I got this today. Paid $85. Thought I'd share with colleagues and community. On a whim I bought a bridge I'm not familiar with. For that kind of money, there are many bridges available. I just flipped a coin.
I just put this on a 30 year old Fender Precision. No drilling required- that's the main reason I tried this out. It replaced the original bridge, which was getting chewed up under the saddles. 5 screws out, 5 screws in, and it's done. I then set up the bass and played it to check out the difference.
It has mounting screw holes for different makes, and comes with 6 screws total. See the manual to find out how to install it into your bass.
critique:
I expected it to be heavier. This is definitely NOT heavy brass. It's only a bit heavier than the bridge it replaced- in spite of its thickness. Remarking on the lightness, I expected minimal change in tone and was prepared to return it immediately. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the sound of the bridge. I did not notice more highs, but a fuller sound with much better Low Frequency projection.
The saddles seem like they might be too sharp, and cause the windings (and then the string) to break early. I won't know until I have used it for a while.
Setting the string height is very very easy, as it requires adjustment of only one screw, rather than two. I applaud that design.
Intonation setting is the same as other bridges.
The other interesting feature this bridge offers is the locking screws that secure the string length/intonation of the bridge and the screws that lock the string height feature. I have never had a saddle change height on me, but this will ensure that it never does happen. I have had saddles move side to side and affect the intonation along the fingerboard. I think these screws also help increase sonic transference, which is why this bridge sounds like a heavier brass bridge like Hipshot or Schaller.
conclusion:
all in all this is a great way to upgrade your fender bridge. This is without question an improvement over the stock bridge. It makes a fuller sound, with a LOT more low frequency resonance. I did not notice an improvement in the high frequencies. I have OLD flatwounds on the bass, so I can't really comment on sizzle or sustain, but I am confident, given the remarkable change in overall volume and big-ness of tone, that this bridge offers improved sustain over the stock Fender stuff.
In my opinion, its high price is based on the design and features rather than high-end material. It's made in china and is not heavy gauge anything. I find it pricey based on the feel of the thing in my hand. And a previous reviewer had a screw break during install. But it works fine for me on Day 1.
I see 2 potential flaws:
1. The screws that secure the intonation of each string are very losable.
2. I worry about that and the perceived sharpness of the saddles.
I just put this on a 30 year old Fender Precision. No drilling required- that's the main reason I tried this out. It replaced the original bridge, which was getting chewed up under the saddles. 5 screws out, 5 screws in, and it's done. I then set up the bass and played it to check out the difference.
It has mounting screw holes for different makes, and comes with 6 screws total. See the manual to find out how to install it into your bass.
critique:
I expected it to be heavier. This is definitely NOT heavy brass. It's only a bit heavier than the bridge it replaced- in spite of its thickness. Remarking on the lightness, I expected minimal change in tone and was prepared to return it immediately. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the sound of the bridge. I did not notice more highs, but a fuller sound with much better Low Frequency projection.
The saddles seem like they might be too sharp, and cause the windings (and then the string) to break early. I won't know until I have used it for a while.
Setting the string height is very very easy, as it requires adjustment of only one screw, rather than two. I applaud that design.
Intonation setting is the same as other bridges.
The other interesting feature this bridge offers is the locking screws that secure the string length/intonation of the bridge and the screws that lock the string height feature. I have never had a saddle change height on me, but this will ensure that it never does happen. I have had saddles move side to side and affect the intonation along the fingerboard. I think these screws also help increase sonic transference, which is why this bridge sounds like a heavier brass bridge like Hipshot or Schaller.
conclusion:
all in all this is a great way to upgrade your fender bridge. This is without question an improvement over the stock bridge. It makes a fuller sound, with a LOT more low frequency resonance. I did not notice an improvement in the high frequencies. I have OLD flatwounds on the bass, so I can't really comment on sizzle or sustain, but I am confident, given the remarkable change in overall volume and big-ness of tone, that this bridge offers improved sustain over the stock Fender stuff.
In my opinion, its high price is based on the design and features rather than high-end material. It's made in china and is not heavy gauge anything. I find it pricey based on the feel of the thing in my hand. And a previous reviewer had a screw break during install. But it works fine for me on Day 1.
I see 2 potential flaws:
1. The screws that secure the intonation of each string are very losable.
2. I worry about that and the perceived sharpness of the saddles.
