Jazz Bass Bridge upgrade

[madjazzbass]

How difficult/easy is it the swap the stock bridge with four (4+2) mounting screws with a new Gotoh high mass bridge (4+2)? - BUT the screw holes (on the new bridge) don't align with the original holes on the Bass body? What's the best way to go about it to ensure that it's gonna be done correctly? straight, sturdy, even with the pole pieces, able to intonate(?) correctly etc.? See photos, Thanks. ... Upon further review, I don't think this new Gotoh bridge is gonna work out; The new holes that I'd have to drill are too close to the original and the intonation will never be right because the B string saddle doesn't go back far enough to where the original B saddle was. Any new (5 string) bridge recommendations would be greatly appreciated ... The Bass is a CNZ AUDIO 75 5 string made in China. Thanks.

 

[sissy kathy]

Unless your present bridge is broken or won't allow you to intonate, there is nothing to be gained by replacing the bridge.

If you are determined to replace the bridge, the correct way to do it is to drill out the present mounting holes and insert plugs; use a fine chisel to smooth the plug and then redrill. Most people don't go to that level of detail though. MOST people will jam some glue covered toothpicks into the holes, cut them flat(ish), then redrill.

There are things you can do to give you more room for the B string. For instance; shorter screws for the B saddle; shorten or eliminate the B string saddle spring; move the G string saddle up to 95% of the bridge distance; shorten the saddle stem.

Once you have decided to replace the bridge, in spite of my best advice, use painter tape to mark the position of the present bridge (left, right, top, and bottom, DO NOT let the tapes overlap one another.) Remove the bridge, patch the holes (keeping the tape in place), and set the new bridge about where the old bridge was. With the G saddle about 83% (5/6) of the way toward the nut, use that saddle to find the correct placement from the nut. Now use the tape markings to center and square the bridge. Mark your new holes and drill. Remove the tape and screw down the bridge. Restring, tune, and play.

 

[StevieMac]

^ This is the correct answer IMHO. Been there, done that like so many of us here, only to find no difference.

 

[eggroll]

The quick release string slots are a nice upgrade if you change strings frequently.

 

[sokolasty]

All I did is predrilled holes for new wood screws. I did not bother to fill the old ones because I saw no reason to do it. Old holes are covered with a bridge after all.

 

[Geogio]

I'll invoke Jaco on this.... (kinda like Godwin's law... but different in a tonal way)...

Undiscernible gain when swapping out the stamped sheet metal bridge fenders used to come with and replacing them with a high mass. When in doubt remember Jaco never bothered with that stuff he just played his butt off.

 

[Stingray5]

Unless your present bridge is broken or won't allow you to intonate, there is nothing to be gained by replacing the bridge.

There is one added benefit to replacing the bridge in this instance, the Gotoh is quick release so no more need to feed the strings thru the back bridge holes when changing strings. I change strings after every gig (alternating sets soaking in denatured alcohol so the strings are already coiled up for the tuner wraps) and have actually swapped out a few bridges for this very reason.

Also, not everyone has the same goals! For some folks bass is a fun hobby and they just like to tinker because they can. Don't always need a compelling reason to do something.

 

[Bassistcool]

I would leave the bridge as it is. Many times, Iˋve tried different bridges on several basses. The effect was none to little. Up to you.

 

[sissy kathy]

Also, not everyone has the same goals! For some folks bass is a fun hobby and they just like to tinker because they can. Don't always need a compelling reason to do something.

That is the reason I went ahead and posted a tutorial for changing a bridge.

 

[40Hz]

Also, not everyone has the same goals! For some folks bass is a fun hobby and they just like to tinker because they can. Don't always need a compelling reason to do something.

Fair enough. But since nobody here actually knows what the OP’s goals are with a bridge replacement it’s not inappropriate to sound a cautionary note about doing it in the event the OP is basing his decision primarily on the marketing language surrounding 3rd party bridges. Because bridge replacements do not live up to their hype.

And while “just because” may be enough reason for somebody to mod a bass, I can think of several mods that would get them far more real benefits for their investment than applying that same amount of money ($60-$80 average) on an entirely unnecessary bridge replacement would.

Just my 2¢ anyway based on my own past experience with changing bridges in the mistaken belief it would get me something.

 

[Ellery]

Always the same load of when someone mentions changing their bridge, the know-it-alls have to jump in telling them it makes no difference. I can tell you I noticed a different going from bent plate to hi mass bridge, of course someone is going to say it’s all in my head, I just wanted to believe it was better because I spent money on the part. That is their opinion, mine is they have no idea if this mod will get you what you want, they just want shoot their mouths off. And mentioning Jaco is laughable, 1. he was not a luthier, and 2. believe it or not, there are actually some people out there who could care less what he thought.

