I was messing with a shabby bridge last night. The screws are stripping too easily (cheap screws), the plate is too thin, the saddles don't go far back enough, and so on. I wish I had a better bridge, but I think I'll go with a Hipshot. 
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Badass Bridge Stories
- Thread starter eneye
- Start date
I once had the great opportunity of buying a '64 EB-0 that had a BadAss on it.
The great opportunity was realized by taking that ugly thing off the bass and selling it on Ebay! I thought it looked really out of place on that Gibson.
I re-installed the original 2-point bar bridge and the EB-0 now plays the way it was designed to. I couldn't tell any difference in sound, but it sure looks better in its original configuration.
The great opportunity was realized by taking that ugly thing off the bass and selling it on Ebay! I thought it looked really out of place on that Gibson.
I re-installed the original 2-point bar bridge and the EB-0 now plays the way it was designed to. I couldn't tell any difference in sound, but it sure looks better in its original configuration.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Several decades ago I replaced the stock bridge on my '73 P-bass with a Badass.
During the same year, I replaced the pickups and volume pot, defretted the fingerboard, and recontoured and refinished the body. When I was done, I was happier with my bass, but I have absolutely no idea how much of my happiness is attributable to the BAII.
Having played my P-bass since 1973, I feel qualified to say that the Badass is easy to adjust, heavier, shinier, and more substantial looking than the original Fender bridge, and when you look at my P-bass, the bridge says "Badass" on it. Further comment would amount to little more than pointless speculation.
During the same year, I replaced the pickups and volume pot, defretted the fingerboard, and recontoured and refinished the body. When I was done, I was happier with my bass, but I have absolutely no idea how much of my happiness is attributable to the BAII.
Having played my P-bass since 1973, I feel qualified to say that the Badass is easy to adjust, heavier, shinier, and more substantial looking than the original Fender bridge, and when you look at my P-bass, the bridge says "Badass" on it. Further comment would amount to little more than pointless speculation.
I have both, and I find that the vibrations on my tummy felt different and maybe sounds different.
I don't know if is the bridge or, the tummy though
!
I don't know if is the bridge or, the tummy though
!
Absolutely. I've actually gone through this same sort of process multiple times.
One time in particular concerns a 1992 Carvin LB70 that I bought new from the Carvin Hollywood store. The instrument came with what was then Carvin stock gear - a Wilkinson bridge with the little height-adjustment screws that protrude from the bottom of the saddles, onto the surface of the bridge base plate.
The height adjustability of the Wilkinson was just fine - but because those flimsy little screws are the ONLY material that "anchors" the saddles to the base plate (and hence to the instrument itself), the power, punch and sustain was practically non-existent. Worst bridge design I'd ever seen.
Got myself a new BadAss II bridge, and had that baby installed right away. Major difference. For the first time in its brief life, that bass guitar rocked!
/story
MM
Absolutely. I've actually gone through this same sort of process multiple times.
One time in particular concerns a 1992 Carvin LB70 that I bought new from the Carvin Hollywood store. The instrument came with what was then Carvin stock gear - a Wilkinson bridge with the little height-adjustment screws that protrude from the bottom of the saddles, onto the surface of the bridge base plate.
The height adjustability of the Wilkinson was just fine - but because those flimsy little screws are the ONLY material that "anchors" the saddles to the base plate (and hence to the instrument itself), the power, punch and sustain was practically non-existent. Worst bridge design I'd ever seen.
Got myself a new BadAss II bridge, and had that baby installed right away. Major difference. For the first time in its brief life, that bass guitar rocked!
/story
MM
Not trying to start something BUT, isn't that how most bridges are, except for this [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] ?
I mean every bridge that is height-adjustable, rest on the screws as the only contact points, or am I missing something?
The only problem I have experienced with the L plate bridges was with a Squier I had. The string spacing was not where I wanted it. The solution was $15 for AllParts Vintage threaded saddles. I did not even have to change the L plate, just enlarge the hole to accomodate the thicker AllParts screw. Couldn't be happier after the change.
I can see where BadAss might have a mechanical advantage over poorer made L-plates, but so does the cheaper Gotoh 201 that does not require new holes to be drilled. Hipshot and Babicz seem to be mechanically better designed bridges than BadAss.
I can see where BadAss might have a mechanical advantage over poorer made L-plates, but so does the cheaper Gotoh 201 that does not require new holes to be drilled. Hipshot and Babicz seem to be mechanically better designed bridges than BadAss.
For such a supposedly well designed bridge, I can't believe they couldn't come up with something better than the old 'zip the whole string through the little hole' design. I'll take a Hipshot any day over a Badass just because of that.
WOW!
If wifey ever dies and I start looking for a new girlfriend, I'll make sure to get TB approval before I ask any out.
