Covered or Uncovered?

[smitty_p]

Ever since I got my Strat in 2006 I’ve kept the spring cavity cover on it.

Lately, I’ve been leaving it uncovered.

What do ya’ll like to do?

[DanTheBluesMan]

my last three strat builds never got their spring covers, so I guess my answer is uncovered

[Don]

I need the cover on. I'm a little OCD about it.

[S. Cane]

I wouldn't mind if I got a strat without a cover... I'd love it just the same.

But since both my strats came with the original covers... I leave them on.

[DanTheBluesMan]

just to be clear, I've never had a strat that I've taken the cover off. If it came with one, I left it on.

[S. Cane]

I think it's almost like the eternal "pickguard on or off" debate regarding Les Pauls

[DanTheBluesMan]

my new Les Paul came without a pickguard and I'll probably keep it that way. My R0 has a pickguard and will probably keep it on.

[renderit]

Thar's DANGEROUS THINGIES IN THAR!

Practice Strat Safety!

"Covers on and the kids ain't gonna stick a fork in it!"

[WoundUp]

I initially pulled mine off. Then my belt/buckle must have caught something in there because I pulled the ground wire loose one day. So I put it back on for a few weeks. It's back off, now, and I've had no issues so far. I was changing string likes every week or 2 at the time so it made sense to keep it off. It's just easier to do without the cover on, even with the 6 holes in it.

[Don]

I initially pulled mine off. Then my belt/buckle must have caught something in there because I pulled the ground wire loose one day. So I put it back on for a few weeks. It's back off, now, and I've had no issues so far. I was changing string likes every week or 2 at the time so it made sense to keep it off. It's just easier to do without the cover on, even with the 6 holes in it.

I elongated the holes in my cover to make string changes easier. I think it's still easier without the cover, but I gotta have it.

I played a PRS Silver Sky and liked it. There was no cover, but there were no holes and the inside of the cavity was nicely finished. I think I would be fine without a cover on that guitar.

[phantomman]

Leo put it on the guitar so that's where I leave it.

[OldStrummer]

Leo put it on the guitar so that's where I leave it.

The only thing I change on my guitars are the strings.

Oh, sometimes the strap.

[DanTheBluesMan]

ON!!!

I'm split on that one

[John Sims]

Off generally as they can be a pain to restring when on. I made a vintage type cover for one of my guitars with extended holes so that solves the issue on that one.

[ch willie]

Off. Easier to do a quick string change. Nobody ever sees it but my dick.

[S. Cane]

Off generally as they can be a pain to restring when on. I made a vintage type cover for one of my guitars with extended holes so that solves the issue on that one.

I just remove the cover when I need to restring and then put it back on.

I really don't like the feel if the open cavity when I'm playing.

[Don]

Or... Do what I do, which is... Prior to removing the strings, grab an appropriate size (thickness) zip tie, cut it to length and place it between the trem and the body, (smooth side toward the body). For those who setup floating, this will also save you a few minutes when tuning a new set of strings to pitch...

You're welcome, Strato-fans...

I do the same, except with a guitar pick.

[jaxjaxon]

I cut the string holes into a slot on mine makes changing strings easy'r. I leave them on.

[DanTheBluesMan]

I cut the string holes into a slot on mine makes changing strings easy'r. I leave them on.

you mean one elongated hole, right? good idea.

[Offshore Angler]

I leave it on in case a spring decides to come off. That can happen on some occasions. When stringing I go one string at a time and if the holes don't line up I just reach around, grab the back of the bridge and lift it. You can also leave the arm in and use it.