High-mass bridges are very popular, but I can't help but wonder if any of you are sorry for making the switch? If you are, please tell us your details and the why's of your regrets.
Thanks
iJazz
Thanks
iJazz
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Any regrets in going high-mass?
- Thread starter iJazz
- Start date
I swapped out the stock bridges on my last two Fenders before I traded them in in 2002 with BAIIs. Intonation was unaffected and I did notice some improvement on sustain. Now having said that, if you own a current MIA Standard or Deluxe basses, then you get a high mass bridge automatically as Fender improved their bridge design over the years.
Again with me, my Ibanez basses had either a high mass stock bridge (Soundgear) or Monorail bridge sections(Both my BTBs). But this American Standard bass had Fender's own high mass bridge and I love it.
All of my basses have high mass bridges. I have a P Special Deluxe P/J that I swapped the original bridge for a BA II. The string spacing is different. A and D are off a smidge. E and G, twice as much. According to the website I researched it on before buying it (don't remember what site it was), it was a match. May end up swapping back. BA II has been on for 11 years now. Don't know if the sound is affected at all. Put the BA II on within a week of receiving the P new. Old bridge is vintage style with threaded saddles. Seems alot of people are fond of those with the threaded saddles. I thought it looked cheap, which is why I swapped it. Guess it's time to do a sound comparison.
I like the Fender high mass string-through-body bridges - best of both worlds (high mass and string-through body) and not as huge and heavy as a Badass.
For non-string-through, Babicz (Full Contact Hardware) is awesome. I recently discovered how great these bridges are. They are a royal pain in the @$$ to put on, but once on, they are great. The saddles have two allen-wrench adjustment screws. One to control the saddle height and one to lock it in place. Pretty cool design. The bridges look cool and I don't think are quite as heavy as a Badass, plus you can get one for $75 on Amazon and the price of Badass brides has gone through the roof.
On some of my basses, I keep the more traditional bridge for a vintage vibe but I definitely prefer high-mass on most of my instruments.
For non-string-through, Babicz (Full Contact Hardware) is awesome. I recently discovered how great these bridges are. They are a royal pain in the @$$ to put on, but once on, they are great. The saddles have two allen-wrench adjustment screws. One to control the saddle height and one to lock it in place. Pretty cool design. The bridges look cool and I don't think are quite as heavy as a Badass, plus you can get one for $75 on Amazon and the price of Badass brides has gone through the roof.
On some of my basses, I keep the more traditional bridge for a vintage vibe but I definitely prefer high-mass on most of my instruments.
I went back to traditional-original bridges on my P and J basses. Sold the BAs. There was basically no difference and I like the original look. BTW not al new Ps and Js come with hig mass bridges the RI and Custom shop still come with the old style originals.
yes,
i put Gotoh bridges on my Fenders but recently removed them all and reinstalled the originals.
why? because the thicker bass plate made it impossible to get the action as low as it was with the original without adding a neck shim.
shims can be somewhat of a hassle to get just right. with the original bridge i dont need the saddles bottomed out and can actually match their height to the radius of the neck.
the tonal difference was minimal to my ears.
i put Gotoh bridges on my Fenders but recently removed them all and reinstalled the originals.
why? because the thicker bass plate made it impossible to get the action as low as it was with the original without adding a neck shim.
shims can be somewhat of a hassle to get just right. with the original bridge i dont need the saddles bottomed out and can actually match their height to the radius of the neck.
the tonal difference was minimal to my ears.
I have enjoyed most bridges available in the high mass market, I have to tell you that my Babicz was the best investment overall. It made a vast improvement to my MIM Fender. I also love the new Fender American high mass bridges and am in the process of installing one of those on my construction project. Love the string thru body properties of it. No complaints with most of the bridges available other than the allen screw suspended saddle system on most. I never could get the action I was looking for on the Leo Quan lines of bridges. The screw suspended system feels flimsy and outdated for me. This is why I switched to the Babicz. It is much more sturdy, and promotes more contact between the string, bridge, and body, resulting in better resonance and sustain. If they made a string thru design,it would be all I would ever use.
Not one single regret.
I've had BA's on previous basses, as well as currently on another bass, and I recently installed a Babicz FCH on a MIM Jazz, the difference in sound is amazing. Yes, sustain for days, I get the biggest grins from the guys at band practice when I play that one, the ring out seemingly never ends. I will always make an attempt at installing a high/higher mass bridge whenever possible.
I've had BA's on previous basses, as well as currently on another bass, and I recently installed a Babicz FCH on a MIM Jazz, the difference in sound is amazing. Yes, sustain for days, I get the biggest grins from the guys at band practice when I play that one, the ring out seemingly never ends. I will always make an attempt at installing a high/higher mass bridge whenever possible.
No regrets at all. My fave are the fully locking ones. That also have easy quick top load for strings. Like my bass has.
