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Pickup/bridge covers
- Thread starter Bleecker
- Start date
I love the way they look but don't like to play with them on. I bought some for my buttercream jazz and loved the look but...
Never been a fan of them personally. Never put them on my basses and once bought a bass that came with one on which I obviously removed. Although, they do serve good purposes.
Leo Fender thought they were cool. End of story.
If you take them off save them because it's easier to sell a vintage Fender with the bumpers. They looked pretty cool when the came out 70 years ago and now it's legacy design.
If you take them off save them because it's easier to sell a vintage Fender with the bumpers. They looked pretty cool when the came out 70 years ago and now it's legacy design.
I didn’t like the pickup cover on my 51, but I like the look of the bridge cover, and it’s not in the way. AND I can change strings with it on... (except I never change strings.... ever....)
I got this one off eBay, not sure what type it’s supposed to be. Unfortunately it only fits over BBOT bridges, again it looks cool and it’s not in the way. I would buy more of them but most of my bridges are the heavier type.
I got this one off eBay, not sure what type it’s supposed to be. Unfortunately it only fits over BBOT bridges, again it looks cool and it’s not in the way. I would buy more of them but most of my bridges are the heavier type.
I have bridge covers on all my basses except my Jazz basses, because I like to play
down by the bridge.
down by the bridge.
I utilize a pickup cover on my Warmoth '54 P-Bass build. I fear that the delicate pickup windings are vulnerable to possible damage with no real cover over them (short of the cloth sheath) and feel more comfortable with it there to protect it. * I also like it to anchor my thumb against when I really want to dig in on a passage. I recently put the bridge cover on for the heck of it just to accentuate the vintage look of the bass.
* Primarily from other bassists who are so often intrigued by this retro cool bass, want to play it and always seem to want to anchor their thumb right on the pickup which makes me a bit nervous. The pickup cover prevents that from happening.
D
I love the look of a P or J with pickup/bridge covers so I leave them on... EXCEPT when recording. They DO affect the sound. They make a resonating "ping" at certain notes/frequencies. Very audible and totally unbearable once you notice it. Some are FAR worse than others (even within the same model) and for some reason the bridge cover always seems to be the main culprit. Knocking the covers will give a good indication how much they will affect the sound. If they ring out at a higher pitch: BAD! If they sound kinda muted/dead at a lower pitch: It might be close to tolerable.
Installing a thin layer of foam under the covers can help though. I've used the type of foam that's used under pickups and the "pings" nearly disappeared. It's a real hassle to cut thin slices that will fit under the covers without being visible though. And I expect the foam will cause discoloration to the finish, at least on light colored nitro finishes.
Installing a thin layer of foam under the covers can help though. I've used the type of foam that's used under pickups and the "pings" nearly disappeared. It's a real hassle to cut thin slices that will fit under the covers without being visible though. And I expect the foam will cause discoloration to the finish, at least on light colored nitro finishes.
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- I play Old School Rock and Motown on it the Old School way. Including the mute in the bridge cover. They don't get in my way at all...
- I have 22 other basses; this one has no need to be versatile. If I want to play a different style of music? I use a different bass...
- Like all but 2 of my basses, it's strung with flats. I change it's strings about once a decade - instead of once a week - so the cover's aren't a problem...
Very nice!View attachment 3895858 I've always had the covers on my '78 P-Bass. Why?
- I play Old School Rock and Motown on it the Old School way. Including the mute in the bridge cover. They don't get in my way at all...
- I have 22 other basses; this one has no need to be versatile. If I want to play a different style of music? I use a different bass...
- Like all but 2 of my basses, it's strung with flats. I change it's strings about once a decade - instead of once a week - so the cover's aren't a problem...
In my Avatar pic that’s a 78 P!
If I ever buy this Fender Jazz Bass Deluxe 24, I'm going to try both covers on it. If they affect my playing, then off they go. Covers are available in a lot of places, including Aliexpress. 
Some may call it blasphemy, but I think it's completely normal to install Chinese parts on a Korean bass.
Some may call it blasphemy, but I think it's completely normal to install Chinese parts on a Korean bass.
When you see the Fender Basses with both covers still on it illustrates to me these were really originally intended to be played up close to the neck. No other room for it, otherwise, aside from possibly thumb plucking style in between the two covers.
I only had them in two basses and were removed immediately. They just get in the way.
Covers do look so cool. All my P's except one have them removed. They really don't get in the way too much.
Thanks everybody for all the replies, good info stories and pictures!
Cheers!
Cheers!
That '51 is nice! I love the aged finish... Extra pick-up?
