bridges: Aluminum or Brass?

[BigOldHarry]

I did a search, got mixed results so I'll ask again:

Hipshot (and others) offer their bridges in either Brass or Aluminum. It seemed to me, at first that Brass would be ideal... but I know Aluminum transfer sound very well too...

Has anyone had some experience with this?

[JustDavid]

No experience.

Call me shallow, but I'd go brass for looks.

[Low Main]

I'm a brass believer. I found aluminum to be too zingy-pingy.

But I'm just looking for a warm fat sound. I'm not concerned too much about harmonics, etc. Maybe aluminum has an edge in that area.

You can kind of test out the difference between aluminum and brass by swapping saddles on a Hipshot bridge. But if the bridge body is made of aluminum, then you won't get the full picture.

If I had to pick one part of the bridge to be brass, it would be the saddles.

I think there are probably some words of wisdom on some sites out there about choosing bridge materials. Fodera maybe?

Hipshot will make you any of their bridges in unplated, uncoated brass if you want to try the straight unaltered sound of that material.

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by Low Main

Hipshot will make you any of their bridges in unplated, uncoated brass if you want to try the straight unaltered sound of that material.

I didn't know that... that's very cool. I remember (in the old days) seening players with old 'hunks o machined brass' bridges on their P-basses - and brass nuts, too - - not so much any more. Brass nuts sure have fallen out of favor... I've only had one bass with a brass nut but several with brass bridges.

thanks for the input