This is why I recommend installing your thumb rest up a little higher up just so you can avoid this problem all together. Another reason for bringing up your thumb rest is simply for the increased leverage that you’ll get. Thus, while “tug bar” and “thumb rest” are often used interchangeably, they don`t mean the exact same thing. Both words refer to a similar piece that is attached to the bass. The difference lies in where we attach it. We uncover the Top 9 Best Jazz bass guitars for Jazz musicians of all levels. With offerings from Fender, Ibanez, Sandberg and more.

A good guitar or bass tech can breathe new life into your bass guitar and change an average performing bass into something that you can't stop playing.Thus, in modern times, bassists who play old-school basses with tug bars generally just like how the bar looks, or have simply not cared to remove it. In 1974, Fender switched the place of the tug bar from below the G string, to above the E string. Thus, while the part remained similar, this gave it a new function. I personally prefer making mine parallel with the strings but the steps are the same either way. If you aren’t sure which way you’ll like better, play a couple of scales or something and see if your thumb sits at any kind of angle. To install a new thumb rest on your bass, you should drill small holes above the top string where the screws of your new thumb rest will go, then line up your thumb rest and manually screw it in by hand. Do not use a drill or you might strip the screws. This is because using your thumb as a movable anchor, or playing with a floating thumb is generally preferable. I say this because I find methods to allow for better dexterity and fluidity.

So yeah, it’s really easy to get used to a thumb rest which I guess could be considered a downside. Good quality bass guitars don’t have to cost you a fortune – we take a look at 11 cheap bass guitars that actually sound good. As we stated in our guitar mods blog, instruments are subject to humidity and temperature changes when they travel from their destination, so would always benefit from a set up. This is because there is no set answer to where to place your thumb. Rather, there are different methods for making strings easily reachable and for keeping your tone consistent. If you've got a tired old bass guitar that you know in your heart has more to give, we thoroughly recommend learning how to make a few modifications to your bass guitar to get the best out of it.Playability is extremely important when it comes to any bass guitar. It's important that you actually LIKE the bass guitar you're playing. The more invested you are in your bass emotionally and physically, the better you'll play it and thus your music will sound better. Anyways, I think that thumb rests are something really easy to put on your bass but it’s just really over-looked. Few bases come with them anymore which is honestly a real shame in my opinion. Once you’ve found exactly where you want the thumb rest to go, poke one of the screws into both of the holes so that you know exactly where to drill.