I have a small stable of Warwick Corvettes, so weight is definitely going to be less than the 'Vettes.
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Fender Jaguar. Help!
- Thread starter GradyBass
- Start date
I added a BadAss II to my Jag. I like the looks better, and I like having that and my Geddy require the same tools for setup and maintenance. As for tone, I understand what fokls say about the higher mass, but I honestly have to say that I can't hear a difference.
For pickup covers.....that bridge pickup rout is veeery tight, so try or measure very well before you buy.
For pickup covers.....that bridge pickup rout is veeery tight, so try or measure very well before you buy.
i have a jazz 'F' ashtray plate on my jaguar. it fit with no hassle over the stock bridge.
the only mod on the bridge i would consider is new saddles so the strings are not resting on the screw like saddles.
a neck PU cover pate cannot be fitted easily as most of the body (under the pick guard) is routed out for the active circuit.
i put basslines stacked vintage in my jag it was easy to do but i only did it cos i had bad wiring in my house.
the only mod on the bridge i would consider is new saddles so the strings are not resting on the screw like saddles.
a neck PU cover pate cannot be fitted easily as most of the body (under the pick guard) is routed out for the active circuit.
i put basslines stacked vintage in my jag it was easy to do but i only did it cos i had bad wiring in my house.
Sorry, but you're the one that's wrong.
I took the Badass off of my Geddy Jazz because I don't really like how they look and replaced it with a standard Fender bridge. The change was not subtle, it was profound. The bass went from being bright and "piano-like" to being something more akin to a Jamerson thumper. It was like taking off a set of new stainless roundwounds, and replacing them with old ones. The change was immense. This was not some vague, pretentious, esoteric, sipping wine with one's pinky in the air kind of judgment this was an "obvious to anybody, even non-musicians" kind of change.
If I were able to record sound clips, I assure you that you would be able to hear the difference, too I'm not trying to make some elitist "my ears are better than yours" kind of argument. The bridge changed the sound of the bass, dramatically. I don't know why, but it did. Period. End of story.
Now some wise guy will probably say that I was hearing what I wanted to hear, but what I wanted to hear was the same sound. Nor were my ears "justifying my purchase", as the FENDER bridge was the new purchase, not the Badass. As I said, I was trying to get rid of the Badass. I swapped the bridges back and forth several times. Eventually I thought "well, dang these things actually do make a difference!", and put the (ugly) Badass back on.
I think what happens here on TalkBass is that people try things like switching bridges, it makes no change on THEIR instrument, and so they go about making blanket statements that are not only ludicrous, but offensive and condescending ("you've bought into the hype", "you're a sucker for marketing", etc, etc).
As to your comment about bridges not being able to change adjustability, you must be forgetting that certain bridges allow you to change string to string spacing, while others don't.
Now that I agree with 100%.
Is the BAIII "ONE Better" than the BAII?
I am ignorant too as I had never heard of a Badass Bridge until a couple of years ago (I was a Gibson and Fender guy that didn't surf sites like TB).
I bought a Geddy Jazz that had a BAII and HAD to have one on my MIM Jazz fretless. Do I notice the difference in sustain? Ahem... sure,
Anyways, I would love to hear why I should rip out my BAII for a BA III (or is it BA IIV?)
The BAIII is designed for US Fender basses that have string-thru capabilities and only 3 screws. Otherwise, the BA2 is still the standard regular Fender replacement, the one for 5 screw bridges.
Personally, tone or no tone, I think they look hella cooler.
And music is just as visual as it is aural, so looking cool FTW.
Well, just for the record, I'm not trying to challenge you, just for the sake of doing so, but rather get you thinking before you make a potentially costly mistake.Then why is it considered a "standard upgrade" and why do people believe the factory bridges are so "chintzy?"
And I know that there are bridge upgrades that increase adjustability. Owning 4 warwicks and NO fenders, I'm not aware of the quality or adjustability of Fender Bridges. I know about Warwick 2-piece bridges, with adjustable tailpiece, and adjustable saddles for height, width, and distance from bridge/neck.
And no, my hero didn't recommend this.
Sorry I'm wrong.
