Replacing Sadowsky Bridge 20mm with 19mm alternative

[two fingers]

Because I can.

Of course you can.

You CAN jump off a bridge.

You CAN drink gasoline.

You CAN be a jerk to everyone you meet.

You CAN eat a dozen doughnuts for three meals a day for a year.

But, just because you can, that doesn't mean you SHOULD.

Good luck being you, pal.

 

[Blissful_Lad]

I can, trust me. Maybe not every one can, but I think most real players with experience can. You'd be surprised.
No doubt I'd be 100% accurate on that test.

:>)

seems like a small number, but its not when you get down to playing - fingers get in the way! Especially my FAT fingers!

Maybe it's just me, but I know I can tell.... And I know other pro players can as well...

YMMV.

I go between a Chapman Stick to a Double Bass and several different Electric Basses... never thought about it until now - including scale length.

1 millimeter? Really? Just guessing that the string spacing playing very near the bridge to playing over the edge of the fingerboard is a greater value.

Silly.

"Fat Fingers"? So many other things to "worry" about.

 

[pedroims]

I'd like to see you physically (side-by-side) tell the difference between the two. Me thinks you might not.

I am sure most of players cant see the difference between 19 amd 20 mm but many of them can feel it. It does not matter if your play with your eyes but if you play with your fingers it can make a whole world difference.

 

[fhm555]

I have a hunch that a bridge with 19mm string spacing would be preferable than the 20mm bridge that is currently on my 4 string Sadowsky. Sadowsky can provide me with a 19mm replacement, but it is little on the pricey side.
Does anyone on here know of a cheap 19mm bridge that would fit the Sadowsky bass in order to give 19mm spacing a try? If it works out, I will go with a Sadowsky replacement bridge

Buy the official 19mm bridge and try it on. After you decide which you like best, sell the one you don’t use. It might take a minute to do it that way, but i’d bet you’ll wind up spending less out of pocket than you would buying a cheapie then the real deal if you like the low dollar stand in.

 

[robthebassplaye]

Trying to get back on topic - to answer the OPs actual question, why not give StewMac or All Parts a call, describe the bass you have (and have the hole spacing measurements available for your current bridge), and what you are trying to accomplish. I am 100% certain that one of those 2 fine companies will be able to help you out for under $30 USD... Probably better advice than you've been getting here (myself included, sorry about that.) Best of luck to ya! I have a 5 string 19mm original Sadowsky bridge that I would lend you, but a 5'r wont help out on a 4 string...

 

[leroy diamond]

Trying to get back on topic - to answer the OPs actual question, why not give StewMac or All Parts a call, describe the bass you have (and have the hole spacing measurements available for your current bridge), and what you are trying to accomplish. I am 100% certain that one of those 2 fine companies will be able to help you out for under $30 USD... Probably better advice than you've been getting here (myself included, sorry about that.) Best of luck to ya! I have a 5 string 19mm original Sadowsky bridge that I would lend you, but a 5'r wont help out on a 4 string...

A good suggestion, though I will be going with the advice in post #26. That will confirm whether the 19mm option suits. If so, I will then order a 19mm Sadowsky bridge and move on the bridge that is currently on the bass.

 

[robthebassplaye]

Sounds good - I'd love to hear how it works out for you. Rob

 

[Slevage]

I'd like to see you physically (side-by-side) tell the difference between the two. Me thinks you might not.

My ability to feel the difference is far better than my eye sight.
Having played since 1971, one of the skills has become refined, the other has done the opposite.

 

[bolophonic]

I can, trust me. Maybe not every one can, but I think most real players with experience can. You'd be surprised.
No doubt I'd be 100% accurate on that test.

:>)

seems like a small number, but its not when you get down to playing - fingers get in the way! Especially my FAT fingers!

Maybe it's just me, but I know I can tell.... And I know other pro players can as well...

YMMV.

I don’t know, dude.... I’ve played hundreds of different basses over the last 30 years and never measured the bridge on a single one of them. Personally, I don’t consider an inability to adapt to a millimeter tolerance to be an admirable goal or the mark of a professional.

 

[robthebassplaye]

Yes, I agree with you, and I regret posting that. My post was judgmental and not appropriate. My apologies. Sorry, Bolophonic. I think I should take that down.

 

[Nenor]

So, any outcome yet? I'm having the same debate. No doubt 19mm is better for me. Two concerns however: 1) The outer strings (E & G) would relocate pretty far from the edge of the fingerboard. 2) The strings (mainly E & G) would not align correctly with the pickup poles.

 

[stingray69]

Interesting reading - luckily, I'm comfortable and can adapt easily between 16.5 and 19mm, however, I found my physical limit of consequence at 20mm.

By that I mean it was impeding my ability to play properly & I found myself fumbling occasional notes trying to bridge the extra distance between strings & slowing me down on passages. Every player will have their comfort zone typically driven by hand size, finger length, dexterity, flexibility, etc. But at the fringes of the "zone", I agree 1mm becomes a big deal.

Curious how this story turned out myself.

 

[Chadwick123]

Resurrecting this thread. I recently got the PJ4 in the pic. It was the first bass I ever played with 20 mm spacing. I can adapt to anything, but I missed the traditional feel of 19. I emailed Roger and paid the $185 for the new bridge. Today I popped it on in 10 mins and the bass feels much better to me now. Just thought I would let the group know.