Let the Battle for the Best Bridge Begin!

[Lammchop93]

Hipshot kick ass

 

[Turnaround]

Long battle that started 5 years ago and is ongoing today!

 

[WillyW]

7ender BBOT, what's the point of having multiple points of adjustment after it's already adjusted.

 

[Lowendchamp]

KSM Foundation

 

[philzbass]

I just picked up a Hipshot Kickass for a Fender Jazz Bass. Awesome bridge! Considering getting a Hipshot Vintage now too. See which one I prefer.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Anything bent-plate with saddle grooves and guides. I have an appreciation for the more convoluted platforms but always questioned whether the embellishments are of any true discernible value.

Riis

 

[ArteK]

I’m a big fan of the Gotoh B201. All my FSOs have it. For five hole installations, it’s a $50 drop in replacement.

For the Gibson Les Paul bass I had, I really liked the Schaller bridge. I didn’t care for the stock three-point Gibson/Epiphone bridge.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I think the bridge is the most overthought thing on a bass. I bought a Fender parts bass back in about 1983, of course it had a Badass 2 bridge. About 3 years ago, I put a traditional bridge on it. Other than a slight reduction in weight, absolutely no difference.

If you make frequent string changes, it's an issue. Other than that, not really.

 

[Turnaround]

An eight year debate and still going. More importantly, no agreement.

 

[walterw]

i've yet to find a bridge i prefer over the one i have, the stock first-gen fender american standard

low mass but rock solid anchoring, adjustable string spacing with steel saddles

 

[SharpCat]

Quick release is nice if you're a string addict. Mostly forces a Hipshot. If using flats or other low-change strings, Gotoh 201B or Fender High-Mass nice.

 

[Geri O]

Eight years. Still Hipshot.

Mostly because they come on my favorite bass as OEM. No need to look elsewhere.

I think the OEM bridge on the Stingray Special is a good bridge. Again, I see no need to change.

 

[PL92106]

Ok, i'm resurrecting this to share some knowledge that i've gained after assembling 2 new basses. I just made a Warmoth P, and a Jazz/P neck with all new Fender parts. I put a Gotoh 201B on the Warmoth and a Fender Hi Mass with brass saddles on the Jazz. I was BARELY able to get the action low enough on the Warmoth, and I would still like it a hair lower. The Jazz action was even higher and I had to get a Stewmac .25 maple shim to make it tolerable. The Jazz still feels high to me. So, I started researching bridges, and it seems that most brands of "Hi Mass" bridges are going to have a HIGHER minimum string height from the body of the bass. Example, Fender Hi Mass bridge minimum string height is .47" (about 12mm), the Gotoh is fairly close to the Fender. Now, if you go bent plate style, the "Vintage" Fender ones are listed as .395" (about 10mm). Then I found the Babicz Z series (the one with the bent plate look in the rear). That Babicz is listed as .349" (about 8.9mm). Bam! No more shims, no more worry, and i'll have complete uninterrupted control of my string height. Something to think about.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Gotoh 203B is my best. Robust, stable and sturdy and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I had a BadAss II bridge on my parts jazz for almost 40 years. Replaced it with a simple bent plate bridge. No difference in tone or sustain, bass is lighter.

 

[sissy kathy]

Ok, i'm resurrecting this to share some knowledge that i've gained after assembling 2 new basses. I just made a Warmoth P, and a Jazz/P neck with all new Fender parts. I put a Gotoh 201B on the Warmoth and a Fender Hi Mass with brass saddles on the Jazz. I was BARELY able to get the action low enough on the Warmoth, and I would still like it a hair lower. The Jazz action was even higher and I had to get a Stewmac .25 maple shim to make it tolerable. The Jazz still feels high to me. So, I started researching bridges, and it seems that most brands of "Hi Mass" bridges are going to have a HIGHER minimum string height from the body of the bass. Example, Fender Hi Mass bridge minimum string height is .47" (about 12mm), the Gotoh is fairly close to the Fender. Now, if you go bent plate style, the "Vintage" Fender ones are listed as .395" (about 10mm). Then I found the Babicz Z series (the one with the bent plate look in the rear). That Babicz is listed as .349" (about 8.9mm). Bam! No more shims, no more worry, and i'll have complete uninterrupted control of my string height. Something to think about.

Come on, there isn't a thing in the world wrong with adding a shim in either end of the pocket, and will resolve your string height issues.

 

[PL92106]

Come on, there isn't a thing in the world wrong with adding a shim in either end of the pocket, and will resolve your string height issues.

Well, if you’re building an instrument from scratch, would you rather do it right the first time, or intentionally do it wrong and “fix” it with shims and other remedies? Also, if you’re someone who’s replacing a bent metal bridge and has good action height currently, why would you buy a new bridge knowing that you will also have to shim the neck? LOTS of people have bought those Fender HiMass bridges and then complained in the forums of high action. So, that’s why i’m sharing my findings. IMO, all bridge manufacturers should list the minimum string height in their specs.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Have I got a bridge for you

 

[DJ Bebop]

Gotoh 203B is my best. Robust, stable and sturdy and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

I have one on a P bass. I did have to shim the neck to get some adjustment in the saddles.

 

[Lo-E]

Whatever you have handy, like the look of or feel has the adjustment method you like. They all do the same thing.