Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Have you ever seen a Ric that had a thumbrest ?

I did a search on this topic but only found threads related to the handrest, as well as to the thumbrest located "underneath the G string".
Whereas what I mean is to add one above the E.

-When looking at the possibility of adding one yesterday, I found that there isn't much space at all (because of the big bridge PU's metal encassing and the pickguard).

Also, I wouldn't really want to get a horseshoe, as that would be in the way of playing over the bridge PU (I never play with a pick : only finger-picking). And I don't like the idea of anchoring my thumb directly on the PU, which is what I tend to do now.

So I'd like to know if you've ever seen one at all, and possibly if you couldn't provide a link to pictures.
(Once again, a Google query turned up horseshoes and old-style thumbrests only.)

Thanks

Well, I saw one on a 4001 bass on Ebay a few weeks back. It was cleverly installed: the screw holding it down threaded into the existing screw hole on the corner of the pickguard which is near the treble pickup surround. Anything you can do to avoid routing new holes on a Rick bass is commendable. A better arrangement would be using TWO screws: screw one would thread as above and screw two would thread into the adjacent screw hole on the pickup surround.

Thanks Sérgio.
I'd also rather not make new holes in the bass. So what you're suggesting is very interesting.
(I was juggling between screwing new holes or gluing it ; both of which arent reversible modifications.)

-Your solution is way better. I only need to cut an appropriatly shaped thumbrest.

Great

If you have to do it (I wouldn't)... glue it to the pickguard or screw it through the pickguard ... that way you can always put a new pickguard on and it will be back to stock ...

Screwing a thumbrest through the pickguard is not a bad idea. If you don't mind the resulting slight damage to the pickguard, that is. It's your decision, Raman.

Thanks Jeff. I agree that it's also a better way to do it than driving holes directly into the wood.
As for gluing it to the plastic, I don't know how strong that would be.

But I think I'll try to see if I can design a thumbrest that would be screwed in holes that are already there. I was looking at it earlier, and here's what I'm thinking would be best :
The 2 screws I'm considering using are the one just above the neck PU, and the one on the neck-side of the bridge PU, just above the E string.
If I used those, all I'd have to do is shape the bottom of the thumbrest (the part that'd be in contact with the instrument) so that it is raised where it'll be in contact with the pickguard.

It would also have to be raised where it will go over the metal parts.

I used a 1/8" piece of clear plastic, cut to shape and adhered with some 1/16" foam tape I found at work. I put it along the upper edge of the pickguard, extending maybe 3/8" over the wood, with no support. The whole piece is probably 2 inches long by 1/2". It doesn't move.

Arrgh! Okay, one more time. I went and looked.

2" x 3/4" x 1/8", centerline below the E string. On my 4001 pickguard, roughly 7/8" below the top horizontal line, and extending over wood, 1/2"

You wouldn't happen to have a picture James, would you ?
I have a hard time picturing it...

I like the vintage look of the 60's style clear plastic thumbrests. I make them out of 3/8"x3/8" plastic rod and cut them to 2"in length. I drill the mounting holes 3/8" from the edge of the piece. I use a piece of double sided tape to test where I'm going to place it on my basses then when I'm sure, I drill and screw just the way Rickenbacker did it back then. Unlike Rick, I attatche it to a spot where I can use it above the strings and always on the pickguard area. I can e-mail pics to anyone who would like to see how mine turned out.

"I can e-mail pics to anyone who would like to see how mine turned out."

Please do