Fender throw-aways (and whammy bars)

[Richard Monroe]

I was thinking today that Fenders are like plastic models for kids. There's always a part you don't know what it's for, so you just throw it away. On a telecaster, it's the steel cover for the bridge pickup. Over the years, so many people have thrown them away that when I bought my Highway One tele, it wasn't even included! Does *anybody* actually use the thing?

On a Strat, it's the plastic plate over the tremolo bridge springs in the back. Do they become Frisbees, or what?

Just one more thing. Can somebody put up a good picture of the tremolo bar on a standard strat? I'm convinced the one that came with my Jimmie Vaughan strat was placed backwards in a bending jig, and bent in the wrong direction. The tip actually is angled *up*, and I don't see how anyone could hold it and reach the strings with a pick at the same time. I'd also be interested in a closeup photo of proper technique for hand placement showing the pick and tremolo bar in use. Thanks in advance to anyone who will take the time to enlighten me.-Richie

 

[ibanezrocks]

heres one. Do you mean that its angled up towards you and a bit off the guitar when in playing position? If so, then its fine.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Thanks, Ib! The two you show don't appear the same. Mine appears to be identical to the bottom one in your picture. Can you give me a picture of how the hand is placed when using this puppy? Thanks again-Richie

 

[ibanezrocks]

The two in the picture actually are the same, the one on the top is just flipped over, laying on the other side.
Everyone holds the bar slightly different. I usually use my pinky and ring fingers to hold the bar while holding the pick normally. If I'm not mistaken I believe Steve Vai uses only his pinky. Experiment and find what works best for you.

 

[gvarko]

This thread

Reminds me of a Seinfeld bit, (Seinfeld Voice) "Truss covers, what are they about anyway"

 

[ermghoti]

Reminds me of a Seinfeld bit, (Seinfeld Voice) "Truss covers, what are they about anyway"

"And what's the deal with a thumb rest below the G string? Am I right?"

 

[gvarko]

And

"And what's the deal with a thumb rest below the G string? Am I right?"

"Oh yeah, and what's the deal with the big chrome pickup cover on basses, I mean what's THAT about? Are you kidding me?"

 

[ggunn]

"And what's the deal with a thumb rest below the G string? Am I right?"

A thumb rest below the G string? I guess that's for lefties playing a right strung bass... ;^)