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Post subject: Sonic Enhancement With Pickup Cover
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:21 pm
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Here's something for thought. I recently put my bridge and pickup covers back on my '78 Precision. After doing so I noticed a slight to moderate change in the overall sound of the instrument. It seems warmer and deeper than without the pickup cover on it. Is this possible? When you think about - a string is plucked, it vibrates and that vibration gets picked up (no pun intended) by the pickup and so on and so on. Now, with the cover over the pickup maybe those sound vibrations become more condensed by the pickup for a longer period of time than what it would be if the cover wasn't there.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw this out there...

Dave


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Post subject: Re: Sonic Enhancement With Pickup Cover
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 11:44 pm
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Hi Musicman. James Jamerson said Leo Fender put them there for a reason. He always left his on, along with everything else that landed on the instrument.

Duck Dunn took his pickup cover off, left the bridge cover. Noel Redding used covers. Carol Kaye removed both. Dig those crazy boots!
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I think on a first generation bass the pickup cover is important to protect the pickup and also you can ground it for a little more shielding. I think they look good, especially the Jazz bridge cover with the big "F" on it. But on a second generation bass which is pretty quiet anyway they are strictly for looks.

I can see where the little added weight COULD increase resonance. That might be what you are hearing.


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Post subject: Re: Sonic Enhancement With Pickup Cover
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:18 pm
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Thanks for the response. Great picture, too! I really like the bass with the covers on. They make the bass look truly sexy, if a bass can be that way. I say, why not?

Dave


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Post subject: Re: Sonic Enhancement With Pickup Cover
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:29 pm
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Of COURSE a bass is sexy. As this is a family forum, I won't explain my reasons. But they are. Trust me. :)

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Post subject: Re: Sonic Enhancement With Pickup Cover
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 5:51 am
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I am a true believer for sure.

Dave


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Post subject: Re: Sonic Enhancement With Pickup Cover
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 3:03 pm
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I now keep the bridge cover always on. I put the pup cover on when I want to dress up.

I've seen a cat only put the pup cover on. It looks wierd to me. No bridge cover, but the pup cover there.


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Post subject: Re: Sonic Enhancement With Pickup Cover
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 5:19 pm
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Yeah, the pickup cover without the bridge cover would look a bit strange.

Dave


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Post subject: Re: Sonic Enhancement With Pickup Cover
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:15 pm
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Sadowsky does that pickup cover without bridge cover on their Ultra-Vintage J & P and yes it does look strange.


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Post subject: Re: Sonic Enhancement With Pickup Cover
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:04 pm
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The foam needed a hiding place and the electronics benefitted with another ground especially on the first edition single coil p-basses,they are actually easy to play around given some effort after a week with one on you'll be using it for your own little stylistic nuances,I always have my bridge cover on but the pickup cover somehow disappeared :shock:

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Post subject: Re: Sonic Enhancement With Pickup Cover
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:29 pm
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lawsuitbass wrote:
The foam needed a hiding place ...

Foam? I have seen reference to this a couple of times previously and even saw it on a bass in a video from a 60's concert, and am wondering why use the foam, and whether modern basses benefit, and the "how's".

Thank you in advance for whatever insight you can give!

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Post subject: Re: Sonic Enhancement With Pickup Cover
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:33 pm
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Some players go as far as putting a small piece of sponge down by the bridge,the foam gives a more muffled tone than a technique could produce in my opinion( :wink: ) and its more consistent even if the fingers tire a bit the mute is still constant.
I love vintage bass 101 ! bring on the newcommers,we need them(dont get no idea's Penny) :idea: its too soon,they will come up missing :mrgreen:

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