Badass bridges on Precision basses?

[80jazz]

So I'm eyeing a couple of Precision basses and would like to try BadAss bridges on them. Anyone have thoughts (good or bad) to share? I think it could be superb, but part of me wonders if some things will be lost along the way.

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by 80jazz

So I'm eyeing a couple of Precision basses and would like to try BadAss bridges on them. Anyone have thoughts (good or bad) to share? I think it could be superb, but part of me wonders if some things will be lost along the way.

I got one on my P...

good bridge?...yes

any advantage over any other decent bridge?....no

[80jazz]

Did the BA seem to add a substantial amount of zing to your bass sound? My concern is that the tone may be affected in a negative way on Precision basses. It seems like this could be a good idea, but part of me says there may be an unenjoyable flipside to this if it doesn't work out.

[Dave Siff]

Originally Posted by 80jazz

Did the BA seem to add a substantial amount of zing to your bass sound? My concern is that the tone may be affected in a negative way on Precision basses. It seems like this could be a good idea, but part of me says there may be an unenjoyable flipside to this if it doesn't work out.

The Badass definitely makes a bass sound zingier. I acquired a used P which had a Badass II and replaced it with a standard Fender bridge, mostly so I could add a bridge cover. I immediately noticed a decrease in zing, but it still sounds great and has plenty of sustain. I'm not looking for a particularly zingy sound anyway, so it worked out great.

[BassMonstrum]

I bought a '70 Reissue Fender P and I swapped out the bridge with a Badass II. More punch and clarity.

[lug]

Originally Posted by Dave Siff

The Badass definitely makes a bass sound zingier. I acquired a used P which had a Badass II and replaced it with a standard Fender bridge, mostly so I could add a bridge cover. I immediately noticed a decrease in zing, but it still sounds great and has plenty of sustain. I'm not looking for a particularly zingy sound anyway, so it worked out great.

I had the same results. When I added a BA II to my 77 Pbass, I noticed more overtones present and a definate difference in the clarity of the Low E in the band mix. I was going to change pups due to this problem (My T-40 was sounding much better in the mix previously) but after the bridge change this became unneccessary. I wasn't even expecting the change in sound from a bridge swap at the time. The odd thing is that on some basses it seems to make very little difference and moreso on others. My 77 is extremely lightweight Ash for a Pbass of that era, not sure if that has anything to do with it or not.

[Dennis098]

it made my MIM jazz like a new, better bass.
better action, clearer sound, more sustain (still not much compared to my MIA)

[BassSurfer]

my P and J's all have Badass II bridges.. the clarity, sustain and punch is definitly audible

[bassteban]

My 73 has an early BA(first issue I believe); it was there when I got the bass so I can't attest to any changes, but it does have great sustain as well as excellent harmonic content & detail. Sustained notes have this very sweet bloom to them. Up until now I've been a bit of a naysayer on fancy bridges, but I'm definitely rethinking this stance.

[James_B]

Did any one file the saddles to fit their strings?

[BassMonstrum]

I had a professional do it for me, but I hear it's not that hard if you have the right tools.

[DavePlaysBass]

I went for a Gotoh 201 in place of a vintage bridge on my 50's P. I hear more sustain and clarity. I love it with 760FLs and a NP4. I had to add a shim to get the action low.

Dave