Need Opinions on High Mass Bridges

[JimmyM]

Brass will always sound better, it's 'a living metal'. Aluminum is junk.

I don't know if I'd call brass a "living metal" since there's no such thing, but after my experiences with two aluminum bridges, I know I'll certainly never get another one. Junk? No. Does things to the sound I don't like? Absolutely.

 

[Bikeguy57]

If you like low action, be prepared to shim the neck. Nothing in my limited experience gets as low as a fender vintage threaded.

 

[JimmyM]

If you like low action, be prepared to shim the neck. Nothing in my limited experience gets as low as a fender vintage threaded.

When switching from hi mass Schaller and Badass II-style bridges, my P's required no shimming to get the action super low. But I do agree that I can't see how any other bridge can get the action as low as the Fender.

 

[jpmcbride]

Is a high mass bridge worth the cost?

Well, they're a nice improvement on a Gibson bass as a replacement for the two or three point stock bridges. I put Hipshot bridges on my Gibson's and love them for the improved adjustability. And besides, who doesn't love a big hunk of nicely machined metal But I can't hear any difference in tone or sustain.

If you want it, go for it. They look nice, work well, they're not too expensive, and maybe your ear can hear a difference. In any case, make sure you keep the original bridge in case you ever want to sell the bass. You'll want to include the original with the sale.

 

[Doner Designs]

Brass saddles now available

 

[mattj1stc]

I only have one experience with one. I used to have a Ric, but I had a problem the Ric bridge (intonation and tail lift). I chose the drop-in replacement from Hipshot. There were two options, and I chose the high mass brass one. While the Hipshot worked just fine in terms of fixing my bridge issues, I didn't notice any change in tone, sustain, or any of the other goodness that high mass bridges are supposed to bring. This is just one example, but I don't think I would bother with chasing the high mass bridge tone thing again.

 

[T Bassman]

After 30+ yrs of playing around with Badass 2 vs classic bent plate (w/threaded saddles being my preference), I’ve settled back into a Badass 2 on my Jazz bass at least.

It just works for me. I notice a different feel for my right hand, and increased focus to the note on the bass. Helps perceptively with neck dive on my lightweight bodied jazz as well.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

They're pretty easy to come by on Reverb, eBay, and pretty much any authorized fender replacement parts source:

Genuine Fender American Standard Big Block High Mass Vintage Chrome Bass Bridge | Guitar Audio | Reverb

They are very solid, but use the newer 3-hole mounting screw pattern that's been on the American Fenders for like a decade now.

That's excellent. Definitely putting one on my next build.

 

[dune]

I love quality machining. The only requirement I have for a bridge is that it be quick release.

 

[Lagado]

As far as I've found, high mass bridges just add more weight to the bass.

 

[Sid Fang]

Aluminum bass (& bridge) + brass saddles = I BEG TO DIFFER KIND SIR
View attachment 3840352

That’s a really interesting and strange axe you have there. Some cool and clever features, but why on Earth are the tuners mounted backwards?

 

[2F/2F]

If you want more sustain...

And there is the heart of the matter, that always gets lost in these discussions about sustain.

Do you actually want more sustain?

If you are often playing melodically and lyrically on your bass, maybe. But I don't tend to play that way, nor do most electric bassists IME.

I don't want more sustain. I want less most of the time. I think short sustain makes for a better bass bart most of the time. I can't think of an electric bass part I've ever been called on to play, or composed myself, in which I felt that a lack of sustain was a problem. It's far more often that I take steps in my playing (and setup) to get a note that inherently has shorter sustain. Right hand muting. Left hand muting. Foam or felt mufflers on the strings. Setups and techniques that lead to "plunkiness." Tools I use every time I pick up a bass. NEVER have I though to myself, "This note is too damned short. What can I do to make it longer?"

The quest for sustain on an instrument that is the lungs of the rhythm section is largely a technical quest IME; it has little real-world application.

 

[JoeWPgh]

And there is the key.

Do you actually want more sustain?

If you are often playing melodically and lyrically on your bass, maybe. But I don't tend to play that way, nor do most electric bassists IME.

I don't. I can't think of an electric bass part I've ever been called on to play, or composed myself, in which I felt that a lack of sustain was a problem. It's far more often that I take steps in my playing (and setup) to get a note that inherently has shorter sustain. Right hand muting. Left hand muting. Foam or felt mufflers on the strings. Tools I use every time I pick up a bass. NEVER have I though to myself, "This note is too damned short. What can I do to make it longer?"

The quest for sustain on an instrument that is the lungs of the rhythm section is largely a technical quest IME; it has little real-world application.

While I agree on sustain itself, I think you are missing the point inherent to sustain. If a bass has more sustain, it means the strings move more freely. This affects more than simple sustain. It means that the upper harmonics of a note ring out a little more.

 

[2F/2F]

While I agree on sustain itself, I think you are missing the point inherent to sustain. If a bass has more sustain, it means the strings move more freely. This affects more than simple sustain. It means that the upper harmonics of a note ring out a little more.

You mean the parts that I turn down to 0 with my e.q. controls?

But seriously, if that's what folks are talking about, then that's what they should call it.

 

[JoeWPgh]

You mean the parts that I turn down to 0 with my e.q. controls?

I have no idea what you do with your EQ. But as they say, it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

 

[lokikallas]

I don’t use high mass bridges because of tonal or sustain issues, but rather because they usually are highly adjustable. I like the kickass HIPshot bridge because I found the custom string spacing useful.

 

[dune]

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).

^^^Reason enough.^^^

 

[JimmyM]

While I agree on sustain itself, I think you are missing the point inherent to sustain. If a bass has more sustain, it means the strings move more freely. This affects more than simple sustain. It means that the upper harmonics of a note ring out a little more.

Not everyone's looking for that. There might have been a time I was looking for that, but not for a very long time.

 

[micguy]

Do you actually want more sustain?

In the gigs I do (churches), at times the answer is definitely yes - there are transitions and underscoring situations where more sustain would be very useful to me. If I were playing down at the local pub (I have done those gigs in the past), then no.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

I don't really expect much change in tone with a bridge swap. I'm mainly looking for solid build quality and an intelligently designed setup control system more than anything. I want it to look good too because I'm shallow that way. However, If there is an improvement in tone then that's just icing on the cake.