front j-bass pickup cover

harperbass · #1 01-30-2012, 07:08 AM

I'm sure this has been covered before but I don't have time to search for it. Bought from AMS or the Other One a jazz bass pickup cover, for the reasons it was meant for: to rest your hand on, not the "vibe" or the "vintage look". It's easier to play with a pick in front of the neck pickup w/ that on there. Yeah, I know I can BUY the scratchplate with the holes pre-drilled (if it would actually fit! Ha!)

but what about the spacer/gasket to raise the thing up so it won't choke the strings? Here's the review I sent to AMS or MFriend or whoever I overpaid for this:

I don't like to complain but what a joke. They don't include the gasket/spacers or mounting screws! Got some Fender scratchplate screws at the local shop, says that's what they probably use. I've got one of those very expensive American load-from-the-back Jazz basses w/ the out- of- phase front push button. If I were to try to install the thing w/out the above mentioned parts, it would completely choke the strings! How frustrating and disappointing. Could've got this cheaper at amazon. Fender have been weird for 25 years. They make too many of the same instruments w/ slight variations. Appalling. So here I go to one of the bass forums! They should have included a template, as well. I ought to send it back...Made in USA "Genuine Fender Replacement Parts" indeed. Pfuey! But, "stuff" happens. Regards. Have a great day.

Rick Harper

Megas3300 · #2 01-30-2012, 07:19 AM

I just put one of those plates on my bass, yes, you do have to mark and drill like any project that's worth anything. But one trick with the neck p/u plate is that you might need to bend them slightly to get them to be high enough above the strings. I think they are built to be low out of the bag, you just squeeze them from the ends slightly to increase the bow. You shouldn't need gaskets or risers, which would just make it plain ugly IMHO.

phangtonpower · #3 01-30-2012, 07:19 AM

Are there gaskets that come with the covers?? I've never used them.

Megas3300 · #4 01-30-2012, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phangtonpower

Are there gaskets that come with the covers?? I've never used them.

Nope, they aren't necessary/shouldn't need them. The plate has play in it so it can be bent slightly to fit. You would be surprised what space a little squeeze from the ends allows.

EDIT: Sorry OP, but the spacer/gasket you think they make/should include doesn't exist. Use some rubber washers if you are not up to bending the plate (and maybe your strings are a little too high, just sayin) Take it to a luthier to install if you don't feel up to task.

harperbass · #5 01-30-2012, 07:54 AM

Yes, I see that now. Thanx. It's crimped in the middle a little bit.

Pilgrim · #6 01-30-2012, 08:27 AM

The OP doesn't have time to search, but he assumes that we have time to answer?

SurferJoe46 · #7 01-30-2012, 09:24 AM

I've posted the dimension between the screws that are required to mount both the Precision and the Jazz covers, several times now in the Luthiers area.

If the screw holes are first of all in the right place and unless the strings are ridiculously high, they should fit every permutation of Fenders or Squiers.

Seems to me that this has also been answered by quite a few people in the not-too-distant past too, not just by me.

An entitled generation /rant

96tbird · #8 01-30-2012, 01:27 PM

A template to install a two screw item? (rolleyes) gaskets? :P Dude, you need to do some reading before you post. Fender makes many different basses because there's markets for all kinds of differing wants and tastes; bridges, pricing, etc. Standard parts are for the standard models, period. Be realistic.

If you need a template for a two screw install, get professional help, you obviously shouldn't attempt it alone.

SurferJoe46 · #9 01-30-2012, 03:36 PM

Addendum: as far as screws go, there are a few Fenders that use different screws in the PG verses the covers.

The heads will be somewhat larger to fill the larger holes in the metal covers, and they will sometimes be the next size up (physically) in dimension so they are many times not interchangeable.

A REAL Fender-o-phile can spot them at thirty paces.

.....and I gave in a here's one of the pixs I created for just this question. I'm feeling particularly philanthropic today.

harperbass · #10 01-31-2012, 11:51 AM

Wo! Down dawgs, down! Pardon me for breathing!
Was hoping for a friendly reply, not snot.
I ain't in a particularly good mood, either.
Bleedin' 'ell!

I stand by my statement re: Fender and too many models. They don't even make mine anymore.... right now. I loved the disclaimer when I got it home about Fender flats not being long enough to use w/ this bass, not that that I'd ever use Fender bass strings anyhow. Around '71 they did make some good tapewounds.

Thanx, Surfer Joe, for the picture.

These forums are always a last resort for me, and I'm constantly reminded why.

No offense meant or implied.

RH

96tbird · #11 01-31-2012, 11:56 AM

Your op was snotty, what do you expect? I expect that if your first post didn't seem snotty to you, my reply didn't seem snotty to me.

Pilgrim · #12 01-31-2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96tbird

Your op was snotty, what do you expect? I expect that if your first post didn't seem snotty to you, my reply didn't seem snotty to me.

Well said.