Cyrene Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I only ever play in one position on the P; near the pick up. Should I or not go for covers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I wouldnt bother. They look nice, but get in the way if you play with your thumb on or near the pup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 On my custom fanned fret P-style bass, I do not have a cover over the pickup. But I do keep the bridge cover on for a couple of reasons: 1) hide the bridge (hey, I can't just let go of all of my secrets!) and 2) that little bit of weight helps keep the bass balanced, and 3) I think it looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 [quote name='iiipopes' timestamp='1354631007' post='1888384'] But I do keep the bridge cover on for a couple of reasons: 1) hide the bridge (hey, I can't just let go of all of my secrets!) and 2) that little bit of weight helps keep the bass balanced, and 3) I think it looks good. [/quote] How do you damp the strings when you need to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Stick 'em on, if they get in the way, take 'em off. I like the look of them but they're everywhere I want to be, so I take them off and keep them in a safe place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr M Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I really like the look of covers, but I usually play with a pick (heresy, I know!) and palm-mute quite a lot. I've got the impression this is pretty much impossible with a bridge cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh2 Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I fitted them, yes they do get in the way. The pup cover is right over the sweet spot. I like the look though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I only play originals now and have no time for covers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Hughes Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 And which cover is best for metal anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrene Posted December 4, 2012 Author Share Posted December 4, 2012 Ha. Thanks for the responses BC. I had bought some last xmas (a potential cover there..) but ended up selling them on unwrapped. I reckon they'll be in the way and a single chrome one on a Fiesta red/gold pickguard bass won't look too clever. I play without a pick and use my palm and finger to mute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 [quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1354631129' post='1888385'] How do you damp the strings when you need to?[/quote] The way Leo originally did: a block of foam rubber. After that, a combination of right and left hand techniques on where I rest the fingers on the strings (I don't use a pick). But you have a point. When I started playing with the jazz/dance band I currently play with a few years ago, the band sounded great, but really didn't "swing" like it should or could. It was me. The bass had too much sustain and drive. So I resorted to the other solution for such situations: I purchased a double bass to go with my electric basses, including the custom, my Rickenbacker 4002, and my Miraphone tuba. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 I was going to suggest "London Calling" by theClash... getting Parka. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick's Fine '52 Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 I leave the bridge cover on when playing, but the pup cover stays off, as its where i play. When I'm not playing, and theyre hung on the wall, both covers are fitted. Damping has never been a problem because my technique is so good, i don't use my palm, thats for amateurs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 I've been playing with covers on since the late 90s, not a problem - you adapt! Simple. Palm muting etc can be easily achieved with foam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Horton Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 I do the same as Rick. When playing I only have the bridge cover on the bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnyboy Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 [quote name='Chris Horton' timestamp='1354730995' post='1889762'] I do the same as Rick. When playing I only have the bridge cover on the bass [/quote] I too like bridge cover only for 2 reasons - it looks good and the pickup cover kinda gets in the way, for me anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 I've done loads of covers on a P before. No originals yet though, which is mostly down to my lack of talent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 [quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1354718124' post='1889510'] Damping has never been a problem because my technique is so good, i don't use my palm, thats for amateurs. [/quote] I really hope that's a joke. There are lots of players with good/great technique who still palm mute (Marcus Miller and Anthony Jackson to name just two)-it's certainly not an amateur thing. With regards to the covers,I haven't got around to putting one on any of my Precisions but I have them over the front pickup on a couple of my Jazz Basses. I don't find them a problem-I can rest my thumb on them if I want,although most of the time it's resting on the strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentalextra Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 Just out of interest, what is the point of the covers? Everyone seems to take them off, it seems quite rare to see a jazz with both covers on unless its in a display case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 I have to admit that I don't understand them. They look pretty but I couldn't play with them on. I am a pick player (yeah, so my opinion probably doesn't count...) and I don't play in one place along the body, depending on what I am playing. Fast and solid near the bridge or closer to the neck for more mellow sounding slow stuff, and I like to palm mute over the bridge. Although, one of my Basses has an action screw that sticks out too far and hurts my hand and I have been trying to think of a way of covering it without getting in the way. I suppose I should cut it shorter but I don't like the idea of losing the range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pobrien_ie Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 I bought a 57 AVRI less than a year ago and the covers were on it. I kept them on and just found that I got used to them straight away. It's funny, a few years ago I hated the look of covers but have slowly warmed to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 play your bass as how you feel comfortable... i love the look of pickup covers on my jazz bass but they get in the way.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboy1984 Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 i like the look on the pickup and bridge covers on my P and J bass but i kinda hate them now as i changing the style of play/technique. It tends to get in the way ........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblueplanet Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 (edited) Im on my first P bass which is a lefty 57 RI and I fitted a gold pickguard and chrome covers because I love that vintage look. Playing-wise the covers are not an issue as I approach this bass differently to say a Jazz with its funky back pickup which screams for fingerstyle. I try and play to the bass. My old Gibson EBO only had a front humbucker at the neck and this developed a style of playing unique to that bass. I like the way the covers on a P take my playing and choice of bassline in a slightly different direction to not being there and the great thing is, you can take them off anytime. Edited April 28, 2013 by sblueplanet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboy1984 Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 I think the covers is more effecting the jazz bass. With the covers on the jazz its kinda limit on where i can play the bass and get the tone. For P bass is not much of a problem unless you play directly on top of the pickup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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