Ebay bridge. Took a dive.

5string5fingers · #1 12-14-2010, 05:26 AM

Took a dive on one of these cheap hipshot style lookin bridges on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/BLACK-4-String-B...item2eb1bec5cb

Got it in yesterday and seems pretty solid. Going to install it in a little bit,so I'll let you know more about it later. My main reasons for buying it were it's cheap,all black to match the black hardware on my bass,and the hipshot style quick release on the strings. I hate stringing through a bridge. No screws/springs like most bridges to adjust intonation. There is a small allen screw that locks it in place,and you just loosen that screw and slide the saddle. Once everything is locked down everything stays in place and the whole bridge stays locked and solid.

More later when I install it

bolophonic · #2 12-14-2010, 06:38 AM

I've used some cheap-o, no-name bridges before and they sounded awesome. Good luck!

5string5fingers · #3 12-14-2010, 06:44 AM

well so far the only down fall i've seen is since the base of the bridge is thicker it automatically sets the strings higher at the bridge even at the lowest setting. I think a little filing of the bridge and some more truss rod adjustment will do it some good. Can't say if i hear a difference, I personally don't believe in the high mass bridge theory,but I can say it doesn't sound worse,so that's a good sign. It does seem to hold tune very well,as when I was tuning back up all open notes would stay solid,with no minor movement at all like I noticed on my last bridge.

Pilgrim · #4 12-14-2010, 09:50 AM

Looks like a decent bridge - I like that the seller gave you good dimensions in the auction.

tdub0199 · #5 12-14-2010, 09:59 AM

Damn, i like that bass!!!!

lethargytartare · #6 12-14-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5string5fingers

...the base of the bridge is thicker it automatically sets the strings higher at the bridge even at the lowest setting. I think a little filing of the bridge...

Dude -- consider shimming the neck before filing anything on the bridge -- same result, easier, and nothing gets permanently altered.

Beauty bass, by the way -- great green!

Darkstrike · #7 12-14-2010, 01:31 PM

A lot of good makers use these very bridges, Sandberg for one.

Seems like a quality piece.

5string5fingers · #8 12-15-2010, 07:13 AM

Thanks for the compliments!

Any instruction on how to shim a neck? I've seen many do it and talk about it on here but I've never done it.

Darkstrike · #9 12-15-2010, 07:26 AM

Take off the neck, and put a slip or two of business card, or string packaging in the neck pocket, and re attach the neck, it'll give you a slight angle on the neck.

5string5fingers · #10 12-15-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Take off the neck, and put a slip or two of business card, or string packaging in the neck pocket, and re attach the neck, it'll give you a slight angle on the neck.

Do I put a piece that covers the entire neck pocket or just enough to cover the heel.

Darkstrike · #11 12-15-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5string5fingers

Do I put a piece that covers the entire neck pocket or just enough to cover the heel.

Just very small pieces at the end closest to the bridge, as it were.

You want to lift the neck up slightly at the very last fret area.

johnboy65 · #12 12-15-2010, 11:10 AM

Be aware that a neck shim will (often times) add to string tension [read awesomeness] so if you feel like it's different, it is.

5string5fingers · #13 12-15-2010, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnboy65

Be aware that a neck shim will (often times) add to string tension [read awesomeness] so if you feel like it's different, it is.

Awesome. That's good news for me. I use medium gauge strings and slightly high action to keep from getting a lot of fret buzz. I've got a heavy right hand so maybe this will let me have a slightly lower action

calshands · #14 12-15-2010, 11:51 AM

I used some picks on an old acoustic guitar to shim the neck, and it sounds great... 20+ years later. I figured that I could control the amount of lift by the millimeter that way.

Has anyone else ever tried this?

5string5fingers · #15 12-15-2010, 12:48 PM

that worked awesome. Dropped the action the few mm that the bridge raised it. You guys are great! It may actually be lower than before but definitely not as much fret buzz, from the added tension i presume.

Baron Von Vik · #16 12-15-2010, 12:54 PM

Sub'd for reference. Any pics of the process, 5string?

edit-also, it looks like the bridge on my Spector.

5string5fingers · #17 12-15-2010, 01:17 PM

For the bridge?

Baron Von Vik · #18 12-15-2010, 06:01 PM

Shimming. I don't understand how a few slips of paper could make such a drastic change, but a before and after comparison would be cool. If you took pics, that is. If not, I'm sure someone somewhere may have.

Pilgrim · #19 12-15-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnboy65

Be aware that a neck shim will (often times) add to string tension [read awesomeness] so if you feel like it's different, it is.

I believe that tension is determined by the scale length, the string gauge and string characteristics, not shims. IME shims don't affect tension, as they don't alter any of these factors.

Foamy · #20 12-15-2010, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron Von Vik

Shimming. I don't understand how a few slips of paper could make such a drastic change, but a before and after comparison would be cool. If you took pics, that is. If not, I'm sure someone somewhere may have.

I usually use a medium pick, and sometimes a couple dimes in the heel end. Just a little bit goes a looong way. Makes a huge difference without making permanent changes you can't undo. (Redundant??)