ANOTHER Badass thread...

InRodweTruss · #1 03-21-2008, 08:09 PM

Hey...new poster here.....(obviously)

I'm intrested in upgrading to a badass II on my standard Jazz, but i was wondering about the difference in sound between the un-slotted and pre-slotted, if any difference at all.

Any pros/cons between the two?

Thunder Pulse · #2 03-21-2008, 10:12 PM

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/search.php

Brian D · #3 03-22-2008, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunder Pulse

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/search.php

That's just laziness!

The thing about the un-slotted BAII is that you can put the slots where you want to get the string spacing to your preference or to line it up over the pole pieces.

You don't have to slot it though, I've used them for many years on various basses and have had no problems. The tension of the strings keeps them in place. Also, after a while the strings make their own notches.

As for the pre-slotted one, if you don't want to have to slot it yourself then get this one.

As for sound, I haven't played a bass with one of the new pre-slotted bridges but it can't be that different.

WayneS · #4 03-22-2008, 07:30 AM

I recently put an unslotted badass II on my P bass, it sounded terrible. Especially on the low notes, the string slid on the saddle producing a very noticable vibrating sound. I couldnt play the bass live until I took it to a luthier.

After it was slotted, it sounded a hundred times better than with the stock bridge.

Thunder Pulse · #5 03-22-2008, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achtung jackass

That's just laziness!

Yep, on his part, as this has been discussed at least once during the last week alone.

jsm81 · #6 03-22-2008, 07:42 AM

I know that a lot of bass players on this forum will tell you that changing your bridge won't affect your sound, but imo I installed a BAII on my MIM Jazz and I definitely think there's an audible difference. It just gives me a fuller sound. Now that maybe because it just holds the strings better than the stock bridge Fender gives you. I know for me, I have no side to side movement on my strings near the bridge now and I was able to dial in a much more accurate intonation on my bass. "In conclusion" I think you should definately upgrade with one.

dmilt23451 · #7 03-22-2008, 07:49 AM

Save money and buy the non-slotted. Technically the non-slotted option is meant for users who will slot it themselves or take to be done

jsm81 · #8 03-22-2008, 07:52 AM

oh yeah, i bought the non-slotted and did it my self, it's not that difficult

jinithith2 · #9 03-22-2008, 08:01 AM

I bought the pre-slotted and it looked like the string spacing was not perfectly even... I was just eyeballing it but I never bothered to take actual measurements. Sounded really good though. At first I couldnt hear the difference except for the sustain but when I went back to the stock J style bridge, I definately noticed the sound was a ton more solid with the BA II

I would get non-slotted because the preslotted again might not have even spacing and since the badass has a high profile you might need to sand down the slots on the saddlies anyway to lower strings even more

InRodweTruss · #10 03-22-2008, 09:47 AM

This was laziness on my part...yes. My American citizenship shining through...

I just don't know if i'm comfortable buying a product that I have to modify with a Dremel tool before i can even use it. I think i'll be going pre-slotted.

Parabolic Box · #11 03-22-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsm81

I know that a lot of bass players on this forum will tell you that changing your bridge won't affect your sound, but imo I installed a BAII on my MIM Jazz and I definitely think there's an audible difference. It just gives me a fuller sound. Now that maybe because it just holds the strings better than the stock bridge Fender gives you. I know for me, I have no side to side movement on my strings near the bridge now and I was able to dial in a much more accurate intonation on my bass. "In conclusion" I think you should definately upgrade with one.

Changing between a MIA and BAIII will produce less of a difference than changing between a MIM and BAII, mostly because the MIA bridge is already fairly beefy (even before the '08's), while the MIM one is almost sheet metal.

Pikasoll · #12 03-23-2008, 06:45 AM

Why do you buy the badaas bridge that`s expencive and not a good one in my eye when you can get something like this for less than half the price? ;

[image]http://www.guitarpartsdepot.com/33845674.gif[/image]

http://www.guitarpartsdepot.com/Bass...ss_Bridge.html

Is the badass bridge just much superior or something?

InRodweTruss · #13 03-23-2008, 07:34 PM

Apparently so. So far, 5 people agree, and I've read atleast 6 more reviews that swear by them...

bass_fish · #14 03-24-2008, 12:18 PM

I've had 3 of them.... they all needed slotting... but it could just be my technique offcourse...

but as of today: I hate them forever! the bridge material is extremely soft, so slotting will happen over time anyway... BUT in the end the little allen wrench screws will just drop out, because the whole treading inside the saddle is gone, because it's just so soft, and buying new saddles is about as expensive as buying a complete new bridge over here... I just ordered a Gotoh 201...

also a very cool thing: a black bad ass bridge will flake of, and you'll end up with a nickel/bare metal bridge....

(well ok, I had it for 2 years or something... but one would expect they would last longer... right?)

bleh another 75 bucks wasted...

Jobiebass · #15 03-25-2008, 07:56 AM

I HATE TALKBASS!

My music guy told me about these badass bridges, and told me to look into it for my project bass, but after reading all the hype on here look like im getting one for my MIM Jazz now too.

I spend far too much money on things TB people big up!

(ive been pleasently supprised with most things though, Except Jazz Rotosound strings, they were a bit of a let down)

Parabolic Box · #16 03-25-2008, 10:48 AM

I would have suggested a Hipshot bridge for a project bass, since they allow for top-loading. BAII for MIM only because it drops right into without modification (AFAIK).

joeyl · #17 03-25-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parabolic Box

I would have suggested a Hipshot bridge for a project bass, since they allow for top-loading. BAII for MIM only because it drops right into without modification (AFAIK).

the Hipshot vintage bent plate is my favorite, drop in replacement for 5 holes Fender bridges, top loading and the lip hides the nasty multicolored D'Addario balls!

I get mine cheap from wymoreguitars.com, no affiliation whatsoever

joeyl · #18 03-25-2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parabolic Box

Changing between a MIA and BAIII will produce less of a difference than changing between a MIM and BAII, mostly because the MIA bridge is already fairly beefy (even before the '08's), while the MIM one is almost sheet metal.

that's my opinion also! my 97 MIA deluxe bridge has a very thick baseplate, almost twice the thickness of my Squier bridge

109ace · #19 03-25-2008, 10:05 PM

MY first post on here. Nice to find you guys. My thoughts on the Bad Ass bridge is I think they do have a cool look and do fill a void where Fender bridges may have a lacking. But for the life of me, I wish they'd call it something different that is a little more current to the times. "Bad Ass" embossed in the casting might as well be "Groovy Bridge" or "Keep on Truckin'". I guess I could just get the grinder out and remove the name and repolish the casting. The Hipshot is looking better all the time.

Earthquake · #20 03-25-2008, 10:20 PM

"Bad Ass" embossed in the casting might as well be "Groovy Bridge" or "Keep on Truckin'".

That's what's cool about it.