Babicz bridge reviews?

[Edward G.]

^^
Totally legit.

[Jazz Ad]

Originally Posted by C.Linton

Or, you could get a bridge cover. Cheaper, less work, looks nice.

You can't palm mute with a bridge cover.

[Edward G.]

^^
Well played.

[bassmaverick86]

I just bought one a month or so ago for my Squire CV Jazz. Honestly, I could have done without it. The design is cool, but the stock bridge was perfectly fine and I didn't realize any noticeable difference in tone. It was a steal in the classifieds and I figured... "why not?" Not a bad little experiment, putting on a new bridge, a first for me, but I definitely know my stance on bridges now haha. Unless yours just suuuuuuck, prolly not worth it.

I think it's a really cool design though, but a little complex compared to your standard bridge. If you buy 'em... get them used. at full price you could snag yourself an awesome pedal instead.. talk about change in tone 'eh?

[packhowitzer]

Originally Posted by musicman666

I have been thinking about a Babicz as well for my P bass. The problem with my vintage bridge is when I am using a pick the saddles tear at my palm, making it very uncomfortable to play with a pick. I don't see any screws protruding from the Babicz bridge. I was going to order one but they all seem to be on back order right now.

Originally Posted by C.Linton

Or, you could get a bridge cover. Cheaper, less work, looks nice.

I just went through this with my swap from my standard bent bridge to a Gotoh 201B. the Gotoh is much smoother under my hand. And i know that StewMac sells shorter height adjustment screws etc. etc. but the bridge swap was something i wanted to try. I did it for two reasons- hand comfort and looks. I've never noticed any performance or tonal changes.

And far as a bridge cover goes- I feel so disconnected to the bass when i have either ashtray on. I will sometimes use them if i'm playing a fancy or dressy gig. just for that extra bit of class.

Why a Gotoh 201 bridge over a standard Fender

here's the link to that thread, there is some overlapping discussion that is relevant to this one IMO regarding swapping bridges- though admittedly not specific to babicz.
rock on.

[guitardefector]

Thank you gentlemen for all the great pointers and heated debates. EdwardG and Bassclef112: Please, it's only a bridge, it's not world peace.

[Edward G.]

Originally Posted by guitardefector

Thank you gentlemen for all the great pointers and heated debates. EdwardG and Bassclef112: Please, it's only a bridge, it's not world peace.

Maybe in YOUR world!

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

You can't palm mute with a bridge cover.

So what? Not everybody palm mutes. If you do, I can see where it might indeed be a problem, but if you don't, it's not a big deal.

[Edward G.]

I think the point is that no solution works for everyone, which I think is sound thinking.

[musicman666]

^^Yes I tried that...It looks great! But gets in the way of picking and muting for me. That Gotoh 201b looks like a good alternative. The thing is I am so comfortable with my musicman bridge, there is allot of room on that bridge for the palm to rest on.

[musicman666]

OOps the bridge cover thing...lol

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

I think the point is that no solution works for everyone, which I think is sound thinking.

True enough.

[bassclef112]

Originally Posted by guitardefector

Thank you gentlemen for all the great pointers and heated debates. EdwardG and Bassclef112: Please, it's only a bridge, it's not world peace.

I was done with this, but you have clearly missed the point.

The OP's original question regarding thoughts on a Babicz: "Has anyone bought one recently and what are your opinions?"

EdwardG's post #9: "One reason to install a beefy, chunky bridge like the Babicz is to alter the balance of the bass to counteract neck dive. If this isn't a problem for you, mostly what you're doing is adding mass to your instrument, which can have tonal benefits, but they are not dramatic or predictable. Every instrument to some extent is an entity greater than the sum of its parts. There's no getting around that more weight is more weight —on your shoulder and in transport."

That is completely untrue. I responded to that effect.

EdwardG's post #11: "Although I have never had one in my hands, I know how the Babicz works..."

What do you know? How do you answer somebody looking for real world feedback when you don't have any, only conjecture? I never get involved in crap like this, but I find it really misleading and irresponsible to make comments that have no basis in fact. We're here to help each other out with actual experiences we can share. You can like the bridge or not - that's a personal thing, but to just run what you think vs what you know is unacceptable. Would you want advice from someone that has no actual experience with what you're asking, like wiring pickups for example? All I'm saying is, there are times to button your lip and let actual users do the talking.

Peace is good. BS is not. I'm done.

[Edward G.]

And therefore, one should never express one's opinion, even though it was never represented as anything but an opinion.

DISCLAIMER:
It's a bass bridge, not a space rocket. There are pictures and drawings of it everywhere. There are certain things that it will do and will not do. I have owned and operated many of them. You don't have to eat hair to grow hair; knowledge about bass bridges can be applied pretty broadly. You are also free to disregard everything I say, because in the end it's your time, money and effort at stake, not mine. It won't hurt my feelings. Honest. I said why I do not favor the design, not that you shouldn't buy one.

[Dolando]

I put one of these on my fretless jazz and it definitely helped with sustain, and feels way more solid. And it's nota pain to adjust, I just took the locking screws off adjusted bridge as normal then tightened it back up. Easy! They are pricey, I only of one because I Fonda good use one, otherwise I would have gone for a cheaper alternative.

[Mykk]

I'm using a Babicz bridge on my Squier VM jazz 5 string. I really like what it has done for it's tone.

A comparison video between stock Squier bent bridge and the Babicz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ60k-BoEws

[Lenwood Dinard]

Been using BadAss II's on all my basses for a few years now. Made all the difference in the world TO ME compared to stock Fenders. I tend to pull too hard and the saddle sway on stock fenders gave me heck for years. Also, no matter what i put on it; locktite, polish, solder... i'd still loose a screw or at least some height all the time. BA's solved that problem. Just put a Babicz on a new Jazz 3 months ago. GC had them for $50 and BA's were still hard to find. The locking mechanism is easy and quick. A bargain at the price I paid. If you are looking for a new bridge you can't go wrong with either one.

[dStar]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

IMO, two lock-downs per string are two too many, especially considering how trial-and-error adjusting bridge intonation inherently is. It can take awhile to get it right, having to lock it and release it, de-tune and re-tune every time...enough already. It takes too long as it is, and the extra locking doesn't make the system any less prone to going 'out' again. Been there many times. Although I have never had one in my hands, I know how the Babicz works, and there are other similar bridges I would not have for the same reason. These are just my opinions, based on general experience. I am not seeking converts.

"the extra locking doesn't make the system any less prone to going 'out' again."

You've never used a Babicz, but you think the locking mechanism doesn't work? Well, mine works just fine. I mean really... How can it go out, if everything is locked down and nothing moves?

"It takes too long"?

How long does it take to tighten eight screws? YMMV

"Although I have never had one in my hands"

Ah well... I have a Bacicz, so voice of experience speaking...

My set up was like this:

Loosen locking screws. Intonate.

Adjust string height (by turning only ONE screw per string). Play it. Fine tune string height . Check intonation.

Tighten locking screws.

It's not cumbersome or rocket science. You don't have to lock it down until you get it right. But once you do, it's not moving.

I haven't had to touch mine since it's initial setup. If I change the gauge or brand of strings, I'll readjust. But, eight months in, I haven't had to touch it, rock solid.

IMHO, it is the easiest bridge to set up, and more importantly, to keep set up.

Personally, I don't think bridges have big effect on the tone, in my 38 years of playing bass, I've had stock bent metal, Badass II, Schaller and HipShot, but the ease of adjustability and the ability to lock the Babicz, is what sets it apart.