Cheap mode for my Ibanez

Seamus OReally

Seamus OReally

Well-Known Member
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I snagged a brand new Ibanez SR400 for $300 shipped, and really like it. But I wasn’t getting a consistent tone because I couldn’t find a permanent home for my thumb. So I bought a $7 tug bar and screwed it on just above the pickups. It’s nicer to play now that I’m not wandering all over the place.
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Seamus OReally said:
I snagged a brand new Ibanez SR400 for $300 shipped, and really like it. But I wasn’t getting a consistent tone because I couldn’t find a permanent home for my thumb. So I bought a $7 tug bar and screwed it on just above the pickups. It’s nicer to play now that I’m not wandering all over the place.
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Something I have considered. But I also find I’m using my thumb to mute the E. So….. :unsure:
 
Thatbastarddon said:
I usually play with my thumb around the waist of the bass….probably a cardinal sin or something…
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But I don’t have a bass with one them fancy thumb loungers… ;)

Seriously, nice upgrade @Seamus OReally , congratulations!
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I usually have my thumb resting on the Neck pickup. Which is how I’m also muting the E string when I’m not plucking it. I’m not a good enough bass player to not hit adjacent strings when I’m plucking. The other three don’t usually seem to be an issue…. But that darn E string always seems to be ringing out when I play. And usually at not appropriate times.
 
iblive said:
I usually have my thumb resting on the Neck pickup. Which is how I’m also muting the E string when I’m not plucking it. I’m not a good enough bass player to not hit adjacent strings when I’m plucking. The other three don’t usually seem to be an issue…. But that darn E string always seems to be ringing out when I play. And usually at not appropriate times.
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Well…if I had good advice, I would surely share it here.
Unfortunately, I’m not really a bassist…I jut go by instinct, and don’t pay much attention to anything other than the result. If I have trouble getting results, I try to figure out out how to get there…not so much on how I “should”, but how I “can”. It’s probably not the best way, but it’s usually kinda fun…IMO.
 
Thatbastarddon said:
Well…if I had good advice, I would surely share it here.
Unfortunately, I’m not really a bassist…I jut go by instinct, and don’t pay much attention to anything other than the result. If I have trouble getting results, I try to figure out out how to get there…not so much on how I “should”, but how I “can”. It’s probably not the best way, but it’s usually kinda fun…IMO.
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I really should have played bass rather than guitar. I'd be a decent bass player had I gone that route. But it's a fairly well accepted fact the guitar player gets the girl. And I can vouch for the validity of that premise.
 
Funny that we are discussing places to rest our thumb. In my fun time today, I revisited some clips discussing bass licks and how he does it, for Steve Harris. Also one fella who really has Steve's skill, technique and sound down pat. Steve is definitely one player who will wear most mortals out who try to duplicate his speedy gallop and other nuances for a guy who is known for playing 2 fingers primarily.


@Thatbastarddon, I am like you, no pro bass player, but Jeff Monaco sure makes his thumb technique very clear when I watch this vid and the one above. He can be seen pressing his thumb against the body of his bass, plus as he plays the higher strings, he lies it across or on the E A B strings to mute things.

 
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Seamus, did you mean MODE in the thread title?

Or did you mean Mod as in Modification? I almost didn't open the thread because I didn't understand what a cheap bass mode is
 
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