Pickup covers "ashtrays", do you use them?

[Coolhandjjl]

Some call them pickup covers and ash trays. I've always seen them as bras and panties

Meant to be removed then?

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Just on this one.View attachment 2785412

My dream Precision Bass drool

 

[noeinstein]

They came on my MIJ Fender P bass copy. Bought it in 1963 or so when I was 15. First thing I did was take them off, followed by the second thing... losing them. Never missed them until now.

 

[Manticore]

I leave them on those basses that came with them. I have a number of basses purchased without them.

 

[higain617]

I used to just stick cigarettes at the headstock under the low string. Fortunately, I gave that up years ago.

 

[wneff]

I had a Morris in 1984 that came with an ash tray. Removed it and used it as an ash tray.

 

[mav]

I don't smoke so I'll keep them on. Plus it's cool to have at least one bass with the ashtrays kept on.

 

[Ghastly]

Yes, I love 'em. Mainly because it was the original design and looks a little more classy than just with the pickups and bridge showing. I'd love to add them to my Adam Clayton jazz bass, but can't quite bring myself to. I did add them to my Modern Player jazz bass.

 

[NecroticImbecil]

I like them on vintage style instruments, Fender Rickenbacker, etc. They don't get in my way unless I'm palm muting, and I have a bass for that kind of stuff. That said I wouldn't put them on my Steinberger.

 

[bon viesta]

i know this is an old thread, but if i were to ever purchase a 60s american original p or jazz bass, i will voluntarily put pickup and bridge covers on them. sunburst finish jazz and p basses factory new without ashtrays just looks wrong.

 

[EdwardT]

Old Thread, But I'm struggling with this because I just Got the American Vintage II '54, I have several basses and I'm thinking that this bass should be "Vintage" and I don't have access to try one with any of the covers!!!

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

imo they are ridiculous. I got them with my av 63 and gigged with them for about a year. when I got a 62 CS I immediately took them off.

 

[noeinstein]

IMO they are a conflict of form and function. I love the way they look but they are a functional nuisance when playing.

 

[Atshen]

They look great but they get in the way so, no covers for me.

 

[EdwardT]

I Just started playing it last night, Love the feel even though it's totally different from my Elite PJ and Cabronita. The neck is thick but I got used to it pretty quickly! I need to decide if I'll gig with this, just hang on to it, or just record with it. I also have to get used to the lower output-

 

[stingray69]

I'm embracing the ashtray on my new Jackson...never could tolerate them over the neck pickup, but surprisingly it's not bad over the bridge pickup.

 

[CaptainLeisure]

I had them on a natural/rosewood fretless P because it looked old-school. When I put on a fretted neck with a maple board, I took them off because they just didn't look right. I had just the pickup cover on a J for a while ala Marcus, but eventually took it off. I never put the bridge cover on the J because it stops you from picking between the bridge and bridge pickup.

 

[joel the bass player]

When I got my AV63 P it had the covers installed by Fender. After waiting to open the box (winter time) I finally pulled it out, noodled for a minute then took a picture and then had the covers off right away. They look kind of neat but make it unplayable for me.

 

[ThudThudThud]

A friend once handed me a pristine 1966 Jazz bass that was in his shop.
It had both covers in place, and those covers rendered this beautiful bass almost unplayable for me.

 

[sleddogn]

I do use them...