ECSTATIC with my new bridge in MIM jazz

[sushi]

This is maybe for everyone out there such an obvious post, but I changed the standard bridge on my Fender MIM fretless to a gotoh chrome...

MAN IT IS A DIFFERENT BEAST! Sustain and tone shot up about 100 percent. The sound quality makes it tough to not pick it up now. Was having problems with pups which cancelled out whenever I slapped or played too hard, even that problem seems to have gone away with the new bridge, which I entirely don't understand but happy with nonetheless.

So, word of advice from a newbie on the other newbies here, the bridge costs less than 50$, and believe me the difference is unbelievable. Makes a mediocre instrument a thing of beauty!

Was seriously considering a new bass, higher price range, but now I think it's not necessary. Going to go for better pups and see what that does. Silly that fender doesn't put in 100$ of better standard into their mexicans to begin with. Anyway, YEEE HAW!

[agreatheight]

I also replaced my MIM Jazz stock bridge with a Gotoh, a 201. I am also very happy with the change, but I did have to shim my neck to get her fully set-up. Worth the cash ($45 shipped) and the effort tho!

[GriffinREX]

I just installed a Badass II on my Mexi P and I love it. No shimming of the neck, just set the intonation and it was good to go.
It's a little more expensive (~$60 on ebay), but I am still very happy with it.

[Valerus]

I replaced my stock on my MIM P/J with a BAII, and it ROCKS

[glwanabe]

I've been experimenting with various aspects of the stock fender bridge. I've got 2 basses wearing vintage style bridges that have as much sustain as a BAII bridge that came off the bass.

I've used both Gotoh bridges and BAII bridges, but with the changes I've made to the stock bridge it sounds very good on both of my jazz basses. All the resonance that the BAII takes away plus all the sustain, but not all the extra weight.

[sushi]

and what kind of changes did you make to the stock bridges???

[glwanabe]

I've got more research to do, but it involves changing the springs, and the barrell screws on the bridge.

The barrell screws I'm using are stainless steel. The springs are something I'm still experimenting with. I've gone through a few different sets of varying spring tension. Loose springs absorb the vibration energy, and dampen sustain.

The varying spring tensions are to confirm that matching resonance of the springs to transfer energy to the bass, and the strings can alter the tone and sustain. So far everything is confirmed.

Last night I ended up putting the original BAII springs on my vintage bridge that is on my Geddy jazz. The results were a bridge with almost identical BAII performance, but with a much better bottom end response.

I've got to run right now, but will tell you more if your interested.

[Illbay]

Originally Posted by sushi

So, word of advice from a newbie on the other newbies here, the bridge costs less than 50$, and believe me the difference is unbelievable. Makes a mediocre instrument a thing of beauty!

Interesting. I just changed the strings that came (several years ago!) with my MIM Fretless Jazz, to TI Jazz Flats, and had almost the EXACT SAME experience as you describe!

I can't believe the SUSTAIN, alone!

The slightly smaller gauge on the "D" and "G" are taking some getting use to, but the sound more than makes up for it.

[TheEmptyCell]

I have a Hipshot bent-plate on my MIM Jazz, and it works great. I got it because the saddles were falling on the stock bridge. I don't really care whether it affects tone or sustain. I'm not striking a note and walking off to make a sammich.