Ibanez EB-3 copy - replacement bridge

[gordongeekstad]

Hey y'all

Got a steal on an old Ibanez copy of a short scale Gibson EB3 and would like to replace the bridge with something more modern because the original is operationally fine but has some pretty bad corrosion going on. This is from early 70s and the saddle is actually wood which is kind of cool as it's original and the intonation is pretty good considering that it can't be adjusted! I don't know why the stick that is the saddle (I think it's original, looks just like a chopstick cut off--maybe it is!) is perfect but the bridge is all pitted and rusted.

What's the best replacement for the bridge on one of these? I don't care if I need to move the posts; these don't seem to line up with a bad-ass three-point bridge I eyeballed with it, the Ibanez posts are closer together. Are there any in particular that anyone would recommend? One thing I noticed on a new Epiphone version of this is that the strings are really high off the face of the Ibanez bass--does that prevent me from using a new gibson or epiphone assuming I can find one? Also the Epiphone (I didn't measure) posts seem to be wider. What's the best place to look for a bridge? What (besides the spread of the strings) should I be looking for in a good bridge? I don't imagine this bass has much value but am I messing with a good thing by altering it by filling the post holes and drilling new ones?

I got this thing dirt cheap (I mean less than 50 bucks) and it's quickly become a regular player for jamming and recording demos. After a string change and a several shots of contact cleaner to fix crackles I can't tell the difference between this and a real Gibson. I am already a fan of short scale basses so that makes it a treat for me.

Sorry to ramble just wondering what others might suggest.

Gordy

 

[elboned]

I bought a Penco EB-3 which is supposed to have been built in the same factory as I banez. My bridge was also crap, bad string spacing and no intonation ability. I put on a Hipshot supertone that is made for the Gibson type. I got it done but the procedure was not without problems. Being a short scale I had to go with the "smaller" model to accomodate the scale length and to utilize the existing post holes. I still had to plug one hole and redrill to get the correct post spacing.
My strings sit high off the body because the neck is tilted back. The bridge I got is thinner than it's big brother model so I had to add a shim of 1/8" plastic cut to the shape of the bridge.
Since the strings are seated at the back of the bridge they pull the back of the bridge forward and there is a bit of tilt in the seating. Because of this I am considering doing a string through body mod to keep things tight.
So while I'm not entirely happy with the way this Hipshot bridge turned out I'm not that unhappy either. It looks good and I can do intonation.