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Extreme left thumb muting

#41
Matt O said:
Yep!
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Interesting, because to my untrained eye, that looks like a late 50's Precision - yet everyone talks about the GZR implying it's a 60's pickup.

I was really surprised, when I finally took the time to listen to a GZR, that it was pleasantly low frequency shy (the total opposite of what I had expected, hence why I had not bothered to check them out previously), but if it really is modelled on a slightly under-wound late 50's pickup; that tallies.
 
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#42
When I was in college they always told me that I could play however the hell I wanted to after school, but while I’m under their watch I was going to play “correctly”. That being said, whatever gets you by and gets the job done works. It may limit your abilities down the road but that’s your problem to care about. :)
 
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#43
tpaul said:
There are no illegitimate techniques and you don't need anyone's permission to innovate. Just be attentive to what your body is telling you. If you start to get pain or tingling in your hand or wrist, change what you're doing.
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THIS.

Some of the greatest players use unconventional methods to achieve their sound.

Everyone's body mechanics are different, there is no one way to do everything, if it works for you and your body is fine with it, go with it.:thumbsup:
 
#45
On my 6 string with 19mm spacing. The Only way to play E on the B-string and E or F# (9th) on the C string (using my middle) is to use the thumb for E on the B.

I did see Pat Metheny recently with his Baritone and he used a lot of thumb for bass parts. But he played a lot "technical" stuff like harmonics which doing hammer-ons at the same time. 5 fingers on his left were doing 4 -5 things differently. And it sounded musical and not acrobatic.

I still think that it is more efficient on a 4 string to not use the thumb unless you need to do some extended chords. I left hand mute with the other 4 fingers in combination with my right hand. It's not that hard. Muting with the thumb seems unnatural.
 
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#48
Wood and Wire said:
Interesting, because to my untrained eye, that looks like a late 50's Precision - yet everyone talks about the GZR implying it's a 60's pickup.

I was really surprised, when I finally took the time to listen to a GZR, that it was pleasantly low frequency shy (the total opposite of what I had expected, hence why I had not bothered to check them out previously), but if it really is modelled on a slightly under-wound late 50's pickup; that tallies.
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Just fact checked myself, and according to internet, the GZR is modeled after the pickup in Bobby V’s 1960 Precision. I was certain it was his ‘58. Sorry for the mis-info.
 
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#51
vvvmmm said:
TBH, I always thought the GZR had sompin' to do with Butler - but I have never bought a after-market pup and only have one on a bass I bought used.
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It was specially made for Geezer Butler - and released as his signature pickup - but it was cloned from Bobby Vega's vintage pickup, which is a particularly great sounding example that Geezer loved (apparently Bobby was happy to let them clone it, and doesn't make a dime from GZR sales, or get any credit on the packaging - which he's totally cool with).


Now, Thumb News.
 
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#53
Les Fret said:
...
But muting the A and D as well?
...
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"To A and also D - that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler ... " In all seriousness that really is the question. The static images of Sting and the like show occasional contact with the E string with the thumb tip draped over the top. Anyway, I had to try it for myself - making contact with the E, A and D totally and predictably contorted and crippled my hand. What I didn't expect was the tension and cramping effect transferred all the way up my arm and hindered any kind of shifting. Getting the thumb over meant my forearm was all but parallel to the neck which meant any shifting along the neck pushed my elbow directly into my torso.
upload_2023-11-23_7-17-57.jpeg


Cat Fancier said:
...
walking bass and riffing.
...
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Even the most trivial of 'walking and riffing' are beyond me with my hand in that posture. Having tried it for myself, I'm minded with @mambo4 to call shenanigans
 
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#54
SteveCS said:
"To A and also D - that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler ... " In all seriousness that really is the question. The static images of Sting and the like show occasional contact with the E string with the thumb tip draped over the top. To contact E, A and D totally cripples the hand and the restraining effect transfers all the way up my arm and hinders any kind of shifting.
View attachment 5260290



Even the most trivial of 'walking and riffing' are beyond me with my hand in that posture.
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I agree. That’s why I really want to see the OP doing it. So come on OP, make a video if you will.
 
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#55
I could post a video but I think I already know what you'd say. As I said before, I'm just coming back from years of never even touching a traditional instrument. My playing is still pretty sloppy at this point. I'm going to experiment with more traditional methods alongside the thumb thing. Maybe I'll switch to that as my main method once I improve. Or not!

I'm hoping that maybe I can come up with some creative sounding stuff while using the extreme thumbing, like Django did on guitar, after his injury.
 

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