increase sustain as much as possible

[Hopkins]

I would agree, i was just listing things, not nesessarily by importance. I would change strings and set up first, however most basses under 1k use junk hardware IMO

I have never had any issue getting more sustain than could ever be used out of a regular bent plate Fender style bridge.

 

[Josh Kneisel]

just run a compressor with the release at max

 

[primusfan1989]

I have never had any issue getting more sustain than could ever be used out of a regular bent plate Fender style bridge.

Thats good for you, doesn't change my opinion of cheap white-metal hardware. Like yes its possible to get good sustain out of stock fender bridge hence why both my fenders have their stock bridges, wasn't broken so i felt no need to fix it. However if you're not getting the sustain you want, upgrading to a brass bridge can help, but of course after different strings and a set up.

 

[Hopkins]

Thats good for you, doesn't change my opinion of cheap white-metal hardware. Like yes its possible to get good sustain out of stock fender bridge hence why both my fenders have their stock bridges, wasn't broken so i felt no need to fix it. However if you're not getting the sustain you want, upgrading to a brass bridge can help, but of course after different strings and a set up.

Just to be a contrarian, you do realize that even the cheapest bent steel bridge is made of a harder, more dense material than even a brass bridge right? Personally I find sustain comes more from neck rigidity, and setup than hardware, so I usually prefer the lightest hardware possible, preferably aluminum.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

If you don't like the sustain you're getting, a decent compressor will be a big help. Try one at a 4:1 ratio and you'll probably be happy. If you need more sustain, increase the ratio. Increasing the ratio takes energy from attack of the note and converts the energy to sustain. When the compressor is engaged, a 4:1 ratio means it takes 4db of signal increase to result in 1db of volume increase. The rest of it is turned into sustain. Turn it way up and you'll sound like you are playing an old Vox or Farfissa organ.

 

[primusfan1989]

Just to be a contrarian, you do realize that even the cheapest bent steel bridge is made of a harder, more dense material than even a brass bridge right? Personally I find sustain comes more from neck rigidity, and setup than hardware, so I usually prefer the lightest hardware possible, preferably aluminum.

Im not gonna argue the merits of using brass over steel or white metal, to each their own.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

I tried exactly what you are thinking of doing here on a bass of mine. Trust me, it made no difference.

View attachment 998973
Photo Copyright © Jeffrey P. Scott 2004 All rights reserved.

Try a different version of Photoshop

 

[MoonChild2112]

I have a MIM P Bass that needed more sustain, put on a graphite nut and high mass (gotoh 201) bridge... quadrupled the sustain instantly...

 

[BITCRUSHER668]

i have Ibanez GSR200, scrolled through your answers, and settled on adding fat finger similar to this on headstock but made with pure lead, around 1-2 kg
unfortunately i cant afford aftermarket neck or new bass
also what about soldering piece of lead to bridge ?

 

[jthisdell]

i have Ibanez GSR200, scrolling through your answers i settled on adding fat finger similar to this on headstock but with more made of pure lead and larger

Let us know if it helps.

 

[BITCRUSHER668]

but will it ?