Body-through strings have more sustain than top-loading bridges, right? So, would a Badass bridge essentially give the added sustain of body-through stringing?
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Adding Sustain
- Thread starter MichaelPatrick
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Depends on how much additional sustain you want. Is your bass presently deficient in sustain, or does it have good sustain but you just want more? Do you seek sustain all along the fretboard, or just for certain notes? A high-mass bridge is going to add weight regardless of how much sustain it does or does not add. Is that a change you are okay with?
Do you need more sustain, or are you simply reacting to what you think is needed on an otherwise normal bass?
That is sometimes true, but it is not a guarantee.
See above.
I love the sustain of my 2015 string-through Fender pbass. I've read that top-loaders have less. Thinking about picking up a vintage pbass. Would a high mass bridge do much here?
Suggestion: buy the bass. See if has a sustain issue before trying to fix it.
There's nothing conclusive that says your first sentence is correct.
Increasing break angle can prevent lateral motion in the saddles of some bridge designs, which in theory would increase sustain, but which side of the body the ball ends rest on shouldn't matter.
There are things that measurably impact sustain. Namely hardness and mass of the things your strings are stopped against and overall stiffness of the instrument.
You'll get longer sustain from a large titanium bridge saddle than from a small nylon one. And from jumbo steel frets rather than an unfinished rosewood fingerboard. A brass nut rather than a soft plastic one. A 5 piece laminate neck with alternating grain directions rather than a flexible mahogany one. A tight fitting neck pocket with correctly installed screws, not a loose one that shifts from side to side easily. A solid maple body rather than a hollow balsa one.
I recently put a Babicz bridge on a $300 Squier Jazz bass…plenty of sustain for the few times I actually need it, anyway.
I think it is debatable. I think you're better off with a good compressor since you can use that with any bass to increase sustain.
I will not answer this question, because...
No idea if through body gives more sustain. I know that I won't put a badass bridge on any of my basses.
I just have no need for the added weight and just don't like those bridges.
( I do through body already...no idea why anymore - used to it by now)
I have literally strung a five string bass every other string through body and top loaded. I could not tell any difference at all from string to string. None. Zero. Not any. No difference in sustain, tone or feel. None.
These days, if a bass has the option to do both I just string top loaded because it's easier.
These days, if a bass has the option to do both I just string top loaded because it's easier.
Just an FYI…there’s no solid emperical evidence to support the belief (because that’s what it is - a belief) that through body stringing increases sustain. Same goes for high mass bridges.
On most my basses I've changed the bridges for the "Better" more controlled options.. My Gibsons all got Hipshot and Babicz,noticable improvement in sustain and adjustment. I've actually replaced the Badass bridge on my MIJ Geddy Jazz with a Hipshot Kickass bridge for better adjustment from side to side.. My MIJ '51 with a string thru newer Fender P Bass bridge,all around a better bridge for intonation and string placement.. Many others but my advice is change them out and see what works for you.. We are all looking for that next step up on most off the shelf basses..
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buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I restored a 70s J bass and replace a Bad Ass II bridge with a vintage style. Other than it being a little lighter, no difference.
