musicman players?

[easy]

I also use the pup as a thumb rest, unless I want to play up on the neck, then I use the neck as a thumb rest.

 

[easy]

+1 for DR. I used the lo-riders for a while, then switched to the black beauties. they sound good for an awful long time, and the they look cool, and the coating feels really nice on the fingers.

 

[58super]

My thumb rests on the E string when I'm playing on A/D/G. When I'm playing on E it "floats" above until I'm done on that string, then it goes back to resting on it. Works well for me.

+1

 

[basskababble]

Having played two Stingrays side by side, through the same amp, one maple and one rosewood, I can tell you that the maple is brighter. For all the people who are going to say "fretboard wood makes no difference", I could clearly hear the difference.

The maple isn't too much brighter, but it has a "snap" to it that the rosewood doesn't have IMO.

Absolutely agree. I did the same thing at guitar center. make sure the lowmidhigh are all the same on both basses and give them a try. sig difference.

 

[debassr]

I used to play mostly off the pup but found that I get the best sound for what I play right in front of the pup, plus playing there is a bit more comfortable for me.

I made a thumb rest out of wood, painted and polished it then attached it to the pickguard by drilling holes through the back of the pickguard and into the underside of the thumbrest. I beveled the holes in the back of the pickguard so the flathead screws would countersink slightly into the pickguard.

This way, there's no holes in the bass, the thumbrest is really secure, there's no screw heads visible anywhere, and it blends well (almost disappears on stage) with the pickguard because it's white. Sure, if I ever want to change how it's positioned I'd have to get a new pickguard, but it's better than having holes in my Sterling, right?

Here's what it looks like...

 

[theshadow2001]

I came from a jazz to a sterling. Admittedly it took a while to get used to having my thumb on the pick up. But I got used to it and now I'm perfectly comfortable playing in that position.

 

[scottbass]

what gauge are the low tension strings?

They're available in all the normal gauges. I use DR Sunbeam Med Lites: .045 - .065 - .080 - .100

 

[wazzel]

I don't anchor my thumb on any particulat thing. Sometimes it is the B string other times the pickup sometimes nothing at all.

 

[bovinehost]

The maple isn't too much brighter, but it has a "snap" to it that the rosewood doesn't have IMO.

Maple has been scientifically proven to be attackier.

 

[Baird6869]

Maple has been scientifically proven to be attackier.

I agree. The PhD's actually coined the phrase "attackier". I think that also said "more brighterer" as well.

 

[Darylw425]

i went through the same thing when i switched from a j-style bass to my SR5. I couldn't find a comfortable place for my thumb, and ended up resting it on the pup and plucking right over the pup. I do like the tone there, but dont like hitting the pup while plucking. I also like to vary the tone sometimes and move closer to the neck.

I've found the solution for me was as simple as raising my strap a bit so that the bass sits higher - closer to how it feels when i'm sitting. this way my wrist hangs down over the edge of the body and i have no trouble floating my thumb. I dont think this is proper floating thumb technique, but it has been working for me. Now i can easily vary between right in front of the pup (towards the neck) and over the pup depending on which tone i want. i'm actually much happier with the bass now and all i had to do was raise the strap.

 

[ggunn]

Maple has been scientifically proven to be attackier.

Scientifically, eh? Show your data.

EDIT: Oh, it's a joke, isn't it? Sorry to be so slow on the uptake. As you were.

 

[Surly]

We should just get into a full on maple vs. rosewood debate, it has NEVER been done before. EVER EVER EVA

 

[mikeswals]

I always anchor my thumb on the corner of the pickup on my Musicmans. It strange, I kinda keep my thumb tucked behind my hand. Even when I play my Musicman HH's, it still achor on the rear pickup...and occasionally use the floating thumb technique.
But when I play my other basses with neck pickups, my thumb is extended out on the front pickup like anyone else's. I guess I just like playing in a certain spot from the bridge reguardless where my thumb rests.

 

[FrigginChris]

i usually play right over the pickup

 

[jojo99]

I made a thumb rest out of wood, painted and polished it then attached it to the pickguard by drilling holes through the back of the pickguard and into the underside of the thumbrest. I beveled the holes...

Great idea of mounting it from the back....wouldn'ta thought of that. If you move it you could probably take care of the pickguard holes with a smidgen of bondo and a dab of pearly white nail polish.

 

[tplyons]

Nope. Never had that problem. I play with a very light touch and have never had a problem playing a Stingray.

 

[Fender32]

I added a Fender thumb rest just above the E string near where a P-bass pickup would be. But I seldom use it. I rest my thumb on the front corner of the pickup and play just in front of the pickup, not directly over it. I also LOVE DR strings - they are lower tension than Ernie Balls or just about any other roundwounds, which makes it a little easier to play closer to the bridge. I use DR Sunbeams.

+1

Me too . Not because of the feel, as much as for the tone. I've tried just about every major brand on my pre-EB 'Ray and only the Sunbeams give me the balance of warmth and smooth top end that I crave. EB Slinkys come a fairly close second, IMHO.

I think that a set of lighter gauge, nickel-plated (softer feel ) strings might be a good investmant for the OP .