Pick up covers -- What is the point?

J. Wilson · From: Manitoba, Canada

I have an outstanding supro pup but no cover. I rest my hand on it when I play sometimes. It's comfortable. Is this bad? Will it affect the pup? I am wondering what the point of the covers is, and if resting my hand lightly on the on the pup is of detriment to it?

I should mention that I wipe it with a lint free cloth after I am done playing. My hands aren't overly damp or greasy and I always wash my hands before I play my instrument.
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1941 Ric B6 / 1948 National Dynamic / 1951 Bronson Supro / Custom teak wood Allen Melbert / Tut Taylor Dobro / Gold Tone Dojo / Martin D15S / Eastman P10

Ian McLatchie · From: Sechelt, British Columbia

I've owned a couple of dozen Valco instruments - Supros, Nationals, Oahus, Gretsches - and have loved them all. In fact, the only thing I don't like about Supro-style steels apart from the awkwardly placed knobs is the pickup covers. They're certainly no use as hand rests, they interfere with palm blocking, and with a few exceptions do nothing for the appearance of the instrument, either. The worst example I've owned is a Supro Console 16. It's an amazing instrument, and a beautiful one. In this case the pickup cover actually adds to the 'fifties futuristic look of the guitar, but since it sits at least three-quarters of an inch above the strings and extends the same distance beyond the pickup, it makes normal playing position impossible. I removed the cover and built a plastic and Velcro housing for the neck selector switch.

There's no reason to regret not having the cover for your Supro, apart from the tiny difference it might make in resale value. By the way, if you haven't already done so, you might want to invest in a pair of Supro repro magnets from Jason Lollar. The factory-issue magnets are almost always down to a fraction of their original charge. If you're lucky enough to find a pair of Rick Aiello's NiBor replacements that's better still. I have a few pairs of those but they're definitely not for sale!

Tom Pettingill · From: California, USA (deceased)

As long as your not eating pizza when playing, I can't see any problem resting your hand on the pickup.

And on covers, I like the look of bridge covers, but most all just get in the way. When I was designing my Teardrop, I wanted a bridge cover in the worst way so I came up with this low profile design that works great. You can see in the pic that I keep the tolerances tight so that it does not get into the way and you can still mute.

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David Soreff · From: North Las Vegas, NV

FWIW...I have an old Supro and also a National D8, and the first thing I took off, (and havenʻt put back on) were the PUP covers. Personally, the look of a naked pickup never bothered me, and as stated, they do get in the way of blocking. BUT, I could change my mind after seeing Tomʻs...he does such beautiful work it would be a crime to toss the cover.

J. Wilson · From: Manitoba, Canada

J. Wilson · From: Manitoba, Canada

Ian McLatchie · From: Sechelt, British Columbia

Assuming the pickup is in good working order, new magnets should do the trick.
Just make sure you mount them with like polarity.

Tom Pettingill · From: California, USA (deceased)

Allan Munro · From: Pennsylvania, USA and Scotland

I have said this before and probably will again - I love the way Tom lines the string feed holes with the brass rod. What a finishing touch!

Sorry for bending the thread away there for a moment.

Allan.....
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