Anyone have any experience with basses with pick-up guards?
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I was thinking about getting one ( http://www.rondomusic.com/product932.html ) because well... I think the pick-up guards look badass. But like my friend Scott pointed out, this gets rid of your ability to get that punchier tone from plucking at the bridge... So I want to ask those of you who have played or own a bass with pick-up guards: Did they get in the way? Did you end up taking them off? Is the coolness factor really worth it?
I've got a similar model (but with the same pickup covers). I ended up taking the neck pup cover off and leaving the bridge cover on. I found that the neck pup cover was a lousy thumb rest.. and if i want punchy i use the bridge cover as a handy hand rest and use a pick.
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Originally Posted by Jeremy Clarkson
He's a plucky brit, and like all plucky brits he's going to come in second.
I left the bridge ashtray on my 78 P-Bass as I like the look, but to be honest most of
us old geezers used to remove them because they do get in the way for a lot of finger
technique and finesse. It's also why a lot of vintage Fenders that come up for sale have
to be listed as missing the pu covers. We'd take em' off and toss em' in the case and
30 to 40 years later things have a way of getting lost. They look flashy but you'd have
to decide if they'll mess up your technique.
I remove them. Can't play over either of the pickups with them on. I do have the ashtray on my P-Bass though, it doesn't get in the way and it's where I keep all the foam.
The stuff on the Jazz basses is just way over the top & too large and gets in the way. The stuff on P basses is much more subdued and can be left on or off as a matter of taste & playing style.
I appreciate the reviews guys. I'm mainly a bluesy, psychedelic player. I'll probably be playing mostly with my thumb rested on the neck, and if I feel it uncomfortable I'll remove the middle pick-up guard. I really appreciate the replies guys.
