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johnnelles · December 22nd, 2003, 01:20 PM

While most P-Basses have neither, I've wondered why Fender originally used finger rests (below the strings) but sometimes sold their basses with thumbrests (above the strings). When did Fender start/stop doing this?
Does anyone have a preference - and why?

[size=2]examples:[/size]

Russinator · December 22nd, 2003, 02:05 PM

Very often the bass was played with the thumb. I still do for the most part. Finger playing was not common really. In mid 1970s sometime they changed from finger rest to thumb rest. That and the chrome pickup covers disapeared because most people removed them anyway.

Dennis_UK · December 22nd, 2003, 04:05 PM

Although for reasons of "originality", I'm having the maple finger rest made for the Sting next year, and getting the chrome bits too, giving some additional thumbresting points!

broadcaster · December 22nd, 2003, 08:36 PM

The pu'p(s) make for a great thumbrest also.

Dave W · December 23rd, 2003, 04:44 AM

Every electric bassist I saw in the 50s (not that many of them) either played with a thumbpick or the thumb. Some of them anchored their fingers on that rest. Although I never heard any term for it, on a Fender or other bass, some old Fender employees have called it a tugbar.

tom grossheider · December 26th, 2003, 03:05 PM

Dennis, you should just make one yourself. I did one out of oak flooring and shaped it while watching TV at night. Gives you something constructive to do during those commercial breaks....

I plan to make another for a slab body Pbass that I have here.
Tom

December 22nd, 2003, 01:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
johnnelles Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 356 11 Photos	P-Bass: thumb rest vs. finger rest While most P-Basses have neither, I've wondered why Fender originally used finger rests (below the strings) but sometimes sold their basses with thumbrests (above the strings). When did Fender start/stop doing this? Does anyone have a preference - and why? [size=2]examples:[/size]

December 22nd, 2003, 04:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dennis_UK Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calstock, Cornwall, UK Age: 56 Posts: 715	Thumb rest for me. Although for reasons of "originality", I'm having the maple finger rest made for the Sting next year, and getting the chrome bits too, giving some additional thumbresting points! __________________ Fender MIM Precision, all black, 2004. Fender MIJ Precision, '51 RI, Butterscotch, 1996. Squier VM Precision TB, 3TS, 2007 Markbass CMD121H 1x12 combo plus 1x12 ext cab My band: The Rock'nRoll Outlaws

December 22nd, 2003, 02:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Russinator Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 549	Very often the bass was played with the thumb. I still do for the most part. Finger playing was not common really. In mid 1970s sometime they changed from finger rest to thumb rest. That and the chrome pickup covers disapeared because most people removed them anyway.

December 22nd, 2003, 08:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
broadcaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: westconsin Age: 51 Posts: 738	The pu'p(s) make for a great thumbrest also.

December 23rd, 2003, 04:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
Dave W Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Guadalupe County, TX Age: 62 Posts: 2,038	Every electric bassist I saw in the 50s (not that many of them) either played with a thumbpick or the thumb. Some of them anchored their fingers on that rest. Although I never heard any term for it, on a Fender or other bass, some old Fender employees have called it a tugbar.

December 26th, 2003, 03:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
tom grossheider Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mokena, IL Posts: 789	Dennis, you should just make one yourself. I did one out of oak flooring and shaped it while watching TV at night. Gives you something constructive to do during those commercial breaks.... I plan to make another for a slab body Pbass that I have here. Tom

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