Several years ago I bought a MIM Fender with every intention of upgrading this and that. One thing I did upgrade was the bridge to a BAII. What I found was it took away all the warmth and added a horrible tinny brightness I couldn't get past. Several TBers at the time were making similar purchases and upgrades and raving, so I thought, "why not?...how bad could it be if everyone else raves about it?"
Well, let me be the first to tell you swapping the bridge can change your tone fairly significantly, and it might not be a favorable change.
The Jaguar is a pretty flexible bass, especially with the preamp it's got. I'd seriously recommend you first try the bass and get used to it as is before deciding to make any changes. Maybe you'll find that change is exactly what you need, which is great. But, you might find you like it as is, in which case you'll save money and headaches.
Could some of the BadAss bashing be that users did not properly file the saddles as Leo Quan has advised? If they are not properly filed as recommended by the designer of the bridge, there will be a significant lessening of contact between the string and saddle, and I can see how that could make for a tinnier sound and less of a transfer of kinetic energy from the string.
FYI - The BadAss on my Geddy has very shallow grooves - just enough to keep the strings in place. The one on my Jag, however, has just a couple tiny marks - like somebody waved a file at it to scare it.
To me, they sound the same, and the Jag's sounds the same as the stock bridge.
But still, when I do maintenance or setup, I only need one tool, and I like the looks.
FYI - The BadAss on my Geddy has very shallow grooves - just enough to keep the strings in place. The one on my Jag, however, has just a couple tiny marks - like somebody waved a file at it to scare it.
To me, they sound the same, and the Jag's sounds the same as the stock bridge.
But still, when I do maintenance or setup, I only need one tool, and I like the looks.
Now...wake up call: One user here says he took off stock bridge, and put on Badass, losing tone. Another takes off Badass, and puts on stocker, losing tone.
Did it ever occur to anyone that MESSING WITH A WELL CONTACTED BRIDGE is what is truly inadvisable here?
If it's on good, and the strings are stitting well, and the saddles are seated squarely, then DON'T MESS WITH IT.
For the record, I don't feel the Jag is heavy. It's lighter than my other Fenders, the body is a little thinner. I LOVE the Jaguar. Fantastic bass.
I would not touch the stock bridge, there is no need. The instrument is perfectly resonant, just as it came. I've seen covers installed, and they can look nice.
If you have noise issues, search the forum. Someone posted a nice article about correcting the shielding, and quieting the bass. I see no reason to mess with the pickups, either, but that's personal opinion.
Did it ever occur to anyone that MESSING WITH A WELL CONTACTED BRIDGE is what is truly inadvisable here?
If it's on good, and the strings are stitting well, and the saddles are seated squarely, then DON'T MESS WITH IT.
For the record, I don't feel the Jag is heavy. It's lighter than my other Fenders, the body is a little thinner. I LOVE the Jaguar. Fantastic bass.
I would not touch the stock bridge, there is no need. The instrument is perfectly resonant, just as it came. I've seen covers installed, and they can look nice.
If you have noise issues, search the forum. Someone posted a nice article about correcting the shielding, and quieting the bass. I see no reason to mess with the pickups, either, but that's personal opinion.
Maybe I just played a heavy one, but I couldn't feel much of a difference between it and the Jazz Basses I tried.
I had to change the bridge on my Pbass to get the sound I wanted in the mix. I've played plenty that didn't need it. I fully expected to change to the BAII on my Jag but decided it didn't need it at all. I think it boils down to the individual bass, kinda like some having dead spots, some don't, some people find adding a fatfinger to the headstock changes things a bit, etc. As far as covers, I [Ii]think[/I] the gotoh 201 will fit under the standard cover (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) and the pups are standard sized J pups (same exact pups that are used on the Geddy Lee).
i had a jazz bass a few years ago that i upgraded a lot, looking back i wasted money on upgrading the bridge to a badass II .. they look cool but i didnt notice any difference in the sound and i think my ears are pretty good at picking out subtle differences in tone..
of course there are a lot of people that swear by badass bridges and thats totally cool, they just didnt do much for me.
i suppose im saying only change the bridge if you feel you need to, the stock might be great for you. and you could put a sexy ashtray on it!
of course there are a lot of people that swear by badass bridges and thats totally cool, they just didnt do much for me.
i suppose im saying only change the bridge if you feel you need to, the stock might be great for you. and you could put a sexy ashtray on it!
