Hipshot A vs. Monorail (single string bridge).. halp!

MaxOnBass · #1 11-27-2009, 06:34 PM

Hello TB buddies

First, what is the advantage (if there is any) of a single string bridge (monorail) versus a regular bridge? Searching around for that has been less than helpful..

Now for the question from the title: I'm gonna get myself a nice custom made bass and one of the things I haven't decided on yet is the bridge.. I was going for the Hipshot A bridge and then I figured that all high-end Ibanez basses have the monorail so.. can anyone tell me what are the pros and cons of both and what can I expect?

Thanks

Hoover · #2 11-28-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxOnBass

I'm gonna get myself a nice custom made bass and one of the things I haven't decided on yet is the bridge.. I was going for the Hipshot A bridge and then I figured that all high-end Ibanez basses have the monorail so..

I have no direct experience w/ the monorail bridges, but just an observation:

If you're gonna get yourself a nice custom made bass, why don't you look at the bridges that are used on nice custom made basses rather than "high-end Ibanez basses" (sic) ?

MaxOnBass · #3 11-28-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoover

If you're gonna get yourself a nice custom made bass, why don't you look at the bridges that are used on nice custom made basses rather than "high-end Ibanez basses" (sic) ?

Thanks for your input

the answer to that question is that I just want to be informed of all the possible options, and also I saw this kind of bridges on a LOT of nice custom basses..

Rickett Customs · #4 11-28-2009, 01:39 PM

I have the Mono-rail type bridges on one of my instruments, works fine for me. One main purpose I can speculate for the mono-rails, beyond the marketing hype (resonance..sustain....) they do benefit a multiscale instrument, although it's not a problem for anything other than multiscale too.

MaxOnBass · #5 11-28-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alembicplyr

I have the Mono-rail type bridges on one of my instruments, works fine for me. One main purpose I can speculate for the mono-rails, beyond the marketing hype (resonance..sustain....) they do benefit a multiscale instrument, although it's not a problem for anything other than multiscale too.

Thank you very much

jworrellbass · #6 11-28-2009, 01:43 PM

The single string bridge will also allow for 15mm (if you want it that tight) spacing or as wide as you want.

Ewo · #7 11-28-2009, 02:37 PM

Any difference in tone with a monorail bridge?

Just wondering. Never owned a bass with one.

And I'm guessing a monorail bridge allows the builder/designer to get the string tension more even..? (Like, making the B string longer, overall, so the tension can be higher for a .130 gauge..?)

MaxOnBass · #8 11-28-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jworrellbass

The single string bridge will also allow for 15mm (if you want it that tight) spacing or as wide as you want.

oh awesome

that's a really useful information, thank you very much for it!
Since I am a fan of real tight spacing and I don't slap much.... hell yeah

jworrellbass · #9 11-28-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ewo

Any difference in tone with a monorail bridge?

Just wondering. Never owned a bass with one.

And I'm guessing a monorail bridge allows the builder/designer to get the string tension more even..? (Like, making the B string longer, overall, so the tension can be higher for a .130 gauge..?)

Yes, you can get more tension on the bigger strings with the monorail bridge. I've been setting the higher string "g" bridge at center of the scale, and the lower "b" at 5/8" further back.

MaxOnBass · #10 11-28-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jworrellbass

Yes, you can get more tension on the bigger strings with the monorail bridge. I've been setting the higher string "g" bridge at center of the scale, and the lower "b" at 5/8" further back.

I don't think I quite got what you mean.. Wouldn't that require the fanned frets?
I am pretty much a newbie in some stuff concerning building basses

FunkMetalBass · #11 11-28-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxOnBass

I don't think I quite got what you mean.. Wouldn't that require the fanned frets?
I am pretty much a newbie in some stuff concerning building basses

Yes and no. The B-string will almost always be positioned farther back than the G-string because of the physical properties of the string. This is why fanned frets are preferable for intonation purposes - they allow more-accurate positioning of the frets for each string's unique properties.

Stradavus · #12 11-28-2009, 03:16 PM

From what I've read, monorail bridges are supposed to cut back on sympathetic string vibration.

MaxOnBass · #13 11-28-2009, 03:23 PM

thanks very much for the info guys, I really appreciate it

jworrellbass · #14 11-28-2009, 03:32 PM

I'll try to make a little more sence this time, sorry. What I mean is on a 34" scale I'll set the ssb at the center of the bridge at 34" on the high strings and 34-5/8" for the low strings. Thicker strings are set back for intonation. Take a look at almost any 5er and you'll see the b string is set further back.

On a fanned fret you are working with multiple scale lenghts, i.e. 35" low "b" and 32" high "c". I've added a picture of my current build, a fanned fret bass 35" low- 32" high. The second pic is a 35" scale fretless.

I hope that makes sence. If not just ask me again and I'll try to explain it differently.

MaxOnBass · #15 11-28-2009, 03:38 PM

ooooh okay, I got it, loud and clear here.. well that could be just what I need then! Thanks a bunch for your patience and time jworrellbass man

you rock!

btw love the wenge (if that is wenge) on those axes...

jworrellbass · #16 11-28-2009, 03:40 PM

Your welcome, good luck. Yes it's wenge.

gus1894 · #17 12-16-2009, 06:31 PM

Monorail bridge system cuts down "cross-talk" between strings - as someone above has said, reduces vibration on strings not played b/c the bridge pieces are completely isolated from one another. I have an Ibanez BTB - which has the monorail system. I like it very much.

And not to hijack a thread - but does anyone know where one could obtain just the monorail system itself?

jworrellbass · #18 12-16-2009, 06:54 PM

Are you referring to just the bridge pieces?

http://www.guitarpartscentral.com/ca...dge-p-385.html

gus1894 · #19 12-16-2009, 08:30 PM

Thanks. I will have to look into those. I don't know how they compare to the Ibanez version - not only in terms of quality, but also as replacements for the BTB versions on an Ibanez BTB. I have an older BTB, the knobs are black, but the bridge is chrome-ish, like brushed or something similar. I want to match them up. I like the way the concept of the monorail works, I want to maintain it, but I just don't know if the ones you linked to will be compatible.

Thanks for the link!

jworrellbass · #20 12-17-2009, 07:50 AM

I don't know if they will work for your application. Those bridges I linked are very good. Normally low cost means low quilty, these have great plating and are durable. I use them on my bass builds. They are the same ones Best Bass Gear sells for $20 each.