Cowbell covers on basses: yeah or nay and why?

[IntenseJim]

At times it seems like a great way to anchor your hand or brace your wrist in place for slapping/popping.
Other times it seems it could impede where you can or cannot pluck the string.

Just wondering what your thoughts are on them.


 

[gillento]

I tried to put a cowbell cover on my 59 burst MV5 because it has a great vintagey look that way.

But I had to remove it because it keeps me from playing over the neck PU.
Before that I wasn't even aware I played in that position. I guess muscle memory proved me wrong.

[gregmerrill]

I love the look but keeps me limited as to where I can play on the strings so I would rather not have.

[HenryD]

I dig em. I usually play right between the two pickups on a Jazz so I dont really miss not being able to play directly over the neck pickup.

I like to use it as a place to rest my thumb too. I use a sort of floating thumb technique but keep my thumb in contact with the cover for a little leverage.

[Fuzzbass]

I love the look but keeps me limited as to where I can play on the strings so I would rather not have.

This sums it up for me, too.

Guys like James Jamerson and Will Lee sound great with the bell cover, but I'm just me!

[Fran Diaz]

I love the look but keeps me limited as to where I can play on the strings so I would rather not have.

+1, especially on my PJ, where I find several sweet spots over the P pickup. On the other side, on my J, I don't fingerpick much over the neck pickup, but it limits me when I'm slapping.