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Post subject: Hand position on P bass
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:44 pm
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I learned to play on an old 62 Vintage P bass with a warped neck. I did not remove the ash tray covers so I always played around the chrome pick up cover, mostly just in front of the cover with my thumb resting on the pick guard edge, just above and a little back from the middle screw (when playing the E string as I rest the thumb on the string above for extra muting). I have noticed most P bass players rest the thumb on the pick up itself (without the chrome cover) and play a little farther back towards the bridge. Now that my 62 is gone and I play an American Standard without a cover, I can't get myself to play the larger area for more tone variety. It's as if that chrome cover is still there as a ghost. Weird eh?


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Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:13 pm
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jav wrote:
Weird eh?


Whatever works best for you is not weird. Different hand positions and playing techniques are part of what makes one player sound different from another. For fingerstyle playing I anchor my thumb on the "E" string unless I'm actually playing the "E" string. I play 99.5% with my right index finger. Some people would say that is weird, but it works for me.

People who play First Generation P-basses (such as the '51 RI, Custom Shop RI's, Telecasters, Sting, Classic Vibe Precision '50s model and others with the first generation single coil pickups) should not use the pickup as a thumbrest. This can destroy the pickup by literally pulling it apart. When the top of the bobbin pops off and your pole-pieces hit the floor and roll away your bass is dead until the pup is replaced! Not quieter or softer....but completely silent.

Meanwhile lots of players of the 57 up Second Generation style P-Bass have used the pup as a thumb-rest for over five decades with no ill effects, AFAIK anyway. However I got used to used the "E" string as a thumb-rest I liked that better.

Playing between the neck and pup cover gives a mellower, bassy tone and when playing between the pup cover and bridge you get a more twangy and aggressive solo type tone.


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Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:07 am
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I had a '78 P-Bass and it had a thumb rest just above the E-string, one end just next to the top end of the pup, the other end at a slight upwards angle near the end of the fretboard. It was perfectly positioned to allow me a lot of freedom of movement for tonal variations, and it just felt right. Now with my Jazz I rest my thumb on the top edge of the neckwards pup. Again, good freedom of movement and it just feels right.

Addendum : I am considering installing a thumb rest on my Jazz in the same basic position as the one I had on m '78 P-bass, it was that comfortable to me.


Last edited by Bathead on Sat Jan 02, 2010 10:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 9:53 pm
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I play with my thumb resting on the fingerboard edge around where the body meets the board. I love the tone there. Very "woodsy"? Especially when I play hard and the strings bang against the frets. Very cool sound. But I can also play very clean and tight thre for funky stuff.

I think I play in that position for 4 reasons:
1. My fav bass player does. And I love his tone.
2.Most comfortable. Keeps my wrist straight- not arched, which hurts.
3. I used to be a guitarist, so maybe my hands are used to being closer together.
4. I love the tone in that position.


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Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:44 am
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I have the pic-up cover and the bridge cover on my Precision, just like them on. I rest my thumb on the fretboard or the E depending on what I'm playing. Whatever I play it's right at the bottom of the neck.

Playing my Jazz, I have to take the cover off, the sweet spot on it is right below the center pic-up, at least for me it is.

Whatever works is the best way to play, enjoy yourself.


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Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:27 pm
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I'm a planter. That thumb goes out and stays/holds/sits wherever I am playing at the time, anywhere from neck to bridge.


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Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:08 pm
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Sometimes on the pick up and if I'm on the G string, I'll often rest my thumb on the A string.

When I play a 5 string, I usually rest my thumb on the E string, muting the B at the same time.


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Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:09 am
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I play with a pick the ,Carol Kaye version so the pup cover is removed on the p. and j. basses.For the Ric my wrist rests on the cover.


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Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 6:32 pm
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I picked up a bad habit as I taught myself how to play the bass - I play the e string with my thumb. I'm still what I'd consider a "book 2" level player (not in a band or anything), is the "thumb" habit going to hold me back? How many people use their thumb?


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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 10:23 am
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DeeReyTx wrote:
How many people use their thumb?


I only use my thumb if I am playing an octave (e.g. for a G.. the 3rd fret on the E with my thumb and 5th on the D with my index finger) or slapping.


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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 7:47 pm
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Will playing directly over my Am.Std p bass pickup damage it? Sometimes my fingers tap the pickup cover when I play aggressive fingerstyle. :?:


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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 9:30 pm
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precisionpunk wrote:
Will playing directly over my Am.Std p bass pickup damage it? Sometimes my fingers tap the pickup cover when I play aggressive fingerstyle. :?:


No damage should occur. Though, sometimes you can get some noise if your fingers hit the pick-up pole pieces. But again, this shouldn't harm the pick-up.

Finger placement with plucking is a matter of comfort, taste and what tone you want. Having the capability to change the location where you pluck will give you more variation in tone. Closer to the bridge will give you more natural definition with the note as opposed to closer to the neck which will give you a softer sound by reducing the amount of articulation. Which in many cases be perceived of having more bottom.

Again, it depends what you are comfortable with and are going for with your sound .


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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 9:50 pm
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tapping the pickup cover wont damage it.. as long as the screws are strong enough to hold the pickup its fine..


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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 10:00 pm
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Thanks alot guys I really appreciate the fast feedback!


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