How does the bridge affect the sound?

[Sean Ormiston]

Hmm?

Does it? The stock bridge on my Fender Jazz bass is kinda ugly, dinky, getting a little rusty and dusty, but it certainly holds the strings in place and keeps it's intonation well. Now, it's not broke so I won't fix it, but it got me to thinking...why do people upgrade their bridges? All it has to do is...not move when you're not adjusting it! Am I right? I must be wrong. Tell me I'm wrong!

[Scott in Dallas]

I'll tell you that you aren't wrong, that after a certain point it's diminishing returns, but others will tell you I'm crazy. Check the "badass" thread in the bass forum for more info.

[Philbiker]

In my experience there's more of a "zing" feel with high mass bridges. The tone is unchanged. The reason to switch is often for aesthetic reasons.