Highway one bridge (not BA)

bhass · #1 07-14-2009, 11:23 AM

I've been wanting a new bridge on my MIM precision, because the saddles slide around a lot and I'm wondering if I should buy a higher quality Fender one, or a replacement Gotoh or BA.

I came across this on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW--Fender-Hi...QQcmdZViewItem

Will this fit my MIM precision? Although most importantly; will it be an improvement?

Thanks.

Jo6Pak · #2 07-14-2009, 11:38 AM

Yes, it will fit. Whether it will be an 'improvement' or not, remains to be seen. Nothing to keep this one from lateral movement either, although it does offer a bit more choice as to exact string placment on the saddles. I recently bought a Hipshot 'Vintage' (with 5-hole, Fender mount) to replace an MIM bridge and I'm happy with it. Check it out at the Hipshot website. I got mine from Brian at BestBassGear. Dunno if he ships to the UK. As you mentioned, Gotoh and BA are also popular options. My only 'complaint' about the Gotoh is the base is thicker than I would like and, in the past, have been unable to get the action down low enuff as a result. Keep that in mind (might need a neck shim, if you like it real low).

bhass · #3 07-14-2009, 11:53 AM

Gotoh 201 was my second choice after the 'Highway one one'. I heard somewhere that high mass bridges were more trebley and more bright. That's the opposite tone that I've been wanting. I just want a bridge very similar to the stock Fender one where the saddle hopefully stays still. It's just the G string saddle.

I had a look at the Hipshot Vintage and couldn't find any play to buy them in the UK. Also the size is a big issue. I would like the replacement bridge to fit under my ashtray. I presumed the Gotoh 201 would.

Jo6Pak · #4 07-14-2009, 12:29 PM

I doubt if the Gotoh will fit under the ashtray either. If the ashtray is a must, you might be stuck with the basic Fender, bent-plate. I have also used Wilkinson bridges as low cost/direct replacements for Fender 5-hole, but they offer no lateral restriction either (I think the saddles are a bit larger, though).

bhass · #5 07-14-2009, 02:15 PM

Is there a cheap way of preventing the G string saddle sliding?

Steveaux · #6 07-14-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhass

Is there a cheap way of preventing the G string saddle sliding?

If the string is straight (from back-plate to nut) across the saddle, it shouldn't move, unless the saddle isn't level with the bridge-plate.

Are your saddles level?

bhass · #7 07-14-2009, 02:28 PM

What do you mean by 'level'?

When I push the saddle back into line with the others, it slides back out of place in about a minute, and practically instantly when I play on the G string. The wierd thing is that when the saddle is pushed back into place, the string seems very straight from nut to the back plate and the string fits almost perfectly over the saddle. However the saddle just slides out as if it has no pressure applied to it. It seems very weak.

Is it just the 'faulty' saddle?

Edit: Just checked again, and what I said is wrong! When the saddle is pushed into line, it does not line up with the hole on the back plate, and the string has to bend to reach it. Therefore when I let go of the saddle, the string pushes it out of place.

Edit 2: The string spacing when the saddle is in line, and the string is effectively bending from the backplate to meet the saddle is an even 19mm all over. However when the string goes straight onto the saddle it has a spacing of 21mm just for that string. So it is 2mm out of place. Am I right in presuming the nut is cut wrong? I just measured the distance between the holes in the nut; and the G string space is further across than the others. Is the nut the problem?

bhass · #8 07-14-2009, 03:08 PM

Bump, incase anyone didn't see my edits. (It would be hard to miss though)

Steveaux · #9 07-14-2009, 04:52 PM

At least one of your saddle screws is in the string hole.

Find a pic of your bridge ... manufacturer's site? ... and compare the assemblies.

walterw · #10 07-14-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steveaux

At least one of your saddle screws is in the string hole.

Find a pic of your bridge ... manufacturer's site? ... and compare the assemblies.

good call!

that vintage bridge with the threaded saddles would still be an improvement; one, the saddles are real steel (better tone). two, the threading lets you spread the strings out a little, improving the spacing over the pickup magnets (especially on a jazz bass) and allowing the outer two strings to pull their saddles in towards the center, holding all 4 saddles against each other.

bhass · #11 07-15-2009, 12:47 AM

I can see what you are saying now. The vintage bridge on eBay will prevent the string from bending at the bridge and therefore moving the saddle. It's only £20.

Thanks everyone. If this doesn't work out, I'll report back.

pmgleenis · #12 07-21-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhass

I've been wanting a new bridge on my MIM precision, because the saddles slide around a lot and I'm wondering if I should buy a higher quality Fender one, or a replacement Gotoh or BA.

I came across this on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW--Fender-Hi...QQcmdZViewItem

Will this fit my MIM precision? Although most importantly; will it be an improvement?

Thanks.

That will fit , but it really is not a HW1 bridge. It is a threaded 60s bridge. I would suggest a Gotoh 201. It is what Sadowsky puts on his bass as stock and the price is right.