Where have all the trem covers gone....

[Jr_vw2]

So I've been on an 80's shredder kick lately. I have been adding to my collection. Recently I have gotten a charvel model 1, model 2, and model 5. All 1987 models. Also a 1987 kramer and a newer (98) jackson. Not a single one of these guitars had the trem cover. I know some say that it helps the tone but does it really do that much? Or was this just a fad back in the day and it just stuck ?



Trying to find original trem covers for these is proving to be a challenge. Lol.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

Are you in the U.S.?

What are the length and width measurements of the mounting holes in millimeters (mm), measured center-to-center in the holes, of the plates you need?

I may have one or two from older Jacksons/Charvels I'd let go reasonably. Pretty sure I have an early anodized black aluminum plate from a Charvel/Jackson, also (like the ones found on Custom Shop models).

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

Can't you just pick up one of the anodized aluminum covers from a pro mod?

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

Helping the tone? I wouldn't see how.
I remove all my trem covers and truss rod covers and throw them in a drawer because it's so much easier to adjust them, especially since mine are all full floating with 2 trem springs and 8-38's so they're very finnicky notably during season changes.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

The spring cavity covers?

People ditch em during string change and adjustment. Iirc, 80's Charvel vintage trem takes Fender parts

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

I started taking them off because Kirk Hammett, SRV, and Jimi all had theirs off. Think I noticed all three in the same Guitar World issue. Been doing it ever since.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

Mine are in the case where they belong :lol:

Helping the tone? I wouldn't see how.
I remove all my trem covers and truss rod covers and throw them in a drawer because it's so much easier to adjust them, especially since mine are all full floating with 2 trem springs and 8-38's so they're very finnicky notably during season changes.

It's definitely easier to make a quick adjustment if you don't have to take the cover off.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

Helping the tone? I wouldn't see how.
I remove all my trem covers and truss rod covers and throw them in a drawer because it's so much easier to adjust them, especially since mine are all full floating with 2 trem springs and 8-38's so they're very finnicky notably during season changes.

How the hell do you metal on 8-38's???

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

Everyone did and still should. It's a little thing called letting the bass player do his job.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

Everyone did and still should. It's a little thing called letting the bass player do his job.

If you play extremely delicately and want *that* tone, ultra thin strings are great. If not, there’s a reason they make different sets.

As far as implying that thicker strings encroach on the bass player’s territory, maybe try an amp with a bass knob. I use 11-52 on most of my guitars, they sound nothing like a bass.

 

[Jr_vw2]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

If you play extremely delicately and want *that* tone, ultra thin strings are great..

I play like a Ham Fisted Gorilla.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

Everyone did and still should. It's a little thing called letting the bass player do his job.

Excuse me kind sir but are you not supposed to have HEAVIER strings on your guitars (heavier than 9's I mean let alone 8's) given the shorter scale lengths (at least that of the Nightswan)??? I was told by "you know who" that it would brighten up my Blaze so I put 10's on. It did brighten it up. But it played terrible. So just wondering.

maybe try an amp with a bass knob

That's too funny!!! LOL!!!

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

I play like a Ham Fisted Gorilla.

Digging in is good if that’s the tone you’re after. I happen to prefer heavier strings for a variety of reasons.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

I never installed one on my Warmoth. I don't see the point of putting these on at all (not even from the factory). And what's with the screws? Shouldn't we move on to magnets or something by now?

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

I do have guitars with 9-42's as well.
I wasn't saying thick strings infringe on a bass player's frequency, I was just saying I don't see the point. My Engl 620 tube preamp and Marshall 9200 poweramp is more than sufficient to make up for the very minute loss in bottom end.

Judas Priest's Painkiller is a good album and KK used 7's on that. Yes 7's... Granted it's not a bottom heavy album, but it's definitely metal and if anyone disputes that then perhaps they need to wiki good metal.
To each their own though I was just giving my perspective as to why I ditch my covers that's all.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

I use .09’s on my fender scale and .010 on my Gibson scale guitars.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

For the sake of (my own) clarity are we talking about those covers on the back of the guitar that cover the trem. springs and sustain block??? Because if we are I don’t understand the problem in obtaining them if that’s what the thread is about i.e. I see them all over the place on the Internet???

And I dunno about tone but with recessed trems. such as my Jacksons have it’s certainly possible to push on the sustain block with loose clothing or something without the cover on i.e. there’s really not that much clearance between the very top of the springs that are hooked into the sustain block and the cover itself (and therefore to the “outside” or back of the guitar) especially if you’ve adjusted the FR for low action. Also not impossible to catch the springs, sustain block, or bridge ground wire on the likes of a belt buckle for instance.

Assuming we’re talking about the same covers of course...

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

Well the only other cover left is the control cavity cover....

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

Well the only other cover left is the control cavity cover....

True!!! LOL!!!

 

[devastone]

Re: Where have all the trem covers gone....

I've never gotten any dangly bits trapped in my trem. Like Metalchurch, when I get a guitar I remove those covers immediately to do a setup and put it and the screws in a ziploc in the case. As soon as I have to adjust a truss rod, that cover goes in the bag too. I try to remember to put them back on when I sell a guitar, but if not they are in the case, unless I never got them with the guitar.