So today I performed a bridge change for my Squier SS jag. The stock bridge was swapped out for a Hipshot A style. The million dollar question is....did anything change? Well, the changes are subtle, and its most obvious experiencing and playing it first hand. In recordings, its not that much of a difference. The change I like the most is with the bridge my low notes are much more rounded, consistent, and are also slightly darker. The stock bridge was rather airy and woody. The feel with the new bridge is also better, with the higher tension and less rattle. Obviously it looks better too. I uploaded both on Soundcloud. Bear in mind I'm not the greatest player or mixer or producer. I just did a simple recording for the sake of comparison. A little loop of Chameleon in G. I suggest turning up your volume a wee bit to be able to really hear the differences.
Sounds like the string saddles, bridge, and body are all making a more solid connection now - in other words, the upgrade worked as intended. A good solid high mass bridge properly installed can do that.
The same strings at the same scale length and tuned to the same pitch will have the same tension regardless of what kind of bridge it is.
I have a feeling that the setup change that resulted from the swapped bridge had more of an effect than the bridge itself. The bridge definitely did not result in higher tension.
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