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Hipshot KickAss bridge

#81
I dig mine. I do want to try the replacement steel saddles though. No complaints with the brass, I'd just like to try them out.


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#82
Just back from a gig. I'm going to keep the brighter brass saddles, they help cut through the mix somewhat without loss of low-end, all else being equal.

I've always been of the opinion that bridges make little difference to tone, but this one definitely has, acoustically and through the pickup.
 
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#83
walterw said:
now you just gotta adjust your saddle spacing so that the strings line up between the pickup magnets, which is the whole point.
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I called Lindy Fralin one day and asked about whether the string has to be exactly between the pole pieces. He mentioned that at normal string distances the magnetic field is spread out enough for it to not matter whether the strings are precisely located between the poles.

Do you use the poles as a spacing indicator? As in if they're between the poles then they must be evenly spaced?
 
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#84
RedJag said:
I called Lindy Fralin one day and asked about whether the string has to be exactly between the pole pieces. He mentioned that at normal string distances the magnetic field is spread out enough for it to not matter whether the strings are precisely located between the poles.

Do you use the poles as a spacing indicator? As in if they're between the poles then they must be evenly spaced?
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it's not a huge deal either way, but if the pickups are closer and you hit harder like i like then i do hear a subtle difference in the attack, a slight compression of the initial transient if the string is right between the magnet pair.

that was the entire point of the design of the split P-pickup and the J pickup, to tame that initial spike that was blowing up those fragile late '50s bass speakers.

if you do line the strings up between the magnet pairs on a J pickup then yes, the strings will be perfectly evenly spaced (assuming the pickup itself is perfectly aligned with the bridge and neck).
 
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#85
Stopped by the Hipshot factory the other day and picked up a Style A bridge, took some side by side photos for comparison. Decided to try an aluminum bridge to see how a lighter bridge might sound. I've had high mass bridges on this beast pretty much since I bought it. (Had a badass bridge put on it within probably a year of buying the bass)

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#88
walterw said:
man, that's way off from lining up with the pickup!

also, the real MIJ jag basses had that nice threaded-rod vintage bridge, you already had an excellent bridge stock!
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Still have it too. I think it was a combination of when I was buying this I was also looking at the Geddy Lee basses that had the Badass on them, and I read that flea used a Badass, and the Internet forums kept mentioning Badass, that I decided I needed to get one. And I kept that on there until I got the Kickass. So I never got curious enough to try the original bridge again. Plus, I like having top loading (which another of my basses reminded me is such a nice feature to have) so I figured I'd try out the A style. (Plus Hipshot gives me 50% discount, so that doesn't hurt)

As for the pole pieces not lining up, I had my bass set up by a legendary guy who lives not far from me and that was how he set it, I trusted him enough not to tweak it.

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#96
maindude said:
How's the sound / tone difference between KA and the aluminum A style bridge?
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Aluminum A style sounds brighter, slightly. My Chromes went from feeling/sounding dead to sounding like they had some zing left to them.

Not sure the pickups are necessarily picking up that change though. Who knows.

Didn't notice as much of a difference between my Badass II originally on the bass and the Kickass which is good, I suppose.

The Aluminum A style is the perfect bridge for my bass as far as I'm concerned. I forgot how nice having the top load for strings was.
 
#97
walterw said:
the saddle looks too far back on the mexi bridge, and it's no big deal to slip out and trim the spring behind the E saddle on the hipshot to get more room.
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@walterw, it turns out all my fears were in vain. Yes, I was unable to move the E string saddle back far enough, and so I took out the screw and was preparing to just cut a bit off with a dremel, when I noticed the "parts" baggie that I got with the KickAss included a shorter screw!!! I swapped in the shorter screw and was able to get everything perfect! :D

chandman1004 said:
I wonder if AZFATBOY was successful installing the Hipshot.
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Yes I was--FINALLY!!!

trainyourhuman said:
Anybody have any pics like this that shows the entirety of both bridges?
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I started a new thread, cause I thought it would be fun to let folks rant about my atypical string choice, but the pics also include my newly installed KickAss bridge. @trainyourhuman, these new pics don't show the old bridge, but you should be able to compare an old pic with a new pic if you want. If you would still like a better shot of both bridges together, I can do that, just let me know.
 
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#99
ChemDave said:
They do make it in black chrome...I just checked Hipshot's website.
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Just installed a chrome KickAss bridge in my psedo-Jaco Squier Vintage Modified Jazz fretless....took my time, took careful measurements (marked the string paths on the end of the neck on some masking tape, too) before I pulled the stock bridge, installed it, and got everything re-set. It is one great bridge! Meatier sound and sustains great. Now I gotta get another one to give the other of my needy low-level basses an upgrade. Well worth the money...shop around--big range in prices.
 
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