New hardware for a P

Blueszilla · #1 10-14-2010, 03:52 PM

I've searched and read some, and done some preliminary research, but I'd also like to hear from those who've done some of this. I have a Fender Hwy 1 P and I'd like to upgrade the HW. It's red and I want to switch to black tuners, bridge, add some black straplocks, different PG, and throw some DR black beauties on it. I want some quality tuners, I've had what I suspect are 28:1 tuners on another bass and I liked those a lot.

So, let me hear what you like (and don't like) and why. I don't mind spending a bit more for good quality, but budget stuff is fine if it works, a higher price doesn't always mean better.

Thanks for sharing!

selowitch · #2 10-14-2010, 04:46 PM

I would recommend either a Leo Quan BA bridge (with preslotted saddles) or a Babicz FCH bridge; Graphtech for a nut though it really doesn't matter all that much; BML Lights for the tuners or perhaps Hipshot Ultralites even though the latter are not direct replacement (you'll need to drill new holes and fill in the old ones, and since you have an MIA Fender you may not really want to do that).

You can get a well fitting pickguard replacement for a P-bass anywhere in a wide variety of materials.

Jeff 66 · #3 10-14-2010, 04:52 PM

If money is no object, check out the Babicz full contact bridge. Comes in black and has the Fender mounting screw pattern. Looks really nice!

http://www.fullcontacthardware.com/4-bass-bridge.htm

selowitch · #4 10-14-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff 66

If money is no object, check out the Babicz full contact bridge. Comes in black and has the Fender mounting screw pattern. Looks really nice!

http://www.fullcontacthardware.com/4-bass-bridge.htm

That's one of the two bridges I mentioned in the second post of the thread.

On nice Fenders like yours with future resale value, I'm a believer in avoiding mods that are not easily reversible. So if it were my bass, I'd probably leave the stock tuners and nut unless they are broken, and if they are indeed broken stick to exact Fender replacement parts when possible (and disclose any such replacements to the buyer). Make sure to hang onto the original pickguard and bridge (keep them in the same case as the bass if possible).

Jeff 66 · #5 10-14-2010, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selowitch

That's one of the two bridges I mentioned in the second post of the thread.

Not sure how I missed that. I did read your post, but I was so ready to recommend that bridge that I refused to recognize that someone had beat me to it.

selowitch · #6 10-14-2010, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff 66

Not sure how I missed that. I did read your post, but I was so ready to recommend that bridge that I refused to recognize that someone had beat me to it.

I understand.

Blueszilla · #7 10-15-2010, 08:44 AM

Wow, those Babicz bridges look bullet proof, and they ain't cheap, but since I know nothing of them, may be worth the price. I'm not concerned with resale, I just want to fine tune the bass with nice appointments and make the experience of playing it sublime. I'll keep all the original hardware, but I'm not worried much if I have to make some changes to accommodate better stuff.