KTS Titanium Bridge is cool.....but

dregsfan · #1 12-06-2010, 07:21 PM

I assembled a fender style 4 string fretted bass using quality stuff ( not my first) and though it's nice, for the sound I like, I may have chosen several wrong components........ It's a light weight alder p body with a maple neck & rosewood board supplied by USA Custom Guitars. (Always) Very nice pieces from a great company.

As stated, I chose a KTS titanium bridge and Hipshot ultralight tuners. I like the bridge. Very light weight and kind of a brushed silver/pewter look.

So (I don't remember now, how I decided on these pickups) I have a Delano SBC 4 HE/S soapbar in the neck and a Dimarzio Model J in the bridge. And for the first time, I've installed DR Sunbeams.

The light weight of the bass feels great, and I think it is the fastest, most responsive bass I've ever put together. I mean it's lively, which is cool, but overall it's too bright and zingy for my taste.

I'm now thinking the titanium bridge, which may be responsible for some of the excessive brightness, may not be the bridge material for me. I'm not into slapping and in general like an old school sound. I think it might be a great bridge for slappers who use ss roundwounds. Also, I'm now thinking these pu's lean towards high fidelity sound rather than warmer sounding pu's.

I think every component effects the end result sound, to some degree, and I just made some choices that has taken it in the wrong direction for my taste. Fortunately, things can be swapped out.

I'm looking for a warmer, not so hi-fi, mettalic sound. Even more vintage like............ Any thoughts. Thanks, John

I'm going to go nap now. That much typing was ridiculous.

agreatheight · #2 12-06-2010, 07:27 PM

Start cheapest first - strings! Try a set you have used before and liked, and it that isn't thumping enough maybe try some flats?

chokeslam512 · #3 12-06-2010, 07:29 PM

What material is the nut?

dmusic148 · #4 12-06-2010, 07:31 PM

The bridge is the LAST thing to worry about. Especially if it's the 'Jazz bass style' bridge- you won't notice any change going from it to an actual fender part, seriously. The titanium bridge is a little lighter than the Fender unit, and this almost always means it will be warmer/fatter rather than brighter.
In my experience, the biggest contributors to tone are the pickups, and the neck.
Does the bass sound excessively bright acoustically? If NOT, it's time to look at pickup options.
If SO, you are probably out of luck.

ehque · #5 12-06-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

The bridge is the LAST thing to worry about. Especially if it's the 'Jazz bass style' bridge- you won't notice any change going from it to an actual fender part, seriously. The titanium bridge is a little lighter than the Fender unit, and this almost always means it will be warmer/fatter rather than brighter.

+1.

dregsfan · #6 12-06-2010, 08:04 PM

Thanks guys. Trying strings first is a really good logical idea. ........ The thing about the nut is that it only effects open strings and has no effect on fretted notes............ I did swap out the titanium saddles for some brass ones i have, and thought I could hear some
reduction in harshness but wouldn't swear to it. FWIW... Carey Nordstand said he prefers stainless steel plates to brass ones. Something about midrange response. Thanks again.

BrandonBass · #7 12-07-2010, 04:50 AM

second the flats. or let ur rounds set it for acouple of days/week

DWBass · #8 12-07-2010, 05:44 AM

New strings always sound bright and zingy. Dirty them up a bit. Add some sweat to them. They'll simmer down real quick.

testing1two · #9 12-08-2010, 07:37 PM

I had a KTS bridge on a P-Bass of mine with flatwounds and I found it accentuated the high end in a way that didn't suit me. I went back to a standard steel bridge with threaded saddles and it mellowed things out nicely.

dregsfan · #10 12-08-2010, 07:43 PM

testing1two, Thanks for the reply. That is helpfull. I think I'll be changing bridge material.

ehque · #11 12-09-2010, 11:05 AM

Yup, ignore the 4 people who tell you to try other things but pounce on the first piece of advice who agrees with you... Why ask anyway?

dregsfan · #12 12-09-2010, 11:39 AM

ehque, Good for you. This forum needs more mature responses like yours. Is there anything constructive or pertains to the question or subject there? You know what I'm ignoring or agreeing with? That's amazing.......... Re-think (or just think) what this forum is all about. I remember when I was 24, I was brilliant also.

jmercer91 · #13 12-09-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

Yup, ignore the 4 people who tell you to try other things but pounce on the first piece of advice who agrees with you... Why ask anyway?

because testing1two has actual experience with the bridge in question and confirmed op's suspicion

ehque · #14 12-09-2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmercer91

because testing1two has actual experience with the bridge in question and confirmed op's suspicion

Testing1two's bass has a completely different pickup layout and was strung with flats. The OP is using DRs, one of the brightest strings i know.

Well, we've got to spend our money somewhere, eh.

Other people with experience with the KTS:

KTS Titanium Bridge on my Jazz, ehh wow?!

**HeavyDuty** · #15 12-10-2010, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

Yup, ignore the 4 people who tell you to try other things but pounce on the first piece of advice who agrees with you... Why ask anyway?

Please keep things helpful in the tech forums - this isn't OT.