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I need a thumb rest - I think!

#22
I have always played on the neck p/u of my jazz's and the top of the single coil of the p's. but thanks to gjbassist's link I just bought a thumb rest! my "vintage" p has holes in the body & pickguard for a thumb rest, but no thumb rest. so I bought one from the link you provided, as last time I thought about this my local shop didn't have one to sell me. so thanks, gj!
 
#23
My P bass has an ashtray cover over the pup, so I use that 90% of the time. If I move up towards the neck I tend to anchor my thumb on the actual neck. Can't dig in too much, but when I'm playing that high I tend to want a fat round sound anyways, which doesn't really require any digging in.

If I'm in between I'll use the edge that the pick guard makes. it's not the most secure thing in the world, but it seems to get the job done.


joe
 
#24
Thanks for all your comments - very useful.

Dostradamas: I like your solution!

Ill probably try a DIY job at first, and if I get no luck with that then I may purchase a thumb rest. It doesnt sound like Im going to do much damage to my pickup, Im just a little precious about it because Ive just had 2 new pickups put in!
 
#29
8-6-22-1.jpg
 
#34
i just make my own out of a clear acrylic block (from a distance, they're almost invisible). i use the existing pickguard hole(s) so that not drilling is required (uninvasive). i like mine to be low enough so as not to impede slapping, and spaced as if it's a low B string on my four string basses:

jazzbassthumbrest-1.jpg


jbassthumbrest-04.jpg


55_thumbrest.jpg


jbassthumbrest.jpg


stingray_thumbrest.jpg


jmasterthumbrest.jpg
 
#35
johnk_10 said:
i just make my own out of a clear acrylic block (from a distance, they're almost invisible). i use the existing pickguard hole(s) so that not drilling is required (uninvasive). i like mine to be low enough so as not to impede slapping, and spaced as if it's a low B string on my four string basses:
Click to expand...

Wow, those look incredible. How are you machining the acrylic?
 
#36
dllive said:
Thanks for all your comments - very useful.

Dostradamas: I like your solution!

Ill probably try a DIY job at first, and if I get no luck with that then I may purchase a thumb rest. It doesnt sound like Im going to do much damage to my pickup, Im just a little precious about it because Ive just had 2 new pickups put in!
Click to expand...

I don't understand your aversion to what you're already doing???

using the pick up will NOT damage it
 
#40
I recomend doing what I did -if you are thinking of adding a thumbrest, install it with double sided tape first, the 3m stuff you get at the autoparts store is awesome for this. You can move it around and find a spot that works or doesn't before modifying the bass in any way.

I thought I wanted/needed one but found that I use the E string as a thumbrest and pluck or slap it with the thumb as well (I also usually fret the E with the thumb of my left hand, I have ugh, habits..) I couldn't get used to using the pickup or a thumbrest for that reason and didn't end up adding a ramp or rest.

I guess that was just a long winded way of saying, do whatever feels comfortable.
 

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