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Replacement Bridge for EB-3 copy

Tom0Blam0

Tom0Blam0

Supporting Member
Mar 16, 2014
796
618
#1
I posted on here a few days ago about a bass I am restoring, with the intention of putting a hipshot 2-point supertone in; however, after some research, I decided I either wanted to keep the current bridge (a Badass 1 bridge that was modded by the previous owner to fit the short scale) or to use a Schaller 3d-4 I have (since it has adjustable saddles I figure it may be a better choice).

Does anyone have any thoughts regarding this mod? I like the BA bridge, but the saddles were not modded very well and I'm concerned they might have been responsible for some fretbuzz I was having on the bass (I could be totally wrong, though - I'm no setup pro). I think Mike Watt used both, so I know they'll get the job done - I just want to play this thing again! The schaller is great and I like the fact that I can adjust the saddles which is not the case with the BA.
 
#2
I still believe you would be better off with the Epiphone 3-point bridge, as it is designed for the bass, probably only needs the 3rd hole drilled, will look authentic to the instrument, will have stability and proper adjustable saddles, and there is one for sale in Classifieds right now for $10.
 
#3
First the badass has not much to do with fret buzz other than if the saddles are too low. The frets uniformity of level, relief and straightness of the neck dictate how low action can go without buzz. So the badass isn't to blame just because the slots are a little messy.

I don't get what lilpopes is saying about a three point being the right choice. The EB3 was around for 11 or 12 (61 was first year of the eb3 and three point was released in '73) years before it got the tripod, it originally had a two point bridge like the OPs originally had.

The Hipshot two point is an excellent choice but there is nothing wring with the Schaller if the spacing can be set to work with the narrow Gibson neck; it's baseplate is a pretty big footprint though.
 
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#4
96tbird said:
I don't get what lilpopes is saying about a three point being the right choice. The EB3 was around for 11 or 12 (61 was first year of the eb3 and three point was released in '73) years before it got the tripod, it originally had a two point bridge like the OPs originally had.
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I'm talking about the newer Asian Epiphone bridges like on the Jack Cassady and the EB-0/3 basses. The three point bridge, even if the third hole has to be drilled on the bass to accommodate it, is a much more stable design that will stay better in tune and has sufficient travel on the saddles to intonate properly. It has the proper string spacing, and it fits the holes for the two stud anchors that are already there. It is also inexpensive. The bridges being discussed above, forgive my bluntness, are more expensive new than the EB-copy bass that the OP is trying to get running again, is worth.
 
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#5
iiipopes said:
I still believe you would be better off with the Epiphone 3-point bridge, as it is designed for the bass, probably only needs the 3rd hole drilled, will look authentic to the instrument, will have stability and proper adjustable saddles, and there is one for sale in Classifieds right now for $10.
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Ah. I see. The part where you said "as it is designed for the bass" I found to be patently wrong.

But I respect your concern about the op's wallet. Your suggestion is a good one if he has access to a drill press and is handy. Potential Pitfalls to every choice here.
 
#7
Tom0Blam0 said:
The copy doesn't have the same spacing as the epi basses, so I'd have to re drill, which I don't want to do. I'm more interested in working with what I've got currently.
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Well, Darn the luck. Another idea bites the dust. Sorry.

The next idea is to contact BadAss and see if they will send you a set of saddles without notches for your current bridge, and possibly some longer bridge saddle screws, if necessary, so you can adapt your current bridge to the proper geometry.
 

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