FenderBird guys...what's your bridge preference?

[BTL]

I've seen a few different 'Bird projects, and I have a few of my own, and I'm curious to get a sense of what people prefer in a perfect world when undertaking their own bolt-bird project.

For the poll, bridges that are interchangeable are grouped together.

So, what's you poison?

(You can pick up to three if you like)

 

[dedpool1052]

I like being able to fine tune the string spacing. I've used the Schaller roller-style before and found it to be solid, stable and easy to use. The only thing that could make it better for me is if it had the ability to top-load the strings, like a Hipshot A-style.

 

[RedHotFuzz]

I love the new Babicz Gibson 3-point. Looks much better than the standard Babicz bridge. Plus it's top load. And no giant logo. Perfect.

 

[Haji]

Kahler temelo. Nothing says "I'm different just like everybody else" like a wang bar on a bass.

If it were mine, I'd be going with the new G style Babicz full contact bridge...assuming it becomes available at some point this year.

 

[godofthunder59]

Badbird.

 

[BTL]

I'm an "F" style string-through guy, myself, but an OEM I work with just sent me a photo of a '60's "G" style w/ stopbar, and I found it really intriguing:

 

[godofthunder59]

The Badbird.

 

[BTL]

The Badbird is gorgeous!

What's the history behind it?

The photos I posted are from an OEM that does plating work for most of the US-based guitar industry and a lot of hot-rod stuff, too.

This is the first I've seen of their T-Bird bridge.

 

[godofthunder59]

Brad, I started playing Nonreverse Thunderbirds in '77 I soon found out they would not intonate and I did as many did back then , slapped a Badass on it. By '82 I was dissatisfied with the BA and really wanted the two piece bridge set up so I did a crude drawing and gave it to a buddy and the first Badbird was born. With no internet and bass forums the Badbird was just something I kept to myself. When I got online in 1999 it immediately cause a bit of a buzz in bass forums and people wanted them so I started production. I am certain we are using the same supplier.

 

[grisezd]

I like the two piece, but prefer narrow spacing. Have been using Hipshot A for my projects.

 

[BTL]

I love the look of the Badbird and how it solves the intonation issues vintage Gibsons have.

I'd guess the OEM bridge I posted photos of was commission by a US-based builder for a new model, so the offset of the saddles vs. the posts is not as critical.

It's pretty cool to see how, with the right resources and connections, an idea to solve a problem can go from concept to reality.

Believe it or not, people still make things in the US.