Well thanks for all the help on the bridge. And thank you JimmyM! You very much so DID give me food for thought, and now when I get my Jag will be much less gung-ho to buy a BAII "just because." I will use my basic day-to-day logic that if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Glad to know I can fit an ashtray over the bridge/bridge pup! I have a rockin' repairman who can advise me best on the covers, even do it for me if I chicken out... which is possible.
As far as the ashtrays go, I assume basspartsresource is a fine place to go? oooo... now I wanna fill in the "F" on that ashtray in matching hot rod red. Not bad at all.
Now- has anyone done a neck switch on a Jag? particularly to a maple fretboard? If it's just a Jazz neck (with painted headstock) wouldn't it be a really easy fix?
Glad to know I can fit an ashtray over the bridge/bridge pup! I have a rockin' repairman who can advise me best on the covers, even do it for me if I chicken out... which is possible.
As far as the ashtrays go, I assume basspartsresource is a fine place to go? oooo... now I wanna fill in the "F" on that ashtray in matching hot rod red. Not bad at all.
Now- has anyone done a neck switch on a Jag? particularly to a maple fretboard? If it's just a Jazz neck (with painted headstock) wouldn't it be a really easy fix?
Why would you switch the neck? Those block inlays on the rw fingerboard are what makes the jag so pretty to look at.
Haha... No, I do, but since this would be my first bass to potentially hot rod, I'm just letting ideas roll around my head. The only mods to my Warwicks are Bartolini preamps. I like Jbasses, but I played a Jaguar at a shop and was totally thrilled with all the different tones I can shape out of that preamp. And for less than 700 bucks, what an awesome deal! So for some extra money, I can completely make this a one of a kind Jag.
I'm still not even 100% sure that I will pick up this Jaguar, but if I do I'd like to know all my possibilities. These aren't set in stone. I may get it, take it home and not wanna change a thing.
Like I said- just lettin ideas roll around the old noodle
I would potentially (and these are just thoughts, people!) replace it with a maple neck with the aged pearloid block inlays, so it's just the brighter wood but same markers.
I got the black Jaguar a few weeks back. I tested it almost a year ago and fell in love. I too was looking at a Badass bridge until I read this thread, mainly because of all the buzz (not the strings, of course). The bass is fantastic - and I'm not going to shell out $100 on an upgrade that may or may not make a difference.
However, in another thread I was recommended to upgrade the preamp to an Aguilar OBP-1. That sounds like a reasonably sane thing to spend money on. I am slightly disappointed in the stock pre, as the pots seem to work more like on/off switches than pots. Anyone tried them both?
And the neck? Wow, I love it. So thin and fast, and a delight to look at It's the best bass I ever owned, no doubt. Heck, it's the best bass I ever played. I never did like P or J much, but the Jag was an instant hit with me.
However, in another thread I was recommended to upgrade the preamp to an Aguilar OBP-1. That sounds like a reasonably sane thing to spend money on. I am slightly disappointed in the stock pre, as the pots seem to work more like on/off switches than pots. Anyone tried them both?
And the neck? Wow, I love it. So thin and fast, and a delight to look at
It's the best bass I ever owned, no doubt. Heck, it's the best bass I ever played. I never did like P or J much, but the Jag was an instant hit with me.
I got the black Jaguar a few weeks back. I tested it almost a year ago and fell in love. I too was looking at a Badass bridge until I read this thread, mainly because of all the buzz (not the strings, of course). The bass is fantastic - and I'm not going to shell out $100 on an upgrade that may or may not make a difference.
However, in another thread I was recommended to upgrade the preamp to an Aguilar OBP-1. That sounds like a reasonably sane thing to spend money on. I am slightly disappointed in the stock pre, as the pots seem to work more like on/off switches than pots. Anyone tried them both?
And the neck? Wow, I love it. So thin and fast, and a delight to look at
I have the same problem with the treble and bass controls on mine. I don't know if it makes me feel better or worse that I am not the only one. If I was then it might be able to be fixed. If I'm not the only one then maybe it is the nature of the beast. Bummer!
Maybe there is hope though if the preamp can be upgraded. Does anyone know how or what preamp can be used?
