Squier VMJ, need a black bridge

[Myrriad]

Preferably good quality without extra drilling needed...maybe?

[96tbird]

I used a Wilkinson black with brass saddles on my VMJ 77. $20 to my door. Better quality than the Squier bridge. Perfect fit.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/300845737738?redirect=mobile

[Myrriad]

Bump. I've heard the Gotoh 201 is great and drops in, perfect fit no drilling needed.

[96tbird]

Any bridge with a Fender screw pattern is drop in. The only exception is Squier Classic Vibe Series which have slightly wider screw spacing. There have been stories that Gotoh saddles are too big in some cases and you have to shim the neck to get action low.

[Low Main]

The Gotoh saddles are indeed a bit big and the base plate is thicker than on the typical bent metal Fender style bridge. So it can be hard to get a low string height on some basses.

I have filed the saddle slot deeper and wider for the E string to lower the string height without bottoming out the saddle on the base plate or having to shim the neck. Saddles are brass - easy to file with a chain saw sharpening file of the appropriate diameter.

Can't beat the Warmoth pricing on the Gotoh 4 string bridges.

Hipshot now makes their vintage bass bridge with an updated quick release capability that doesn't require the slotted tail. Cleaner and nicer looking to my eye. Smaller saddles and thinner base plate than the Gotoh. Nice bridge, but a bit pricy IMO.

http://store.hipshotproducts.com/car...t_detail&p=210

Other sellers will have better pricing than the Hipshot online store.

[Myrriad]

Originally Posted by Low Main

The Gotoh saddles are indeed a bit big and the base plate is thicker than on the typical bent metal Fender style bridge. So it can be hard to get a low string height on some basses.

I have filed the saddle slot deeper and wider for the E string to lower the string height without bottoming out the saddle on the base plate or having to shim the neck. Saddles are brass - easy to file with a chain saw sharpening file of the appropriate diameter.

Can't beat the Warmoth pricing on the Gotoh 4 string bridges.

Hipshot now makes their vintage bass bridge with an updated quick release capability that doesn't require the slotted tail. Cleaner and nicer looking to my eye. Smaller saddles and thinner base plate than the Gotoh. Nice bridge, but a bit pricy IMO.

http://store.hipshotproducts.com/car...t_detail&p=210

Other sellers will have better pricing than the Hipshot online store.

That hipshot looks awesome. Only 2 questions:

How's the quality?

Is it a straight drop in on the Squier VMJ?

[Low Main]

I like the quality a lot. Can't go wrong with Hipshot. However, I have only used that bridge in chrome up to this point. I have not had a black one. I would not hesitate to go with that bridge in black if that was what I needed for a project.

Please note that on that linked item page on the Hipshot site, you get to choose the string spacing. Make sure you get a bridge that has the spacing you prefer.

If you have a standard five hole Fender mounting pattern, the five hole Hipshot bridge should go right on with no problem. If you need a different mounting hole pattern, Hipshot may sell that bridge with a different hole pattern or will make you a bridge to fit that hole pattern.

[Billy K]

this is a black bridge I used. Babicz

[bassbully]

Sorry but I have to ask. How does a newer bass get like this? Something is not right. I have had necks off of basses 30+ years old quite a few time and never had a hole stripped..never saw a newer bass do this.

[96tbird]

Originally Posted by bassbully

Sorry but I have to ask. How does a newer bass get like this? Something is not right. I have had necks off of basses 30+ years old quite a few time and never had a hole stripped..never saw a newer bass do this.

You in the wrong thread? No stripped neck holes here.

[WillEVee]

I have a black BA2 that I'm looking to sell. Never used.