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Post subject: I need an answer(s) to settle a bet.
Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 11:50 am
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Why is there a "thumbrest" (if that is what it is) on the treble side of the strings on the vintage P-Basses? I was discussing this with a friend of mine and we are both stumped. He suggested an original design mistake that went into production, I refuted. Sorry if this is a new guy question, but i haven't been much of a P-Bass guy until recently and am in the process of raising money to get my first one.

Thanks to all of you.

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Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 12:46 pm
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I don't know the reason for it but my vintage Precision's rest is located on the upper or bass side. It came that way new in the box when I bought it in '75.


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Post subject: ok
Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 2:47 pm
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Groovy. So some of em had them on the bass side where it makes sense.

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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 3:24 pm
yep


Last edited by 6163asfj on Fri Sep 17, 2010 4:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 4:27 pm
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glbass is right. When the Fender basses first came out in the fifties, it was the predominant style of the day to pluck by using the thumb, and placing the rest of the fingers on the "tug bar" (as it was called back then). I believe this continued at least up thru the early 60's. Eventually as more and more bassists played with the fingers like the upright bass players did, Fender decided to move the tug bar to the bass side. It was likely a lot of bassists were probably doing this mod themselves anyway, and Fender decided to follow suit. (I'm guessing) Eventually they got rid of it altogether, I don't know when or why. All I can tell you is they still had the bass-side thumb rest as of 1978, as my old '78 P-bass came with one.
So I would say your friend is dead wrong, and I guess you win the bet. Just a few more bucks to put towards your new P-bass. Enjoy!

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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 6:35 pm
Hey Bathead; Good info for the guys. I had a new 1970 Gibson EBO with a Tug Bar on board. I know at least into 1970 on that model the Tug Bar was there. That EBO had the Mute Pull Lever on the bridge also.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 7:59 pm
yep


Last edited by 6163asfj on Fri Sep 17, 2010 4:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 7:17 am
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The "tugbar" moved in '73-'74.

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 7:32 am
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ANy idea when and why they got rid of it altogether?

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'10 Squier VM Jazz bass, maple fretboard, natural finish
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'09 MIM standard Strat, maple fretboard, sunburst finish
Fender Super Champ XD


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 7:48 am
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Quote:
ANy idea when and why they got rid of it altogether?


I'm guessing ... for the same reason Fender quit putting the pup & bridge covers on. Cheaper for one .... and I think everyone was taking them off anyway.
I know I took all three items off my '75 P.
BUT ..... they're back on now! :)

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 10:15 am
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glbass wrote:
I do wish they would use tug bars again. Relocate the tug bar as a thumb rest midway between the base of the neck and the neck pickup on the E string side.


I've added these on my P-basses, $5 and a drill :)


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 10:18 am
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Yah, bass-flyer, I had all of that on my '78 too. Took off the pup cover cuz it was in the way of my playing, left the bridge cover on, cuz it looked good. Eventually took that off too, as it was a real dust catcher. (first bass I ever had that had resident dust bunnies), but I never touched the thumb rest, it was too useful to me.

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'10 Squier VM Jazz bass, maple fretboard, natural finish
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'09 MIM standard Strat, maple fretboard, sunburst finish
Fender Super Champ XD


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 10:27 am
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My '75 P with repro pup cover and thumbrest.

Image

My '51 RI

Image

My '06 Classic '50s P

Image

I must admit though .... on my main players, the pup cover is off.

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 10:29 am
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LawDaddy wrote:
glbass wrote:
I do wish they would use tug bars again. Relocate the tug bar as a thumb rest midway between the base of the neck and the neck pickup on the E string side.


I've added these on my P-basses, $5 and a drill :)

Me too, one on my Squier Jazz, and one, as seen here on an SX P-bass:
Image

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'08 Fender Am. Std. Jazz bass, maple fretboard, charcoal frost metallic finish
'10 Squier VM Jazz bass, maple fretboard, natural finish
Ampeg BA115
'09 MIM standard Strat, maple fretboard, sunburst finish
Fender Super Champ XD


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 10:31 am
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I must also admit ... when I put a repro thumbrest on my '75 P ..... I rarely used it!

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