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Post subject: Fender 'F' Ashtray Bridge cover fitting
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 3:30 pm
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Hi can anyone supply me with the exact measurements of where the screw holes should be to fit an 'F' ashtray onto to a 60s RI Jazz? The body is a MIM. It's a relicing project. I will probably a bit later, also fit a neck pickup cover so those measurements would be great too. Thanks, Dave G, Central Coast, NSW Australia.


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Post subject: Re: Fender 'F' Ashtray Bridge cover fitting
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 4:31 pm
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Location: Albemarle, NC
So far as I know there is no publicly available template as such for either of the vintage pickup or bridge covers on any Fender bass today. The covers were initially reproduced for Custom Shop instruments and that is why they are available as Fender parts. Due to sometimes changing pickup locations the placement can be different on models from various eras, so a template would be of dubious value, as would measurements. Real pre-CBS and CBS covers actually had slightly different screw spacing. When installing a Fender Repro pickup cover onto a P-Bass with a pre-drilled pickguard, such as the 62 Reissue tortoise pickguard, it is usually necessary to spread the repro cover open a tad or even arch it a bit more to align the cover holes with the existing screw holes on the pickguard. They bend fairly easily.

The way I install them is:
1. Place them approximately where they look at least in the ballpark of being correct. Check to make sure the cover lip lies flat on the body. Adjust the cover by manual manipulation until it lies flat on the body. Due various contours, especially on the bridge covers, this is important. If there are pickguard screw holes, simply adjust the cover to fit the existing holes by manual manipulation of the cover skipping steps 2 through 6.
2. Apply masking tape under the approximate location of the screw holes.
3. Replace the covers in the approximately correct location. I examine photos of known original comparable Fender models with covers in the original location and compare placement to known correct locations.
4. Tape the cover down around the edge in the location I think is correct but be sure to leave the screw holes exposed.
5. Examine the instrument with the cover taped down from every possible angle including upright on a stand to be sure you are thoroughly convinced the locations are correct and the covers both look straight and parallel to one another. Adjust as necessary. After every adjustment start the examination process completely over again reviewing every possible angle and orientation of the instrument. Put the instrument on a stand with the neck as perpendicular as possible and back away and examine from some distance away to get a final eyeball perspective. Next put the instrument in a horizontal position and again back away from some distance.
6. Once convinced it is the best possible location mark the holes. Review AGAIN. Then remove the covers leaving the masking tape with the hole location markings behind.
7. Using a very small and short bit, drill shallow pilot holes for the screws through the tape. If the bit is so long that drilling through the body is even remotely possible, use a spacer device to eliminate any possibility of that happening. You can drill through soda bottle caps first and even stack them to use as spacers to insure there is no way possible you can slip and drill through. In addition to marking the drill locations the tape also helps prevent the finish from chunking off around the screw hole. (Learned that the hard way too.)
8. Remove the tape and screw down covers. Enjoy!

You only get one crack at this, so get it right. Good luck.

The vintage style chrome covers are not for everyone, but many players enjoy them and they are a reasonably priced modification.


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Post subject: Re: Fender 'F' Ashtray Bridge cover fitting
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:35 pm
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I understand it fits both Marlboros & Winstons. Kools after sundown.

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Post subject: Re: Fender 'F' Ashtray Bridge cover fitting
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 3:51 am
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Except in Australia where the Kools work before noon. Everything swirls backwards there.


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Post subject: Re: Fender 'F' Ashtray Bridge cover fitting
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 9:49 am
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This thread made me unable to further resist ordering a set of covers for my Antigua JB... they'll be here wednesday. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Fender 'F' Ashtray Bridge cover fitting
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 7:54 am
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MacGyvercaster wrote:
This thread made me unable to further resist ordering a set of covers for my Antigua JB... they'll be here wednesday. :mrgreen:


On the Jazz with single coil pickups, it makes sense to use the covers as they do provide some extra RFI shielding.

These instruments are also good candidates for a full copper tape shielding to ground job. Wouldn't do that on a true vintage one though for value reasons.

If you don't like it the bridge cover, it really does make a passable ashtray.


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Post subject: Re: Fender 'F' Ashtray Bridge cover fitting
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 2:42 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
MacGyvercaster wrote:
This thread made me unable to further resist ordering a set of covers for my Antigua JB... they'll be here wednesday. :mrgreen:


On the Jazz with single coil pickups, it makes sense to use the covers as they do provide some extra RFI shielding.

These instruments are also good candidates for a full copper tape shielding to ground job. Wouldn't do that on a true vintage one though for value reasons.

If you don't like it the bridge cover, it really does make a passable ashtray.

If I don't like the bridge cover, I'll just leave it outside for a month and then sell it for a profit, LOL! (I don't smoke... :wink: )

As for the shielding thing, I haven't really had much problem with hum on either the Tiggy or the Geddy since I got them... my Squier VM Jazz was pretty hummy in comparison, but I use a tuner pedal so I can just shut the volume off between songs or in spots without bass if needed. I may end up doing the copper tape thing just for the sake of doing it though, I do love a good project. :D


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Post subject: Re: Fender 'F' Ashtray Bridge cover fitting
Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2014 11:19 pm
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This is unbelievable. I want to thank brotherdave - very, very belatedly for his comprehensive post and instructions - several years after I posted the question!

The story is, soon after I posted, I misplaced the ash tray cover. I just found it again and am about to proceed with fitting it. The distress of thinking I'd lost the cover made me switch off from the project so I didn't come back to the site to see the very helpful answers, particularly yours, brotherdave!

Talk about a pause. Yes, I have noted the comments about swirling a different way in Australia, I think the opposite magnetic forces must have affected my brain for awhile there!

Anyway back to it, and cheers from downunder. I may even post a pic if this forum allows me, once I fit the cover.

Dave G


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Post subject: Re: Fender 'F' Ashtray Bridge cover fitting
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 9:46 pm
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tevitag wrote:
This is unbelievable. I want to thank brotherdave - very, very belatedly for his comprehensive post and instructions - several years after I posted the question!

The story is, soon after I posted, I misplaced the ash tray cover. I just found it again and am about to proceed with fitting it. The distress of thinking I'd lost the cover made me switch off from the project so I didn't come back to the site to see the very helpful answers, particularly yours, brotherdave!

Talk about a pause. Yes, I have noted the comments about swirling a different way in Australia, I think the opposite magnetic forces must have affected my brain for awhile there!

Anyway back to it, and cheers from downunder. I may even post a pic if this forum allows me, once I fit the cover.

Dave G



A thrashing is in order for leaving the forum for such a long period of time.


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