Installing a Badass bridge

laboitenoire · #1 11-01-2007, 07:49 PM

I'm thinking of modding my fretless a tad, and so I was considering doing a bridge replacement (because the stock SX one has got an annoying rattle to it on mine and the screws have a habit of bottoming out now and then). I've got it down to either a Badass II or a Gotoh 201. Now, I see everybody saying how you've got to notch the saddles on the Badass, but I was wondering if it's usable without doing this?

bassmanrocke · #2 11-01-2007, 08:07 PM

It is possible to avoid notching, but the strings will move around on the saddles if you play with any force at all. This could affect both tuning and intonation. The notches are not a problem to put in. Install the bridge, put on the strings to tension, then use a sharpie to mark where they Should line up. Remove the strings, then use the edge of a fine file to make slight notches. They don't have to be deep, just enough to prevent the string from moving side to side.

Of course, you could just use the gotoh. I've had Gotoh's on several basses, and personally I prefer them. They have just as much mass as the badass, and all the edges are more curved and smoother. I find them much more comfortable.

Cristofre · #3 11-06-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laboitenoire

I'm thinking of modding my fretless a tad, and so I was considering doing a bridge replacement (because the stock SX one has got an annoying rattle to it on mine and the screws have a habit of bottoming out now and then). I've got it down to either a Badass II or a Gotoh 201. Now, I see everybody saying how you've got to notch the saddles on the Badass, but I was wondering if it's usable without doing this?

I installed a badass bridge on a P bass I have and just about ruined it. A friend gave me the bridge without any instructions. I just screwed it on the bass and noticed that the strings were way up high.... I lowered the saddles as far as I could and still they were high... I filed down the saddles and still the strings were too high off the neck.
Suddenly it hit me- The thing is supposed to be inset into the bass- so I took the bridge back off and routed out about 1/4 inch under it, reinstalled the bridge and it works fine, despite the ugly filed saddles.

So,long story short- I should have searched for the instructions first.

jtc_hunter · #4 11-06-2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cristofre

I installed a badass bridge on a P bass I have and just about ruined it. A friend gave me the bridge without any instructions. I just screwed it on the bass and noticed that the strings were way up high.... I lowered the saddles as far as I could and still they were high... I filed down the saddles and still the strings were too high off the neck.
Suddenly it hit me- The thing is supposed to be inset into the bass- so I took the bridge back off and routed out about 1/4 inch under it, reinstalled the bridge and it works fine, despite the ugly filed saddles.

So,long story short- I should have searched for the instructions first.

The way I dealt w/ the height increase- I shimmed up the neck w/ a few layers of 100 grit sandpaper. That way I didnt have to route out, or change the bass at all.

Cristofre · #5 11-07-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtc_hunter

The way I dealt w/ the height increase- I shimmed up the neck w/ a few layers of 100 grit sandpaper. That way I didnt have to route out, or change the bass at all.

Ha... well now I just feel like an idiot. Oh well, it works and that bridge aint goin no where!

RobertUI · #6 11-13-2007, 01:14 PM

The bridge wasn't designed to be inset in the body, for proof look at the highway 1 modified series. Leo Quann designed the bridge to be a direct replacement for the Fender bridges, the proper way to adjust for the added height is with shimming the neck.

eddcunningham · #7 11-14-2007, 04:04 AM

I managed to get hold of some pre-cut saddles actually made Leo Quan. They have numerous groves in them for different spacing. They're fantastic.
I remember finding some a while ago after an extensive google search. Or of course, just keep checking ebay, thats what I did.

eddcunningham · #8 11-14-2007, 04:05 AM

Aren't I kind?
http://www.bestbassgear.com/badass-bridge.htm#

Only $25 more too!

Vincent P · #9 01-27-2008, 08:37 PM

Ok I'm finding this quite the intresting thread. I'm looking at replacing the stock bridge of my American Deluxe Jazz with the Bad Ass III. I've heard only good reviews of this upgrade. I'm waiting for a response from the tech who will do the work, curious to what he will say.

rrr_o_bbb · #10 02-11-2008, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertUI

The bridge wasn't designed to be inset in the body, for proof look at the highway 1 modified series. Leo Quann designed the bridge to be a direct replacement for the Fender bridges, the proper way to adjust for the added height is with shimming the neck.

I assumed he meant the original badass bridge, not the badass II. I wanted one in 1980 and was told that I would have to route the body of my P Bass for it. I ended up getting the II as a direct replacement instead.