ABM vs. ETS vs. Naimish

OriginalCrash · #1 01-23-2009, 07:50 AM

I wasn't quite sure where to put this, so I thought I'd try here... I figure some of you guys have had a chance to try 'em out and may have more knowledge into the technical differences. And that's exactly what I'm looking for. What about these bridges on a technical/build/design level sets them apart from stock bridges, high-mass bridges, etc.? From each other? I know an advantage of at least one (if not all) of them is that it allows full range of motion in all directions for saddle placement. Some have quick loading. And I believe they all aim to increase contract to provide a better coupling of string to body... So is that all there is to it? Or is there anything else to be said? Anyway, thanks a lot.

Brian

chicago_mike · #2 01-23-2009, 08:04 AM

Never even seen a pic of a naimish bridge, but some basses I have had in the past had abm. Very good bridges and 2 of them had the piezos.

bongomania · #3 01-23-2009, 08:08 AM

There's a good thread on Naimish going presently, with much input from the man himself and several pics. While I haven't used one yet, you can kind of tell from the pics what to expect on a purely functional level (amount of surface contact, adjustability, etc.). Tone, of course, is subjective.

pilotjones · #4 01-23-2009, 11:22 AM

You're missing Hipshot and Shaller.

Plus - dare I say it - you're following the near-universal assumption that greater contact area equals greater "coupling", and that greater "coupling" equals better tone. Not criticising you at all, just pointing out a belief that is generally, unsupportedly taken as fact.

OriginalCrash · #5 01-23-2009, 11:25 AM

Well, I didn't mention Hipshot, Schaller, or Gotoh (or Leo Quan, for that matter) because there's a lot more out there about them. I specifically chose three lesser known, more boutique-y bridges, if you will. And actually, I didn't assume that the better coupling leads to better tone (I double checked... never said anything about tone). I suppose I did assume that more contact results in better coupling (and I'm no physicist, so I could be wrong...), but I think it's probably a pretty safe assumption.

Brian

Khronic · #6 01-23-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicago_mike

Never even seen a pic of a naimish bridge, but some basses I have had in the past had abm. Very good bridges and 2 of them had the piezos.

Hey chicago_mike,

I love those ABMs. You're not using them now?

I've always heard that piezo bridges sound harsh. I'm guessing this was not the case with the ABMs?

Thanks,
Rick