Stupid question about Ashtrays.

[Felipe Brazil]

Are the new fender ashtrays that come with the 62 precision bass AVRI what people call "vintage correct"? I mean, did fender changed how does it look over the years or they are doing exactly the same ashtrays like they did in 60s... I don't know why, but the older ones seems to be more squared to me, also, they seem to have a smaller space between the cover and the pickup.

Thanks.

[SurferJoe46]

In all the research I did - I cannot say that I found any dimensional differences in the old-originals and the new ones.

There are three versions of covers though:

Jazz with or w/o* the scripted F on it


Precision - just the one style I found w/o a logo


'51-Tele-type that looks like a chrome rain gutter downspout.

* this is not a Fender product AFAIK - but a third-party part.

[HosMan]

Does anyone know if the genuine Fender bridge covers include the foam string mutes (or a reasonable fascimile thereof) which were stock on the vintage "ashtrays"?

Would they be a viable option(functional) if someone were to retrofit (sorry,I am to making big American pun! )a modern Squire/Fender with an "ashtray" style bridge cover?How do foam mutes affect/alter one`s natural playing style? Just curious.

Thanks!
HosMan

[SurferJoe46]

They don't have the mutes in them AFAIK.

I just put the foam under the strings and then the cover over the whole thing without any foam on top of the strings themselves.

Great thump and no after-notes to mess you up.

I also tend to use a little less foam under the G string though as it won't sing well if you use the same amount of foam as the other strings.

Retrofitting would be an unnecessary added attraction as I am sure that everyone puts more or less foam on the strings to suit themselves and one size will not fit all I think.

I don't feel this could be a niche market item at all.