Just installed the new Hipshot Vintage (4) Bridge

[Kickin'Fruit]

Just replaced my Fender MIM standard Bridge with the new Hipshot Vintage Bass bridge.

First let me just clear it up that the lowest useable action on this bridge is MUCH lower than the stock bridge. Notice I said _useable_ this is because on the MIM Bridge, absolute low buzzes, saddles slide about and really doesn't work. However, with the Hipshot, everything is so STABLE! I haven't been able to completely test drive it yet, because unfortuneately the sockets on the height screws are too small, smaller than a 1.5 mm allen in fact, so I'm going to run to wally world and get something and I'll get back to you on that. For now here are some pics for you to analyze and drool over.

[Nick Ioannucci]

did it make your tone a little more clear or anything like that? o btw i have these great allen screwdrivers with the right size to adjust the BAII and Hipshot stuff, i think its sumthin like .5 maybe ill check and report back on brand and size, theyre great for setups.

[Kickin'Fruit]

I think I'll need something like those, I couldn't find any allen wrenches to fit, so right now all I can play is my E and G...

[Kickin'Fruit]

Update:

Only con: You need to make sure you have a .050 standard allen wrench, those saddle screws have small holes!

But... WOW! I got the action set up (very low without buzzing) much lower than the MIM bridge WITH buzzing.

My bass sounds so much more punchier and I feel like I'm playing a whole new bass. Really without getting too over zealous I am very pleased with this bridge in improvement over the stock MIM P.O.S.

Everything I was looking for in a replacement bridge. I don't really know what else to say about it at the moment, I'm too busy playing. Ask me questions and I'll answer them to anyone who is curious.

P.S. I struck an open note at the beggining of writing this and it is still ringing out


Edit: back again. The CLARITY, wow, wow wow.

[jwymore]

Hipshot provides dealers with the mounting screws and an allen wrench with each bridge. You should have gotton the wrench with the bridge. Where did you buy it?

[Kickin'Fruit]

Originally Posted by jwymore

Hipshot provides dealers with the mounting screws and an allen wrench with each bridge. You should have gotton the wrench with the bridge. Where did you buy it?

Guitarpartsresource.com Through their eBay portal. I got the screws, just not the allen wrench.

[jwymore]

I could have saved you a couple bucks and you would have got an allen wrench!! (sorry couldn't resist) :-)

Those are great little replacement bridges, a nice addition to the Hipshot aresenal!!

[Kickin'Fruit]

Hmm I think I went with GPR cause they were closer and I thought shipping would be quicker. Also they did combined shipping on some screws I ordred. I'll definitly buy from you next time, knowing you're on TB.

[tplyons]

Any hardware store should have individual allen wrenches. Or even better, I recommend buying a whole set, there are soo many more uses for them than you can imagine.

[Kickin'Fruit]

Originally Posted by tplyons

Any hardware store should have individual allen wrenches. Or even better, I recommend buying a whole set, there are soo many more uses for them than you can imagine.

Oh yeah, I got a set the next day. Standard size and made sure it came with a .050.

[RBrownBass]

I got one a couple of days ago for my MIM/JP-90 project. This bridge is fantastic. I bought it because I wanted to upgrade the MIM bridge, but didn't really want a Badass (they're great bridges, but everyone has 'em, and the slots needed filing). This bridge is beefy enough, and top-loading to boot. Aesthetically, it looks stock, which makes me happy. I'm at the point now where I want my projects to look off-the-rack sorta. Increases sustain, punch, clarity, everything. Whoever said a bridge upgrade doesn't affect the tone either has a waaaaay better bass than I do, or isn't listening very well. Probably a bit of both.

[Nick Ioannucci]

i know, i didnt notice a change in tone, but you could say a change in tonal quality, basically the same just more defined, love it. when i get the mim P that i want, this will be the first upgrade. and i guess when is more of if, if i pay off the debt on my upton, finish doing the mods on my 03 fretless jazz, and theres nothing i need to do, then ill get it. aha. debt. priorities. life. college. jeeze when you finally get close to the real world. well thats another thread o and by the way now i know of a decent bridge that i can install myself for others :P

[Kickin'Fruit]

Originally Posted by Nick Ioannucci

i know, i didnt notice a change in tone, but you could say a change in tonal quality, basically the same just more defined, love it. when i get the mim P that i want, this will be the first upgrade. and i guess when is more of if, if i pay off the debt on my upton, finish doing the mods on my 03 fretless jazz, and theres nothing i need to do, then ill get it. aha. debt. priorities. life. college. jeeze when you finally get close to the real world. well thats another thread o and by the way now i know of a decent bridge that i can install myself for others :P

I would be very very interested in the new Highway Ones if they went with the Hipshot instead of the Badass II. I mean they went back to some of the other vintage features, why put a chunk of metal that looks to me out of place on?

This bridge makes you a better player I feel in that it allows you not to work so hard to get notes to ring out true. What you might think is your right hand technique may just be a flimsy bridge saddle.

Rigidity is key.

[Nick Ioannucci]

meh, i wouldnt go so far as to say that, but it does make your bass sound better. the BA does the same thing, i think its great fender is starting to incorporate them into their basses.