Which Bridge for Fenderbird?

[Rayzorx]

HI all,
I'm starting a bass project that will mate a new (custom) Thunderbird body with a maple Fender Jazz neck (Mighty Mite).
I've read the threads about placing the bridge, (BTW great info) but my question is which bridge is best for this setup? This body has the raised center, so I wanted to know if there's any special considerations I need to be aware of.

Thanks!

[anonymous278347457]

You could try and get hold of a real Gibson 3-point bass bridge.
Or a Schaller replacement one.

But I'm pretty sure I've seen people build Fenderbirds with normal bass bridges, but I'm not 100% sure since I didn't have a raised centre on mine.

[J.D.B.]

I'm using a regular US Fender on mine as the body has been "reconciled" for a Fender neck. Are you using one of Doug Christensen's bodies (like this one, which has just been cleared)?




Good luck,
Josh

[Mr.Chucklebunny]

Personally, I'd have to go with one of these.

http://www.hipshotproducts.com/cart....t_detail&p=264

Looks like it would get rid of some of the issues that the Gibson bridge has.

And it's a Hipshot, so you know it's not crap.

[Rayzorx]

Originally Posted by J.D.B.

I'm using a regular US Fender on mine as the body has been "reconciled" for a Fender neck. Are you using one of Doug Christensen's bodies (like this one, which has just been cleared)?




Good luck,
Josh

Josh,
Yes, I'm using one of Doug's bodies. Your unpainted picture looks just like what I am going to end up with. Doug is really cool. He's marking the center line for me and also putting in the mounting holes for the neck. BTW, how old is your neck and what did it cost?
Ray

[J.D.B.]

Yup, Doug's quite a good guy by me. Nice of him to CL and shoot your neck holes. I've never dealt with a nicer wood man. My neck, as far as I have been able to research, is brand new 1987 one-piece MM. I got it from that guy in Maine who sells the Signature stuff. It ran me about $165 shipped IIRC. It's dated June of 87 on the heel and on the bar-code tag. I was the first to drill it. It is a tad wider at the heel so I had to re-rout the pocket to get the right fit. It came with that Fender logo on it (which, as it ain't a Fender, I went ahead and matched the headstock). Those Hipshot bridges are nice. They are for actual Gibsons and may be too tall for the Fender set-up on these bodies. Doug's 'bird bodies are essentially Fenders shaped like Gibsons. They are thicker(to get the neck pocket depth and proper clamping thickness of the neck backing wood, as well as the proper height relationship of the bridge-to fretboard,Fender-wise). That's what I meant earlier by "reconciled". I'm using the Hipshot HB-6 tuners on this one, too. I used them on the first build of the season(RedEye) and really like them. I'm hoping to play mine by x-mas(clear-curing willing). Oughta scream with the big Duncan I have for it.

Get to it Ray, and ask again if you like!
Josh

[bassteban]

Seafoam green 1 PU T-Bird. Carrots on you- my bass!

[Johnny Crab]

Here's a gallery of them in a T-Bird fanatic forum of which Johnny Crab is a member: http://thedudepit.com/simplemachines...hp?topic=571.0

More at the "old" Gibson forum:
http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepi...ght=fenderbird


http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepi...earchid=677659

Let's you see different bridges.
If you want a near-copy but more flexibility in intonation, get a Dasson bridge: http://www.gibsonbass.com/modifications.php

You may want to also ask your question at that Gibson forum: http://thedudepit.com/simplemachines...php?board=20.0

[J.D.B.]

Thank you very much, Johnny C. Now I have THREE more projects in the hopper for next season. As my wife says: "Good thing you go to work every day". )That black non-reverse wiil have to happen first! The blocks, the guard.................must do!
Josh

[Human Bass]

Try the hipshot! It looks cool and seems quite versatile. But, in case you dont want to risk, you can always get a Gotoh, Hipshot A or B, Schaller...

[Rayzorx]

Wow, very cool stuff. Thanks for all the great ideas and photos.
JDB: I talked with Doug today on the phone. Very nice guy. He gave me some good tips on assembly and finishing. Can't wait to get 'er done so I can post a photo.

[Buskman]

Here's a good one, from right here in the 'Parts For Sale' section:

Schaller Gibson Model 460 roller bridge

Good luck with the build - keep us posted on how it's going!