Finger Rest--- Sacrilegious on a P?

[shade_1313]

I like the PJazz Bass. Cool.

I took the neck, and much of the hardware, from my very first bass (MiM Fender J bass), got a Squier Affinity body and the rest of the parts I needed, and built that. I even installed threaded brass inserts for the pickup/bridge covers and the thumb rest, to make removing them easier for when I change strings and such, and protect against stripping out the wood in the screw holes. It’s a fun bass, with “rule of cool” aesthetics.

 

[ToddB1963]

The forearm rest is no help with this bass, lol:

True, but that's not a P bass .

 

[bobba66]

Follow your heart.

 

[Driften]

You should do what ever makes it more comfortable and easier for you to play. For most of my basses I anchor off the pickups, but my mustang has the small round ones that don't stick out so far so thinking of 3d printing ones that attach though the pick guard screw holes.

 

[Ostie]

My Squier CV P came with a tug bar. I would prefer a thumb rest, because I might actually use it. Pretty sure the PG isn’t original, but I like it so it stays,

 

[pbassnut]

I have a Squire P Bass. I fond that I miss the thumb rest. I had it on a Jazz bass I had previously (shown in the picture attached). Is it considered taboo to do this to a P. I mean I know it is my bass and all but......

Not at all. You gotta have that tugbar!

Just be sure to use an accurate template in order to put it in the exact right spot or it's bad luck.

 

[Jazzdogg]

You might also want to consider learning to play with your thumb unanchored; sure helped me.

Good luck!

 

[Jeff K]

I use a pickup as a thumb rest. But aesthetically, I prefer the look of one in the tug bar location. And since I'm not a slapper, it doesn't get in the way.

 

[Mike Vee]

For me it's in the totally wrong place to rest my thumb - too close to the neck and too far away from the E, but I like the aesthetics on the years it came that way. Love me a 1982ish Precision with all 70s aesthetics.

 

[lowplaces]

First step. Call it what it is.

Tugbar.

 

[2saddleslab]

The end of the neck & pickup cover are perfect finger rests. Boom, done.

 

[jimmydean]

I have a Squire P Bass. I fond that I miss the thumb rest. I had it on a Jazz bass I had previously (shown in the picture attached). Is it considered taboo to do this to a P. I mean I know it is my bass and all but......

It's fine , I have one in that position on a fretless PB.......it's not for looks , I use it .

 

[jimmydean]

First step. Call it what it is.

Tugbar.

View attachment 7028042

Nice jacket and tie , brings back the trauma of having to wear a ruffled shirt backing a 50's artist on a few gigs .

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I have a Squire P Bass. I fond that I miss the thumb rest. I had it on a Jazz bass I had previously (shown in the picture attached). Is it considered taboo to do this to a P. I mean I know it is my bass and all but......

Correct, it’s your bass. Put it where ever you chose. With the amount of these being manufactured, it’s not likely going to become a collectable off in the future, nor will it affect the resale value much if you decide to upgrade.

 

[GIBrat51]

I have a Squire P Bass. I fond that I miss the thumb rest. I had it on a Jazz bass I had previously (shown in the picture attached). Is it considered taboo to do this to a P. I mean I know it is my bass and all but......

Well...
Seeing as how Fender used to put them on P-Basses at the factory (up until way after my '78 P-Bass was made - and that it's still wearing)? I'd have to say.... No. No, it isn't... I just put one on my Warmoth Mini-Precision a few days ago, in fact. Works a treat, too...
p.s. As for all the "wrong place" stuff? Originally, the "thumb rest" wasn't a thumb rest. It was on the "wrong side" so that former upright bass players had something to hook their fingers under, when they played their P-Bass - with their thumb. In that position, it's called a "Tug Bar". And, Fender's weren't the only basses to have them, either...

 

[Backdrop]

Has anyone had issues with picking and having a thumb rest in the 70's position (above the pickup)? Does it get in the way.

 

[Azari]

I don't mind thumb rests on a Precision but I think the should be parallel to the strings. It seems odd to me that moving along the Thumb rest would move you closer or farther from the strings.
Good:

Bad:

The first “good” one looks a little too close to the string imo…

 

[FunkHead]

The first “good” one looks a little too close to the string imo…

It should be close to the distance as the other strings are apart to the top of the thumb rest. So about 19 MM which it looks pretty close to. I just don't like the angled ones because depending on where you put your thumb, the distance for the E string changes.

 

[Yahboy]

You can put anything on it , because it is your bass guitar.

 

[rockinrayduke]

First step. Call it what it is.

Tugbar.

View attachment 7028042

Only a tugbar when it’s on the bottom. On top it’s a thumb rest.