Bridge options for Sting Bass

[Captain Lou]

I just got the Fender P Bass Sting Sig model. It's a very nice bass but that crappy bridge has to go. I know the Bad Ass III is a direct replacement for that bass, but I'm thinking that the look of it would take away from the vintage look of the bass. I also know there's a Fender bridge that's a direct replacement, but it seems a little pricey for what is is. I've seen them for 60-70 bucks. For that much, I'd just get the BA III. Then there's that Wilkinson 2 saddle one with the tilt. I want 4 saddles. What other options do I have. I want 1 saddle per string and direct replacement. I don't want to drill any holes in this bass.

[JTE]

I beleive the bridge for the original American Standard/American Series Deluxe basses is a direct, no-drill STB replacement. And it's probably the least expensive option. If you don't need the STB, then you could probably bolt on any Fender-style bridge that has the same screw layout.

But if you just got it I'd respectfully suggest keeping the stock bridge on there and seeing if it works for you. Mine intonates just fine with various sets of round wound sets (DR Hi-Beams, DR Sun-Beams, Lakland stainless) and with three sets of flats (Fender something or other that were only on it for about a week, GHS Precision Flats, and TI flats)- all except the TIs were in the 45/65/85/105 range.

jte

jte

[Captain Lou]

I still don't have it set up right. It still has the stock strings that I assume they are 45s. It was a surprise gift from my wife and I didn't play it beforehand. When I first played it the action was high and the neck a little bowed so I tightened up the truss rod about a 1/8 of a turn and adjusted the saddles. I have a bit of a buzz on the D string between the 1st and 6th fret and I don't have much adjustment left. I have to get a smaller screwdriver because the screw is in the saddle now. Not only that, the more you lift the D side, the bigger the space between the A & D. Thats the one thing that bothers me about this bridge is that the spacing between the A & D are further apart from the others. Hell, I could wait until I change strings and see how that sets up. I use DR Hi-Beams or Sun-Beams 40,60,80,100 so I will be changing the setup a bit. Not only that, I have other basses which are more of my players. This is more of a show bass as the wifey & I are big Police fans. But whatever I do, I do respect the fact that this bass shouldn't be heavily modified and that what I do can be undone and put back to original. I just want to make it more of a player.