Gotoh 201 replacement bridge

billoetjen · #1 09-18-2009, 07:00 AM

Not exactly a review, but I just installed my first Gotoh 201 on a heavily modded SX (Essex) P.

This is the second bridge upgrade to this bass. The first was a cheapo ABM clone with lock-down saddles and string spacing adjustment. I have a real ABM on another bass and it's great. The knock-off never seemed "right" to me. Didn't like the tone or sustain as much as I expected. And it looked totally wrong on a vintage-style instrument. I switched to the Gotoh mainly for the looks.
The tone on the Gotoh seems "truer," more consistent up and down and across the fretboard. The only problem is that the action is too high even with the saddles adjusted all the way down.
Here's what I told the guy (a TB'er) who sold me his used 201:

The bridge arrived yesterday, and I did the surgery just half an hour ago. Tuned up, intonated, and it sounds, looks and feels GREAT. This is a world-class bridge and way under-priced. I can't believe that it's not standard equipment on MIA Fenders. This definitely has the combination of mass, stability, sustain, tone, and classic looks that I wanted. The price and the exact replacement screw pattern are just the extra bonus.

It IS impossible to get the same low action that is possible on most other bridges. I will have to hit the saddles with my Dremel tool to deepen the grooves. No two ways about it.
Great bridge, thank you.

Bobster · #2 09-18-2009, 08:22 AM

With the Gotoh, and just about every other "high mass" bridge, it's standard to shim the instrument's neck to get the action low enough.

A piece of business card placed at the back edge of the neck pocket (near the body) is usually enough to get the string height taken care of.

This doesn't impact the instrument's sustain or tone (as long as you use minimal amounts of shimming material) and doesn't require heavy duty modification to either the guitar or bridge.

But glad you're happy with the results.

Bob

billoetjen · #3 09-18-2009, 08:43 AM

Thanks for the suggestion.
I've shimmed neck pockets before, but there's something about putting anything between the neck and body that goes against my beliefs about the integrity of the whole. I'd rather mod the saddles than stick something in the pocket. But that's just me.

gidbass · #4 09-18-2009, 08:47 AM

Not sure about difference between SX and Squire, but i put a 201 on my Squire VM fretless, and was able to get the action where i wanted it without shimming, very low and still have some adjustment room to spare.

Good luck.

JFN · #5 09-18-2009, 08:50 AM

Bill, I also have one of those bridges on my 62RI P bass and to get the kind of low action like I like, I put the saddles from the stock bridge on the Gotoh and I can get the action way down there.

The issue is that the diameter, or thickness, of the Gotoh saddles is greater than the stock bridge so they just end up going all the way down to the bottom of the bridge baseplate. It worked great for me.

I also put a Gotoh bridge on a 51RI P and my son has one on his MIM Jazz and neither of these had an issue adjusting the string height.

John

73jbass · #6 09-18-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billoetjen

Thanks for the suggestion.
I've shimmed neck pockets before, but there's something about putting anything between the neck and body that goes against my beliefs about the integrity of the whole. I'd rather mod the saddles than stick something in the pocket. But that's just me.

You would be surprised how many bolt on basses have neck shims from the factory. It's not that big a deal.It will be easier than attacking your bridge saddles with a Dremel tool.Take the saddles to a machinist and let him cut the saddle slots deeper.Should take more than 10 minutes. If you want,send them to me and I'll do it. I repair jet engine piece parts,so bridge saddles are nothing.

Steveaux · #7 09-18-2009, 01:05 PM

How about just installing some smaller saddles?

Gotoh 201 saddles are 10 mm. SX saddles are 8 mm.

Try swapping the saddles.

billoetjen · #8 09-18-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steveaux

How about just installing some smaller saddles?

Gotoh 201 saddles are 10 mm. SX saddles are 8 mm.

Try swapping the saddles.

Okay, I'm an idiot. I've had the original SX bridge sitting on a shelf and was contemplating throwing it out, cuz, well, when would I ever need it? I also didn't think about the thread sizes all matching up exactly. But they did! And ten minutes ago I swapped the saddles ... works... duh.
Perfect solution, thank you Steveaux. The action is dangerously low now, and yet another bonus, the smaller saddle barrels give a slightly sharper break angle and better intonation (theoretically).
Once again TB rules!

Steveaux · #9 09-18-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billoetjen

Okay, I'm an idiot. I've had the original SX bridge sitting on a shelf and was contemplating throwing it out, cuz, well, when would I ever need it? I also didn't think about the thread sizes all matching up exactly. But they did! And ten minutes ago I swapped the saddles ... works... duh.
Perfect solution, thank you Steveaux. The action is dangerously low now, and yet another bonus, the smaller saddle barrels give a slightly sharper break angle and better intonation (theoretically).
Once again TB rules!

Glad to help.

You should see the pile of bridges on my parts shelves.

I never throw any parts away.

ShirazBop · #10 09-18-2009, 10:41 PM

Gota GOTOH on my late 70's Precision (replaced a BA2)... Don't think a shim was needed with the Warmoth replacement fretted neck....Great product and the bass "sings".... Great idea on the saddle swap!.. Parts is Parts... TB Rules!

Bobster · #11 09-18-2009, 11:21 PM

ShirazBop,

I'd bet that whoever put the BA2 on it in the 70's shimmed it. I've never seen a bass with a BadAss that didn't need a shim.

Bob

walterw · #12 09-19-2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobster

ShirazBop,

I'd bet that whoever put the BA2 on it in the 70's shimmed it. I've never seen a bass with a BadAss that didn't need a shim.

Bob

you're likely thinking of the BA 1, which stuck up way high for angled-neck gibson basses. the BA 2 almost never needs shims under the neck.

another idea instead of cutting deeper grooves in the 201 is to grind down the bottoms of the saddles a little, so the string is still sitting on a nice clean groove.

Steveaux · #13 09-19-2009, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

you're likely thinking of the BA 1, which stuck up way high for angled-neck gibson basses. the BA 2 almost never needs shims under the neck.

another idea instead of cutting deeper grooves in the 201 is to grind down the bottoms of the saddles a little, so the string is still sitting on a nice clean groove.

This is the route I'd have taken if the saddle swap didn't fit. A couple of screws about 1 1/2" long to fit the height-adjustment holes (with jam-nuts) for handling, and off to the belt-sander.

ShirazBop · #14 09-19-2009, 03:52 PM

^^^^ Original neck with the BA1 (that was not routed to sit lower) did require a shim.

Now with the GOTOH201 and a Warmoth replacement neck, I do not believe it is shimmed. I can verify though.

Peace!