Replace Fender vintage bridge - with what?

[NewToasted]

I currently own and love a Fender Jaguar bass, however, I don't like the standard vintage bridge Fender put on it. I find it hard to adjust it in a exact way, as well as I hate the rattling sound it produces randomly. I therefore like to replace it as soon as I find a suitable replacement. I've looked at the Leo Quan BadAss bridges, and they definitely look sturdy enough for me - question is - are these the way to go, or are there any other models I should check out before making a decision? Also, does anyone know whether the bridge mounting holes are the same on the Jaguar as on the Jazz bass?

Thanks in advance!

[infect]

I prefer schaller bridges w/ the quick release.

[NewToasted]

Do you by any chance know if these, as the BadAsses, have the same 5-screw mounting pattern Fender uses? I'd like to avoid drilling new holes so close to the old ones, which unfortunately would exclude at least some of the Schaller bridges I've seen.

[kherber]

The Badass II is a direct replacement for the five-screw Fender bridge. Unscrew the old bridge, screw the new one down.

Doc

[David Cardoza]

I'm with KHERBER...

I have never gone wrong with the BADASS units... each and everytime, they have made a marked improvement (but especially over the Fender design).

But I do believe that you'll be drilling new for just about any bridge replacement... don't worry about it, just really measure it out, then verify again before drilling.... and don't use too long of a screw!


Dave

[kherber]

I just put a Badass II on my Tony Franklin sig a few months ago. It was perfect fit, no drilling required.

However, the string holes eventually needed to be opened up. It was tough getting a set of Rotosounds through the holes, and impossible to get a Chrome E-string through the hole. You might want to open them up before you mount the bridge. Try threading your strings through the bridge before you mount it.

Doc

[glwanabe]

I prefer original Fender over the others. My Geddy will be getting a period correct vintage bridge soon.

While the BAII is a well made unit, and I have used it on both of my current jazz basses. I just prefer the more open tone of the Fender.

I've never had a problem with intonation or having enough sustain out of one either. To each his own. The BAII is a direct replacemnet for the Fender, but it does come with a slightly larger screw overall than the Fender stock mounting screw.

[jrfrond]

+1 on the BadAss, but the HipShot bridges are great too. I've used both with great results.

[bullshark]

Just installed an Hipshot vintage bridge on my MIM: http://www.hipshotproducts.com/cart....duct_list&c=15

Great bridge. Bolt pattern is a perfect replacement, a bit thicker and stronger than the stock one, it's grooved so the saddles won't move, it's cheaper and better looking than the Badass IMO, AND it's top loading so it makes interchanging strings between basses a breeze.

I like it so much I'm installing one on all my Fender's type bass.

[Pilgrim]

If you have rattles, the short-term answer is probably to stretch the springs on the saddle adjusting screws so they have tension on them. The BAII should be a direct replacement for the 5-screw Fender bridge. It comes in two versions - with saddles non-slotted and pre-slotted. There are links in other discussions going on in this forum now.

[Hamrhed]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

It comes in two versions - with saddles non-slotted and pre-slotted. There are links in other discussions going on in this forum now.

I used a small triangular file to notch a BAII on a retrofit I did a while back... I wondered how the Fender guys did it when they installed them on the Geddy Jazz- and when I got my GL Jazz and subsequently changed strings, it looks as though the tech did the Geddy BAII the same way that I did