Babicz vs Fender HiMass Bridge

ryevick

ryevick

Dec 19, 2009
343
118
4,571
#1
I'm getting the Fender Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special in about a week. It comes with the HiMass bridge shown here. I have a brand new, unopened Full Contact Hardware Babicz FCH-4, pictured as well. I'm guessing the Babicz is going to be MUCH better and I don't plan to swap anything out until after the 45 day return policy but figured why not ask if anyone has compared them.

0143410305_gtr_frt_001_rr.jpg


014341-1-2-5-1_actv-pbass-spcl_3-2-himass.jpg

fch4-chrome_6_1.jpg

293801_1653460_1465055556.png
 
Last edited:
#3
ASQTec said:
Babicz makes a great bridge, but kiss your palm muting days good bye. It was a deal breaker for me.
Click to expand...

Hmmm... interesting. I have one on a Squier VM Fretless Jazz but hadn't noticed that. I do play very different on that one. I'm not trashing anything but I guess I'll have to check that out.
 
Last edited:
#5
Charley Umbria said:
I've got a Fender American Special P-Bass with a Badass II (which is basically the same thing as the HiMass) and it works great. I don't know how much you'd actually gain by switching yours out.

The Babicz is a very nice bridge, but the billboard-sized logo is a deal-breaker for me. YMMV...
Click to expand...

I'll probably leave it... pretty sure it's going to be awesome as is :)
 
#6
I have the Babicz on my Precision.

2rpdvs5.jpg


I don't experience the palm muting issue - it seems to be fine for me in that respect. I think it's the best aftermarket bridge out there. All the adjustments lock down, it's light weight, has no "sticky uppy" adjustment screws like *every* other bridge does, and is extremely well designed and manufactured. The logo doesn't bother me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mili, MrBassman17, jallenbass and 1 other person
#11
I wouldn't look for the Babicz to sound or perform MUCH better than a Fender Hi-Mass. They're both solid bridges with more similarity than difference. The palm-mute thing on the Babicz was a deal breaker for me as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ChanceC5
#12
I believe a bridge that makes more contact with the string in a solid way to the body will help your tone & sustain. Fender seems interested in making a 'HiMass' bridge of their own, hence the comparison. I agree about the logo being too big, without a doubt but I'm not too concerned with that.

Is this upgrade necessary on this particular guitar? Absolutely not, I'm sure it will sound fantastic right from the factory. It's just a little perk that might help.

This guy does a fair job explaining some of the benefits of the Babicz.

 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Ashlock
#15
Completely agree with @SanDiegoHarry. I think aftermarket bridges are highly overrated and not worth considering unless there's a problem you're having with the bridge already on your bass.

Keep it stock and sell your Babicz. You'll wind up with more money in your pocket both ways.

Might want to watch this video with headphones on:



I spent a bit of money over the years on Badass and similar bridges. I recently compared a few PBasses while helping out shopping for one with a friend. Some had Fender's new bridge and others had the old bent metal so-called 'POS' originals. Some had various 3rd party bridges. One had a Babicz.

And I didn't notice it made any difference which bridge was on which bass.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: tomich, Mili, ChanceC5 and 2 others
#17
SanDiegoHarry said:
I have come to believe that hi-mass bridges are a scam. Look at the bridge that Lakland uses, or EBMM. Does anyone go out of their way to replace THOSE bridges? Nope. Do those basses sound great? Yup.

But If I had to choose, I'd go with the stock Fender. It's cheaper.
Click to expand...
Same could be said of a saddle lock bridge. I have yet to see anyone complain about them.
 
#18
twinjet said:
Same could be said of a saddle lock bridge. I have yet to see anyone complain about them.
Click to expand...
If you're referring to the G&L bridges, I'm guessing we don't hear about people replacing them because there's just about nothing available out there to replace them with. :) Very unusual size and screw pattern, plus a big channel routed out under it.

If that little plastic nub that "locks" the saddles together on my L2500 actually does anything meaningful to its tone, I'll eat my own gym socks.

If there were direct aftermarket replacements, I'm sure people would be swapping them out. Not for any good reason, just because bassists are like that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: twinjet and ryevick
#19
Hopkins said:
For the record, a Babicz bridge is not at all a high mass bridge
Click to expand...

I guess I'm not real sure about the definition for what a hi-mass bridge is then. I just wanted to compare the two.

I know I could tell a difference when I put the Babicz on my VM Jazz Fretless. The feel of it alone was enough of a reason to validate the swap.
 
#20
ryevick said:
I guess I'm not real sure about the definition for what a hi-mass bridge is then. I just wanted to compare the two.

I know I could tell a difference when I put the Babicz on my VM Jazz Fretless. The feel of it alone was enough of a reason to validate the swap.
Click to expand...
The Babicz is mainly aluminum. Its pretty lightweight. See: lower mass.

If I'm gonna bother to replace a bridge, the replacement will have quick load slots, for top loading. Trying to squeeze strings through holes, right behind the saddles, is awful. Especially when installing B strings on a 5er.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jake bassist and TheDuff
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back