Anybody have any good ideas on what bridge to get to replace the orignal bridge on my Fender Japan fretless jazz bass? I read quite a bit about the badass and gotoh 201 bridge, but some say these bridges are too thick to use on a fretless bass if one is to use a low string setup. Is this the case? What bridge could i get instead of these two bridges mentioned above?
What is the inherent problem you are trying to resolve by replacing the bridge? Either of these should work fine for a drop-in replacement for a fretless Fender bass. The Gotoh is more cost effective, the Badass II more aesthetically attractive. What do you expect from the new bridge that the stock one does not give you?
IMO other than a truly broken bridge, the best reason bridge replacement is for cosmetic reasons.
One of the saddles can't be adjusted. I can't adjust it up or down anymore, so mainly this is the reason for a change. But I was under the impression that a badass or gotoh bridge supplys a much better sustain than a fender bridge. But as mentioned in my first post, I'm worried that I won't be able to have a low action due to the base of these bridges are thicker than on the original fender bridge.
One of the saddles can't be adjusted. I can't adjust it up or down anymore, so mainly this is the reason for a change. But I was under the impression that a badass or gotoh bridge supplys a much better sustain than a fender bridge. But as mentioned in my first post, I'm worried that I won't be able to have a low action due to the base of these bridges are thicker than on the original fender bridge.
There may be longer sustain with a high mass bridge, but the sustain from your existing bridge should be more than adequate already. I mean, how often do you play a note and let it ring and ring and ring, and how much "sustain" are you really going to get from a fretless anyway? If long sustain is your goal it seems to me the whole fretless thing is the wrong place to go. It's possible that these bridges may not have as large an adjustment range as the bent metal Fender bridge. The difference is probably negligible. They're both cometent bridges which are bolt-in replacements for the Fender 5 bolt bridge and offer more or less the same range of adjustment. I think either would be fine for your bass.
There may be longer sustain with a high mass bridge, but the sustain from your existing bridge should be more than adequate already. I mean, how often do you play a note and let it ring and ring and ring, and how much "sustain" are you really going to get from a fretless anyway?
I see what you mean, and you're probably right, when reading your answer I actually realised that the notes on my fretless sustain as well as the notes on my MTD 535. I will probably just buy new saddles and save a bit of money aswell I aslo find the Fender bridge aesthetically nicer looking than any of the other replacement bridges, minimalistic and classic! Thanks for the advice
I aslo find the Fender bridge aesthetically nicer looking than any of the other replacement bridges, minimalistic and classic! Thanks for the advice
