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Where to put my thumb on my StingRay?

ashtray

ashtray

Feb 25, 2008
4,043
3,781
Ventura County, CA
#1
So I recently acquired a beautiful MM StingRay 4 string, single H pickup (3 band eq). Its my first Stingray - I've had a couple dozen Fenders over the years and most of my basses have 2 pickups.

Anyhow, I typically place my thumb on the top edge of the pickup as an anchor, and play finger style. If I do that with the Stingray, I find my fingers too close to the bridge for my preferred tone, or I'm playing over the pickup and catching those large pole pieces with my fingertip every once and a while.

I was thinking a thumbrest would be ideal, but: a) I'm not drilling holes in this bass! and b) I'd want the thumbrest in a spot covered by the pickguard.

Ideas? What does everyone else do?

(here she is...)

A41CC489-B9D2-4214-ADA1-A8D7B2571694.jpg
 
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#3
1bassplayinfool said:
Zero mod - kinda pricey, but no holes need to be drilled.

Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

Cool. That's exactly what I was thinking - I saw the pickguard holes and was thinking "if I could mount something from there, that would be perfect..." Glad there's a company that did the engineering already but a tad pricey for a small piece of plastic - but not too much to spend to better enjoy the bass. Thanks.
 
#5
Here is what I have used for that situation:

stingray thumbrest 2.jpg


It is a small plastic thumbrest that I superglued to the pickguard. It is in approximately the same position as the neck pickup of a Jazz bass would be. If anyone wants to do something like this, here are some recommendations:

  • First, order a replacement pickguard, and set aside the original one in case you ever want to sell the bass. You can call MusicMan and order a replacement EBMM pickguard, they have excellent customer service and can send you one that is genuine replacement for approx. $20-25 plus shipping
  • Cut the thumbrest from a piece of scrap plastic. For white, I have a piece of plumbing valve that is white that I got from Lowe's for this purpose. I cut it with a small hand jigsaw, then sand for smoothness. For black, I've actually used a piece cut from a plastic licenseplate frameholder for a car. Weird, I know, but it has worked great
  • Mark your desired location with a pencil
  • Superglue the thumbrest on, with the smoothest side down for a good bond.
  • Let it sit overnight
I've done this on 4 EBMM basses. It works great, I've never had one come off, even after years of playing. And it gives me a thumbrest exactly where I need it.

Like a lot of DIY solutions, it's not perfect, but it has been great for me.
 
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#10
Or you can make a nice ramp for free.

Home Depot....the laminate flooring section....free flooring sample blocks that just happen to be the perfect dimensions for a 4 string H pickup. Just cut off the little male tab on one end (I used a miter saw), then stick it on with a small piece of carpet tape. They have a big variety of colors to choose from.

I don't have a pic handy, but I made one for my L-1500 with a "Expresso" sample. Very dark, looks like ebony. Works great, looks great, removable, zero cost.
 
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#11
Woofer said:
Just don't anchor your thumb. I gave up on it a couple of years ago and my playing has definitely improved.
Click to expand...

Ha - I've been playing for over 25 years. My playing got as good as it was going to get about 10-15 years ago. Now I'm just trying to remember how to play 5% of the songs I used to know. ;)

I don't always anchor, but the anchor is my "home" to return to if I float. That way I always know where my right hand is at (between bridge and neck, not just string to string, but that too).
 
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#15
ashtray said:
So I recently acquired a beautiful MM StingRay 4 string, single H pickup (3 band eq). Its my first Stingray - I've had a couple dozen Fenders over the years and most of my basses have 2 pickups.

Anyhow, I typically place my thumb on the top edge of the pickup as an anchor, and play finger style. If I do that with the Stingray, I find my fingers too close to the bridge for my preferred tone, or I'm playing over the pickup and catching those large pole pieces with my fingertip every once and a while.

I was thinking a thumbrest would be ideal, but: a) I'm not drilling holes in this bass! and b) I'd want the thumbrest in a spot covered by the pickguard.

Ideas? What does everyone else do?
Click to expand...
Hi Ashtray - congratulations on your new bass.

I anchor my thumb against the E string (unless I'm playing it!) I learned this technique from playing a 5 string Stingray where it's essential to anchor against the B string to stop it droning (bag pipe style) when you're not plucking it. It didn't take long to learn to move away from pick up anchoring as a natural position. This method enables plucking anywhere between the bridge saddles and neck!

I wouldn't add a thumb rest - one of the beauties of a Stingray is its sensitivity to plucking position (as you've noticed from plucking over the pick up) and weight of plucking - giving good tonal variation - and also the uncluttered area available to do so - a thumb rest, for me, would interrupt that.

Also beware - modded Stingrays are more difficult to sell, no matter how minor the mod is - if it involves drilling through the pickguard into the body then this would not be a reversible mod.
 
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#17
drTSTingray said:
Hi Ashtray - congratulations on your new bass.

I anchor my thumb against the E string (unless I'm playing it!) I learned this technique from playing a 5 string Stingray where it's essential to anchor against the B string to stop it droning (bag pipe style) when you're not plucking it. It didn't take long to learn to move away from pick up anchoring as a natural position. This method enables plucking anywhere between the bridge saddles and neck!

I wouldn't add a thumb rest - one of the beauties of a Stingray is its sensitivity to plucking position (as you've noticed from plucking over the pick up) and weight of plucking - giving good tonal variation - and also the uncluttered area available to do so - a thumb rest, for me, would interrupt that.

Also beware - modded Stingrays are more difficult to sell, no matter how minor the mod is - if it involves drilling through the pickguard into the body then this would not be a reversible mod.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Just got the bass but its different than any other bass I've owned. I don't see myself ever selling it, but yeah - its not getting any permanent mods. The thumb rest that uses pickguard holes to mount would be ideal, though likely be further from the strings than where I normally anchor on the pickup edge.

The StingRay has such a unique tone - and playing closer to the bridge even brings out more of it. That said, its not where I'm used to playing. I don't mind moving my hand position for phrases, but I need my "home" position. :)

The pickguard on mine is black - so a black thumb rest should blend in well. I hear ya about the uncluttered blank area - I don't like the look of the HH model. Going to avoid a ramp bc I keep slapping on this bass (it just begs for it!) and need room under the strings. Don't see myself supergluing anything to the pickguard, though it would put the rest right where I'd want it.
 

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