Advantages and disadvantages of placing a cover bridge on a jazz bass?

[doktormerol]

I have a White Jazz Bass, looks and sound very cool, but I always think that looks kind of classic, so I was thinking in put a bridge cover on my bass, but i don't know if this change the sound or something?

Advantages and disadvantages of placing a cover bridge on a jazz bass?

[96tbird]

No advantage. Disadvantage: you can't palm mute. No tonal change. That's it.

[Slowgypsy]

Possible cosmetic disadvantage: screw holes.

[Truktek2]

Advantage = Looks good
Disadvantage = Can't pluck strings over bridge pickup.

[doktormerol]

Thanks guys! =)

[JoeWPgh]

It won't fit over many bridges is one disadvantage. It's not really player friendly is another. It looks fabulous in pictures is the main advantage.

[darkstorm]

If its got the old style femder brdge with saddle screws sticking way up, & rough saddle parts, the cover can prevent the sharp pokey parts of bridge from eating and gnawing ones hand. However the front edge of the covers while not as bad as the bridge itself, is also a bit overly thin and can be somewhat sharp creating a new hand hazard if used for handrest.

[landau roof]

It changes the sound if you have the foam rubber mute affixed to it. Otherwise it just looks great. And as much as I love the look, I don't play with it on. I stuff foam under the strings.

[dtripoli]

A bridge cover creates a magnetic sonic field that increases the tonal and visual quality 100%.
Then again, maybe not. Besides who you gonna believe, your ears or your lying eyes?

Advantage: it's free to not have a cover
Disadvantage: it's about $24 for a cheap one
A scantily clad woman is a lot sexier than a completely naked girl. And so it goes with basses, then again, maybe not.
All said and done, I'll probably clad my Squier Jazz bridge with a cover. The one I put on my P-bass looks outstanding
but I'm still waiting for that sonic tonal boost.
Tal says, No to cover; Bob says yes.

[96tbird]

Ah Tal, correct once again. I betcha Bob just is unable to operate a screw driver.

My old Jazz has the bridge cover only. Sure I won't palm mute but I seldom need to. If I do I have others to play. That Fifty year old ashtray just looks so awesome. If only the pup cover wasn't in my way I'd be kicking it Bob-style.

[stanknuckle]

I love my covers...

[bassclef112]

When I built this Warmoth I decided the standard J cover was a bit too big, so I went with something unconventional and put a P cover on it.

It covers the bridge and still allows me to play over the bridge pickup.

[inthevelvet]

Originally Posted by 96tbird

Ah Tal, correct once again. I betcha Bob just is unable to operate a screw driver.

Ha, good one...and quite accurate in my view