Brass saddles on a fretless

[Dlew919]

Just wondering is there any reason not to try? I don’t know that the tone will be affected that much (but it might) or the response. But should I be safe? Or should I go for it, knowing it’s fully reversible?

I’m after your experience.

 

[JRA]

if you're talking about the nut: open strings can sound a little more 'crisp', maybe.

if you're referring to bridge saddles: they've never made any difference on any of my axes that had them.

 

[96tbird]

There will be no difference. Will you be Safe? Wth?

 

[turf3]

Brass compared to what? Plated steel? no difference - compare the moduli of elasticity and then compare to the hardness of the surface of a string.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

if you're talking about the nut: open strings can sound a little more 'crisp', maybe.

if you're referring to bridge saddles: they've never made any difference on any of my axes that had them.

Who refers to a nut as having saddles? Only ever heard saddles used to refer to parts on a bridge. So I'm guessing he's talking about a bridge.

 

[Dlew919]

It is the saddles. Going from steel to brass is the question. I might change the nut one day. It’s currently plastic, and I might go to bone.

But I was just seeing what people’s experience with brass on a Fretless was?

 

[Fuzzbass]

Who referes to a nut as having saddles? Only ever heard saddles used to refer to parts on a bridge. So I'm guessing he's talking about a bridge.

Exactly.

Some believe that nut material contributes to the tone/response of open strings. So the OP's question is, why wouldn't bridge saddle material also contribute to tone/response? I'll add that this would be for all notes, given that a fret will never get in the way. Interesting question, IMO.

 

[SC Bassboy]

I bought a Carvin fretless years back. It came with an aluminum bridge and I switched it to an all brass version. It made a $110 difference, but I can't say it sounded noticeably better. The bass was slightly heavier.

 

[ravlin]

Brass looks cooler 99% of the time... maybe 97.5% but who's splitting hairs? Try it, it's cheap and fun plus you'll have to go through the struggle of intonating a fretless. Good practice.

 

[Scarey Larry]

To the OP's question I reply, "Maybe". I got a used CIJ passive Fender Jazz in Talkbass marketplace a few years ago. I had a brass nut and brass bridge put on by our very good luthier, Eban Cole, and I think it sounds better. Measurable, who knows, but I like it and that's all that counts. Opinions are nice but it is my bass.

 

[pbass888]

When I order Hipshot bridges for my 4 string, passive basses, I found I like the Brass ones compared to the Aluminum. A famous bass builder in NYC turned me on to the brass ,"b-style ", and I have been using them for about 15 years on my basses. The hipshot are easy to operate and feel solid.

4 String B Style Bass Bridge

FM1 Dimensions FM2 Dimensions 750 Spacing Dimensions The classic look and feel of vintage barrel saddle design coupled with premium materials and precision craftsmanship. Machined from solid brass or aluminum, the base plate features side walls that prevent slipping and buzzing in the face of...

hipshotproducts.com

 

[Gilmourisgod]

If you can hear any difference, you have better ears than me. Jaco had a bent Fender saddle bridge, did OK with it.
Ditto on the Hipshot bridges, excellent quality, but the solid brass ones are a good bit heavier, which can be a good thing counteracting any neck dive, but if your bass balances well now, you might be better off with aluminum. Personally, I like roller style bridges because you can easily tweak the string spacing.

 

[DrBnz]

I did that mod to a bass last week. It didn't change a thing. It just looks cool on my Road Worn P

 

[micguy]

Changing the end condition on a vibrating string will change the way it vibrates - yes, a brass saddle will change the way a bass sounds. Is it enough to hear a difference? Depends on a lot of things, but in some cases, probably yes.

 

[darwin-bass]

Just wondering is there any reason not to try? I don’t know that the tone will be affected that much (but it might) or the response. But should I be safe? Or should I go for it, knowing it’s fully reversible?

I’m after your experience.

My experience? Well, I have done some bridge changes and have noticed small changes in tone at best. I've never changed only the saddles. My fretless uses a pot metal bridge with brass saddles and seems to sound just fine.

I recently replaced my brass Hipshot B bridge for an aluminum copy and have seen little to no change in tone. Maybe it is just a tad brighter but I'd see more tone shift by simply changing strings than bridges.

I pick bridges based on weight (to affect instrument balance on the strap) and function. I want top load for easy string changes. The choice of materials and their effect on sound is a distant 3rd place in my list of consideration.

 

[ddnidd1]

Personally I think the OP will be wasting his time and money. High mass bridges don't alter the tone appreciably, so I seriously doubt brass saddles would be worthwhile.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I’ve been doing brass nuts on my bass builds, in theory they might sound a little brighter, but only on open strings. I just like the way they look, reason enough.

 

[ctmullins]

Can't see why it would matter one bit.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

That seems like the best use for High Mass bridges, to help with balance issues. Some of them just look cool too, and I’m shallow enough for that to be a major consideration. I have issues with the huge logo (coughbabiczcough) some makers insist on putting right on top though. I’m currently a fan of the Schaller roller bridges, very nicely made and fully adjustable, with a very understated logo.

 

[Koog]

This is likely a question that you will not solve definitively as, in my opinion, it's a matter of personal preference. This being the case, your ears and brain will often mislead you.

My personal preference has always been for brass, with both saddles and bridge. My preference for nut material is natural bone, and seasonally shed elk antler is what I've used for several builds and change outs on both fretted and fretless basses.

I stopped chasing tone about 10 years ago when I was able to use this combination as I wished, and changed my amplification rig to Bergantino. I have achieved the tone that has always been in my head.

Was my personal tone perfection the result of brass and antler? I'd sure like to think so, but the real answer is, probably no. After all, your ears and brain conspire to fool you. Even knowing about about this vile conspiracy, I'm happy. The fun is in the journey.

And a final discovery: as a player becomes more proficient with the instrument, and technique improves, a greater sense of personal style becomes evident. When this level is reached, tone magically improves. Coincidental? Don't think so.

Experience: I started playing both guitar and bass in 1963 and have focused most of my efforts on bass since around 2000. Although my "money career" was not in music, I've enjoyed active and rewarding stage time. I retired from the stage in 2020, but I'm still wood shedding most days.

Best of luck with your journey.

Koog