That metal thing over the strings

IMO, it gets in the way of slapping but it gives me a great anchor for my thumb when I'm playing fingerstyle, plus they look darn cool!
You can always take them off if they bother you too much though!

 

It was really the way back then to have a "humbucker". place a plate over the pic up WABAM! No more hum

 

Its a pick up cover. Originally used to help keep your hands away from the pick ups. Original Fenders had ones that covered both pickups. Most people use them for ashtrays or a place to but screws when working on an instrument. I think Marcus Miller is one of a very few people that leaves his on most of the time.

 

I was always wondering if u could take those things off, i always thought that the rik's would look awsome w/o the awkward metal thing on 'em. now i know u can take 'em off.

 

See if you can find any old Cliff Burton pics with his Ric. I think he pulled the covers off of his

 

Some conceal string mutes, too.

 

I have a Jazz bass that I threw both p/u covers on. Let me tell you....the covers alter the sound of the p/u's (or bass if you will) because they alter the magnetic field. They do reduce hum slightly, but mostly they tend to warm the sound up.

 

So did I.
<img src="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1174383&a=11627687&p=41238657&Sequence=0&res=high">

 

actualy the original reason for the "cover ups" was to hide the fact that these were not Spector basses,most people were ashamed not to be able to afford a quality Spector and these "eye shields" helped self image.

 

Nino with long hair!!!

 

the pup cover on early p basses act as a ground.

 

I think a poll is in order.

 

Pretty freaky, huh? That pic was taken in mid 1993 w/my 1st band, Raising Cain.

Seems like I have a fellow Spectonian.

Yeah, I just made up that word.

 

All i have to say Nino on that picture is Wow. I never would have imagined.

 

Will Lee loves those things on his Sadowsky basses.

 

Will Lee just has that one sadowsky right? and its a vintage... or a reissue...

 

On some Rics the cover is actually part of the pickups, on others its just a cover.