Thumb Rest for Non-Fenders

A G&L 2000 HOG (1981).

My only regret is selling the bass for $275 in 1986.

 

I've installed one of several non-Fender basses. If possible, I'll install it in conjunction with pick guard hole(s) so as to not modify the bass.

 

I find this topic kind of weird. It's your bass, do what you want to make it right for you. Yes I have seen many other brands here on TB with rests on them. Go for it.

 

I put one on my Sterling and it really opened up the tonal palette with finger placement. I need a rest and the only spot for me was at the pickup, which provided a "one trick pony" location. Now I play this bass much more often because of the increased flexibility. Adding the thumb rest was all it took.

 

Try test locations with tape or two-sided foam adhesive, then go for it.

 

how did you mount that and what is it made of?

 

I drew that up and my tech (who is a magician) hooked it up for me.

I wanted something that maintained the pickup height which worked out to be about 1/4". So he took a piece of 1/4" by 1/4" plexiglass (it happens to be clear), cut to length and put it in with 3 thin wood screws (pre-drilling of course to prevent cracking). I would've been happy right there.

This was the magic - he took a very thin strip of black plastic, shaped it to fit exactly and glued it on with some contact cement so that if I ever decided to remove it I wouldn't have to destroy anything. Now it's the stealth rest, barely visible at all.

He does really nice work!

 

so its screwed into the bass?

 

I think he means he glued the black plastic over the clear plexi piece, which is screwed into the bass.

Why wouldn't your tech just contact cement the plexi piece to the pickguard, and avoid making holes? Seems like he took a roundabout way of doing things to me.

 

you just inspired me to make my own out of hardwood, and i didnt even have to use screws!!
for my tonal goals it seems that place right between the pickups is perfect for my thumb. i actually pluck over the bridge pu. if i rest thumb on the bridge pu i pluck right at the bridge, no good...

 

That description is correct. I would've been satisfied as it was but his putting the plastic cover on it was a nice cosmetic touch to hide the screws.

I play...vigorously. I wanted something mounted in a way that I didn't have to worry about coming off when I least expected it, so that's what I directed him to do. As it is I won't remove it unless I decide to change the pickguard for cosmetics and then I'll put it on again. It has really made a huge positive difference for me.

This bass is one of my "desert island" basses. The holes were not an issue for me since I'll never flip it.

Hey shwashwa - see how easy that was? You could use double stick tape to hold it against the sides of the pickups (if you decide to go with something other than a pencil).

 

you mean hardwood

 

I put a thumbrest on my Stingray 4. I used a Fender thumbrest and attached it to the pickguard with 3M two way adhesive tape. Has been on for 10 years and hasn't moved.