• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Better tone with bridge cover?

#21
I don't have an opinion on whether it is possible or not for the bridge cover to affect tone, but just want to point out that if you're comparing recordings of your band on one particular day versus on another particular day, there are lots of other reasons why your tone might differ. I'd be reluctant to jump to the conclusion that it was the bridge cover.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Low Commotion, Citizen Nara, bobyoung53 and 4 others
#22
Dirk Rockbottom said:
I recently purchased a used '62 replica Precision bass that came with a bridge cover. I tried it once and then removed it because it looked like the bass was wearing a diaper. However, after listening to recordings of the band, one with the cover and one without, it sounds like the recording with the cover on sounds punchier than with it off. I know there are a lot of variables other than this one thing, but it got me thinking. Has anyone had experience with bridge covers and noticed any effects they have on the tone?
Click to expand...

My thought: That wasn't much of a sample size.

Dirk Rockbottom said:
Ah yes, the bridge foam mute. I forgot about that. No mute in my bridge cover. So I guess it must be my imagination. Thanks for the reply!
Click to expand...

Yeah.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikeswals
#24
Dirk Rockbottom said:
Do you have foam under the bridge cover AND the pickup cover? Or just under the bridge cover?
Click to expand...

No, the foam is just under the bridge cover. Aside from giving me the "authentic Vintage" sound, that piece of weatherstripping foam (and, yes, that's what Fender used originally) gives me the palm muting that I can't do - because of the bridge cover. It is kind of a trick to get the foam just right, but once it is...:thumbsup: I do understand perfectly, why so many people took the covers off, that Fender finally stopped wasting their time (and money) with them. But, for some of us? We like the way the bass sounds with the mute & the covers. Besides, if you don't use rounds - and aren't one of those people who are constantly fiddling with things? The bridge cover is no problem at all. Remember; the Fender basses came with flats until 1979/80 for Jazz Basses, and until '82 or '83 for Precisions. I put Roto RS77LDs on my P-Bass when I bought it in 1988 - and the bridge cover didn't come off -except for having it refinished/re-fretted (long story) in 1991 - until I put Fender 9050L's on it in... about 2008. The current GHS Precision Flats went on it in... 2019, IIRC...:cool:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dirk Rockbottom
#25
Dirk Rockbottom said:
This is something I might try. I tried a foam mute under the strings at the bridge, it just doesn't sound that great. But the idea of a foam mute in the bridge cover could be just what I'm looking for. Unfortunately this one didn't come with the foam mute. Now I'm wondering how I can put one in.
Click to expand...
While I don't like telling people to "use the 'Search' function", I will say that foam mutes, and mutes in the bridge cover, are subjects that have come up more than once. And, there are pictures of P-Bass bridge covers that still had the (probably) original piece of now-petrified foam still in them. So...
Based on the pictures, the mute was a piece of self-adhesive weatherstripping foam, about halfway between the saddles and the front edge of the bridge cover. It appeared to be about 3/4" wide over the E string, and tapered to about 1/2" over the G string. Personally, I just use a piece of 3M weatherstripping, as is, and leave it at that. Tapered foam might work slightly better, but... I've never had the urge to experiment and find out. But, now that I'm finally, really, retired - and am always looking for things to keep me occupied? It might be interesting to find out...
And, as for the covers affecting the tone because of playing constraints? Yes, of course they do; that's why people took them off - until Fender quit putting them on. But, having to play between the covers - or between the neck and the p/u cover - is why that old music sounds the way it does. Especially if you play with a pick - which I almost always do. I also use the built-in mutes on my Ricks; have the bridge p/u cover still on them, and play the Optima RB Flats (analogs of the original factory Maxima Flats) with a pick. With these basses, I'm after the original, "vintage" tone. When I want something more modern? That's why I have an Alembic; a G&L ASAT; and a 4HH Stingray Special...:whistle:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jd56hawk and Dirk Rockbottom
#29
Dirk Rockbottom said:
Do you have foam under the bridge cover AND the pickup cover? Or just under the bridge cover?
Click to expand...
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I doubt anyone has foam under the pickup cover!
Other than that, I've been making these mutes for years...you can choose thickness, of course, and whatever color felt you like
Sent away for this one last week just to see if it's worth $15.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dirk Rockbottom
#33
Sharko said:
I put a bridge cover on a fender once. It sounded just as bad as without it and it was always in my way.
Click to expand...


Operator error? :laugh: Seriously though, the only reason I would think it could cause a change in tone is that they don't allow you to play over the pickup or near the bridge. I play near the bridge quite a bit but like to be able to vary my hand position and take them right off on all basses.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: The_Meatwagon
#34
Dirk Rockbottom said:
This is something I might try. I tried a foam mute under the strings at the bridge, it just doesn't sound that great. But the idea of a foam mute in the bridge cover could be just what I'm looking for. Unfortunately this one didn't come with the foam mute. Now I'm wondering how I can put one in.
Click to expand...


Try this:

Flannel, roll them for how much you want them to dampen the strings. Sounds much better than foam to me. You can get them anywhere from just taking the shimmer off brand new round wounds to heavy thump, depending on how big you roll them. Very easy to use for just one or two songs too, they pull in and out and if they're not too big and they don't change the tuning enough to notice.



Trapo.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: PennyroyalWe and Dirk Rockbottom
#35
bobyoung53 said:
Try this:

Flannel, roll them for how much you want them to dampen the strings. Sounds much better than foam to me. You can get them anywhere from just taking the shimmer off brand new round wounds to heavy thump, depending on how big you roll them. Very easy to use for just one or two songs too, they pull in and out and if they're not too big they don't change the tuning enough to notice.



View attachment 5050044
Click to expand...
Do you mean like that blue lumberjack shirt John Fogerty was wearing In EVERY PICTURE of CCR?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Thebiggestjerk and bobyoung53
#37
Dirk Rockbottom said:
I recently purchased a used '62 replica Precision bass that came with a bridge cover. I tried it once and then removed it because it looked like the bass was wearing a diaper. However, after listening to recordings of the band, one with the cover and one without, it sounds like the recording with the cover on sounds punchier than with it off. I know there are a lot of variables other than this one thing, but it got me thinking. Has anyone had experience with bridge covers and noticed any effects they have on the tone?
Click to expand...

Oddly it’s the unusual s*** that sounds the best.
 
#38
Without foam? No, I've only gotten WORSE tone with the bridge cover installed without foam. More specifically a nasty "ping" at certain notes. Some covers are worse than others. The ones with a higher pitch "ping" (when tapped) always seems to be worse than the ones with a lower pitch "ping". I always use foam under the bridge cover to dampen it. If I don't want the strings muted by the foam I put the foam behind the saddles. Sometimes I even use thin strips of foam between the bridge cover and the body.

I can't stand those nasty "pings" and I hear abolutely no improvemt in tone/punch when using the cover without foam. I rarely experience this problem with pickup covers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dirk Rockbottom
#39
Deleted member 271037 said:
Without foam? No, I've only gotten WORSE tone with the bridge cover installed without foam. More specifically a nasty "ping" at certain notes. Some covers are worse than others. The ones with a higher pitch "ping" (when tapped) always seems to be worse than the ones with a lower pitch "ping". I always use foam under the bridge cover to dampen it. If I don't want the strings muted by the foam I put the foam behind the saddles. Sometimes I even use thin strips of foam between the bridge cover and the body.

I can't stand those nasty "pings" and I hear abolutely no improvemt in tone/punch when using the cover without foam. I rarely experience this problem with pickup covers.
Click to expand...
Sounds like it becomes a mini echo chamber.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back