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Eggman

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
1,440
Location
Centennial, CO
I have had numberous EBMM basses in the single H configuration and eventually have sold them all because I never fully bonded with them. I have a Big Poppa Bongo and I dig its tone but there is something about it that bugs me.

Playing it last weekend in Aspen, it hit me. My problem is physical positioning and not the bass. I have played two pickup basses all my life and always anchored my right thumb on the bridge pickup. My body must have some muscle memory for that position. When playing a single H my arm is "out of position" plus there is a difference in string tension playing back by the bridge.

The other morning I had an idea - the old thumb rest idea. I pictured one of those adhesive small rubber bumpers that might be used on a cabinet door, stuck to the pickguard where the back corner of a bridge pickup might be. Didn't have any of those bumpers in the house but I found one of the small suction cup hooks one might use on a window to hang something. Took the metal hook off which left a small silicone/plastic suction cup with a nub in the center.

I put it in place on the pickguard and ta-da - it works great. My arm is in its position and the string tension feels right. Tone is perfect.

I am a happy camper with the single H now!!!
 

bdgotoh

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
970
Location
Pacific NW
If you need a more permanent solution, I once got a used Stingray with a thumbrest and I thought they had done it well. They took off the pickguard, drilled holes for the thumbrest and used screws up through the guard into the thumbrest and recessed the screwheads. Very secure mounting and all you've modified is the pickguard, no holes into the body.
 

maddog

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Joined
May 8, 2004
Messages
4,463
Location
Albuquerque
Eggman is, evidently, the Martha Stewart of the bass world. Brad seems to be the Norm Abram of said world. :D
 

Eggman

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Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
1,440
Location
Centennial, CO
Eggman is, evidently, the Martha Stewart of the bass world. Brad seems to be the Norm Abram of said world. :D

Thanks for that - but I think I'm the MacGyver of the Bass World!!

Don't really want a "permanent" solution. This little suction cup thingy can be moved around for optimal playing comfort.
 

maddog

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Joined
May 8, 2004
Messages
4,463
Location
Albuquerque
no swiss army knife was involved so MacGyver is ruled out. :p

Glad you found a working solution. Them singleH bongos are keepers.
 

Bassmanslap

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 10, 2008
Messages
63
Location
Jersey, Channel Islands
Thank you Eggman & bdgotoh!!

I have EXACTLY the same problem with my H Stingray after playing P style basses for years. I have just ordered a thumbrest to attach to my spare pickguard (will try on the spare first before attaching to my gigging pickguard) :D

Will let you know how i get on.

Cheers
Matt
 

Eggman

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
1,440
Location
Centennial, CO
no swiss army knife was involved so MacGyver is ruled out. :p

Glad you found a working solution. Them singleH bongos are keepers.

Au contraire - a swiss army knife was used to open the little package of suction cup thingys.
 

TNT

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 18, 2005
Messages
3,576
Location
Oakland - Raider Nation!
Bill, now, if we can "only" get those single H 's back!!

Sure glad skinny stringers don't have to deal with "resting" our thumbs. The only time I rest my thumb at a gig is during break when I'm picking up my coffee cup, ( I rest my thumb on the handle). LOL, lol,lol

Yeah, I'm always the designated driver!:)
 

boombox

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 9, 2006
Messages
435
Location
Gonzales, Louisiana, United States
I have an alternative solution for you Eggy! Buy a BIG AL and have 3 thumb rest and a “Swiss army knife” of tones to choose from. Then your thumb will be happy and we could call you MacGyver!
 
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