Through-Body and High-Mass Bridges

Decoyx7

Decoyx7

Sep 18, 2011
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Baden-Württemburg, Germany
#1
Hi! I'm looking at getting a new bass for the first time in a very long time now, and I considered putting some good money into something like a Fender. Now that the new Pro IIs are out, I'm curious, what kind of a difference do through-body and high-mass bridges make opposed to basses without?
I understand that it's supposed to aid in things like sustain, but I'm unsure if almost 700€-1000€ price differences for something like that is really worth it at all?

Thanks for any responses. I'm excited to get back into bass guitar again :)
 
#2
Welcome back to bass playing!

It's hard to answer questions about if something is "worth it" because some people are more than excited to pay a big upcharge for a change other people may not care about. Also, if the difference (to you) really boils down to JUST the high mass bridge, it's worth noting that you can probably get a high mass bridge added to a cheaper bass for a lot less than the price difference you're quoting. That said, since you asked - there are a lot of variables that go in to tone and sustain, personally I don't see bridge style as being worth paying more for.

Are you able to get to a shop and try the different models out before you buy?
 
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#3
I used to own several basses with string through and top load options. I never heard a difference. In fact, just for fun, I strung my Fender Roscoe Back Signature 5 string every other string top and through. I couldn't tell which strings were which by feel OR tone.

Actually, I prefer the sound of a traditional bridge on a Fender. That I DO notice. High mass bridges don't sound like a Fender to me. Is the difference subtle? Sure, in a mix, it is. But playing by myself the difference is huge. I've removed them from several Fender style basses.
 
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#4
dwizum said:
Welcome back to bass playing!

It's hard to answer questions about if something is "worth it" because some people are more than excited to pay a big upcharge for a change other people may not care about. Also, if the difference (to you) really boils down to JUST the high mass bridge, it's worth noting that you can probably get a high mass bridge added to a cheaper bass for a lot less than the price difference you're quoting. That said, since you asked - there are a lot of variables that go in to tone and sustain, personally I don't see bridge style as being worth paying more for.

Are you able to get to a shop and try the different models out before you buy?
Click to expand...

Hey! Thank you :)
Yeah, I know the ''is it worth it?'' question is really ridiculous. I really appreciate the response though.
I have considered looking for Badass bridges or something, though I haven't actually *looked* yet.

There is a shop, one shop, near-ish where I'm at. But they don't have anything with these features. Though, there really isn't anything wrong with a normal Fender :)
 
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#5
two fingers said:
I used to own several basses with string through and top load options. I never heard a difference. In fact, just for fun, I strung my Fender Roscoe Back Signature 5 string every other string top and through. I couldn't tell which strings were which by feel OR tone.

Actually, I prefer the sound of a traditional bridge on a Fender. That I DO notice. High mass bridges don't sound like a Fender to me. Is the difference subtle? Sure, in a mix, it is. But playing by myself the difference is huge. I've removed them from several Fender style basses.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply :)
Haha, I figured as much that it really may make no difference. Aren't these features really just modern additions to more recent product lineups? I think you might have a good point here. I am willing to put some serious money down, but I don't know if these features truly will make a difference for me at all.

Thanks!
 
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#6
two fingers said:
I used to own several basses with string through and top load options. I never heard a difference. In fact, just for fun, I strung my Fender Roscoe Back Signature 5 string every other string top and through. I couldn't tell which strings were which by feel OR tone.

Actually, I prefer the sound of a traditional bridge on a Fender. That I DO notice. High mass bridges don't sound like a Fender to me. Is the difference subtle? Sure, in a mix, it is. But playing by myself the difference is huge. I've removed them from several Fender style basses.
Click to expand...

This has been my experience also. My current favorite bridge is the vintage-style bent plate with threaded saddles. Simple but effective.
 
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#8
Neck-through vs bolt-on and the bridge are, in my experience, somewhere near the bottom of the list of most important things about the bass. Far and away, how it sounds, does it stay in tune and does it break your arms when you play it and hurt your back, etc. are much more important features. You can go totally wrong or right or anywhere in between with a neck through or a bolt on. And no matter what bridge it has on it.

I've owned a number of both and once its slung over the leg and I'm playing it, the construction and bridge are basically out of sight/out of mind.

I can't really think of any advantages of neck-through other than it's easier to sculpt the neck heel area for comfortable access to the higher fingerboard area. There's no neck/body joint and screws, etc., so the neck-through is usually really comfy up there. The other item is appearance - neck throughs are really pretty.
The only other item is the neck cannot move whatsoever, due to sloppy joints or loose screws, etc.

That's about it as far as advantages. Everything else is disadvantages.

Think the reverse for bolt-ons. The main disadvantage of bolt-on being chunky construction at the neck/body joint and the additional machinery of a neck/body joint and screws, backplates etc.

I won't go into the debate about any differences in tone (there are none is all I'll say).

Basically, it's a pick your poison type of choice. Either one will be great if it's a bass that sounds good and you enjoy playing it.

As for the high mass bridge, some folks believe it helps sustain and gives some improvements to the tone. There is something to be said for a very solid connection of the bridge to the body; eg. the G&L bridge which has a connection as strong as the wood itself if not stronger.

Personally, I don't find that it matters much. There aren't a lot of bad bridges on basses these days so again this isn't something to lose much sleep over...

L
 
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#9
Through body basses sound no different than through bridge. No difference!

Through body can cause problems with stings. Some string manufactures will mention on the package.........."do not use on through body basses". Sometimes, the E string or B string will not make the 90 degree bend. Through body pulls the strings back about 1 3/4 inches (45 mm) and then the silk starts to get close to the nut.

High mass bridges. Very debatable. Little if any difference compared to a cheap bent plate bridge. One thing for sure, a high mass bridge will add about 6 oz (171 grams) of weight to your bass. We want our basses lighter not heavier!

And, high mass bridges are usually expensive! Save your money. Not worth it.

YMMV. "to each his own" TEHO
 
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#10
Decoyx7 said:
I'm unsure if ..... that is really worth it at all?
Click to expand...
i'd say "no." both as a player and as a 'parts-builder' i've used lots of bridges to get the axes going and/or finished and i have not found specific bridges to yield specific results re: "sound" or "sustain." IME: if the bridges are competent (no matter the design) = any one of them will do. i have found that certain bridges are better for location issues (covering up screw holes) and some are better suited for a specific issue (e.g., string alignment options). my pickup choices and my string choices OTOH have actually changed the game on several instruments. the "high mass" thing is hype/fluff IMO. some bridges might "look cool, " so there's that.

disclosure: i often go with the schaller 3D bridge (considered "high mass" --- expensive!) for the string-spacing feature. that said, once i have a setting that i like = it's done, and the bridge no longer has any other additional value --- it's a pricey way to get one benefit!
 
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