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Alembic Club » Miscellaneous » Archive: 2005 » Archive through October 17, 2005 » Archive - 2004 » Archive through October 31, 2004 » Thumb Rest « Previous Next »

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son_of_magni
Intermediate Member
Username: son_of_magni

Post Number: 127
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Saturday, October 16, 2004 - 7:58 pm:   Edit Post

I don't know if the Alembic crew have ever offered or considered offering a thumb rest option. I like to have something stable to put my thumb on but I also like to be able to move my picking position up and down the strings. So here's an idea for a thumb rest. Ok, I know I'm going to get flamed for even thinking of screwing something to the front of my Alembic. Well I haven't done anything yet, it's just laying there...

So anyways, just wondering what people think...
SoM
thumbrest2
thumbrest3
811952
Advanced Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 282
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Saturday, October 16, 2004 - 9:19 pm:   Edit Post

Karl,
Use double-sided tape (carpet tape) to adhere it. Not a lot - maybe a few half-inch squares. Everything will come back off if you don't like it. It's an appropriately beautiful piece of wood...
dnburgess
Advanced Member
Username: dnburgess

Post Number: 329
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Saturday, October 16, 2004 - 10:20 pm:   Edit Post

I don't think there's anything wrong with installing a thumb rest. I have a demo Excel on which, if it were a personal instrument, I would definitely consider installing a thumb rest. The pickups are so far from the neck that I usually end up playing over the end of the fingerboard so that I can use the bottom of the neck as a thumb rest. While this does give a mellow tone, I'd also like to have a thumb rest between the neck and the pickups.

David B.
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 932
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 9:56 am:   Edit Post

I believe the answer to your first comment is yes, Alembic has done thumb rests for custom orders. I think there may be one or two pictures of basses with thumb rests in the gallery somewhere, but I don't remember where.

I think the idea of a thumb rest that runs more or less from the neck pickup to the bridge pickup is a good idea; I too like to move my hand position to change tone.

Ah ... found one.
http://alembic.com/club/messages/402/3279.jpg
bkbass
Member
Username: bkbass

Post Number: 73
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 10:47 am:   Edit Post

Don't ruin that beautiful top!Double sided tape or little piece of velcro down in the "pit" so you can remove it for certain songs or moods.If you want something more permanent take out the pickup lockdown screw find out the thread size get a longer screw(s)and some washers(between bottom of thumb rest and top of pickup)countersink the screw hole(s) in the thumbrest etc.You get the picture.
rklisme
Intermediate Member
Username: rklisme

Post Number: 125
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 12:50 pm:   Edit Post

I like the thumb rest idea, however I think I would have Alembic make something that would compliment your bass. Maybe something out of the same type of wood. I personally have worn away a spot on my Ken Smith where I rest my thumb. I can see where the same thing could occur on my new Alembic if I am not careful. I would like to see what you finally come up with.

Rory
wideload
Member
Username: wideload

Post Number: 59
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 2:08 pm:   Edit Post

Here's mine. Never had one before, but I've gotten quite used to it as time goes on.
http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/5651.html?1060628564

Larry
son_of_magni
Intermediate Member
Username: son_of_magni

Post Number: 128
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 2:21 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and ideas.

The carpet tape is a good idea and I just happen to have a roll. I agree that while my example is a nice piece of wood it does clash a bit with the body. I do have a huge piece of claro walnut too, but I'm thinking that on this bass either purple heart or ebony would have the right contrast.

As David and Dave have implied, this will give me more flexability over tonal quality. Plus it's a little more comfortable than the corner of the pickup cover.

In this incarnation, I think it may be putting my thumb a bit too far away from the strings, especially the C string... so I'm making a slimmed down version from purple heart. I'll post back in a few days with the results.
- SoM
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 500
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 5:28 pm:   Edit Post

although i put this brass fender thumb rest on 20 five yrs ago,its in the "sweet spot".'fender' brass thumb rest

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