Best quickrelease Bridge?

gimmeagig · #1 12-20-2007, 05:16 PM

Hi,
I bought an Atelier Z 5 string bass and it currently has the Badass II bridge on it.
My other basses have ABM bridges which I like very much.
I always thought they were made in Germany but then I read somewhere that the ABM bridge was made by Allparts and that it has been discontinued.
I want a quickrelease bridge and I'm interested in your opinions about what the best bridge for this bass might be.

Zooberwerx · #2 12-21-2007, 02:23 PM

I like the Hipshots. I have ABMs on the Cirruses and although they work well, they're kind of a PIA. 4 hex screws per string body....jeez!

Riis

Philbiker · #3 12-21-2007, 08:10 PM

I have an ABM on my Axcelerator and I'm NOT a fan. I love the Smith bridge on my Palaedium. Kind of like a real nice verson of the Badass.

Zooberwerx · #4 12-22-2007, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

I have an ABM on my Axcelerator and I'm NOT a fan. I love the Smith bridge on my Palaedium. Kind of like a real nice verson of the Badass.

What don't you like about the ABM? Thanks for the heads-up on the Smith bridge!

Riis

gimmeagig · #5 12-22-2007, 10:30 AM

I checked out the website for Hipshot bridges.They look good but the string to string width on their 5 string bridge is 3".
On my basses it's 2 5/8"
That's quite a bit of difference and I might not be be able to adjust the saddles that far.I don't know if they make a narrower model.
By the way I do have a ken Smith that i bought from e-bay a while ago and I could not use it on my 74 Jazz because it made the string spacing too narrow.

Philbiker · #6 12-25-2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

What don't you like about the ABM? Thanks for the heads-up on the Smith bridge!

Riis

I don't like any bridge that requires loosening the string to adjust intonation. I like the old Fender-style screw that pulls the saddle. Intonation is much easier to adjust. That's actually something I don't like about the Smith bridge, but the Smith just looks and feels so good to me that I'm willing to forgive it that fault.

Zooberwerx · #7 12-25-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

I don't like any bridge that requires loosening the string to adjust intonation. I like the old Fender-style screw that pulls the saddle. Intonation is much easier to adjust. That's actually something I don't like about the Smith bridge, but the Smith just looks and feels so good to me that I'm willing to forgive it that fault.

That's what I thought. I've gotten pretty good at adjusting the saddle "travel" with my bare fingers...the graphite saddle certainly helps. I've also used the tap-tap method with a chopstick and a small finishing hammer. Sounds awkward but it works well when making fine adjustments.

Riis

gimmeagig · #8 12-25-2007, 12:18 PM

Never had any problems with pushing the saddles into intonation with the set screw loosened.It is a little bit cumbersome to adjust saddle height because of the setscrew.And they do strip out a little after making numerous adjustments.I'mm have to find out where I can get repacement setscrews.I'm sure they are metric.

Zooberwerx · #9 12-25-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimmeagig

Never had any problems with pushing the saddles into intonation with the set screw loosened.It is a little bit cumbersome to adjust saddle height because of the setscrew.And they do strip out a little after making numerous adjustments.I'mm have to find out where I can get repacement setscrews.I'm sure they are metric.

If you find a source, please let us know! I'd like an extra set...just in case!

Riis