Bridge Cover Compatibility

Drackorage · #1 07-17-2011, 11:20 AM

Hi, I've recently purchased a Squier Classic Vibe 50's P-Bass and I plan on outfitting it with the pickup and bridge covers. However I've noticed recently that all of the 51 style P-basses I've seen have a different kind of bridge cover than the one I'm used to seeing. Will the regular bridge cover fit my bass? Or do I need to but a different kind? If you have any information it would be a huge help.

C.Linton · #2 07-17-2011, 01:30 PM

On the 50's P-bass, from what I've read here acording to at least one person who has one, it just about fits, but it does poke out the "top" (edge of the bridge nearest the pickup) a little bit.

Drackorage · #3 07-17-2011, 01:42 PM

Thanks but I'm actually more worried about it not fitting over the back of the bridge. The telecaster bass bridge cover is more angular and doesn't have a back so the intonation can still be adjusted , and the regular bridge cover is more rounded and I don't know if it would fit over the bridge because the ball ends of the strings stick out if the bridge.

C.Linton · #4 07-17-2011, 04:21 PM

The telecaster bridge cover should fit fairly well over the CV bridge, but the standard rounded P-bass cover won't. If you're going for a more or less "correct" look for a 50's style bass, the tele bridge cover is the one you want anyway.

C.Linton · #5 07-17-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drackorage

Hi, I've recently purchased a Squier Classic Vibe 50's P-Bass and I plan on outfitting it with the pickup and bridge covers. However I've noticed recently that all of the 51 style P-basses I've seen have a different kind of bridge cover than the one I'm used to seeing. Will the regular bridge cover fit my bass? Or do I need to but a different kind? If you have any information it would be a huge help.

Not sure what you mean here. Can you please clarify?

SurferJoe46 · #6 07-18-2011, 08:19 AM

The covers for the '51-style are unique for sure and some don't like them (I do!) but the CV bridge is too high to allow the Precision cover to fit, and the Jazz cover is just wrong-looking on all counts on that bass anyway.

Unfortunately, even from different manufacturers, they all comply with the original Fender design and sizes of the covers for authenticity and eye-appeal considerations.

I have (f'rinstance) an older Affinity Precision with an oddball bridge on it from the factory that won't take a P or a J cover either.

Tmw2011 · #7 07-22-2011, 02:16 PM

I have a similar question about the Tele-style bridge covers. What 'modern' four-saddle bridges will fit with the Tele-style covers? I'm looking at building a tele-style 54 P-bass through Warmoth, but I don't particularly care for the two-saddle bridges. Will the standard Fender bent metal plate bridge fit?

I'm probably asking too much to have the newer Fender HiMass bridges (with the stringthrough option, like the ones on the current AmStandards) fit correctly with the Tele-style bridge cover, but that's what I'd love to put on this bass.

john grey · #8 07-22-2011, 05:23 PM

Realistically these questions come up quite a bit and the correct thing to do is measure YOUR Bass and then make a decision on what you're going to buy and get solid measurements. If you can't get really accurate measurement; it's always going to be a gamble and there are many knock-odds and copies. Originals cost - but they are consistent. Bending alterations really only can cover about 1/8" before you have too much of a risk.

SurferJoe46 · #9 07-22-2011, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tmw2011

I have a similar question about the Tele-style bridge covers. What 'modern' four-saddle bridges will fit with the Tele-style covers? I'm looking at building a tele-style 54 P-bass through Warmoth, but I don't particularly care for the two-saddle bridges. Will the standard Fender bent metal plate bridge fit?

I'm probably asking too much to have the newer Fender HiMass bridges (with the stringthrough option, like the ones on the current AmStandards) fit correctly with the Tele-style bridge cover, but that's what I'd love to put on this bass.

I put a VM-Jazz/Jaguar bridge on my '51 Tele-hybrid, and yes the standard Fender P and Tele-P covers will fit them well.

Actually, if you get to Fender's site, you can find that most of the 'bent-metal' bridges will accept almost any of the Fender-designed covers.

The HM bridges on some of the VMs and CVs will NOT fit under the covers, as well as a few of the oddball Cort-designed Squiers and Affinities which have wider/larger, but not HM bridges.

C.Linton · #10 07-22-2011, 09:10 PM

AFAIK, Joe, none of the VM's have high mass bridges. they are all standard bent steel.

SurferJoe46 · #11 07-22-2011, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Linton

AFAIK, Joe, none of the VM's have high mass bridges. they are all standard bent steel.

You may very well be 100% correct - I was thinking that there might be a HM on a CV - but I sortta did a small search and didn't see one on them.

My bad.

C.Linton · #12 07-22-2011, 10:11 PM

Um, actually Joe, according to the specs on the Squier website, all the CV models do have HM bridges, including the Matt Freeman (if you want to include that as a CV)

SurferJoe46 · #13 07-23-2011, 08:24 AM

I was at GC after the VA/Loma Linda yesterday and never noticed the HM on a CV. Just me perhaps or the possibility that I was still a little groggy from the minor procedure I had.

The bridge just didn't seem to be HM - but my perceptive powers were possibly clouded somewhat. I remember driving there - but not a whole lot more.

efe_gallagher · #14 08-16-2011, 09:59 PM

So... would the 51 RI bridge cover fit a CV 50's bass?

SurferJoe46 · #15 08-16-2011, 10:20 PM

Would you like me to actually measure the P-clone bass and see the size of the cover?

What I DO know is that the bridge/s I used on the P-clone is/are a very common Fender/Squier part number that originally was on a CV P, and it's the same as on my Squier VM-Jazz, my VM-Jaguar and my Fender Deluxe Jazz.

So - with a CV/VM/Deluxe same part number bridge also under the '50s P clone, then I'd say the cover'll fit OK.