"THUMB REST" question

[BeyondFiredUp]

may sound silly, but i was wondering why are the thumb rests on vintage style basses on the BOTTOM of the strings? i mean below your thumb on the lower part of the pickgaurd/bass area?
unless you're a lefty and flip it over, your thumb rests above that area like on the E and A strings...it's weird. somebody inform me please! Thanks!

 

[nickn]

It's not a thumb rest, it's a tug bar. You hook your fingers under it and then use your thumb to pluck the strings. Uncle Leo thought it would be easier for guitarists to transition to electric bass that way.

 

[Howlin' Hanson]

OK, somebody start a poll: fingers vs THUMB vs pick.

I do know one bassist who plays exclusively with his thumb. (I think I'm better, but who knows.)

 

[ROON]

Search function.

 

[BeyondFiredUp]

It's not a thumb rest, it's a tug bar. You hook your fingers under it and then use your thumb to pluck the strings. Uncle Leo thought it would be easier for guitarists to transition to electric bass that way.

Now that makes sense. but i can't say i know ANYONE OR SEEN ANYONE do that. i guess nowadays Fender and others just put them on for a "vintage" look.
anyway, thanks for clearing that up.
also, as far as pick vs thumb vs fingers, the answer is yes to all three. different sounds and tones in different songs pretty much require each of them. every bassist should learn all of them.

 

[BeyondFiredUp]

Search function.

not embarrassed...

 

[Toronto Bassist]

You can flip it open and there's a switch inside that electrocutes the singer.

 

[EagleMoon]

Why oh why can't we make this a sticky? This question is asked so often it should be up there permanently.

 

[Mark Wilson]

Storage.
You can keep...small things in there.

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

I see that the answer has been given. However this photo (I forget who originally posted it, sorry ) really helped me to "get it".

 

[GeneralElectric]

Now that makes sense. but i can't say i know ANYONE OR SEEN ANYONE do that. i guess nowadays Fender and others just put them on for a "vintage" look.
anyway, thanks for clearing that up.
also, as far as pick vs thumb vs fingers, the answer is yes to all three. different sounds and tones in different songs pretty much require each of them. every bassist should learn all of them.

I play like that sometimes, though I usually swap out the cheap plastic tuggie for an ebony one. It feels better.

Its also better accomplished with the pup cover still on.

 

[Number27]

Thats how i play a lot of songs that a) call for a more thumpy tone b) are no faster than quarter notes.

 

[Hella]

jamerson, anyone?

 

[mongo2]

jamerson, anyone?

Jamerson didn't play with his thumb...check it out at 1:25

 

[jazzbo58]

Jamerson didn't play with his thumb...check it out at 1:25

Man, watching him play gave me goosebumps! Awesome!

Cheers,
Jim

 

[Hella]

Jamerson didn't play with his thumb...check it out at 1:25

oh! i stand corrected

 

[gibsonbassist45]

sting is the only person i know uses his thumb. but he doesnt even use a tug bar tho.

 

[EagleMoon]

I've never seen Sting use his thumb. Do you know of any videos where he does?

 

[mikeswals]

Brian Wilson only played the bass this way. Plenty of old videos you should easily find.

 

[GeoffByrne]

I saw James Brown's last tour of the UK a few years ago on TV and he had two bassist behind him & both played regularly with their thumb.