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Babicz Full Contact Hardware Bridge review

#21
Not taking shots at anyone.......just putting in my personal opinion. I actually hear a difference in bridges........just the same as I hear a difference in my chambered and non-chambered Sadowsky NYC basses.

Mind you I have spent years and years in school working on the slightest variance in tone on my horns.......so I am able to pick up even the little things when it comes to sound, tone, and articulation.
I would agree that some people may hear slight differences and maybe even are not able to tell you what it is that is different, but I do think there are differences in tone, articulation, and depth of sound given the material the bridge is made of....,,,some more noticeable to others.

I like my babicz bridge. Very pleased with it so far.
 
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#22
I am debating whether or not to bother with shimming my FCH bridge. I had to shim the neck by a credit card thickness (not angled) in order to clear a mudbucker I installed. Now the saddles are cranked all the way up and the string to saddle contact is less because of the saddle shape.

If I could do it without disassembling the bridge I'd probably do it but since the saddles have to be removed I'll probably leave it alone for now.
 
#24
Hey Jeff thanks; that would be awesome!!

The sharp angle has not been problematic at all, but I am at the limit of travel on one of the strings (because of the thick neck shim) and it seems that the contact is probably less now than normal.

Very nice product IMO. Do the new ones (4 string) have the quick load feature? If so I'll get a second one for my P bass.

Thanks again!
 
#26
tekdiver500ft said:
The only difference you'll hear is under one of two conditions:
a) unplugged
b) in your imagination.

Sorry, but that's the truth. Bridges make little to no sonic difference in the sound.
Click to expand...

I know you are probably right. It's what I also say when I play my SX basses that I've left with the cheapo stamped metal thingie they call a bridge. On the other hand, when I play my G&L with the saddles that clamp sideways to make better contact, at least somehow in my mind it seems better. And going forward from there, the Babicz bridge is obviously the ultimate in clamped saddle bridges!

And tone aside, let me say that I have had saddles that seemed to lower themselves throughout a gig. Sure you can slop some loktite on there, but how much cooler to have a bridge actually designed to lock and not let it adjust itself?
 
#28
bassbenj said:
I know you are probably right. It's what I also say when I play my SX basses that I've left with the cheapo stamped metal thingie they call a bridge. On the other hand, when I play my G&L with the saddles that clamp sideways to make better contact, at least somehow in my mind it seems better. And going forward from there, the Babicz bridge is obviously the ultimate in clamped saddle bridges!

And tone aside, let me say that I have had saddles that seemed to lower themselves throughout a gig. Sure you can slop some loktite on there, but how much cooler to have a bridge actually designed to lock and not let it adjust itself?
Click to expand...

Don't misunderstand, there are good and legitimate reasons to get a better bridge, and you mention a couple of them. Even in those respects, though, I like other bridges better. The Babicz isn't a bad bridge, it just isn't "all that." IMO, YMMV, IME, ETC.
 
#29
Here is the Babicz on my Jazz. Posted for JayfromDeeKay

DSCF0829.jpg


DSCF0839.jpg


DSCF0831.jpg
 
#31
Regarding brass vs. aluminum:
IME, the material itself isn't contributing to the tone by resonating, but in how it dampens certain vibrations as part of the whole system. Most people hear that Aluminum seems more open in the treble range because brass dampens the higher frequencies more than aluminum.
 
#32
Just for grins, here's my 98-99 MIM, with a Babicz FCH, and my 03-04 Geddy Lee, with a Badass II:

6782403198_d89f8287fe_b.jpg



(Sorry about the fixture feet in the uppper corner, didn't realize my son's tilt-a-whirl would be "that guy", and I'm too exhausted to reshoot and reupload to flikcr anyway...)

Cheers!
 
#40
Alright you two...auto-correct is a terrible thing :smug: I have my saddles ALL the way back and that's the closest it comes, still REALLY off. No matter where I move them it doesn't seem to help. Might just be user error but it's really annoying. Any tips on troubleshooting?
 

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