Vintage chrome P pickup covers

[Chris P.]

If I see pics of old P's (the '57 and newer ones) and I look at the chrome covers, some seem to be quite flat and some more bowled, arched.

Flat:



Bowled:



Different years? Or just optical illusion?

[4stringer77]

Jamerson's cover got flatter because he rests his hand on it, perhaps. Whatever you do, don't put a 70s rounded cover on a 60s bass or the Fender police will come after you!

[Denis]

Jamerson's wrist is clearly resting on the bass body although several of his fingers are on the cover. Once mounted on the bass those covers are really solid so I doubt regular use would flatten it.

Looks to me like we're talking about different type covers entirely.

[4stringer77]

I wasn't entirely serious. Probably just looks different from the angle. Differences in manufacturing are possible also.

[ilan]

Real vintage ones are flat. Reissues are more round and significantly taller. That 70's P has a reissue cover.

I prefer the vintage ones. They look better and feel better resting your palm when playing with a pick.

I think they made them more round to be more flexible. You see a lot of the old covers with a "fold" or ridge in the middle, from people trying to force them on basses (or aftermarket pickguards) with slightly closer screw holes.

[patman]

back in the day, I remember the jazz covers being rounder, while the precision covers were flat...I think modern ones attempt to make one cover fit both...the rounder cover allows a more natural feel when playing finger style...but neither feels as good as resting your thumb on the e string.