Setting up the Badass II

[kb9wyz]

This has probably been covered, but the search box is of no help to me.

The instructions on the back of the package of my Badass II clearly states that you should have a professional file in string grooves. Every account of people using the BAII that I see seems to have a slap-it-on, string-it-up, and go vibe.

So, does anybody have grooves filed in, or did you just slap it on and go?

[line6man]

I dont have a BAII, but it seems to me that without the slots, your strings will slide around in the saddle.
It also seems very likely that you would lose sustain because only the very bottom of the string contacts the saddle.

[WayneS]

The strings will rattle on an unslotted saddle. You will also have intonation problems because the strings will be much easier to bend. I got my BAII unslotted and tried it. I took it to a luthier and for $20 he cut slots in it for me.

Get it slotted, it is well worth it.

[slyjoe]

Or exchange it for a pre-slotted Badass II.

[WayneS]

Originally Posted by slyjoe

Or exchange it for a pre-slotted Badass II.

Preslotted bridges are more expensive.

[mister-o]

Originally Posted by WayneS

Preslotted bridges are more expensive.

But worth the money for the lower hassle IMHO.

[slyjoe]

True - $90 vs $65. But close if you have to pay for the slotting. The pre-slotted ones have more spacing options (which is probably not a big deal if you have a good luthier do the slotting).

[scootron]

If you have them slotted yourself, the tech can slot them precisely for the type and size of strings you play. The pre-slotted are not really slots of the same type, just indentations for the strings to ride in. (I've had both.)

[JGR]

i'd return it and buy the version with slotted saddles. why go through all of that hassel?

[zbasstringer]

I hated my version with pre-slotted saddles. The slots were too small, I mean way too small, and they were never in the right spot. Its well worth it to get a non-slotted saddle and have someone do it professionally for the best fit.

[kb9wyz]

Thanks all. Really appreciate the advice. Of course, now I'm just plain curios as to why both the Geddy Lee and Miller basses had no discernable slots on the bridges. If anyone knows why, I'd love to know.

[Craig_S]

Because they are not slots as much as notches intended to stop the string from sliding around. They do not need to be cut deeply. I cut mine with a triangular needle file.

Here's an explanation I found doing a Google search:

http://www.thebigdark.com/blog/archi...lling_a_ba.php

[fenderhutz]

I never filed my old one, the strings never moved at all.