Badass V. grooves vs. no grooves

[OneUpsman]

I just bought a Leo Quan Badass V for my 5-string fender jazz and I've heard some say you don't have to cut grooves in the saddles and some say that you do. I was wondering what the pros and cons of doing either of those might be.

[meev992]

by not grooving:
pro: not have to do anything, it looks brand new
Con: might slip around

by grooving:
Pro: strings really secure, no movement, u can even match string spacing to preferences
cons: meticulous, requires V-file, or $$$ if u bring it into a tech. done improperly, might cut into your strings.

[OneUpsman]

noted. but what about tone?

[meev992]

Originally Posted by OneUpsman

noted. but what about tone?

I've tried playing it before grooving, and after. I didn't really pay attention much, so I have no idea on the effect on tone.

but for me, i just like things really secure. I figure if the manufacturer says that you should prolly get it slotted/grooved, then you prolly should.

[ElliotBass]

Dont the strings eventually create their own grooves in the saddle

[meev992]

Originally Posted by ElliotBass

Dont the strings eventually create their own grooves in the saddle

not unless ur like me, and play tapewounds.

[bass_fish]

I had to groove mine, granted I play pretty 'rough' pulling on the string really... and trust me, you don't want shifting strings during a song...

and it's pretty easy to do it yourself... if you have the right tools...

[rduckwor]

Originally Posted by OneUpsman

noted. but what about tone?

No difference that I've noticed; grooved versus ungrooved. Just put in on and string it up. Play it a few times ungrooved. String wear on the saddles will eventually point you toward the areas you may or may not want to groove (assuming you are playing RW strings).

These are great bridges that truly improve the basses they are placed on. Don't drop it on your foot! Massive compared to the crap Fender ships on the basses.

Good luck

[meev992]

Originally Posted by rduckwor

String wear on the saddles will eventually point you toward the areas you may or may not want to groove (assuming you are playing RW strings).

These are great bridges that truly improve the basses they are placed on. Don't drop it on your foot! Massive compared to the crap Fender ships on the basses.

Good luck

I actually hurt myself, trying to pull my BA bridge out of the box (got it shipped via UPS)

in retrospect, I probably should've got some roundwounds, but it looks like it's set-up well enough as is, but I'll definitely remember this, the next time I buy a new bridge.

[202dy]

Originally Posted by ElliotBass

Dont the strings eventually create their own grooves in the saddle

Not really. After some use there will be a very small seat that wears into the saddle because the steel/nickel in a roundwound string is harder than the brass saddle. It is more of a mark than a seat. Interestingly, the mark will show the wraps of the string on the edges. Sometimes this can result in tuning inaccuracies. As the string is tightened the wrap jumps over the ridge in the seat. It makes a quantum leap, if you will. If the pitch should lie on the ridge it can take some fiddling around to get the string into agreement.

The proper tool to make the groove is a nut file. They come in sizes to fit each string gauge precisely in the saddle at half the string depth. In a pinch, a tapered round file can be used. Care must be taken to ramp the groove from the front of the saddle downward to the tailpiece. The job is finished up by sanding the groove with some 400 and 600 grit wrapped around the next smallest file.

A pro will usually slot the bridge as a matter of course during a set up for a nominal charge. If they install the bridge the slotting is included in the charge for the installation.

[gafbass02]

Ive got a jazz with a grooved one and my main jazz for the last ten years has had an ungrooved one. ..Gotta be honest and say ive cant really tell the difference and the ungrooved bridge has never given me a problem of any sort.
Good luck.

[andysvec]

Originally Posted by OneUpsman

I just bought a Leo Quan Badass V for my 5-string fender jazz and I've heard some say you don't have to cut grooves in the saddles and some say that you do. I was wondering what the pros and cons of doing either of those might be.

do you have a US fender 5str? If so, did the badass V fit the mounting holes, and did the string-thru line up? If you don't mind, can you look at my other thread about a replacement bridge and let me know if yours is the same bridge? - Fender US Jazz V bridge question sorry to hijack your thread, but am interested in if your bridge fit without modification. thanks!