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Bridge Replacement
- Thread starter FAB4X
- Start date
I replaced a stock Yamaha bridge for the Hipshot BadAss bridge for more adjustments primarily.
It was part of a transformation of tuners, strings and pickups that changed the sound so much.
This is a highly debated subject to some - not so much for others.
It was part of a transformation of tuners, strings and pickups that changed the sound so much.
This is a highly debated subject to some - not so much for others.
Some claim it does make a difference. I never noticed one. Changed bridges several times.
Changing strings or pickups will make a difference though. Unless you need/want additional adjustability I'd invest my money into several sets of strings and find the one that works best for me.
“Better” is far too subjective.
There is more to bridge replacement motivation: adjustability, appearance, weight balance, stability, enhancing ability to Palm mute.
What aspect of tone do you wish to change?
Strings and setup have FAR more impact on tone.
Following that are pickups pots and caps if passive, preamp if active.
Adjusting your plucking hand position and attack profile.
So I guess “maybe”
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Not really. As @Brian Patterson noted, there are other good reasons to change out a bridge, namely features -- adjustability, quick string change, etc. Another reason might be weight, if you're replacing a bent metal bridge with a high-mass something, or replacing a heavy bridge with a Babicz, something like that.
Personally I don't like a bent metal bridge. It's perfectly functional, but I can't stand having an otherwise beautiful bass with something that looks like an engineering afterthought on it. So my bridge of choice these days is the Hipshot A in aluminum. That gives me a bit of 3D adjustability, light weight, and quick string change.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
In 1983, a bought a used Fender parts bass. Like many from the period, it had a Baddass bridge. A few years ago, after playing it for decades, I replaced the bridge with a standard bent plate bridge. Other than be a little lighter, no difference.
My selection for many builds is the Hipshot KickAss or Schaller roller.
Babicz I’m putting on an upcoming build.
Agree bent plate bridges don’t appeal to me, but no NEED to REPLACE.
Well hey, "something else" qualifies, pretty much definitively.
People spend hundreds to get their instrument painted, and hundreds more to make it look like somebody else painted it a long time ago and then treated it badly. I can't really get wound up if somebody wants to replace a bridge with another bridge that looks cooler.
On that note, I would recommend the Hipshot A bridge as a do-it-all design along with their saddle choices, etc. I kinda wish I had gotten it instead oif the BadAss, but I'm not complaining eirther! Hipshot bridges and UltraLite USA tuners are excellent!
Attachments
What you say here about the front edge lifting is the reason why I now drill two more holes on these bent plate bridges towards the neck in between the two outer barrels set screws.Better? Can’t say.. different, sure. If it’s a bent bridge those can sometimes sit funny on the surface. Bumped up by the ground wire maybe . For example if you crank the 5 screw down it can actually lift the front edge off the body. Raising the saddle. So you loosen those just a hair allowing the bridge to settle on its footprint. This definitely affects the toan. Different saddle material will as well +/- better? Different, yes. I personally prefer KTS titanium. They also have a little bit of refined elegance for a 5 screw. And they are feather weight. I personally prefer light weight over high mass.
I then install two more screws to make sure the bridge rests evenly and firmly on the body and applies enough pressure to press down the bridge ground.
You confirmed to me (again !) that natural wood is the way to go ! Nice…………..
I've replaced bridges on my fenders to higher mass bridges. I've heard they have longer sustain but I'm not looking for that. One had the old bent bridge that became so crusty and rusty over time it would no longer adjust. On a Geddy Lee body I replaced the bridge just because I simply don't want anybody's signature on a bass I'm playing. I went high mass on a 60s jazz bass because the springs got messed up and I figured I didn't like the period correct height adjustments that need a tiny flathead. I doubt the sound is affected much.
I want to give a +1 to the Fender Hi mass bridge. Although it's much cooler to have "Badass" stamped on a bridge, the Fender works very well. Very easy with it's construction and all of the edges are beveled and smooth so I don't impale the side of my palm and on a mute.
I want to give a +1 to the Fender Hi mass bridge. Although it's much cooler to have "Badass" stamped on a bridge, the Fender works very well. Very easy with it's construction and all of the edges are beveled and smooth so I don't impale the side of my palm and on a mute.
Nope. I had a badassII on a fender p,
Looked cool but 0 difference. Remember the only difference in sound is from the neck edge of the nut to the neck edge of the saddle. Anything past that area has 0 effect on the sound. Tort pickguard helps!
Looked cool but 0 difference. Remember the only difference in sound is from the neck edge of the nut to the neck edge of the saddle. Anything past that area has 0 effect on the sound. Tort pickguard helps!
