Badass II Bridge. Filing saddles?

UPTHE1RON5 · #1 01-16-2008, 05:53 PM

is it really nessessary to file saddles on a badass ii bridge? what difference will it make to the tone?

thanks in advance

Matthew Bryson · #2 01-16-2008, 05:57 PM

You'll get a lot of people saying "yes, check the Leo Quan site, etc, etc"

Please - nobody flame me.

I have a beautiful bass that is perfect in every way. I bought it used and the previous owner installed a BAII and did not file the saddles. This has caused absolutely ZERO problems. The string spacing, intonation, tone, everything is perfect (according to me and the pro who does my set up) I switch between tuning sometimes, the strings just don't move around. No problems, really.

But, you better file 'em. (I'm not going to)

UPTHE1RON5 · #3 01-16-2008, 06:01 PM

lol i've been using it for months without filing any. its a kind of 'i'll do it tomorrow' thing. i'm just wondering whether it actually worth doing because it seems to sound fine how it is

Matthew Bryson · #4 01-16-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UPTHE1RON5

lol i've been using it for months without filing any. its a kind of 'i'll do it tomorrow' thing. i'm just wondering whether it actually worth doing because it seems to sound fine how it is

That's kind of how I've been feeling about it - I was going to get some needle files and do it, but then I thought 'what if I screw it up?' - I don't want to screw something fixing a problem that I wasn't even having.

colorblindbass · #5 01-16-2008, 06:08 PM

i never filed the saddles on mine,
but i play it so much the strings have worn grooves in them lol.

N8116B · #6 01-17-2008, 06:50 PM

I bought one from best bass gear with teh saddles already in it for my p-bass

http://bestbassgear.com/badass-bridge.htm

costs a little extra but then you don't have to pay someone else to do it if you are a klutz like me and can't do it yourself.

Ostinato · #7 01-18-2008, 04:10 PM

Oh man you guys are all slack jobs! File those saddles! Have you checked the string spacing and the way the strings are not centred? I can't even think about it...nothing I hate more than inaccurate string spacing, ugh.

Seriously, whenever I bought a BAII I totally got right into measuring, laying out, and filing those saddles and it came out perfect.

Showdown · #8 01-19-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Bryson

You'll get a lot of people saying "yes, check the Leo Quan site, etc, etc"

Please - nobody flame me.

I have a beautiful bass that is perfect in every way. I bought it used and the previous owner installed a BAII and did not file the saddles. This has caused absolutely ZERO problems. The string spacing, intonation, tone, everything is perfect (according to me and the pro who does my set up) I switch between tuning sometimes, the strings just don't move around. No problems, really.

But, you better file 'em. (I'm not going to)

I used to have an MIM Jazz with one that wasn't filed and it worked fine that way for years. Never had a problem. The string spacing was good, the strings didn't move around, it intonated fine and sounded great. I agree that it is better to file them, but I don't think most people will have an issue with them if they are not filed.

0175westwood29 · #9 01-19-2008, 04:12 PM

can't you buy them pre groved now?

pibroch · #10 02-03-2008, 06:00 PM

Yes. The BAIII is pre-grooved with several (I think 4) grooves per string to choose from. According to the technical crew at Rudy's parts and service shop in New York you won't get as exact a fit but there is little if any noticeable difference in sound.

DanoesqBass · #11 02-04-2008, 08:22 AM

I found with the pre-grooved ones that he E string just isnt 19mm from center of string away from the A string center, it bugged me so I got a regular ungrooved saddle for that in the same size group and filed the E. But the other 3 were fine spaced in the stock grooved.

I wish I didn't have to file any of them but had and still have to on one I am working on, and yes, I have spent more money due to a few mistakes and such, and things can kinda change if changing strings from tapered core to regular etc, and some may require a deeper groove for lower action capability...

