What is a bass ramp and why would you want one?

You might have heard the term “bass ramp” before and not know what it means. This article will explain to you what it is and why you would want one.

A bass ramp is a block of wood that is mounted under the strings, and is either mounted before the pickups (front-side mount,) between two pickups (mid-mount) or after the pickups (rear-side mount.) The position of the block depends on player preference.

The most common bass ramp position is between two pickups, as shown above.

What are the reasons for wanting a bass ramp?

There are three primary reasons.

First, to replicate the same feel as if you were playing directly on the fretboard.

Many players will pluck notes directly over the fretboard. This style of play means you are touching wood often, and the ramp gives a similar feel further back on the body. This is, incidentally, why most bass ramps are made of wood; it’s so the feel is similar to that of fretboard wood.

Second, to encourage lighter touch for greater speed and accuracy.

When playing over the fretboard, you will immediately notice that you’re forced to use a light touch because there is much less space between the string and the wood. With a ramp in use, that same playing environment is replicated further back on the body. Over time, you get used to the lighter-touch way of playing, which allows for increased speed (and comfort) of play.

Third, to provide a finger rest.

When playing over the fretboard, you can rest your thumb directly on the neck itself. With the ramp, you can construct it to match where the neck is and get a similar rest further back on the body.

Is there a “standard” bass ramp?

No. When a player wants a ramp, it usually must be fabricated from scratch.

Things to know if you want to construct a bass ramp

Pick a wood that feels like a fretboard

You want a block of wood that is smooth, but not necessarily super-smooth since your fingers will be touching it often.

Many who fabricate bass ramps will pick wood that is “slightly lumpy” (meaning textured like a rosewood board) because it’s easier on the fingers. The super-smooth stuff is okay to use, but know that it may cause skin irritation on the pads of your fingers.

You will have to carve the top of the block to match the neck’s fingerboard radius

Proper bass ramps are not flat, but rather are curved on top to match whatever the fingerboard radius is. It’s a good idea to have measuring tools at-the-ready that can measure that sort of thing.

The guide to how high and how curved your bass ramp should be is the neck itself. The general rule of thumb is to create your ramp as if it were a fretless extension of the neck.

Does this mean you have to construct your ramp to the exact height of the neck? No. You can construct yours however you wish. You may prefer a higher or lower ramp depending on your playing style. The point is that the neck is the guide; that’s your reference point.

How does one mount a bass ramp?

There are several ways to do this.

1. Cut a new route in the body just for the ramp and use foam padding on the underside to allow for easy height adjustment.

2. Use the same method as 1 above, but mount as a pickup and use screws for height adjustment.

3. Glue the ramp direct-on-body. This is not elegant and there is no height adjustment with this method, but it works.

There are other ways of going about it, but those are the big 3, so to speak.

How to know if a bass ramp is right for you?

Try playing on the fretboard. Don’t concern yourself with tone but rather with feel. If playing over the fretboard feels right and you notice you can whiz around faster and more comfortably, grab some tools and try fabricating a bass ramp.