FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about
THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO YOUR HANDS.
Q: How does All Thumbs REST work?
A: All Thumbs REST relieves pressure on your hand, wrist, and arm. It does this by increasing the surface area of the thumbrest and preventing the thumb from bending.
While a factory thumbrest puts all the weight of your instrument on a single point, All Thumbs REST spreads the weight of the instrument across the whole thumb, which in turn spreads the weight across the whole forearm. Under these conditions, no particular joint or tendon is unduly stressed.
Q: What does “REST” stand for?
A: Relief from the Exertion of Sore Tendons
Q: Who can benefit from All Thumbs REST?
A: Anyone who experiences discomfort while playing an instrument in the oboe or clarinet family may get relief by using All Thumbs REST. Symptoms commonly alleviated include: sore hands, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and general fatigue of the hands and arms.
Those with double-jointed thumbs and/or difficulty moving the ring and pinkie fingers effectively may also find that All Thumbs REST aids in proper hand position.
Q: If I am already being treated for hand/wrist/arm issues, how does All Thumbs REST fit in?
A: No device is a cure-all, but All Thumbs REST can allow you to continue playing and help prevent further injury while you are recovering.
Q: Can I use All Thumbs REST with other support devices?
A: Generally, yes. All Thumbs REST is compatible with adjustable instrument thumbrests, Dutch thumbrests, FHRED, end pins, WRIST, splint rings, wrist or arm braces, and neck straps that have hooks. This list is by no means exhaustive.
All Thumbs REST is not compatible with the Kooiman thumbrest, and can be awkward with neck straps that use leather tabs, rather than hooks.
Q: Will All Thumbs REST change how my instrument fits in its case?
A: No. All Thumbs REST pulls off for storage, so it can be stored anywhere. Your instrument will fit in its case normally.
INSTALLATION
Q: Do I need a professional to install or setup my All Thumbs REST?
A: No. All Thumbs REST attaches with self-stick Velcro. You can install it yourself in seconds.
Q: What if the Velcro dot is bigger than my instrument’s thumbrest?
A: We have chosen this size Velcro to fit a wide variety of instrument makes and models. You can trim the Velcro with scissors, or you can wrap the edges over the top of your instrument’s thumbrest for added stability.
Q: How do I remove All Thumbs REST?
A: To remove for storage, simply pull All Thumbs REST downward from the instrument thumbrest to separate the two sides of the Velcro. Pulling at an angle—instead of straight down—will help the Velcro last longer.
To remove All Thumbs REST permanently, peel the dot with the Velcro loops away from your instrument thumbrest. Rubbing alcohol, mineral spirits, or nail polish remover should take off any remaining adhesive.
USAGE
Q: Why does All Thumbs REST move when I’m playing?
A: The Velcro connection allows All Thumbs REST to pivot with your hand. This rotation is intentional, and it allows continuous support at all angles as you play.
Q: What if I want a more open or closed hand position?
A: You can position All Thumbs REST to the left or right of center to better accommodate your hand position. In doing so, you may either reposition All Thumbs REST laterally, or you may rotate it around the instrument.
Generally, those with smaller hands will move All Thumbs REST to the left, while those with larger hands will shift it to the right.
ORDERING ALL THUMBS REST
Q: Where can I get All Thumbs REST?
A: You can order All Thumbs REST on this site or from any of the following instrument supply dealers, listed in no particular order:
Midwest Musical Imports, Minneapolis, MN
The Reedmaker Reed Shop, Annapolis, MD
Weber Reeds, Chandler, AZ
Charles Double Reeds, Conway, NH
Oboe-Shop.de, Frankfurt, Germany
Hodge Products, Roseland, VA
ABOUT THE VELCRO
Q: How long does the Velcro last?
A: Depending on your usage, the loop side of the Velcro—the side attached to the instrument—will last anywhere from 6 months to several years. For your convenience, 3 Velcro dots are included in the package with your All Thumbs REST.
The hook side of the Velcro—the side attached to All Thumbs REST itself—should last for many years.
Q: Where can I get replacement Velcro?
A: Velcro dots and strips are available at many major retailers, including Target, Home Depot, and WalMart. Or, write us at AllThumbsREST @ gmail.com, and we’ll mail you new Velcro for a nominal fee.
Q: Where can I get more information about All Thumbs REST?
