my pickups as thumb rests, and many of these are simply not comfortable feeling to me.

One bass I've always absolutely loved is the Peavey Cirrus. I think they are gorgeous to look at, they balance like a dream, and the tone just oozes from them for days. Truly, one of the most captivating experiences in my life was being glued to Donnie Castleman (he's a TB member and an absolute monster on bass) playing a Cirrus with Terry Fator at The Mirage in Las Vegas a few years ago. I'd always been drawn to Cirrus basses, but after seeing that show I was 100% sold on giving up all the other basses I owned and finally getting a Cirrus like I'd considered for years. I couldn't wait to go check one out at my favorite local music store where I knew there was one hanging on the wall. As soon as I started playing it my beaming enthusiasm turned to a slumping sigh. I understand they call these "VFL Pickups" and was shocked to learn it doesn't stand for "Very F------ Long". It really does feel uncomfortable (to me) to rest my thumb on the end of one of their pickups and play normally because they're so inexplicably lengthy. I had a similar experience trying out an Ibanez BTB, which is another bass I've long admired the look and sound of.

As for the MusicMan pickups, the 4-string versions have those "flanges" or whatever they're called where the pickup screws go, which aren't ideal (for me), and the 5-string versions suffer the same length drawback as the aforementioned long soapbars. I've owned a few basses with MM pickups, and while I've been able to manage, they never did feel very natural as thumb rests.

Anyone else have similar stories where you would otherwise love everything about a bass if it just didn't feel uncomfortable because of the pickups? A lot of time on this site is spent on the tone of this pickup or that one, and a lot is devoted to the feeling of certain necks and strings, but I don't recall the topic of pickup comfort ever being discussed. A quick search didn't turn up anything.

Jacob

I've absolutely passed because of uncomfortable pickups. Regarding MM-type pickups, I actually wrote to EB many years ago suggesting either modifying the shell to provide a thumb ledge or simply installing the MMs with the single flange on the bass side. Much more comfortable than trying to get your thumb between the flanges. Not to be confused with Regina Phalange...

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Wonderful thread topic. Stock pickups on an LB-100: very sharp corners. Had to go.