Replacement bridge for Fender Jazz Bass Special?

sisteranne · #1 01-06-2008, 08:33 AM

I've had my MIJ Fender Jazz Bass Special for 10 years, and I'm still in love with it. I've always wanted to replace all the hardware with chrome, and now I have an excuse because the bridge is starting to fall apart (stripped saddle screw holes, finish worn off, etc.)

Here's the problem: the cast quick-release bridge isn't the standard Fender model. It only has 4 mounting-screw holes, in a row. Not the usual 5. I was hoping to put a Badass II (or something similar) on, but I would like to avoid creating any new holes if I can.

Can anyone suggest a good 4-screw replacement bridge for this?

If not, how much should I expect to spend to have somebody properly drill and mount a 5-hole model?

SuperDuck · #2 01-06-2008, 08:54 AM

The Gotoh 206 has four screw holes at the bottom and two at the top, so you would only have to drill two extra holes (which would be easy to do as they would already be lined up).

I would make sure that the screw hole pattern lines up before you buy, though.

SuperDuck · #3 01-06-2008, 08:56 AM

This Hipshot bridge also looks like it has a four-hole pattern.

alitz · #4 07-08-2009, 09:20 PM

I understand that this thread is a year and a half old but I have the same situation and it doesn't look like anyone really answered the question definitively.
I have seen a lot of TBers out there in the last few days with MIJ Jazz Bass Special and several of you have the fretless.
I also imagine that a few of you have replaced the bridge so what did you use?
Did you drill new holes to accomodate the standard 5 hole Fender bridge?
Or did you use one of the Hipshot 4 holers? Or something else?
Revive the dead!

Craig_S · #5 07-08-2009, 09:50 PM

I don't know what to tell you, for direct replacement, but that HipShot bridge looks like winner to me! Nice piece, there.

walterw · #6 07-08-2009, 10:46 PM

don't be so scared to drill new holes. as long as you put them in the right place the bridge will work fine, and they're covered up anyway, so you can always go back to stock.

alitz · #7 07-09-2009, 07:41 AM

I had a local luthier tell me that he would have to look at the bridge first because the bridge on a fretless is sometimes different than those on a fretted bass.
What could be different about a fretless bridge?
And how do you know what string spacing to go with? Some of the new Hipshot's have 4 different spacings?
Is the spacing pretty standard with Fender or is there differences between the different makes, countries of origin and models?
And finally, does anyone who has one of these basses know what theirs is?

JTE · #8 07-09-2009, 09:47 AM

When I replaced the bridge on my Jazz Bass Special fretless, I opted for a Schaller roller bridge. I didn't care about the holes as the bridge covers the area and it makes no difference at all.

But then I wound up replacing just about everything on that bass. All that's left is the maple part of the neck, three tuning machines, the neck plate, and MAYBE the four wood screws for the neck/body (I don't know if I changed those). Everything else- body, fingerboard, electronics, nut, the HipShot Bass X-tender, strap buttons, etc. has been changed over the last twenty years.

John

alitz · #9 07-09-2009, 12:28 PM

Thanks for the information. I have run into trouble already with one change. I purchased a MIM precision neck to swap out for the fretless neck to "preserve" the neck for future speculation. Unfortunately, either the Japanese or the Mexican factories are not as precise on their measurements because when you tighten down the neck screws, there is about a 1/16 inch gap betweem the end of the neck and the body. The neck fits perfectly in the slot, but the screw holes don't line up to give a snug fit. So therefore, I have to fill the original neck holes and drill new ones in the right place. I think I will have the luthier do that work since my drilling skill will have 8 holes for the price of 4.