A: Write us at AllThumbsREST@ gmail.com. We love to hear from you!
A: All Thumbs REST relieves pressure on your hand, wrist, and arm. It does this by increasing the surface area of the thumbrest and preventing the thumb from bending.
While a factory thumbrest puts all the weight of your instrument on a single point, All Thumbs REST spreads the weight of the instrument across the whole thumb, which in turn spreads the weight across the whole forearm. Under these conditions, no particular joint or tendon is unduly stressed.
Q: What does “REST” stand for?
A: Relief from the Exertion of Sore Tendons
Q: Who can benefit from All Thumbs REST?
A: Anyone who experiences discomfort while playing an instrument in the oboe or clarinet family may get relief by using All Thumbs REST. Symptoms commonly alleviated include: sore hands, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and general fatigue of the hands and arms.
Those with double-jointed thumbs and/or difficulty moving the ring and pinkie fingers effectively may also find that All Thumbs REST aids in proper hand position.
Q: If I am already being treated for hand/wrist/arm issues, how does All Thumbs REST fit in?
A: No device is a cure-all, but All Thumbs REST can allow you to continue playing and help prevent further injury while you are recovering.
Q: Can I use All Thumbs REST with other support devices?
A: Generally, yes. All Thumbs REST is compatible with adjustable instrument thumbrests, Dutch thumbrests, FHRED, end pins, WRIST, splint rings, wrist or arm braces, and neck straps that have hooks. This list is by no means exhaustive.
All Thumbs REST is not compatible with the Kooiman thumbrest, and can be awkward with neck straps that use leather tabs, rather than hooks.
Q: Will All Thumbs REST change how my instrument fits in its case?
A: No. All Thumbs REST pulls off for storage, so it can be stored anywhere. Your instrument will fit in its case normally.
INSTALLATION
Q: Do I need a professional to install or setup my All Thumbs REST?
A: No. All Thumbs REST attaches with self-stick Velcro. You can install it yourself in seconds.
Q: What if the Velcro dot is bigger than my instrument’s thumbrest?
A: We have chosen this size Velcro to fit a wide variety of instrument makes and models. You can trim the Velcro with scissors, or you can wrap the edges over the top of your instrument’s thumbrest for added stability.
Q: How do I remove All Thumbs REST?
A: To remove for storage, simply pull All Thumbs REST downward from the instrument thumbrest to separate the two sides of the Velcro. Pulling at an angle—instead of straight down—will help the Velcro last longer.
To remove All Thumbs REST permanently, peel the dot with the Velcro loops away from your instrument thumbrest. Rubbing alcohol, mineral spirits, or nail polish remover should take off any remaining adhesive.
USAGE
Q: Why does All Thumbs REST move when I’m playing?
A: The Velcro connection allows All Thumbs REST to pivot with your hand. This rotation is intentional, and it allows continuous support at all angles as you play.
Q: What if I want a more open or closed hand position?
A: You can position All Thumbs REST to the left or right of center to better accommodate your hand position. In doing so, you may either reposition All Thumbs REST laterally, or you may rotate it around the instrument.
Generally, those with smaller hands will move All Thumbs REST to the left, while those with larger hands will shift it to the right.
ORDERING ALL THUMBS REST
Q: Where can I get All Thumbs REST?
A: You can order All Thumbs REST on this site or from any of the following instrument supply dealers, listed in no particular order:
Midwest Musical Imports, Minneapolis, MN
The Reedmaker Reed Shop, Annapolis, MD
Weber Reeds, Chandler, AZ
Charles Double Reeds, Conway, NH
Oboe-Shop.de, Frankfurt, Germany
Hodge Products, Roseland, VA
ABOUT THE VELCRO
Q: How long does the Velcro last?
A: Depending on your usage, the loop side of the Velcro—the side attached to the instrument—will last anywhere from 6 months to several years. For your convenience, 3 Velcro dots are included in the package with your All Thumbs REST.
The hook side of the Velcro—the side attached to All Thumbs REST itself—should last for many years.
Q: Where can I get replacement Velcro?
A: Velcro dots and strips are available at many major retailers, including Target, Home Depot, and WalMart. Or, write us at AllThumbsREST @ gmail.com, and we’ll mail you new Velcro for a nominal fee.
Q: Where can I get more information about All Thumbs REST?
A: Write us at AllThumbsREST@ gmail.com. We love to hear from you!