Different bridge type characteristics?

[tbassist4]

Hey everyone,
What are the reasons to choose one type of bridge over another? I've been on TB since 2005 or so, and this whole time I've heard a lot about bridges, but it always seems to be a tossup.

In the most objective way possible, what advantages are different types of bridges supposed to give you?

1. Lo-mass bridges
2. Hi-mass bridges
3. Individual string bridges
4. Adding string-through to any of these
5. "Les Paul Style" (separate saddles and tailpiece)
6. Other

[Chasarms]

The bridge has very little effect overall on the tone of the bass. And, those effects are subtle.

I would offer that the preference for any one of the styles you listed (as an OEM standard) is more aestethic or for mechanical functionality than tone.

[walterw]

in theory, high-mass gives you more brightness and sustain.

in theory, low-mass gives you more of the character of the body wood.

in theory, individual bridges reduce "cross-talk" between strings.

in theory, string-through gives you the body wood-tone of low-mass along with the sustain of high-mass.

in reality...?

[maturanesa]

I never noticed a difference in string-through body... and always wonder why it suposse to produce more sustain if the string doesnt vibrate behind the saddle, just from the saddle to the nut or the fret you press..

[Chasarms]

Originally Posted by maturanesa

I never noticed a difference in string-through body... and always wonder why it suposse to produce more sustain if the string doesnt vibrate behind the saddle, just from the saddle to the nut or the fret you press..

String though guarantees a strong coupling and break over the saddle. If the bridge is flimsy or the saddles are very low because of an odd setup, string though will help.

If you have a very solid bridge and all else is normal, i agree any difference would probably be too subtle to notice.