 

[40Hz]

Always the same load of when someone mentions changing their bridge, the know-it-alls have to jump in telling them it makes no difference. I can tell you I noticed a different going from bent plate to hi mass bridge,

Always nice to see someone who knows what he knows based on his own experience dissing those he calls know-it-alls for offering their opinions based on their own experiences with swapping out bridges.

Gotta sometimes wonder just who’s acting like the know-it-all now?

 

[Ellery]

Always nice to see someone who knows what he knows based on his own experience dissing those he calls know-it-alls for offering their opinions based on their own experiences with swapping out bridges.

Gotta sometimes wonder just who’s acting like the know-it-all now?

Wondering are you? Thank you for allowing me to explain the difference. At no point did I state a bridge change will always make a difference. I only stated, my own limited experience upgrading bridges has yielded a difference. What I was, “dissing” as you put it, was the blanket statement that it would NEVER make a difference.
.

 

[MovingPitchers]

My only reason not putting a high mass bridge on my Precision is it defeats my goal to make the bass as light as possible.

Don’t care for increased sustain or whatever people think it does because I don’t let a note ring out long enough to worry about that anyways.

To each their own. If you want one for cosmetic reasons, go for it. If you want one because it’ll increase sustain or improve intonation, go for it.

 

[madjazzbass]

OP here; THIS is why I want to change/upgrade the bridge; Functuality. Clearly you can see that the saddles and the pole pieces are waaay off, I mean Bad. So yeah, this time it's not so much about "looks"; although I'll admit, most all my other bridge "upgrades" were purely because it looked better than the original (bent plate) bridge.

 

[sissy kathy]

OP here; THIS is why I want to change/upgrade the bridge; Functuality. Clearly you can see that the saddles and the pole pieces are waaay off, I mean Bad. So yeah, this time it's not so much about "looks"; although I'll admit, most all my other bridge "upgrades" were purely because it looked better than the original (bent plate) bridge.

No, we can't clearly see that. You took the picture off center. Get the camera LENS centered over the middle string and try again. But you don't have to justify the replacement to anyone. It's your bass to do with as you please.

 

[AK Bass Guy]

OP here; THIS is why I want to change/upgrade the bridge; Functuality. Clearly you can see that the saddles and the pole pieces are waaay off, I mean Bad. So yeah, this time it's not so much about "looks"; although I'll admit, most all my other bridge "upgrades" were purely because it looked better than the original (bent plate) bridge.

Even though you pic isn’t centered it definitely looks to me like it not centered to the bass properly. What drew my attention wasn’t the pole pieces as much as how the B string looks much closer to the end of the neck than the G string.
Here is a link to a thread when I needed help placing a bridge.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/determining-bridge-placement-on-bass.1657945/#post-28612323

 

[sissy kathy]

Even though you pic isn’t centered it definitely looks to me like it not centered to the bass properly. What drew my attention wasn’t the pole pieces as much as how the B string looks much closer to the end of the neck than the G string.
Here is a link to a thread when I needed help placing a bridge.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/determining-bridge-placement-on-bass.1657945/#post-28612323

That could be because of the camera placement. It could also be to a neck setting improperly in the pocket. The information needed to diagnose anything with the bridge isn't available from the pictures provided.

 

[Ritter667]

This shows that the bridge does in fact have an impact on the tone of the bass:


All these different bridges induce a slightly different tone respectively.

That said, I personally think the standard bend piece of metal low mass bridge sounds best.

While you might get a somewhat fatter tone, with a minimal of added sustain, with a high mass bridge, the tone also seems to lose complexity/richness and end up sounding somewhat duller, compared to the standard bend piece of metal low mass bridge.

The best option though would be mono rail bridge pieces milled from solid brass.

 

[Ritter667]

OP here; THIS is why I want to change/upgrade the bridge; Functuality. Clearly you can see that the saddles and the pole pieces are waaay off, I mean Bad. So yeah, this time it's not so much about "looks"; although I'll admit, most all my other bridge "upgrades" were purely because it looked better than the original (bent plate) bridge.

Well, can't see why that couldn't be solved by just reinstalling your current bridge a bit shifted from where it is now.
Also it might really be the neck that is slightly shifted in the neck pocket, and resetting the neck could possibly have solved the issues.

Does it sound bad though?
Usually misaligned pole pieces is a purely cosmetical issue.

But, yeah, if you feel like a new bridge do go ahead and replace it anyway.