NBD - A few little mods...

[aka-sundogue]

Sorry, while this is a new bass to me, the title means, New Bridge Day. I replaced the stock bent plate bridge for a Fender Hi-Mass one. I like it better, aesthetically, but I also think it sounds a little punchier. I don't really care if it adds sustain, but I like it.

This Squier got new vinyl inlays, toaster knobs and the new bridge. I gave it a complete fret job (cleaned up edges and a levelling as well as fallaway from the 12th fret up). Action is pretty low (about 3 business cards thick at the 12th fret). No buzz, low action, punchy as can be and it sounds and plays really well.

This is my first Jazz bass after 45 years of owning a lot of different basses, and always P-Basses when it came to Fender styles.

For those who want a reference between the stock bent-plate and the Hi-Mass bridges, here you go...

Top view...

Side view...

Direct replacement for the stock bridge...easy swap.

Here's the Jazz before some slight mods...

And after with the new inlays, knobs and bridge...

The before and after shots next to my little custom made rig (110/6 + 110)...

After...

 

[duanev3]

I like the block inlays and the knob updates.... On my squire I just changed out the neck to one that had the block inlays and binding and added the lollipop tuners.... Has that kill mid-60's vibe to it.

 

[bobyoung53]

I took off a bridge like yours, I couldn't get the action lower on my Am Vintage Hot Rod P/J bass so I bought a vintage bent plate, solved the problem. I didn't notice any change in sustain. I'm very used to them though. I like these because you can move the strings right or left.

 

[JIO]

I took off a bridge like yours, I couldn't get the action lower on my Am Vintage Hot Rod P/J bass so I bought a vintage bent plate, solved the problem. I didn't notice any change in sustain. I'm very used to them though. I like these because you can move the strings right or left.

...but wait - it's cheaper and works really well... oh never mind...

 

[bobyoung53]

I took off a bridge like yours, I couldn't get the action lower on my Am Vintage Hot Rod P/J bass so I bought a vintage bent plate, solved the problem. I didn't notice any change in sustain. I'm very used to them though. I like these because you can move the strings right or left.

Oh, that's not my bass, I got that from Google, I didn't even notice it when I put it in.

 

[SJan3]

I took off a bridge like yours, I couldn't get the action lower on my Am Vintage Hot Rod P/J bass so I bought a vintage bent plate, solved the problem. I didn't notice any change in sustain. I'm very used to them though. I like these because you can move the strings right or left.

Vintage bridge with threaded saddles is, IMHO, the best bridge ever. Allows for minute adjustments, weighs less and transfers acoustic vibrations to the body better resulting in a more organic tone.

 

[JIO]

Vintage bridge with threaded saddles is, IMHO, the best bridge ever. Allows for minute adjustments, weighs less and transfers acoustic vibrations to the body better resulting in a more organic tone.

I think many respected builders/luthiers would agree with you.

 

[bobyoung53]

Vintage bridge with threaded saddles is, IMHO, the best bridge ever. Allows for minute adjustments, weighs less and transfers acoustic vibrations to the body better resulting in a more organic tone.

I've always thought so too, I was surprised when Fender started offering high mass bridges.

 

[JIO]

I've always thought so too, I was surprised when Fender started offering high mass bridges.

Early ones were crazy heavy brass monstrosities - chasing a problem that didn't exist, or more specifically - addressing the issue incorrectly.

 

[SJan3]

I've always thought so too, I was surprised when Fender started offering high mass bridges.

Fender will offer any shiny object that will make us buy more basses. The novice is likely taken in by the glitz without regard for how something might enhance or hinder performance. Others may like those chunky hi mass bridges but not me.

 

[aka-sundogue]

I have as much experience playing and gigging as anyone on TB. I've also owned, set up and modded as many basses as anyone here over the last 45 years.

I've owned vintage gear when it was still new back in the day. I'm probably as aware as anyone what parts on a bass have what kind of effect, having even built my own.

The only reason I did what I did is because I could, and I like the change.

 

[duanev3]

Vintage bridge with threaded saddles is, IMHO, the best bridge ever. Allows for minute adjustments, weighs less and transfers acoustic vibrations to the body better resulting in a more organic tone.

totally agree.... I also have the threaded saddles on my tele as well.

 

[micguy]

There is one practical advantage to that hi mass bridge - it uses up a bit more string behind the saddle. On a 4 string Fender style instrument, the tuner for the E is kinda close to the nut, so..with the string makers trying to make strings for 4's and 5's with the same winding length, you often get a bit of the fat part wound 'round the E tuner. The extra bit of length taken up by the hi mass bridge helps mitigate that in some cases.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Sorry, while this is a new bass to me, the title means, New Bridge Day. I replaced the stock bent plate bridge for a Fender Hi-Mass one. I like it better, aesthetically, but I also think it sounds a little punchier. I don't really care if it adds sustain, but I like it.

This Squier got new vinyl inlays, toaster knobs and the new bridge. I gave it a complete fret job (cleaned up edges and a levelling as well as fallaway from the 12th fret up). Action is pretty low (about 3 business cards thick at the 12th fret). No buzz, low action, punchy as can be and it sounds and plays really well.

This is my first Jazz bass after 45 years of owning a lot of different basses, and always P-Basses when it came to Fender styles.

For those who want a reference between the stock bent-plate and the Hi-Mass bridges, here you go...

Top view...

Side view...

Direct replacement for the stock bridge...easy swap.

Here's the Jazz before some slight mods...

And after with the new inlays, knobs and bridge...

The before and after shots next to my little custom made rig (110/6 + 110)...

After...

Nice job!

 

[aka-sundogue]

There is another advantage to the Hi-Mass Bridge...

I like it better. I like the looks of it better, it seems to balance the bass a bit better for me, and I did notice the bass is punchier, for lack of a better word. This wasn't something I was looking for, or expected. All of my amp and bass settings were identical to what I had with the old bridge, and that's all that changed and it seems to have more "punch". This isn't a case of having that expectation and my mind playing tricks on me to support some confirmation bias. Just a side benefit. I haven't noticed any increase in sustain, though I don't really care about that anyway.

Most of all though, I like it better...and that's all that matters to me.

 

[SJan3]

There is another advantage to the Hi-Mass Bridge...

I like it better. I like the looks of it better, it seems to balance the bass a bit better for me, and I did notice the bass is punchier, for lack of a better word. This wasn't something I was looking for, or expected. I haven't noticed any increase in sustain, though I don't really care about that anyway.

Most of all though, I like it better...and that's all that matters to me.

If you're happy, we're happy!

 

[SJan3]

I have as much experience playing and gigging as anyone on TB. I've also owned, set up and modded as many basses as anyone here over the last 45 years.

I've owned vintage gear when it was still new back in the day. I'm probably as aware as anyone what parts on a bass have what kind of effect, having even built my own.

The only reason I did what I did is because I could, and I like the change.

Wait, you've been a Talkbass member for a month and you can say with confidence that you have as much playing and gigging experience as anyone here? You've owned and modded as many basses as anyone here?

 

[aka-sundogue]

Wait, you've been a Talkbass member for a month and you can say with confidence that you have as much playing and gigging experience as anyone here? You've owned and modded as many basses as anyone here?

I haven't been on for a while and I can't access my old profile, so I had to create a new one. I've been playing guitar and bass since the late 1970's as a professional, and later in life as a semi-professional and then as a hobbyist. I sold all my gear about 5 years ago and haven't touched a bass or been on TB until recently.

Oh...and don't get me started on bass cabs!

Amazing how our perception changes when presented with new information.

 

[SJan3]

I haven't been on for a while and I can't access my old profile, so I had to create a new one.

Amazing how our perception changes when presented with new information.

My perception hasn't changed. Those are wild claims.

 

[duanev3]

Nothing wrong with stating you have just as much experience as others.... You did refer to him as a "novice" just because people like glitzee guitar things, which I though was a little arrogant.