I recently acquired an American Performer P-Bass (2020 model year) and would like to replace the bridge with a Kickass high mass bridge. However they look considerably taller than the Fender vintage bridge that comes standard. As the Jazz pickup is already fairly close to the bridge, does anyone have experience with this? I don't want to lose the ability to slide a bridge mute in that space.
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Kickass HM bridge on American Performer P-Bass?
- Thread starter Adam Killick
- Start date
Do you mean longer as in it appears to sit closer to the pickup? I interprete taller to mean the base plate and the saddles sit higher off the body.
why?
the stock bridge works just fine, it's a nice low mass modern variation on the late '50s threaded rod saddle bridges where you can adjust the string spacing
there's nothing to be gained by changing it
I'm always concerned about the change in base plate thickness (below) as the mod frequently requires an addt'l shim at the heel / pocket.
Riis
Riis
You will be able to get a mute in between the HSKA bridge plate and the strings. It will probably have to be like most people's mutes- self-fabricated from Lob-knows-what scrap material from around your house rather than some off the shelf bass guitar mute product.
It would probably be a bit tough to find a decent material for a mute to be placed between the paint and the strings on the pickup-side of the bridge plate… the issue becomes that you're nearing a node on the strings which is not ideal for muting.
I will jump on the dog pile of "unless you're addressing an On The Strap balance issue, that bridge is a mod with zero actual benefit", even though as a serial failing entrepreneur I really want to see Hipshot thrive with lots of sales. The only good reason to swap out a Fender Bent Plate is to a bridge with a Quick String Change design with slots instead of holes. I'll definitely recommend going for Hipshot's ultralight tuners regardless of whether or not you've got a balance issue! A lighter bass is a lighter bass!
It would probably be a bit tough to find a decent material for a mute to be placed between the paint and the strings on the pickup-side of the bridge plate… the issue becomes that you're nearing a node on the strings which is not ideal for muting.
I will jump on the dog pile of "unless you're addressing an On The Strap balance issue, that bridge is a mod with zero actual benefit", even though as a serial failing entrepreneur I really want to see Hipshot thrive with lots of sales. The only good reason to swap out a Fender Bent Plate is to a bridge with a Quick String Change design with slots instead of holes. I'll definitely recommend going for Hipshot's ultralight tuners regardless of whether or not you've got a balance issue! A lighter bass is a lighter bass!
Turnaround
Commercial User
The key is the distances from the mounting holes. On the KickAss, the base plate extends 41.5mm towards the neck, and 27.1mm towards the butt end of the bass, both measured from the centre of the mounting holes.
what's wrong with it?
you may only need to clean it up, possibly replace some screws if they're rusty
Yes I spent a few hours on it today and have got it looking much better. Replaced strings and the intonation is really good so I guess it was all a tempest in a teapot. Thanks to everyone who weighed in and saved me a C-note!
nice! looks great
just remember, the point of that saddle design is to spread the strings out on those grooves enough to line them up between the pickup magnets on that J pickup, which will also serve to pull the outer saddles inward and hold them all together with no sliding around or rattling
