Hipshot B-Style or Hipshot Vintage Bridge?

Andy2 · #1 06-09-2012, 11:11 AM

Hi:

Im looking to change the original bridge from my 2008 Fender Jaguar. My main goal is more sustain.

My other bass is a MIA Std 2002 with string through body (original bridge) and I notice a big difference in sustain when playing live with both of them.

Looking to upgrade the sustain of my Jag ,,, dont want to shim the neck so im not considering Gotoh or BA, any other suggestion are welcome

cnltb · #2 06-09-2012, 11:15 AM

I do not think that there'll be a difference between the two hipshots but that the vintage bridge looks a lot better( also ... they come in different materials which may be noticeable in terms of tone).
I also think that the improvement from the original bridge will be minimal, regardless.

lburton2 · #3 06-09-2012, 11:16 AM

I don't foresee either bridge increasing your sustain all that much. They're very similar style bridges (Allen Screw to Bridge Plate). Aside from that, you're going to have a bunch of visible holes from the original large plated bridge of the jaguar.

lburton2 · #4 06-09-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

I do not think that there'll be a difference between the two hipshots but that the vintage bridge looks a lot better( also ... they come in different materials which may be noticeable in terms of tone).
I also think that the improvement from the original bridge will be minimal, regardless.

+1 he beat me to it

BassFuzz24 · #5 06-09-2012, 11:29 AM

I'm planning a similar bridge replacement on my '08 Jag. Although the sustain is a concern, I mainly want a heavier bridge to fix the slight neck dive. I've been looking at the BAII and I've seen quite a few TBers switch their fenders to this bridge. The BAII is supposed to deliver more sustain but I can't really vouch for it one way or the other.

Mr_Music90 · #6 06-09-2012, 12:05 PM

Well I'm not sure if it's possible, but since you want more sustain, you should put a MonoRail bridge on your bass. Each string will be attached separately which gives your bass increased sustain and your sound will sound more clearer.

zortation · #7 06-09-2012, 12:34 PM

Bridges seem to be one area where over-engineering to the point of ridiculousness seems to be the norm. I guess it doesn't really matter that the more moving parts there are on a bridge, the less of your sound will get through to the body and pickups.

Human Bass · #8 06-09-2012, 12:49 PM

The B bridge surely has a much higer mass, the saddles are small, but surrounded by this big metal wall, has a similar feeling to the G&L bridge. The vintage one is quite elegant, and has those nice grooves below the corner saddles.

johnny5string · #9 06-09-2012, 12:54 PM

Try the babicz. It's quite nice and may be what you're ultimately looking for. It worked for me on a vintage 78 j.

lburton2 · #10 06-09-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zortation

Bridges seem to be one area where over-engineering to the point of ridiculousness seems to be the norm. I guess it doesn't really matter that the more moving parts there are on a bridge, the less of your sound will get through to the body and pickups.

This.

Andy2 · #11 06-09-2012, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Human Bass

The B bridge surely has a much higer mass, the saddles are small, but surrounded by this big metal wall, has a similar feeling to the G&L bridge. The vintage one is quite elegant, and has those nice grooves below the corner saddles.

Good to know, Tks

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #12 06-09-2012, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Music90

Well I'm not sure if it's possible, but since you want more sustain, you should put a MonoRail bridge on your bass. Each string will be attached separately which gives your bass increased sustain and your sound will sound more clearer.

Actually I haven't found the Monorail adds any noticeable increase in sustain or gives a cleaner tone than your average Hipshot A or B bridge. I have the six-string version of the exact Prestige bass you posted. Funnily enough, it doesn't even have much less inter-string crosstalk that you'd expect due to the individual bridge pieces. Maybe if they were attached to a giant metal block like the 2Tek bridge is, it would be a different story.

Lowbrow · #13 06-09-2012, 11:01 PM

I have the B style on a few P basses and for me the improvement over the standard Fender bridge is that I, as a pick player who often plays near the bridge, cannot knock around the saddles or nick myself on the saddle screws. That in itself is reason enough for me to have made the change.

cnltb · #14 06-10-2012, 02:26 AM

Has anyone here compared the hipshot in brass with that in steel or aluminium(not sure if one can have it in alu...)?

Andy2 · #15 06-11-2012, 04:59 AM

Tks to alll for the responses

tbird36go · #16 08-12-2012, 10:01 AM

Get the B style in brass! I had to warmoth builds with the vintage style & 2 with the B style. Get the B style in brass & dont look back. Works better & sounds better.

Pilgrim · #17 08-12-2012, 07:34 PM

The bass I have with the MOST sustain has a E-string like the bass pedal of an organ...it goes on and on and on.

It's a 2000 MIM Jazz with a standard Fender bent-metal bridge.

My advice: don't install any bridge that requires altering the original footprint or screw holes, because in the long run you are very likely to re-install the original Fender bridge.

If you want an upgrade, put threaded saddles on the Fender bridge to allow finder adjustment of the string positions.

Andy2 · #18 08-14-2012, 09:20 AM

hard desicion but I end up with the vintage style!!!

With the original fender bridge, all the saddles were loose,,,, The Vintage style looks close to the original fender but is More more more SOLID!!!

It definitely add a little more sustain (not a huge difference, but definitely add something), and overall the notes rings better, bass looks better and I dont have loose saddles. Im very happy with the results,, probably the B-style is better, but then again Im happy with the vintage style on my jaguar :-)