I'm still trying to understand why something so inconsequential elicits such a strong negative reaction from some folks.
I'm sure the vast majority of basses out there (regardless of configuration) are capable of waaaay more performance than their owners will ever pull from them, mine certainly are. In spite of that fact, subjective minutiae will be argued as if lives hang in the balance and something besides personal preference is the motivating factor behind 99.9999999% of every decision made.
Personal taste is personal taste and that should be good enough. It's why Henry Ford's idea of every car off the line being black never lasted, and it's why bridges like the BA and Babicz will always be available.
Or maybe we could start an Informed Bassists Against Bad Ass society, or I-BA-BA for short, and lobby to have them banned as a blight on society, or at least on unsuspecting bassists.
-soapbox returned to the stowed and locked position-
If wifey ever dies and I start looking for a new girlfriend, I'll make sure to get TB approval before I ask any out.
I'm still trying to understand why something so inconsequential elicits such a strong negative reaction from some folks.
I'm sure the vast majority of basses out there (regardless of configuration) are capable of waaaay more performance than their owners will ever pull from them, mine certainly are. In spite of that fact, subjective minutiae will be argued as if lives hang in the balance and something besides personal preference is the motivating factor behind 99.9999999% of every decision made.
Personal taste is personal taste and that should be good enough. It's why Henry Ford's idea of every car off the line being black never lasted, and it's why bridges like the BA and Babicz will always be available.
Or maybe we could start an Informed Bassists Against Bad Ass society, or I-BA-BA for short, and lobby to have them banned as a blight on society, or at least on unsuspecting bassists.
-soapbox returned to the stowed and locked position-
>Bored with my P Bass
>Buy a Badass
>Put it on my bass
>Dear God, I'm impressed
Really, I seriously think it improves tone. Maybe I'm crazy, but I hear a difference.
>Buy a Badass
>Put it on my bass
>Dear God, I'm impressed
Really, I seriously think it improves tone. Maybe I'm crazy, but I hear a difference.
Because lots of people put Badass bridges on their basses for two major reasons:
1. Geddy Lee
2. It says "Badass"
Back in the early 80's there weren't as many replacement bridges to choose from.
The height adjustability of the Wilkinson was just fine - but because those flimsy little screws are the ONLY material that "anchors" the saddles to the base plate (and hence to the instrument itself), the power, punch and sustain was practically non-existent. Worst bridge design I'd ever seen.
Got myself a new BadAss II bridge, and had that baby installed right away. Major difference. For the first time in its brief life, that bass guitar rocked!
no, you're right, but if he's referring to that old wilkinson with the set-screws that pressed against the actual intonation screw to keep the saddles from sliding around, those things were flimsy, unstable disasters! a badass (and lots of other choices) would all have been a big improvement.
I got that, I still have one on my Carvin BB75, is it the best? no.
BTW, any of you folks that had that bridge on a Carvin and switch it out for a Hipshot A-style bridge.
Did it cover up the holes from the Wikinson bridge? I would like to switch it out.
I have BA II bridges on my custom P and on my custom J. I have not tried anything else on them but I am perfectly happy with them. Tonewise, I am not quite sure how much they add. But I can tell you some real advantages:
1) They look cooler(at least to me) than standard fender bridges and replacement bridges. For me the BA has that vintage hotrod look that I just love.
2) I find them to be really comfortable and smooth for ancoring my right hand when I play with a pick(Let the flaming begin...)
3) By using the non-slotted saddles you can adjust the string spacing to your liking and make a perfct fit for your favourite string gauge
4) The word Badass is written on them With big capital letters!
And here are some disadvantages
1) They are heavy
2) They can't go really low because of the thick bass plate
3) Slotting the saddles is considered a fuss by some(even though they sell them with preslotted saddles as well)
4) You can't use a bridge cover on a Jazz with one.
5) They have become really expensive lately
6) They smell kinda funny
By the way I bought a BA 3 for an upcoming custom build today.
1) They look cooler(at least to me) than standard fender bridges and replacement bridges. For me the BA has that vintage hotrod look that I just love.
2) I find them to be really comfortable and smooth for ancoring my right hand when I play with a pick(Let the flaming begin...)
3) By using the non-slotted saddles you can adjust the string spacing to your liking and make a perfct fit for your favourite string gauge
4) The word Badass is written on them
With big capital letters! And here are some disadvantages
1) They are heavy
2) They can't go really low because of the thick bass plate
3) Slotting the saddles is considered a fuss by some(even though they sell them with preslotted saddles as well)
4) You can't use a bridge cover on a Jazz with one.
5) They have become really expensive lately
6) They smell kinda funny
By the way I bought a BA 3 for an upcoming custom build today.
