I know this is not an option listed, but for me, stock bridge (there is nothing inherently wrong with it) and leave the ash tray cover in drawer somewhere. JMO.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Bridge for 70s Precision
- Thread starter Jackcrow
- Start date
I know this is not an option listed, but for me, stock bridge (there is nothing inherently wrong with it) and leave the ash tray cover in drawer somewhere. JMO.
Nobody has mentioned the Gotoh 201. Which is hi-mass(ish) and fits under the bridge cover. Have had one on my MIM P-Bass for almost a decade! The saddles wouldn't hold their position on that stock bridge, and the Gotoh has grooves to guarantee they won't slip laterally when getting hit.
Are you thinking hi-mass for a sound upgrade, though? I don't find it does all that much, truth told. MAYBE a bit. Maybe. If your bass has really poor acoustic resonance to begin with. The only reason I went for a Kickass on my new Jazz was because I liked that I could mess with the string spacing (I like it a touch narrower than Fender-spec).
Are you thinking hi-mass for a sound upgrade, though? I don't find it does all that much, truth told. MAYBE a bit. Maybe. If your bass has really poor acoustic resonance to begin with. The only reason I went for a Kickass on my new Jazz was because I liked that I could mess with the string spacing (I like it a touch narrower than Fender-spec).
These are great bridges. Nice design. But there was a period when the screw holes didn’t match for intonation so measure twice if you do.
I have the gotoh 201 on the blue one, probably my favorite bridge…
no clue what’s on the orange one… Hipshot?
A while back I built myself several basses and raided the classifieds here and bought anything and everything that was up for sale.
Last edited:
I would go with a vintage fender bridge... the one with the ribs..
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/fender-p-bass-j-bass-vintage-bridge-assembly
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/fender-p-bass-j-bass-vintage-bridge-assembly
Truth. I had one on my 76 Precision from 82 till a year and a half ago, and it had to be put on so far back it was almost hanging off.
I’d go stock.
I used to be a big believer in Badass bridges and their marketing hype. So I used to routinely install them on every FSO I owned back in the 80s and part of the 90s. Then came that one day when I realized they didn’t bring anything real to the party. They were basically just some expensive bling.
I used to be a big believer in Badass bridges and their marketing hype. So I used to routinely install them on every FSO I owned back in the 80s and part of the 90s. Then came that one day when I realized they didn’t bring anything real to the party. They were basically just some expensive bling.
I once bought the 203 bridge thinking it would be considerably lighter than the 201 and give me the function I wanted. Nope...it's a hi-mass bridge that just looks like a bent plate. Pfft that! So I figured out how to finesse the threads on my bent plate bridges and I think they're just as good as anything out there as long as you're not OCD about the saddles splaying.
Being honest, I miss the saddle technology that I had when I was using a Schaller or a Hipshot A (not so much Badass since you had to notch the saddles yourself), but the tone and capabilities of the bent plate turn out to be the same as far as I'm concerned, and they're the lightest you can get. Only when I've used an aluminum bridge did I think the tone changed, and mellowed it out in a way I don't like.
To be clear I am not looking at high mass bridges for any perceived sound difference (upgrade?). Personally I dont think that they sound any different than any other bridge. I do like the adjustability of the kickass, but this is 95% about the look.
Also, I already have all of these on hand. Kickass, Badass, regular Fender non-threaded, and Fender threaded saddle. So it’s just a matter of choosing one to install.
devnulljp
Supporting Member
Both of my 70s Fenders had badass IIs on them when I got them. I like em and have left them on.
These are awesome. The one I’m building is going to look just like the Precision, minus the J pickup.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I have had the same bass for over 35 years - '76 jazz body, '73 P neck. When I bought it, it had a Badass II bridge. Two years ago, I replaced it with a traditional bent plate bridge.
Other than being a touch lighter, absolutely no difference.
Just saying.
Other than being a touch lighter, absolutely no difference.
Just saying.
The tech in me says to go with something that you can slide the ball end out without removing the string from the tuner. Especially if you're one of those who only change strings every couple of years. It makes maintenance so much easier. Something like the Gotoh 400 or 500 series.
I love that feature in bridges, but I sacrificed it for lightness. Now if someone were to make a bent plate that incorporates it and keeps the weight the same, I've got 4 basses with bent plates and enough money to buy new bridges
Beside the bass tone get different or not.
The badass bridge give your 70s Pbass pretty cool look which lot bassist did on 70s till 80s.
The badass bridge give your 70s Pbass pretty cool look which lot bassist did on 70s till 80s.
@JimmyM there’s yer schaller… I ended up mounting it back a bit on the geetar.
the other one is a Hipshot I got used here too, I guess the saddles were an optional thing, it does have the cutouts for quick string change. It’s going on my soon to be jazz bass.
I don’t think fancy bridges do a damn thing better than a bbot, but they do look so much cooler!
I just remembered, my orange telexplorer has a 7ender hi-mass
the other one is a Hipshot I got used here too, I guess the saddles were an optional thing, it does have the cutouts for quick string change. It’s going on my soon to be jazz bass.
I don’t think fancy bridges do a damn thing better than a bbot, but they do look so much cooler!
I just remembered, my orange telexplorer has a 7ender hi-mass
I like the newer Fender hi-mass vintage bridges that are today’s American standards. They have latitude with adjustments and aren’t nearly as imposing as a BA or the Fender knock-off. Not sure if a bridge cover fits over them. They work for string thru-or top load.
I love that feature in bridges, but I sacrificed it for lightness. Now if someone were to make a bent plate that incorporates it and keeps the weight the same, I've got 4 basses with bent plates and enough money to buy new bridges
I bet it wouldn’t be too difficult to modify one. I doubt it would compromise the integrity. I think I have a cheapo Wilkinson in a drawer, I could try it on.