All in all it is solid and worth it when I get em straight. IMHO

Chuck King · #12 02-06-2008, 03:17 PM

I put a BAII on my old MIM Jazz and I had to file some of the saddles to get the strings to line up over the pickup polepieces. If I hadn't the low E in particular would have been off-center.

You really don't need much of a notch---just a little something to keep the string from sliding around.

jrfrond · #13 02-07-2008, 03:43 PM

Technically, you need to file slots of the proper width and depth for each string to realize the full benefits of this great bridge assembly. The tonal transfer depends on intimate contact of the string and saddle. It's the way Quan intended it.

Most players who boast that they don't file their saddles do so because they are either too chicken-sh*t to do it, and/or they do not have gauged nut files (which is what I use), in any case, either purchase the pregrooved bridge, or have a pro do it for you. Just because it works ungrooved doesn't mean it's working correctly. There is a purpose behind this bridge design.

Mazinger · #14 02-07-2008, 03:56 PM

I tried it unfiled and though it was OK. Then I filed them and I will say I prefer it filed.

Does it sound better? I dunno. But filing was a good decision for me.

202dy · #15 02-07-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrfrond

Technically, you need to file slots of the proper width and depth for each string to realize the full benefits of this great bridge assembly. The tonal transfer depends on intimate contact of the string and saddle. It's the way Quan intended it.

Most players who boast that they don't file their saddles do so because they are either too chicken-sh*t to do it, and/or they do not have gauged nut files (which is what I use), in any case, either purchase the pregrooved bridge, or have a pro do it for you. Just because it works ungrooved doesn't mean it's working correctly. There is a purpose behind this bridge design.

Spoken like a pro.

Matthew Bryson · #16 03-28-2008, 10:40 AM

I came back to post in this thread because I want to retract my earlier opinion.

Sure, I didn’t hear or see any problems and I thought all was fine… then I tried the same bass with new filed saddles. I was very familiar with the way the bass sounded by this point. There is an obvious difference in sound. Before, in the mix, I sounded like I had a bit of a 'mushy' attack yet lots of sustain. With correct saddles, I've got the 'punch' that I was missing in the attack.

I'm a big enough man to admit I was wrong. Just because something works, doesn't mean it works as good as it should. File the saddles on your BAII bridge. It WILL sound better.

Of course, YMMV.

The Golden Boy · #17 03-28-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrfrond

Technically, you need to file slots of the proper width and depth for each string to realize the full benefits of this great bridge assembly. The tonal transfer depends on intimate contact of the string and saddle. It's the way Quan intended it.

Most players who boast that they don't file their saddles do so because they are either too chicken-sh*t to do it, and/or they do not have gauged nut files (which is what I use), in any case, either purchase the pregrooved bridge, or have a pro do it for you. Just because it works ungrooved doesn't mean it's working correctly. There is a purpose behind this bridge design.

IIRC, there used to be a FAQ on Quan's website that said you didn't have to file the slots... The FAQ section is gone now with just a blurb about a "new FAQ section."

InRodweTruss · #18 03-28-2008, 08:53 PM

Ok...I made a thread about this too, and i can see why some people are sick of this subject. It's hard to get a straight answer out of all of this. Some say it DOESN'T need to be grooved, but it seems the consensus is that it SHOULD be grooved. So I hope this question will end the debate...

Is the pre-grooved version good enough? Meaning...will it hold the strings straight and even enough to make people that file their un-grooved one, happy?

p.s.- I'm ready to buy this ****er right now, if i can decide on which one...

InRodweTruss · #19 03-28-2008, 08:56 PM

Who am i kidding....i can't end this myself.....

Parabolic Box · #20 03-28-2008, 09:18 PM

Ungrooved are for people who feel more hands-on with their setup (or have particularly wonky string-spacing). Some will contend it makes a difference, but I contend it will not to any noticeable amount. If you're the sort that likes to do the modification, the setting up, by all means get the ungrooved one. Otherwise, grooved ones will do just fine.

I have the grooved one. And no troubles so far.