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Fender Hi-Mass Bridge

#7
Does Squier even offer the high mass bridge? The screw holes are probably close. The location is probably fine. But to know for sure you'll have to remove the Squier's bridge and eye up the screw holes. If they line up, you're good to go. But, I wouldn't buy a Squier just to clear a bridge from the parts box.
 
#8
At least the Matt Freeman the OP mentioned already has a high mass bridge, just like its CV 60s siblings. I don't know if the screw holes align to the BA's, and I certainly don't see a reason to find out.

For me, a replacement part is a means to improve an instrument that you otherwise like, but is lacking something. To first buy a replacement part and then look for an (any?) instrument to put it on is like putting the cart before the horse, IMHO.
 
#9
JoeWPgh said:
Does Squier even offer the high mass bridge? The screw holes are probably close. The location is probably fine. But to know for sure you'll have to remove the Squier's bridge and eye up the screw holes. If they line up, you're good to go. But, I wouldn't buy a Squier just to clear a bridge from the parts box.
Click to expand...

Yes, they do. A friend recently bought a new Squier Precision and it had the HMB. I just bought a used Squier Precision 5-string and it had an HMB too.

Personally, I am a fan of them. Obviously, opinions vary.
 
#10
I have been playing Bad Ass II bridges on my basses for the last 17 years. This year I bought a MIM Fender with the high mass bridge and I like it a lot. I really don't see any advantage of switching them. Play it, you might feel the same way. You can sell your Bad Ass for more than you could sell a Fender High Mass- or you could keep it for another project.
 
#11
pgolliher said:
I have been playing Bad Ass II bridges on my basses for the last 17 years. This year I bought a MIM Fender with the high mass bridge and I like it a lot. I really don't see any advantage of switching them. Play it, you might feel the same way. You can sell your Bad Ass for more than you could sell a Fender High Mass- or you could keep it for another project.
Click to expand...

Thank you.
 
#15
It will fit, HOWEVER I'd like to share my recent experience with a Badass II bridge on it. I recently acquired a '76 Precision. I thought the bass sounded decent, but was pretty generic and didn't really seem to have much variance in tone despite a lot of knob twiddling on the amp and with the bass's tone control. My amp sounded pretty plain, too and the P-bass tone just wasn't there. Since the bass was in such immaculate condition and everything was original except for the bridge and pup, I decided to bring her back to as near to original condition as I could. First thing I did was replace the BAdass II bridge with the same bridge that comes on the '62 AVRI, and still had the same Dimarzio pup in the bass. I could not believe how differren't the tone was with just getting rid of the BAII. The bass came alive, had more growl, roundness, character, personality, and actually sounded like a P-bass! tone controls on the amp and bass were way more responsive as well. The only noticeable thing was the sustain was not as good, but seriously, this is not a characteristic (at least to me) that is worth sacrificing all of the tonal characteristics that make a Precision bass a Precision bass. Now my entire bass actually vibrates and resonates so much that I can feel it through the entire body and neck. With the BAII it prevented that from happening. Of course everyone's tonal needs, opinions, and what is pleasing to them is different, and you may love the BAII. I'm going to be selling mine. The $30 Fender bridge is my favorite over the BAII. I'd sell the BAII and put it toward a nice peal or some other gear that would be more beneficial as opposed to a giant piece of metal that will kill the inherent tone of your instrument!

I believed in the switch back to stock so much I even started a thread about it a few days ago: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/my-1976-precision-before-after-pics-958210/
 
#16
sbpark said:
It will fit, HOWEVER I'd like to share my recent experience with a Badass II bridge on it. I recently acquired a '76 Precision. I thought the bass sounded decent, but was pretty generic and didn't really seem to have much variance in tone despite a lot of knob twiddling on the amp and with the bass's tone control. My amp sounded pretty plain, too and the P-bass tone just wasn't there. Since the bass was in such immaculate condition and everything was original except for the bridge and pup, I decided to bring her back to as near to original condition as I could. First thing I did was replace the BAdass II bridge with the same bridge that comes on the '62 AVRI, and still had the same Dimarzio pup in the bass. I could not believe how differren't the tone was with just getting rid of the BAII. The bass came alive, had more growl, roundness, character, personality, and actually sounded like a P-bass! tone controls on the amp and bass were way more responsive as well. The only noticeable thing was the sustain was not as good, but seriously, this is not a characteristic (at least to me) that is worth sacrificing all of the tonal characteristics that make a Precision bass a Precision bass. Now my entire bass actually vibrates and resonates so much that I can feel it through the entire body and neck. With the BAII it prevented that from happening. Of course everyone's tonal needs, opinions, and what is pleasing to them is different, and you may love the BAII. I'm going to be selling mine. The $30 Fender bridge is my favorite over the BAII. I'd sell the BAII and put it toward a nice peal or some other gear that would be more beneficial as opposed to a giant piece of metal that will kill the inherent tone of your instrument!

I believed in the switch back to stock so much I even started a thread about it a few days ago: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/my-1976-precision-before-after-pics-958210/
Click to expand...

Oh no, you changed your finger in that last picture, I much more prefer the previous one:hiding:
 
#17
I personally get a kick out of it when people start talking about how swapping a bridge will give you more sustain.

How long do you really need a note to ring??

I actually like the Fender high mass bridge. I wish it wasn't so expensive because I'd like to add it to a few of my other basses.
 

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