Fender Thumbrests and Tugbars - Have they ever changed?

[q_of_doom]

Hi all. I'm currently having a '68 Telecaster bass restored and I'm trying to source some parts. I have found most of the era-specific parts that I needed so far on eBay, save for the pick guard and tug bar.

My question is, is it worth spending between $100 - $225 on a little bit of hollow plastic that costs $8 new? Even the one on my '64 P-bass doesn't look any different from the ones currently found in the shops. Have these thumb rests remained unchanged since the late fifties when Fender moved from one-hole to two-hole models?

Since my bass' body has needed extensive repairs done, I might as well ask my luthier to age an off-the-shelf bit for me right? Some of the older ones have aged to appear black with a burgundy sheen, but that's about as much of a difference as I can pick up. A few scratches and a bit of acid on the screws and we should have a new part looking old again. Or has the part changed somewhat in design over the years?

Please note that I'm simply a stickler for historically correct restoration, and not out to bump up the value as such.

Here's the story of my bass: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/158660-68-telebass-one-sad-story/

[geoffbyrne]

Get a nice piece of ebony off Ebay & carve your own?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PEN-BLANK-WOODTURNING-asian-striped-ebony-/150681959621?pt=UK_Crafts_Other_Crafts_EH&hash=item2315583cc5

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Four-pieces-ebony-timber-/300613794605?pt=UK_Crafts_Other_Crafts_EH&hash=item45fdfa7b2d

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Striped-Pattened-Ebony-Knife-Handle-Scales-Black-Bushcraft-1582-/320778731930?pt=UK_Crafts_Other_Crafts_EH&hash=item4aafe7019a

G.

[Delberthot]

[url="http://www.classicguitarboxes.com/thumb_rests.php"]Or buy one ready made[/url]

I dare say you could buy an ebony one and age it. Might be easier than trying to age a bit plastic

Or even get one of the maple ones, paint it black and the relic it

[EssentialTension]

What I've got now doesn't seem much different to what I remember having in the 1970s.

[q_of_doom]

Thanks for the feedback. The wooden ones look great, but I'm after a piece of plastic since that's what was originally installed since the late fifties/early sixties on all Fender basses. I'm trying for a restoration that is historically perfect.

Thanks again.