Replacement Bridge for a 99 Fender Precision

What would you do?

  • Fender replacement

    Votes: 5 71.4%
  • Babicz (please explain)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Hipshot (please explain)

    Votes: 1 14.3%
  • Carrots.

    Votes: 1 14.3%

  • Total voters
    7
Jan 28, 2009
1,371
2,239
4,571
Morning,

Unfortunately the string height adjustment screws on my beloved 99 Precision have rusted out. I'm planning on replacing the entire bridge and looking for a good drop-in replacement or upgrade.

It's a string-thru 3 screw bridge and after cursory search online, it looks like I can either get a Fender replacement or an aftermarket upgrade from either Hipshot or Babicz. I'd love some insight into what either upgrade would afford me and also any differences in tone, sustain and other characteristics that might show up.

Also "brass vs aluminum"....?

Thanks everyone, happy plucking :bassist:
 
Changing a bridge as an “upgrade” is a dodgy proposition. It might sound different or it might not. It might sound better or it might sound worse. There are no guarantees.

If the original bridge worked well and you were happy with the bass I see no reason not to replace it with the same bridge.
 
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I have a 2000 MIA P with the same 3 screw string through body only bridge and tried one of the newer Fender MIA bridges (2008 and newer HI-mass Vintage or whatever they call it) but didn't like the setup issues the taller bridge caused. Instead went for the "American Deluxe" bridge that has been recommended on Talkbass many times before. It has holes to let you top load your strings and guides for the saddle screws to help keep them in place. Much happier with this bridge, decided higher mass bridge wasn't for me.

Link for pictures of said Deluxe bridge:
https://www.thomannmusic.com/fender_american_deluxe_bass_bridge_4.htm
 
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I have had both the BabicZ and the Hipshot. The BabicZ is very nice but would only raise so far and I had to shim the neck to Allow proper height plus it is expensive. The Hipshot did a wonderful job for less than 1/2 the cost.

Thanks for the input, I'm looking for the simplest fix so that kinda takes the Babicz out of contention.

Changing a bridge as an “upgrade” is a dodgy proposition. It might sound different or it might not. It might sound better or it might sound worse. There are no guarantees.

If the original bridge worked well and you were happy with the bass I see no reason not to replace it with the same bridge.

This is my usual reasoning, if it ain't broke don't fix it. The fender replacement is cheaper than the Hipshot...

You can replace the saddles on your original. A more expensive bridge may look nicer, but there's nothing funtionally wrong with the stock bridge. Hipshot is my go to bridge.

Thanks for the input, what's would be the easiest way to get a few replacement saddles. Which Hipshots have you used and what advantages do you feel they have over the Fender Bridges?

I had a Fender parts bass that I bought used in 1983. Like many of the period, the original bridge had been replaced with a Badass 2.

A few years ago I switched back to a bent plate bridge. Other than the weight, I could not notice any difference.

I feel like the badass bridge is so iconic on Fender and Fender style basses, especially for the 80s/90s. How did it compare to the standard bridge?

I have a 2000 MIA P with the same 3 screw string through body only bridge and tried one of the newer Fender MIA bridges (2008 and newer HI-mass Vintage or whatever they call it) but didn't like the setup issues the taller bridge caused. Instead went for the "American Deluxe" bridge that has been recommended on Talkbass many times before. It has holes to let you top load your strings and guides for the saddle screws to help keep them in place. Much happier with this bridge, decided higher mass bridge wasn't for me.

Link for pictures of said Deluxe bridge:
https://www.thomannmusic.com/fender_american_deluxe_bass_bridge_4.htm

Thanks for the link, I'm looking too avoid needing to shim the neck or create more issues by replacing the bridge. Top loading isn't too much of a concern for me so long as the bridge can be installed with little fuss.
 
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I feel like the badass bridge is so iconic on Fender and Fender style basses, especially for the 80s/90s. How did it compare to the standard bridge?

Absolutely no difference in tone or playability.

Maybe if you are playing long melodic tones you might find a difference, but I certainly didn't. I play rock, jazz, and pit band.

YMMV...
 
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In several cases putting on a Hipshot, BabicZ, or Gotoh Hi Mass bridge increased the sustain and was a positive change, however I just bought a Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz Bass and tried a Gotoh Hi Mass bridge and this time the Vintage Fender Style L-Shaped bridge actually did a better job!

You can replace the saddles on your original. A more expensive bridge may look nicer, but there's nothing funtionally wrong with the stock bridge. Hipshot is my go to bridge.

I think I'm gonna go with the Hipshot.

A Style Fender® Mount Bridges

Any insight into aluminum or brass?
 
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Can you remove the saddles and soak them in PB Blaster (penetrating oil) for a few hours? That will probably loosen them up so you can get them out then replace them with new allen screws. Just a thought. I've had to do this on one or two of my bridges.
 
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It's worth a shot. Thanks for the tip.
If they're really rusted, I would leave them in the PB soup overnight. Take your time...the allen key holes might be worn a bit. On a couple of them, I ended up grabbing the part of the screw that was protruding out of the bottom of the saddle with a pair of needle nose pliers and unscrewed the allen screw out of the bottom of the saddle. This little trick is only if you can't budge the screw normally with the allen wrench.
 
Unfortunately the string height adjustment screws on my beloved 99 Precision have rusted out. I'm planning on replacing the entire bridge and looking for a good drop-in replacement or upgrade.
don't, you have one of the best bridges around already

soak the saddles in liquid wrench to dislodge the screws then replace said screws, that's all you need to do
 
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Keep the old... especially with a string through. Even fender techs state that a high mass bridge does not add a significant amount of sustain, over their standard string through. So, unless you want a cosmetic change, stay stock. Cosmetically, the babitz bridges look pretty nice, but a bad ass bridge is a standard "upgrade" to a fender.
 
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I’ve got a bass with a Schaller top loading locking bridge, a couple with badass bridges, a couple with Babicz bridges, and a few with Fender Pure vintage bent plate bridges.
in order of preference, I’d say Babicz, Schaller, bent plate with threaded saddles, and Badass.
the Babicz bridges are the only non Fender OEM bridges in the group. The Schaller came on my J Plus, the BAs came on my highway one J basses and I use a mix of Babicz and Fender Pure Vintage on my MIM J basses, and have never had any setup issues or failure to hold settings from any of those bridges.
 
don't, you have one of the best bridges around already

soak the saddles in liquid wrench to dislodge the screws then replace said screws, that's all you need to do

I'll definitely try this first. How would I go about getting replacement hex screws? Same with the springs and intonation screws, they're relatively oxidized too.
 
I'll definitely try this first. How would I go about getting replacement hex screws? Same with the springs and intonation screws, they're relatively oxidized too.
There are places that sell Fender bass bridge hardware...I'll see if I can find some links. If you google it though, you should be able to come up with some places. Here's a few ideas, all right here on the "verb". Double check sizes...

004-0800-049 Genuine #6-32 Standard Bass Bridge Saddle Height Screws 12 | Reverb

Genuine Fender Vintage-Style Tele & Bass Bridge Intonation Springs, Nickel | Reverb

Fender Bass Bridge Intonation Screw & Spring Nickel 2020 Silver Set | Reverb
 
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