[Rojarosguitar]

Hello, I recently bought a Yamaha YCL 211 II bass clarinet and I'm very content . The only thing that is a bit strange is the placement of the thumb rest. For me it's just to low. There would be space to adjust it to a higher position, but the actual thumb rest doesn't allow for a lot of upward adjustment.
The thumb rest looks like your average tenor sax plastic thumb rest; I wonder whether there is a longer replacement part that would allow for more upward adjustment?

Any suggestions very much appreciated.

best
Robert

 

[dirty]

Try just taking it off. I took mine off of my Selmer and I haven't missed it. You pretty much always play with a peg or a neck strap on the bass, so the thumb rest really isn't doing much.

If you do end up wanting it back, you can always worry about the longer thumb rest at that point.

 

[Rojarosguitar]

True... easy solution. I'll try that. Thanks!

 

[lomaserena]

I've found that thumbrests are typically too low. I guess when the designers make a fist, their thumb covers their middle finger. Mine is on top of my index finger, so I've had to move the rest up about .375 inches on my A, B flat, and C clarinets, and I keep my thumb free on my bass. Dirty's advice is good; just take it off.

 

[Rojarosguitar]

I removed the thumbrest and it seems to work just fine... thanks!

 

[mmichel]

Try just taking it off. I took mine off of my Selmer and I haven't missed it. You pretty much always play with a peg or a neck strap on the bass, so the thumb rest really isn't doing much.

If you do end up wanting it back, you can always worry about the longer thumb rest at that point.

I removed the thumbrest and it seems to work just fine... thanks!

I just tried this a few days ago on my (low Eb) Selmer bass. It's so much better!

I was having trouble navigating the inner RH pinky keys (i.e., RH low F# and low E), and found it difficult to reliably keep enough pressure on the RH ring finger key (low G) while playing any of the RH pinky keys in quick passages.

When I finally removed the thumbrest and tested to see where I might reposition it, I was amazed at how much better my right hand felt without the thumb rest. For me, it works equally well when standing (with the bass supported by a strap) or seated (where I use the strap in combination with a peg).

 

[dirty]

The only time I miss it is when I need to pick up the instrument to put it on/take it off the stand and when I'm setting it up. In both instances, it would be nice but not necessary to have a more secure hold on the instrument.

 

[SAXANY1]

I've found that thumbrests are typically too low. I guess when the designers make a fist, their thumb covers their middle finger. Mine is on top of my index finger, so I've had to move the rest up about .375 inches on my A, B flat, and C clarinets, and I keep my thumb free on my bass. Dirty's advice is good; just take it off.

JUst saw this thread as I was having the same issue. I took the hook off of the clarinet, and at the bottom of the slot section of the thumb hook, I opened up the slot togo over the screw hole, moving it above the bottom slit peg, thus gave me approximately another 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch higher, now works great. By now you are probably Way past this issue., Just trying to help.