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Recommendations on a replacement Jazz bass bridge

davidjbass

davidjbass

Sep 2, 2006
3,113
1,039
Massachusetts
www.reverbnation.com
#1
I just purchased a 2024 Fender Players Jazz bass II. I love the bass in everyway except the bridge. So I am looking for suggestions on what type of replacement you bass players feel will give the bass more mass, better action and sustain. I am considering a Leo Quan bass ass II. See pic below. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

View attachment L99521000004000-00-2000x2000.webp
 
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#4
Aesthetics are important, so if you think you'll like the look of the badass bridge it is a consideration. Haven't installed any myself but they're well regarded.

I tried a Gotoh 201b-4 on one of my basses and I thought it added some sustain and mass, no complaints about the action though I did decide to swap the saddles out came with for ones with a smaller diameter to allow for even lower adjustment.

I've also used a Gotoh 404BO bridge on another one. Again I dig the look, it added some mass as opposed to what it replaced. I'm not sure about sustain.

Good luck!
 
#5
This is one of those areas of dispute where each "side" believes they have the answer, and others seem to be either delusional or deaf., depending. 🙂

I'm among those who have felt a difference with various bridges. In particular, with a Babicz bridge I felt a bit more solidity with notes played, a bit less thin.
Even more so, I've felt a brass bridge bringing added physical projection and volume ("But those things don't matter once it's amplified ... ", and so on.)

People are all free to believe as they will. I can state my own experience ... hey, it's all grist for the mill. Best way to find out for yourself is to try it and see. A fairly easy switch.
 
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#9
Depends. I have the Babicz bridge on a couple of basses, and I like it a lot, except for the fact that you have to thread the string through the hole when you're changing strings. Also, the edges of my Babicz bridges feel kinda sharp sometimes. If it weren't for the fact that they have a different hole pattern than the bridge you're replacing, I'd recommend a couple of Gotoh models. I actually have the Hipshot version of the Kickass bridge on one bass, and I don't care for it very much. So my default bridge has become the Hipshot A style bridge. It has all the advantages of a modern design -- lightweight (if you get the aluminum one), 3D adjustable, and easy string changes. They make a version of that that's a direct replacement for Fender bridges, and that's the one I'm recommending.
 
#10
Minimalist said:
A bridge "upgrade" will have little to no effect on your tone, sustain etc. Save the money and buy some beer.
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Respectfully disagree. While it's hard to quantify which elements of a bridge (weight, materials, construction, etc) will affect given tonal characteristics, they do undoubtedly have an impact. The Leo Quan Badass II is a worthy replacement for the stock bent steel bridge, as is the Hipshot A Style (although I'm not sure it's a direct replacement; someone else might know).
 
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#11
My fav (that's what we're all popping up with, right?) is the Hipshot B, the FM1 variant that has the 5 hole mount. Comes in either aluminum or brass (I prefer brass.) Why? Quick removal of strings, but they don't just fall out when tension is released like the Hipshot A bridge. If you don't care about quick release, go with the Gotoh 201.
 
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#13
davidjbass said:
I just purchased a 2024 Fender Players Jazz bass II. I love the bass in everyway except the bridge. So I am looking for suggestions on what type of replacement you bass players feel will give the bass more mass, better action and sustain. I am considering a Leo Quan bass ass II. See pic below. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

View attachment 7003596
Click to expand...
Bibicz

Don't look back
 
#20
Minimalist said:
A bridge "upgrade" will have little to no effect on your tone, sustain etc. Save the money and buy some beer.
Click to expand...
Dude...leave him alone. This is TB, EVERY 1, 1000th of a vibration, of every different string matters. After 500 pages, he'll finally be at agreement with the top 10 responders. SHHHHHHH... get some popcorn, and check back in a week.
 

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