1961 Precision bridge cover

[Val Tremola]

I don’t know where to post this so I’ll try here! I bought a ‘61 P bass that’s been refinished 2 or 3 times- not original. But it came in an original case, original pickguard and with covers in case. I wanted to install the bridge cover but the holes are larger than pickguard screws. is this correct for a pre-CBS bass? Any expert advice would be much appreciated. Please pm me

 

[Grinderman]

I don’t know where to post this so I’ll try here! I bought a ‘61 P bass that’s been refinished 2 or 3 times- not original. But it came in an original case, original pickguard and with covers in case. I wanted to install the bridge cover but the holes are larger than pickguard screws. is this correct for a pre-CBS bass? Any expert advice would be much appreciated. Please pm me

The enlarged screw holes? No. The holes should be sized for pickguard screws.

I'd clean out those holes with the smallest bit that gets the job done then backfill with glued in maple dowels, trimmed flush to the deck. Once that's all set I'd drill new, correctly sized pilot holes for the pickguard screws. The ash tray cover or the heads of the screws will likely conceal the repair fairly well, if you're keeping the current finish.

If you are refinishing then I'd fill the whole while prepping the stripped body then re-drill after the re-fin is done.

 

[Val Tremola]

Hey Gman, I'm sorry. I didn't ask the question clearly. The holes I'm asking about are those in the cover itself. Not in the wood

 

[Grinderman]

Hey Gman, I'm sorry. I didn't ask the question clearly. The holes I'm asking about are those in the cover itself. Not in the wood

You're saying the holes in the metal covers are enlarged to the extent that the heads of pickguard screws aren't large enough to fasten down/secure in place the cover?

Can you measure the diameter of the mounting holes in the covers?

 

[Val Tremola]

Exactly. They aren't gigantic. Just bigger than screw head or holes in AVRI cover, for example. I'd love to authenticate this Bass as a 1961. The covers were in the case and I was surprised that holes were bigger

 

[Val Tremola]