Schaller vs Gotoh bridge

megasniper123 · #1 06-03-2012, 10:26 AM

Hello, Im new here so made I posted the thread into a wrong place, if I did correct me please.
So, I want to change my bridge on my MIM Fender JB...
The Badass is too expensive for me so I though of buing a schaller 3D-4 or a Gotoh 201 bass bridge, I just dont know which to buy...
I know that you have to drill new holes into your bass but I dont think this is a big problem......

Thanks for answers
David

96tbird · #2 06-03-2012, 10:53 AM

Buy the one you like the looks of best. Side by side you aren't going to notice much in the way of tonal difference, especially in a band environment. Neither is better or worse than BA. Enjoy!

BullFrogJR · #3 06-03-2012, 11:10 AM

I actually am in the process of doing this right now to my MIM jazz bass, it's actually being worked on by my bass guy right now. One thing to note about the Gotoh 201 (which is the bridge I bought) is that the saddles are larger than the stock MIM jazz bass bridge. At least they are for mine which I bought back in 1993, I'm not sure if the saddle thickness of the stock MIM bridges has changed since then.

This means that even with the saddles set as low as they go, the strings will sit higher than the lowest you can get with the stock MIM bridge. Depending on how high your action is this might not be a problem. The tech who is working on my bass mentioned that he would likely have to shim the neck to compensate for this. I told him to see what he can do, but if it's an issue to not even bother with the new bridge, I'd rather have the old bride with playable action than the new one with action that is too high.

I'm not sure how it will turn out and if he will be able to get the action the way I want it. I'll have to wait until Thursday (6/7) to find out how it turns out. I'll post the results here when I get the bass back but I figured I'd alert you to this issue. From what I've read (after buying the Gotoh 201) other people have complained about the saddle height as well. So I figured make you aware of this. Maybe someone else who has the Gotoh 201 can comment on this?

ed khalimba · #4 06-03-2012, 11:24 AM

i have a gotoh 201 on a mexican jazz bass, and yes i did have to shim the neck to get the action where i want it. i also have one on a fender jaguar bass, and i don't need to shim that one. i really don't know for sure why one needs a shim and not the other, my best guess is that the jaguar has deeper nut slots.

96tbird · #5 06-03-2012, 12:00 PM

Ed, the two basses you mention have the necks set at different depths in the neck pocket; just different designs. That is the determining factor.201 bridge is not a direct replacement bridge.

There is nothing wrong with shimming a neck, although there is plenty of debate about it. Fender used to use card shims at the factory regularly (not sure if they still do) back before computer controlled milling was in use. That is the main reason they eventually installed the "micro tilt neck" mechanism, to allow owners to fine tune the neck.

ed khalimba · #6 06-03-2012, 01:34 PM

good to know. thanks,

drskaff · #7 06-15-2012, 05:26 AM

Just installed a Schaller on my MIM 5-String Jazz and it is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BASS! I love the new lower action and adjustable string spacing. It improved the tone so much due to less string tension.

96tbird · #8 06-15-2012, 08:55 AM

Well, your tension didn't change, just how far you have to bend the strings to fret them. Only the action changed. Let's just keep things straight; lower action is easier to play. If tension changes, your tuning will be out. Only your ACTION changed.

The only reason I tell you this is: that to say string tension has changed is wrong and frankly impossible if you are using the same strings. Some new players could be misled by that description and the use of the word 'tension'. Let's keep our terminology correct. ok?

BullFrogJR · #9 06-17-2012, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullFrogJR

I actually am in the process of doing this right now to my MIM jazz bass, it's actually being worked on by my bass guy right now. One thing to note about the Gotoh 201 (which is the bridge I bought) is that the saddles are larger than the stock MIM jazz bass bridge. At least they are for mine which I bought back in 1993, I'm not sure if the saddle thickness of the stock MIM bridges has changed since then.

This means that even with the saddles set as low as they go, the strings will sit higher than the lowest you can get with the stock MIM bridge. Depending on how high your action is this might not be a problem. The tech who is working on my bass mentioned that he would likely have to shim the neck to compensate for this. I told him to see what he can do, but if it's an issue to not even bother with the new bridge, I'd rather have the old bride with playable action than the new one with action that is too high.

I'm not sure how it will turn out and if he will be able to get the action the way I want it. I'll have to wait until Thursday (6/7) to find out how it turns out. I'll post the results here when I get the bass back but I figured I'd alert you to this issue. From what I've read (after buying the Gotoh 201) other people have complained about the saddle height as well. So I figured make you aware of this. Maybe someone else who has the Gotoh 201 can comment on this?

Ok, I figured I'd provide an update on the off chance that it may be informative to any one.

I dropped my bass off for a long needed setup, including new nut, fret dressing etc. I had a Gotoh 201 bridge that I'd figure I might as well put on while I was getting the work done. I figured the Gotoh saddles would be a bit more stable than the saddles on the stock MIM bridge and that it might enhance the tone a bit. I figured, a higher mass bridge would mean a deeper warmer tone.

Well, I picked up the bass last Thursday, played a gig with it on Friday, and pulled the Gotoh off and put the stock MIM bridge back on first thing Saturday morning. Let's just say it wasn't for me. Here's the issues I ran into.

1. The saddles are in fact larger on the Gotoh; the neck did require a shim, but the action was still higher than with the stock bridge. It wasn't drastic, but I could get it lower with the stock bridge so I decided to go back.

2. This surprised me the most. The Gotoh did change the tone of the bass the way I expected. It wasn't drastic, but it did make the bass a bit deeper and warmer. To my surprise, I didn't like it at all. I missed the tone I had become accustomed to. Yes, the Gotoh, was deeper and warmer, but once I heard it, I realized that's not what I wanted.

So, back to the standard MIM stock J bass bridge for me

AltGrendel · #10 06-18-2012, 10:30 AM

I prefer the Schallers myself.

The adjustment is very flexible, especially when it comes string spacing. I did have to drill new screw holes, but I wouldn't be doing this to something that I consider "Collectable", like a stock '77 Jazz. As stated before, just about any high mass bridge is going to give you some more oomph to your bass. As far as saddle height goes, they're pretty low to begin with and if you can't get them high enough, Schaller includes a shim for the bridge.

I looked at the Gotoh but haven't purchased one and since I've been satisfied with the Schaller bridges, probably won't.

Orpheus55 · #11 06-20-2012, 08:26 AM

The Gotoh 203 is an excellent alternative for those who have experienced the too-high action of the 201. It has a vintage profile, regular saddles, and only needs to be drilled for the two extra screws at the top. I have two of them; one I didn't bother to drill the extra holes, and the other I did. It was very easy, and the extra screws provide super stability. Tone is similar to stock, but the 203 is more stable and intonates easier.