Why does the "Ash Tray" Bridge Cover fit on older Strats but not on current Strats? Aren't they the same kind of bridge?

Never used one on a modern strat ... they work a treat on a '57 repro. I use to it catch all my bum notes (soon filled and has to be emptied far too often).

Ashtrays don't fit on the Mexican Standard "vintage style" 6-screw bridges, because those have narrower string spacing than the original 6-screw bridges. The only thing that holds the ashtray in place is friction against the sides of the saddles and it doesn't make contact with the narrower saddles.

Ashtrays also don't fit on the American Standard and American Deluxe bridges 2-point bridges. Besides also having narrow spacing, on those the rear lip of the bridge extends all the way across the rear edge of the bridge and blocks the cover.

Ashtrays only fit on original spec 6-screw bridges like the American Vintage ReIssue bridges and the Mexican Classic/Deluxe bridges.

They don't fit on modern bridges which have a different spacing.
Anyway, nobody use them

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fender should make one for newer models

i had one on my early sixties strat, and always thought it looked cool

They should. That's why I want one on mine I think they look nice.

Surely if you use one of these you can't mute the strings properly as your palm is resting on the cover plate rather than the bridge saddles?

I thought no one ever used these anyway most people take them off and chuck them away.

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Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.

i don't do much palm muting.

during my early days the cover was almost always on

different spacing.

u rarely put mine on my strat just because i dont see the point. It doesnt really change the tone and gets in the way. I think the strat looks better with out it.

The original intended use was to prevent elves from easily changing your strings while you sleep.

yes