Replacing Hipshot A type bridge without drilling holes??

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NickCormier

Dec 3, 2006
196
4
4,551
#1
I tried searching with little results.. Basically, I have a Modulus Genesis 5 that is great but I really can't stand the string spacing being so massive.. I love my Carvin BB75 feel, so I assumed it was a combination of the neck size + string spacing of the Genesis being much bigger, but tonight I measured the neck and to my surprise, the neck width was basically the same! The difference being the string spacing on the Carvin is 17mm and the Genesis at adjusted spacing is 18mm MAYBE at minimum.

I noticed the Hipshot A bridge, while a quality bridge, just doesnt have the adjustability I need. To the point where I had my Genesis listed for sale. I decided to give it one attempt to maybe spend $100 or so to replace the bridge and see if the smaller spacing works, but with that I dont want to drill into the bass obviously, incase I still sell it down the line with the original hipshot.

Question:

Is there any bridges that retrofit exactly into the Hipshot A style 5 string bridge?? I believe its the 19mm version. I don't understand why Hipshot didnt make the different string spacing versions have the same screw locations.. makes no sense to me.

Will a Hipshot Badass bridge replace it? Schaller? Even a cheap Fender version, if I dont screw in the front two screws??
 
#2
there must be some sort of bridge that can replace the hipshot A 5 string?? What about original Fender V bridges with 5 screws? I emailed like 5 people on ebay/reverb to get me dimensions of the screws, no luck yet.

All I need is something with 3" wide screw in holes and 17mm spacing =[
 
#5
The mounting holes for each Hipshot A bridge are COMPLETELY different from eachother - therefor none of them will retrofit unless you fill/drill new holes.. Look here:

.750" https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1574/0577/files/5A500-750.PDF?5107706555583815365 - 3" wide holes
.708" https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1574/0577/files/5A500-708.PDF?8170957612530623232 - 2.82" wide holes
etc

so I don't know what you guys are talking about.. its even very clearly in the link you gave. Personally, I think its a very poor design, to have such drastic differences in mounting holes.. It should be standardized.
 
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#6
That’s right, I was focused on the comment that there were no option on string spacing. Now that you point it out it makes sense.

Although It also makes sense that the design would be different for narrower spacing. The saddles need to be smaller to do it. Then the saddle grooves need to be narrower. Then the screw spacing is narrower to be in the right location in the groove. Standardization wouldn’t work because the entire bridge width shrinks as build them with narrower spacing.
 
#7
96tbird said:
That’s right, I was focused on the comment that there were no option on string spacing. Now that you point it out it makes sense.

Although It also makes sense that the design would be different for narrower spacing. The saddles need to be smaller to do it. Then the saddle grooves need to be narrower. Then the screw spacing is narrower to be in the right location in the groove. Standardization wouldn’t work because the entire bridge width shrinks as build them with narrower spacing.
Click to expand...

The saddles for all Hipshot A Style bridges are exactly the same size. I asked them, and replaced the saddles on a 5 string A Style bridge with what they sent me. I didn't tell them which size it is. The new saddles are a perfect fit. What changes as the bridges get wider are the dividers between the saddles (those get wider rather than the saddles).
 
#10
Well, i found this thread via search. I have an unknown hipshot size (i think from Allparts). Right now, my strings are spaced off centered a little at 19mm + or -. So, if i ordered a bridge say for 17mm, the mounting holes, (understandably) are going to be off from what i have? That kinda sucks, as the wood might be compromised there.
 
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