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Babicz or Kickass or ? bridge for my build - input welcomed
- Thread starter bimple
- Start date
I have one of those on my 76, and I've had it on there for like 35 years and it still works great. It actually works a little too great because the rollers always roll out of position every time I change strings.
Try a bit of nail polish on the threads. I have not encountered that, but I rarely change my strings. 
I have a Babicz on one of my P basses, and I have a Badass II on another. I can't notice a difference in sustain or anything like that. Both are equally as simple to adjust when needed. I prefer the look of the Badass. I think it comes down to the looks.
That actually became my solution, tooTry a bit of nail polish on the threads. I have not encountered that, but I rarely change my strings.
Oh, sorry Jeff...I wasn't clear. Not changing strings often became my solution
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
If you don't like the Babicz bridges because of the logo, you might hate the KSM bridge.
If quick string changes are a priority and you don't mind drilling the holes, I really like this Gotoh J510. I got one that's going on my next build, so I don't have any personal experience with it quite yet. Otherwise, I'm a big fan of the Babicz and the Schaller pictured above.
I'll have to agree. I have a couple of old Kramer basses with Schaller 3D roller bridges, and I've put one on a Warmoth Mini-P Bass build. I like them a lot... As for Babicz and Hipshot? I have the 3-point Babicz bridge on my '18 Gibson T-Bird, and an older Hipshot "A" bridge on an '06 Carvin LB-20. How are they? They're... nice, I guess; they work, and don't take a rocket scientist to adjust them. But, they aren't nice enough to make me want to replace any existing bridges with one of them. Not even the dreaded Rickenbacker Bridge. 4004 Ricks did use them, and I've thought about using a Schaller 3D on my 4001/4003 Ricks. If it didn't involve so much wood work, I'd probably do it, too...
High mass bridges do not automatically mean better tone. i am finding the most important thing is that the ball rnd can easily unwind when changing strings. i find that makes the most difference in tone.
So distance between saddle and ball end retainer and size of ball end retainer are the most important to me.
So distance between saddle and ball end retainer and size of ball end retainer are the most important to me.
Late to the party, I know, but allow me to introduce another option: Rio Grande. On their site, they list a black, solid brass bridge that was manufactured for them years ago for a line of basses that never materialized. I put one on my first build and like it so much I bought a second for my next build.
So do you prefer a longer distance or shorter distance between saddle and retainer? That distance having an influence on tone is a new concept for me. And...
There are different sizes of string-end balls? Never seen it or heard of that. (Not saying it's not true, just never have seen it.) And just to be clear, the size of the ball matters to you only to the extent it prevents the string from twisting?
How about one of the hipshot aluminum bridges?
I have a MIM Jazz with a lot of the same hardware. I have Fralin splits (love these!), hipshot 1 style tuners, a drop tuner, a BAII bridge, ran with an S-1 switch before adding an active pre. It ended up quite heavy and a bit neck heavy, and I wish I had ultra lite tuners... FWIW.
I have a MIM Jazz with a lot of the same hardware. I have Fralin splits (love these!), hipshot 1 style tuners, a drop tuner, a BAII bridge, ran with an S-1 switch before adding an active pre. It ended up quite heavy and a bit neck heavy, and I wish I had ultra lite tuners... FWIW.
I am going through the same battle. I own both and love both. The Babicz is so lightweight, and I love that. The Kickass is heavy. The side to side adjustment is a reason for me to choose the Kickass, so I guess I'm at 51% / 49% in favor of the Hipshot Kickass for that reason. I'm still undecided, though. Just like your flip flopping
I love the look of the Babicz logo. I guess I'm in the minority. Either way, logos on bridges was never an issue that I even considered. It makes no difference, to me.
I don't mind the brand name being displayed as it is on the Babicz. And I love it as a bridge. The way the branding is placed on the KSM bothers me a lot more for some reason.
