• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

90s p-bass mod, tuners + bridge?

P

pcsanwald

Mar 10, 2012
15
8
#1
hey y'all,
brand new to the forums. I just got a 90s american standard p-bass, and I'd like to get tuners and a bridge for it, preferably gold. I am hoping not to drill if possible.

I have a 3 screw, strings through the body bridge, so I don't think a badass bridge will work as a dropin replacement. I was looking at schaller BMLs, anyone know if these will work?

any recommendations or thoughts would be much appreciated.

--paul
 
#2
your stock bridge is one of the best around, don't change it!

low-mass, adjustable spacing, steel saddles and rock-solid. if you must have gold, look for a fender american deluxe bridge, which should come in gold and will fit right on.

now the keys? yes, lose those monstrous boat anchors for some good lightweight tuners, the bass will hang way better (especially if it's one of the lighter ones like a lot of the '90s basses were, including my own '96 P).

finally, the stock pickup is OK, but you could really improve things with a good replacement (i lurv my fralin).
 
#3
walterw said:
your stock bridge is one of the best around, don't change it!

I agree!+1000:)


low-mass, adjustable spacing, steel saddles and rock-solid. if you must have gold, look for a fender american deluxe bridge, which should come in gold and will fit right on.

now the keys? yes, lose those monstrous boat anchors for some good lightweight tuners, the bass will hang way better (especially if it's one of the lighter ones like a lot of the '90s basses were, including my own '96 P).

finally, the stock pickup is OK, but you could really improve things with a good replacement (i lurv my fralin).
Click to expand...

My '95 has a Duncan Performer, Flatwounds (Chromes) and a cream pick guard. :hyper:
 
#5
just be sure to get lightweight ones.

i like the black "boron" housing keys by schaller (as long as you loctite the little adjustment screw to keep it from backing out), the hipshot versions are popular, and the gotoh res-o-lights are good, if pricey.

none of them will go on without a little drilling, unfortunately, but it's usually pretty minor. what matters is the size of the tuner shaft through the peghead.
 
#6
Thanks Walter! I will be sure to get the lightweight ones. Hipshot makes a lot of different tuners and I was a little confused about which one would be best for my p-bass, so I just emailed them.

thanks again for your help. I'm considering a fralin pickup; not cheap; but seems like they are well made.

--paul
 
#7
I just installed hipshot gold lightweight tuners and they make a huge difference! also got a fender '62 reissue pickup and that sounds much better than the stock one.

now, if I could only find a 3 screw gold fender bridge, I'd have all gold hardware. any ideas, or am I worrying too much about the whole 3 screw thing? I guess I could buy a 5 screw bridge and drill.

--paul
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back