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Need Opinions on High Mass Bridges

Is a High Mass Bridge worth the loot?

  • No amount of $$ is too much for superior tone

    Votes: 54 23.2%

  • Jamerson did it with a bent piece of metal

    Votes: 116 49.8%

  • High Mass Carrots only please

    Votes: 63 27.0%
  • Total voters
    233
#81
GravyGoodness said:
So look, I know this isn't as hotly contested as "tonewood" or even poly vs nitro. BUT! Is a high mass bridge worth the cost?

I design water and sewer systems now, but I ran a machine shop for 15 years before and I appreciate nice machine work. I think it's cool, so a nifty hunk of metal is just beautiful to me. I really want to buy a Babicz bridge ONLY because it looks awesome - tone is not the priority here (despite the poll option).

Do you like high mass bridges? Hate them? What's your faves? Also if you have a Babicz let me know how you like it.

If you're wondering it's going on a Blonde Fender Classic 50's PBass.
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Aftermarket bridges are overrated, IMO. I can't see them making any type of noticeable improvement in tone/sustain. I don't buy the fact that they improve tuning stability and/or intonation. I have 2 Squiers with stock bridges and machine heads and they hold their tuning and intonation incredibly well. Put your money toward a good preamp.
 
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#83
Dark Horse said:
If your bass is neck divey a high mass bridge can help balance it :)
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That money imho is much better spent on low mass tuners - they help with balance (given the long lever arm they’re on) much more than adding mass at the bridge, and the instrument gets lighter, not heavier.

If you want some eye candy on your bass, Hishot A’s in aluminum are solid bridges that don’t add much weight over the stock bent plate. They also lock down side to side movement, which is a nice plus.
 
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#85
GravyGoodness said:
So look, I know this isn't as hotly contested as "tonewood" or even poly vs nitro. BUT! Is a high mass bridge worth the cost?

I design water and sewer systems now, but I ran a machine shop for 15 years before and I appreciate nice machine work. I think it's cool, so a nifty hunk of metal is just beautiful to me. I really want to buy a Babicz bridge ONLY because it looks awesome - tone is not the priority here (despite the poll option).

Do you like high mass bridges? Hate them? What's your faves? Also if you have a Babicz let me know how you like it.

If you're wondering it's going on a Blonde Fender Classic 50's PBass.
Click to expand...

Only if it’s lighter than the original issue...
 
#86
Saw a YouTube before/after installing a high mass bridge on a p bass. Pretty sure I was able to notice a bit of a shift in the sound towards more high frequencies, maybe a bit of a perceived loss in low mids. I see why Geddy Lee and Mike Dirnt use them, given the sound they go for.

Here's the video. Grab some headphones and listen for yourself.
 
#88
I have high mass bridges on all my basses - but not for tone reasons. Any change in tone is too small to be of practical consequence. My reasons for high mass bridges are quite simple.
  1. Weight to help shift the instruments CG away from the headstock (for better physical balance).
  2. Top load - I hate threading strings through a bridge or through a body.
  3. What was on sale.
 
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#90
GravyGoodness said:
So look, I know this isn't as hotly contested as "tonewood" or even poly vs nitro. BUT! Is a high mass bridge worth the cost?

I design water and sewer systems now, but I ran a machine shop for 15 years before and I appreciate nice machine work. I think it's cool, so a nifty hunk of metal is just beautiful to me. I really want to buy a Babicz bridge ONLY because it looks awesome - tone is not the priority here (despite the poll option).

Do you like high mass bridges? Hate them? What's your faves? Also if you have a Babicz let me know how you like it.

If you're wondering it's going on a Blonde Fender Classic 50's PBass.
Click to expand...

I like bent plate bridges, but on some basses a high mass is a nice improvement
 
#92
This is a quote I transcribed from the Gary Willis masterclass at scotts-bass-lessons.teachable.com module 6, around the 6 minute mark, give or take. This is not necessarily my opinion. I've owned basses with and without high mass bridges, and I'm simply not good enough to benefit from any subtle differences. But I'm absolutely positive Gary is that good. So maybe it's worth reading. Anyway, at this point in the module he's discussing the effects of wood, neck through vs. bolt on, bridge materials, etc. on the overall tone of the instrument.

"...I go with a simple bridge. These high density bridges that were advertised so long ago, Badass and everything, advertised more sustain, but that's more sustain of high frequencies. That's what it can resonate. It doesn't give you more low end. The only way you can get that is with something that resonates low frequencies, and that's the body."
 
#94
One thing to know about Badass bridges - zinc, will, if you sweat a lot on stage, pit under the plating, and look ugly far faster than an aluminum or brass bridge will. I had one in the 80's - it ended up with holes in the metal due to the pitting.
 
#96
I think it's a question of design and intent.

What would happen if you took a G&L L2K, and swapped in a low mass Fender style bridge. Would that change the tone? Probably. For better or worse? That depends on your preferences.

But the L2K sounds the way it does, in part, because of the bridge.

The same could be said of a Fender. They are designed with a low mass bridge. Would a high mass bridge improve it? That depends on you, though it would likely be different from the stock low mass bridge.

edg
 
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#97
micguy said:
That money imho is much better spent on low mass tuners - they help with balance (given the long lever arm they’re on) much more than adding mass at the bridge, and the instrument gets lighter, not heavier.

If you want some eye candy on your bass, Hishot A’s in aluminum are solid bridges that don’t add much weight over the stock bent plate. They also lock down side to side movement, which is a nice plus.
Click to expand...


Nobody said anything about spending money on one ;)

I have a bunch of high mass bridges I’ve taken off basses over the years. Occasionally I’ll find a bass that needs to balance a bit better, so I’ll toss one on.

But I agree....for the most part, if you’re gonna spend money, I’d say quality tuners are ALWAYS a better investment in your instrument than a bridge is ... regardless of whether it’s neck divey or not. :)
 
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#98
I prefer some of the modern bridges for reasons other than mass. My current favorite design is the ABM that I believe is discontinued. That said, the ones I have on a few of my basses are aluminum, and so they are very light. I prefer them because the saddles lock down, and the strings don't go thru a hole in the back. Just faster to string. I know it saves me about thirty seconds every time I change strings, but still.
 
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