Hipshot Vintage bent plate bridge - the new look

[Rodent]

I noticed this morning that Hipshot has updated their Vintage bent plate bridge design to eliminate the string slots on the top surface and provide easier stringing access via the vertical edge



this is a great enhancement IMO, as the bridge now has a significantly sleeker look to its design. to compare, here's an in progress shot of a bass I recently completed using the original bridge version that had the top surface string slots



a similar enhancement has also been deployed on Hipshot's 4-string model as well ... NICE JOB!!!

all the best,

R

[ponticat]

Nice. I've been considering trying one of their narrow spaced 4-string pieces for a short scale. This looks much better than the slotted version.

[Jazzdogg]

I agree that the new design does have a sleeker look, but I sure like the speed and convenience of stringing and unstringing instruments with a top-loading bridge; when form follows function I'm usually happier.

[superfunk47]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

I agree that the new design does have a sleeker look, but I sure like the speed and convenience of stringing and unstringing instruments with a top-loading bridge; when form follows function I'm usually happier.

It works basically the same way - the ball end can fit through the larger holes on the bridge, so instead of quick loading them from the top, you do it from the neck side of the bridge.

[Jazzdogg]

Cool! How'd I miss that?

[JonesKY]

Thanks for the post! Hipshot's new design is... well... hip!

[stflbn]

Actually, I have a 4-string Vintage bridge with the slots on it on a P-bass I just sold, and it actually had widened holes in the middle like the new one does and teh slots. Made me contemplate widening a hole in my slotted one shown in the photo posted by rod.

[Chowderboots]

When I see a bridge where you have to pass the strings through the baseplate like that, I cringe a little. The original Jackson bridge on my Charvel had a similar design and you couldn't restring it without damaging the finish on the guitar or the bridge. I hated having to pass roundwound strings through there. Not only did it feel like threading a needle, but having the entire string scrape against the inside of the bridge as I dragged it through was such a pain compared to just popping the strings in the top like I'm used to with a lot of bridges.

But this is a very nice looking bridge. I kinda want one.

[ehque]

Originally Posted by Chowderboots

When I see a bridge where you have to pass the strings through the baseplate like that, I cringe a little. The original Jackson bridge on my Charvel had a similar design and you couldn't restring it without damaging the finish on the guitar or the bridge. I hated having to pass roundwound strings through there. Not only did it feel like threading a needle, but having the entire string scrape against the inside of the bridge as I dragged it through was such a pain compared to just popping the strings in the top like I'm used to with a lot of bridges.

But this is a very nice looking bridge. I kinda want one.

Look carefully - you just have to load the ball through the big hole from the neck side and let it anchor in the bridge, no need to pass the whole string through.

[Craig_S]

Cool! Now I'd consider buying one! I hated those slots.

[bongomania]

I can dig it.