Grooved vs. Ungrooved Bridge

[Loudpipe]

There wasn't a bridge forum sub-section, so hopefully this is in the right place.

I'm looking at putting some DiMarzio DP127 Split Ps in my MIM P-Bass and wanted to replace the bridge as well. What's the advantage/disadvantage in going with a grooved or ungrooved bridge? How does the sound change?

[mccartjm]

The grooved bridge makes it allot easier, because of course you dont have to sit there and file your saddles. Another advantage that the pregrooved saddles offer is the aility to adjust your string spacing. I think there are 4 grooves in each saddle on the BAII. So if you have a spacing issue, bam just move the string to the next slot. If you wanna slap on your P space the strings far. If you wanna finger it, put em tighter. I do this all the time with my P that has a BAII pregrooved. Another thing is leo quann claims that if the grooves are not grooved properly it will mess up the tone. I am not going to touch that but im geussing he knows whats hes talking about. assuming of course your talkin about the pregrooved and ungrooved badass bridge...

[Loudpipe]

Yes, I am talking about the BA bridge, in this case the III rendition. So basically the bridge HAS to be grooved, the ungrooved just gives you the option of doing it yourself or having it done?

[mccartjm]

some people buy the ungrooved one and never groove it. but tat doesnt seem like a good idea. The vast majority of people who get the ungrooved bridge take it to a tech to groove it, thats probably going to cost you more than the sxtr $20 or $30 to get the pregrooved version...