Authentic Leo Quan Badass II Bridge

[Marine57]

Looking to get an authentic Badass II bridge for my P Bass. Surprising there are a number on eBay that are either new in package or OEM. Some of the sellers have been selling them for months looking at their history or they have multiple to sell. I'm hesitant to get one because most have descriptions with little information and with the quanities sold I'm worried if I'm getting an authentic Leo Quan or one someone stamped that says Badass II instead of the Omega Bass. Should I be concerned if I get one from eBay or should I get a used one from a say another TB'er?

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I have an original BAII from the late 80's. Having seen the Omega, I'm damned if I can see a difference. They look dimensionally and functionally identical. AFAIK, the original BAII's were cast zinc, the Omega's are are described as "die-cast" zinc, same construction? My point is, make sure you are actually getting something worth the extra cost of the "vintage" BAII over Omega other than the label. Here's a short article from Bestbassgear comparing them:
Omega vs. Badass II bass bridge – Is the Omega worth getting? | eBass
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but don't expect some miraculous increase in sustain or other tone changes. I bought one thinking it would magically improve the tone on my J Bass, if it made any difference, I still can't hear it. If your current P-Bass bridge works, keep it, unless you want to swap for cosmetic reasons. I actually think the newer Fender "high mass" bridges look better than the BAII. We all bought BAII's back in the Day because it was about the only fully adjustable after-market one available. You have a lot more choices now.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I had a BAII & to be honest I'm more enamored with the new-fangled quick-change bridges that are out now, like mono-rails, or these:

 

[Axstar]

I'm a fan of Fender's rehash of the Badass II. I'm surprised so many NOS BA IIs are still floating around. Some might be the ones Fender commissioned for the Geddy basses?

 

[walterw]

I'm a fan of Fender's rehash of the Badass II.

yeah, my only complaint about these is they made a beautiful bridge and then fumbled on the 1 yard line by pre-notching it, and only for narrow 19mm P-bass spacing!

one of the key points of the original badass II was that you could create your perfect string spacing by notching the saddles yourself to fit the bass.

 

[walterw]

I'm worried if I'm getting an authentic Leo Quan

never heard of anybody bothering to counterfeit a badass II; they're probably legit.

now that the dead-on identical omega and the improved hipshot kickass are both out, i'm guessing that the recent spike in old badass demand (and thus prices) is over.

 

[Axstar]

yeah, my only complaint about these is they made a beautiful bridge and then fumbled on the 1 yard line by pre-notching it, and only for narrow 19mm P-bass spacing!

one of the key points of the original badass II was that you could create your perfect string spacing by notching the saddles yourself to fit the bass.

Yeah that is an oddity. I suppose you could file it for more notches per saddle. I've seen some BA II bridges (or of that style) with an array of preset notches per saddle. I've widened the notches on mine to suit string gauges better. I simply grubbed the bridge off my Starcaster, and I assumed the tighter string spacing was due to the design. I like the feel of the tighter spacing on my Jazz bass.

Like the Gotoh 201, the Fender bridge isn't quite as high-mass as you would first assume. The block section that retains the strings has big circular holes cast into it.

 

[Marine57]

never heard of anybody bothering to counterfeit a badass II; they're probably legit.

now that the dead-on identical omega and the improved hipshot kickass are both out, i'm guessing that the recent spike in old badass demand (and thus prices) is over.

Thank you very much, that's very helpful.

 

[Marine57]

I have an original BAII from the late 80's. Having seen the Omega, I'm damned if I can see a difference. They look dimensionally and functionally identical. AFAIK, the original BAII's were cast zinc, the Omega's are are described as "die-cast" zinc, same construction? My point is, make sure you are actually getting something worth the extra cost of the "vintage" BAII over Omega other than the label. Here's a short article from Bestbassgear comparing them:
Omega vs. Badass II bass bridge – Is the Omega worth getting? | eBass
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but don't expect some miraculous increase in sustain or other tone changes. I bought one thinking it would magically improve the tone on my J Bass, if it made any difference, I still can't hear it. If your current P-Bass bridge works, keep it, unless you want to swap for cosmetic reasons. I actually think the newer Fender "high mass" bridges look better than the BAII. We all bought BAII's back in the Day because it was about the only fully adjustable after-market one available. You have a lot more choices now.

Thanks!

 

[Marine57]

Yeah that is an oddity. I suppose you could file it for more notches per saddle. I've seen some BA II bridges (or of that style) with an array of preset notches per saddle. I've widened the notches on mine to suit string gauges better. I simply grubbed the bridge off my Starcaster, and I assumed the tighter string spacing was due to the design. I like the feel of the tighter spacing on my Jazz bass.

Like the Gotoh 201, the Fender bridge isn't quite as high-mass as you would first assume. The block section that retains the strings has big circular holes cast into it.

I think the later model BAII had the notched saddles.

 

[Marine57]

Probably overkill replying to everyone but I am very grateful for the input. The P I have is a used MIJ I just got. Some of the MIJ basses were stock with BAII and I really liked the look. I know, probably not the best reason to change the bridge out. That said I do like the Fender BAII type bridge so that's a good alternative to a branded BAII. Thanks again for the help!

 

[mech]

Some of the MIJ basses were stock with BAII and I really liked the look. I know, probably not the best reason to change the bridge out!

Liking the look is as good a reason as any. I've changed hardware on many basses just for the look.

 

[JGbassman]

If you do want a BAII, the omega saddles will fit, so you can notch them to your bass. You can find those on the bay for about 30 bones.

I put a BAII on a P bass with Geezer emgs, and I could hear more of a mid range tone, and it seemed to take a little of the lows out, focusing the mids more. I have a box full of different bridges, and with flats it really tighter up the the midrange in that particular case.

My favorite bridge for the money it a gotoh 202b, not because of how it sounds, but the string spacing. They are a little tighter than the stock p bass bridge (at least it feels like it to me) and makes the transition to my jazz 5 easier, as the string spacing is pretty close.

 

[Marine57]

If you do want a BAII, the omega saddles will fit, so you can notch them to your bass. You can find those on the bay for about 30 bones.

I put a BAII on a P bass with Geezer emgs, and I could hear more of a mid range tone, and it seemed to take a little of the lows out, focusing the mids more. I have a box full of different bridges, and with flats it really tighter up the the midrange in that particular case.

My favorite bridge for the money it a gotoh 202b, not because of how it sounds, but the string spacing. They are a little tighter than the stock p bass bridge (at least it feels like it to me) and makes the transition to my jazz 5 easier, as the string spacing is pretty close.

Thanks. I started digging through some old reviews and am just finding out about the importance of notching the saddles. Now I'm considering some of the other options people have suggested like the Hipshot or even the Fender high mass bridge.

 

[JGbassman]

Thanks. I started digging through some old reviews and am just finding out about the importance of notching the saddles. Now I'm considering some of the other options people have suggested like the Hipshot or even the Fender high mass bridge.

The hipshot is a nice bridge because you can change the string width, like the old schaller roller bridges. They have a good sound and you don't have to notch, if that doesn't appeal to you.