Gotoh standard bridge vs 201

ejaggers · #1 12-20-2009, 11:35 AM

From searching this topic, TB'rs seems to like the 201 first, and the 203 next. But has anyone tried the Gotoh standard? I’m looking to UG a Squire Affinity P bass. What is the difference between the 201 and 201B?

http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/item/0093

http://cgi.ebay.com/GOTOH-201B-4-BAS...item483869af56

TheBasicBassist · #2 12-20-2009, 11:41 AM

I'm interested in how this turns out as well. I've been looking to upgrade my Jags bridge. I think most folks are going to go with the 201, because it seems like it has significantly more mass.

- John

gidbass · #3 12-20-2009, 11:44 AM

According to warmoth's site (http://www.warmoth.com/Gotoh-201-4-String-C718.aspx) 201B refers to a black 201. 201C is chrome and 201G is gold. I had the 201C's on both my squier VM's.

I never tried the Gotoh standard, but i don't like the idea of drilling 2 new holes at the top of the plate...

Good Luck

ejaggers · #4 12-20-2009, 11:59 AM

gidbass,

Yeah, I thought the "B" stood for black as well, but the picture on ebay looks chrome to me. How do you like the 201, and can you tell a difference from the Squire bridge?
My Squire bridge look sturdy enough, but this is not an area that I'm that familiar with.

gidbass · #5 12-20-2009, 12:07 PM

I am guessing that maybe the Ebay seller just misunderstood what the letter means, but of course, i could be wrong too....

I like the 201 but I ended up putting back on my original bridge with some threaded saddles (to adjust string spacing) as the 201 string spacing doesn't match up perfectly with my pickup poles and my OCD got the better of me again...

.

The gotoh 201 is very solid and well built. If you like crazy low action (which i am starting too) the 201's saddles are bigger than the stock squier ones, so i pretty much had mine almost sitting on the bridge plate to get it where i could tolerate it, and even then i wanted it just a bit lower. There are solutions for this (i have read) but i didn't explore them.

It is great affordable upgrade, but at the end of the day, i liked the look of the original bridge better.

Hope this helps you and good luck.

ejaggers · #6 12-20-2009, 12:13 PM

gidbass,
A couple of questions:
1. Did you try using the saddles from your VM bridge on the 201?
2. Was there a difference in tone or sustain?
3. Do you still have the 201?

gidbass · #7 12-20-2009, 12:17 PM

1. yes - got it lower too, to where i like it, but the string spacing/OCD got me...

2. honestly, not that i could really tell. What i liked (really liked) were the grooves that keep the saddles from moving...i wish my stock bridge had those
3. yes (2 of them infact)

ejaggers · #8 12-20-2009, 12:20 PM

gidbass,

Are you gonna sell them?

gidbass · #9 12-20-2009, 12:24 PM

yes, i just donated to become a supporting member because I do have a few items to sell, and i don't want to break any rules talking about this stuff...

I don't think i can talk about that here, so I will post in the classified section here soon. I will consider one on hold for you if you want....

ejaggers · #10 12-20-2009, 12:34 PM

I've never bought or sold anything from here either, and do not know the rules. So I don't want to unknowingly break any, but yeah, if the price is right.

walterw · #11 12-20-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBasicBassist

I'm interested in how this turns out as well. I've been looking to upgrade my Jags bridge. I think most folks are going to go with the 201, because it seems like it has significantly more mass.

- John

this has been a little crusade of mine, but that jag bridge is a good piece, you could do a lot worse than keeping it. it's got steel saddles that allow for correct string spacing (between the pickup magnets), and the design keeps the saddles from sliding around.

the gotoh 201s and all that with the .75" spacing will not let the strings line up exactly with your pickups, not a big deal but it would bug me.

here's more details about what i'm talking about.

ejaggers · #12 12-21-2009, 04:58 PM

Walter,
Sounds like you don't care for the 201 or the fender 75 RI. I admit that this is not my area of expertise. I bought a cheap affinity P to learn and experiment on, and that's really why I am modding it. But I do need to keep the prices down. I'm not even sure that replacing the stock bridge will buy me anything, being honest, and I love getting advice from people in the know. Thanks....So what bridge would you suggests to get the best for the buck?

