Bridge upgrade for a Sterling by MM Ray 4

What's wrong with the bridge that is on it?

 

If you want an SBMM bridge, I'd recommend contacting SBMM. That way I'd guess you could buy the threaded inserts and bridge.

Best of luck,

Bob

 

The screws in the bridge require inserts, so you'll need to drill for them. I found the inserts for mine at Ace Hardware. If the screws are the same distance apart on both basses then you're probably safe. I don't have mine handy or I'd measure for you.

The bridge on the more expensive basses is likely made from higher quality materials, but whether or not it's truly "better" can be debated forever. Quite likely the only change you're making is cosmetic and/or psychological, but I've done a hundred mods to my guitars for that reason, so go for it and good luck.

 

SBMM is "Sterling by MusicMan" The company that makes your bass.

SBMM is NOT EBMM "Ernie Ball MusicMan". SBMM produces Made-in-Indonesia versions of EBMM basses licensed by EBMM.

If you already have the bridge, you're correct. You will need to figure out placement and then drill into the body to set the mounting fittings for attaching the bridge. It depends on your woodworking skill...

If you really want to make that mod and don't feel confident, I'd recommend taking it to a luthier for that part. It shouldn't be particularly expensive.

All the best,

Bob

 

If you're planning on paying someone else to do it, sell the bridge and save your money. It won't do anything for you. If you're going to do it yourself because you want the experience of doing it and the cool factor that goes with the job, then it's worth doing.