What would be considered most "original"?

[tbplayer59]

After reading all these posts on this terrific board about original instruments, I've come up with a question for the collective experience here.

I have a 76 P bass which has a replacement bridge. The original bridge, through use and perspiration, started corroding through the plating on the back of the plate. Two of the saddles also had height adjustment screws seize up.

I've recently learned that Fender sells an aftermarket replacement for the mid 70's bridge.

Would it be best to replace the entire bridge? Or, strip and replate the bridge plate and replace only the necessary saddles?

Thanks in advance.

[awilkie84]

Replace the bridge, but don't get rid of the old one. That way, if you ever move it on, you have the original hardware with it.

[1bassleft]

^ What I'd do. Enjoy a bridge that feels nice to the touch and can be adjusted without a hammer (without altering your bass) and have the icky-yak version to hand for any future owner to choose to restore (and possibly devalue) or prize as a 'relic'.

[tbplayer59]

That's basically what I've done. I don't play this bass very often. I was just considering putting back on the original tuners and bridge after reading all the love for original vintage instruments. The bridge, like I said, was replaced for practical reasons.

[sbpark]

I have a '76 P, and when I bought it it came with a BAII bridge that I hated. I looked into getting an original 70's bridge and looked on ebay. Didn't want to pay what people were asking for an original, and after doing some thread searches here on TB, found that the 70's bridges aren't really that well liked. Most prefer the 60's style bridges with the threaded saddles over the single grooved saddles used in the 70's. The threaded saddles allow you to dial in the string spacing better and the saddles don't slide around.

So I ended up getting a new Fender vintage style bridge with the threaded saddles and am loving it on my '76. They're around $30-$35 and drop right in.

[two fingers]

Yep. Replace and keep the original. Often I see ads that say "Swapped out the bridge, but comes with the original. No holes drilled." I don't think that kind of thing affects the value at all.