TheBasicBassist · #13 12-21-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

this has been a little crusade of mine, but that jag bridge is a good piece, you could do a lot worse than keeping it. it's got steel saddles that allow for correct string spacing (between the pickup magnets), and the design keeps the saddles from sliding around.

the gotoh 201s and all that with the .75" spacing will not let the strings line up exactly with your pickups, not a big deal but it would bug me.

here's more details about what i'm talking about.

Thanks sir.

ejaggers · #14 12-21-2009, 05:09 PM

This bridge look pretty cool, but it 4 hole imstead of 5, so I guess it's out of the question.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-USA-Ameri...item483870fb7b

ejaggers · #15 12-21-2009, 05:25 PM

Walter, after looking in the link you supplied, sounds like this is the answer to the question I asked above:

http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-VINTAGE-J...88409ebd9bove:

dlegault · #16 12-21-2009, 05:41 PM

This bridge is incorrectly described in the auction as a 4 screw, but it's actually 3, with the other 4 holes being there for use with string through bodies. Either way, it still won't fit your 5 hole bridge without drilling new holes.

In order to determine whether the bridge upgrade would actually be worthwhile, what exactly are you looking to accomplish by swapping it out?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejaggers

This bridge look pretty cool, but it 4 hole imstead of 5, so I guess it's out of the question.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-USA-Ameri...item483870fb7b

ejaggers · #17 12-21-2009, 05:54 PM

dlegault,

That's the thing, I'm not sure it will buy me anything by swapping. I bought the bass really cheap to play luthier on. I have shielded the cavity, I'm waiting on a lindy fralin pickup to arrive, and thinking about changing the pots and adding a varitone switch.
I guess you can say I'm hot rodding. I doubt if I'll change tuners though. I have two other vintage basses that I'm not touching.

walterw · #18 12-21-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejaggers

Walter,
Sounds like you don't care for the 201 or the fender 75 RI. I admit that this is not my area of expertise. I bought a cheap affinity P to learn and experiment on, and that's really why I am modding it. But I do need to keep the prices down. I'm not even sure that replacing the stock bridge will buy me anything, being honest, and I love getting advice from people in the know. Thanks....So what bridge would you suggests to get the best for the buck?

no, gotoh makes really nice stuff, i just wish that one came in wider spacing to line up with jazz bass magnets.

the '75 reissue has the same flaw as most cheaper bass bridges, the single grooved saddle on a plate with no recesses to hold the saddles in line.

if you want an improvement for minimal bux, get just the threaded saddles themselves from say, allparts, and put them on the bridge you have now. (those are actually made by gotoh, by the way.)

dlegault · #19 12-21-2009, 06:49 PM

if you're doing it to practice luthiering on, why not drill and dowel the existing bridge holes, and redrill out for the 3 hole if that's what you're looking for? you could even go string through in that case.

that aside, you've already answered what my next question would be, why not do a pickup instead, as that's obviously going to get you a lot more bang for the buck.

i personally like high mass bridges like the 201. you might get a little more sustain out of it, but honestly, i've never changed out a bridge and said "wow, that's like night and day" either.

i've changed bridges mainly to be able to get better action, or to switch to string through. i have used the fender vintage with the slotted saddles (some badass bridges come with them as well). if these are your goals, i think you'll be more satisfied than if you're looking to drastically change the tone of your bass.

dlegault · #20 12-21-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

no, gotoh makes really nice stuff, i just wish that one came in wider spacing to line up with jazz bass magnets.

the '75 reissue has the same flaw as most cheaper bass bridges, the single grooved saddle on a plate with no recesses to hold the saddles in line.

if you want an improvement for minimal bux, get just the threaded saddles themselves from say, allparts, and put them on the bridge you have now. (those are actually made by gotoh, by the way.)

+1