• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Schaller Roller Bridges...Any Good?

#21
I'd go with a Hipshot "A" bridge. May cost a bit more but I find they're worth it. The bridge saddle inserts are round so they're "kind to strings" and offer limited spacing adjustment. They also lock into place via locking hex screws. The bridges themselves are available in a number of different spacing options.

http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=121

Riis
 
#22
I love the schaller bridges ... good tone and good adjustments.

white-bass%20024.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dave Neal and JamWithEggs
#30
bleh.

maybe not so noticeable on basses, but roller bridges are total tone and sustain sucks on guitars.

adjustable spacing is cool, but i vote for something with fewer fiddly moving parts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wraub
#32
It's not a roller bridge, but my US J Plus came from Fender with a Schaller machined bridge with a quick change string feature. Once slacked the ball ends can be pulled through the bridge rather than pulling the entire string through the bridge. Much simpler to change strings.
 
#34
walterw said:
maybe not so noticeable on basses, but roller bridges are total tone and sustain sucks on guitars.
Click to expand...

In addition to two of my basses, I also have a Schaller roller bridge on one of my guitars, and on that instrument it made a dramatic improvement to tone & sustain. Admittedly it was a cheap Yamaha guitar, so it probably would've been hard for the tone & sustain to get any worse, but still, I think it's a YMMV issue.

I'll agree that some other roller bridges -- e.g., original Kahler whammy -- can negatively impact tone & sustain on guitars. I think the problem has to do with the diameter of the string slots: Too big, so the string tends to move within the saddle rather than form a solid witness point. Makes them all sound a bit sitar-like.

But the Schaller doesn't suffer from any of those anomalies on my Yamaha guitar.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dave Neal
#35
Bob_Ross said:
In addition to two of my basses, I also have a Schaller roller bridge on one of my guitars, and on that instrument it made a dramatic improvement to tone & sustain. Admittedly it was a cheap Yamaha guitar, so it probably would've been hard for the tone & sustain to get any worse, but still, I think it's a YMMV issue.

I'll agree that some other roller bridges -- e.g., original Kahler whammy -- can negatively impact tone & sustain on guitars. I think the problem has to do with the diameter of the string slots: Too big, so the string tends to move within the saddle rather than form a solid witness point. Makes them all sound a bit sitar-like.

But the Schaller doesn't suffer from any of those anomalies on my Yamaha guitar.
Click to expand...
I've not only got a bass with a Schaller, but I've got a bass with a Kahler whammy, and that sitar thing doesn't happen with it, nor does it want for sustain. Actually, I wish I could get a little less sustain out of that bass, but it's not due to the bridge.
 
#39
The luthier I take my bass to speaks highly of schaller bridges so much so that he has talked me into looking at buying one for my 01' p bass. He said for me to just order one and when it comes in he would fit and install it for only $20 seeing as how he is the only person that I will let do a set-up or any work for that matter on my bass.
 
#40
I like my Schaller roller bridge. It helped the tone a bit.

That said...you have to feed the strings through the hole in the back every time...which can be a pain......

I don't slap........but I don't know if the roller bridge will take slap-happy without the strings popping off the rollers....
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back