I have an ashtray for my Strat ... tried using on a number of times, looks real preddy. But, it either got in the way or it fell off.

Are they really any use when playing ...tone wise, comfort wise?

I suppose they could be useful as a collector for all my bum notes (it'll soon get full).

What's the best way to get the ashtray to fit and stay on?

Seven of my eight Strats have the ashtrays and they stay on just fine once correctly snapped into place. The 8th guitar is a 12-string and the ashtray does not fit the Gotoh bridge.

Nobody ever leaves them on while playing though -- it's impossible to palm-mute with the ash tray in place. But the guitars look cool when they're lying in their cases with the cover on.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

I have two of my six Strats with the astray fitted. I sometimes play with them on, for a change, but it is better to leave them off.
They do look good, don't they.

Try gently squeezing the cover to tighten the fit.

Indeed they do......



Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Ahh...RJ,a work of art!

Look at all that purty gold hardware, christ, even the screws for the pickguard are gold.
The burst IMHO, is the only color that looks good with the pearloid pickguard, and it does look good.

Caution: this question is only for Arjay, so I dont need people harping in if they dont hae the same thing;

Do you notice any difference in your fretboard? I know they lay the rosewood slab over a thin plastic one for the binding. I always wondered if it had any affect at all.
It looks really good. It's so uncommon on a strat.

The ashtray covers really come in handy on the road if you develope a ravenous dope habit. Much bigger area than a spoon.

BTW; Im getting rid of an Area 58, possibly 2, possibly an Area 58, and a 61. Depends on whether or not i get a Pro 54 along with the Heavy Blues 2 im getting. PM me if you need.
Anyone

Do you use the Virtual Vintage with the S1? I'm thinking of installing the clapton active mid-boost, but use the Area 58/61 , or Pro 54/area61'/Heavy blues. I just really dont like Fender vintage noiseless.

As a life-long non-smoker (and non-dope fiend, for that matter), I can unequivocally say that that ashtray bridge covers are awesome. They look good, and by pushing together the saddles, it slightly increases the sustain.

If yours falls off easily, then you should squeeze the sides together just slightly, as mentioned earlier by someone else.

I have never had it interfere with palm muting; as a matter of fact, it kinda protects the edge of my hand from the saddles and Allen screws.

I CUSTOM-ized my bridge cover :

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

They have that natural echo chamber thing goin' on.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

And, the added mass of the "Custom" badge increases sustain.

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

LMFAOPIMP!

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Unless you're a finger picker of the strings playing slide or something similiar, the old fashion ash tray cover serves one purpose. It covers the tremolo to prevent you from getting it dirty and give the guitar a cleaner look.

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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If only that were true, I'd put a dozen on there.
But pushing all the saddles together does affect the way the bridge vibrates, much like the set screw Leo put on the hardtail bridges on G&L guitars.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals