NBD - A few little mods...

[aka-sundogue]

...and transfers acoustic vibrations to the body better resulting in a more organic tone.

If you really want a more acoustic, organic tone, use either string-through or a tailpiece and use a bone bridge saddle as acoustic guitars and basses do.

The fact that the Hi-Mass does NOT give it an organic tone is more than likely why it has a more "in-your-face", "punchier" tone than the bent plate bridge. I wasn't after that...it was done purely as an aesthetic swap. The punch and body balance were just nice side benefits.

 

[bobyoung53]

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.

Also the winding will sometimes end up on top of the saddle with the E string on a bent plate, I still like them better though, very easy to intonate and set action with.

 

[bdplaid]

This, for when you like the original bent plate bridge but also want a quick change option.

 

[Grinderman]

When I was a child, probably 12 years old, I saw my 1st bass guitar and was smitten with it's looks. Of course, I wanted the shiny one. 2 years later my dad bought me my first real Fender Jazz bass. It was a '66 and I was disappointed when I took the covers off and saw plastic covered pickups. My 1st bass was a Tempo jazz copy with chrome pickups. I was even more disappointed when I saw Fender go to blocks on the fretboard. Mine had dots and binding. Did these things matter? From a performance standpoint, not likely but they tickled my senses as someone who did not yet know what made a good instrument. These days my basses might be considered bland visually but they play like a b**ch. And sound the part. And even those claims are subjective. As I said initially, if he's happy I'm happy.

Damn, what a cool dad!

 

[SJan3]

If you really want a more acoustic, organic tone, use either string-through or a tailpiece and use a bone bridge saddle as acoustic guitars and basses do.

The fact that the Hi-Mass does NOT give it an organic tone is more than likely why it has a more "in-your-face", "punchier" tone than the bent plate bridge. I wasn't after that...it was done purely as an aesthetic swap. The punch and body balance were just nice side benefits.

I agree with you on this other than the strings thru body. My American Precision can be loaded thru body or top loaded. Sonically, I don't really hear a difference but I think thru the body results in more string tension, if that's what someone wants. I actually prefer top load unless it's a hi mass bridge.

 

[SJan3]

Damn, what cool dad!

Yea, and he was a great horn player.
RIP, dad

 

[Raman]

I've installed a CAD15$ MusicLily black bridge on my new CV 70s, purely for aesthetical reasons. It is cheap though and the paint chips easily. So I figure I will change it soon enough.

This Gotoh 201B-4 is the one that I'd like to see on there.

But before I shed CAD70$ for a new bridge, I will invest in better tuners.

 

[Danger McLovin]

I used to have "The Claw" bridge on a P bass until I compared it to the threaded saddle bridge and found I preferred the sound with the threaded saddle bridge. The treaded saddle bridge has been my Fender bridge of choice for decades. If Fender made it in black I'd install it on my Mustang PJ LE.

I think The Claw may still be around here somewhere. I'll have to look for it someday.

@mongo2. I am desperately looking for a Fender Claw Bridge. I would do just about anything to get one. If you still have your Fender Claw Bridge can I please buy it off of you please ? ?