Schaller Roller Bridges...Any Good?

[mapleglo]

I've tried a few different bridges and found they all have their good and not so good points.

The Babicz is the best design, I think, with every adjustment that locks down, and no "sticky uppy" height adjust screws to dig into your hand if you use the bridge to rest your hand while playing with a pick. Very light weight also. On the down side, they are not adjustable for string spacing, and only come in one size. The 5 string version doesn't offer a string through style either. So you're limited, I think, to what kind of bass they can be used for.

The Hipshot is a nice all around design, with multiple offerings in various string spacings, brass or aluminum, and number of strings. They offer string through, and the spacing is adjustable.

The Schaller is also a nice design. Low profile and adjustable string spacing. As stated earlier in the thread, a bit of an annoyance when changing strings as that can change the string spacing settings.

They're all good bridges.

 

[GIBrat51]

This one? Yes, very, very nice bridge. Came stock on two of my Kramer Lumies; my Warmoth Mini-P was routed for one (and it works jist fine); and, IIRC, they come stock on Rick 4004s, as well. However... no, they aren't the Alpha and Omega of bass bridges. I doubt that, other than in people's opinion, that one really exists. Yes, they might be too tall (or too low) for your bass, without some work. All my basses with this bridge are routed for it, for example. I don't slap - ever - so how well it works in that case...?? But, if it'll fit where you want to put it - yes, as far as quality goes; it's a very nice bridge, indeed...

 

[walterw]

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.

nice 7-year necro-bump there

is this an american standard bass with the string-through? if so, then i think your guy is out of his mind! doesn't fit without surgery and loses you the string-through option, all for a less-stable and solid mounting.

you gain nothing and lose a good bit, not including the money wasted.

 

[JamWithEggs]

nice 7-year necro-bump there

is this an american standard bass with the string-through? if so, then i think your guy is out of his mind! doesn't fit without surgery and loses you the string-through option, all for a less-stable and solid mounting.

you gain nothing and lose a good bit, not including the money wasted.

My 01' is a MIM with the stock bridge. The only thing that has been changed so far is the pickguard (which is just for looks) and I had him put CTS pots and a orange drop cap in it plus new wire. I kept the pup.... for now. I'm going to do the bridge next then I'm going to have him turn this P into a PJ. Other than that he does set ups for me.

 

[fjadams]

Put a Schaller 3D-4 on my latest build. Very good bridge and wouldn't be at all against using another one in the future.

 

[walterw]

My 01' is a MIM with the stock bridge.

Ah.

Yeah that makes more sense as a platform for upgrades.

 

[ThudThudThud]

I have one on a Warmoth Jazz. It's a nice bridge.

 

[ZenG]

If you need a low profile bridge in relation to string height problems , the Schaller is a good choice.

That was one of the main reasons I bought one.

 

[JGbassman]

I put one on my 87 in 89, and have using the same one ever since on my p bass.

 

[Eilif]

I put one on my 87 in 89, and have using the same one ever since on my p bass.

Did you -or anyone else for that matter- find that you needed to use a shim for the bridge when putting it on a P-bass or Jazz?

I've got a Kramer striker 700ST with a schaller coming back from a loan to be parted out and I think I may put it on one of my two P-basses. I've got a fretless LTD 214 that has a Gotoh 201 style bridge on it and a MIM fender with a slightly-thicker-than-stock basic bent Fender style bridge.

Which bass should get the 201 style and which should get the Schaller?

 

[Cosmiceddie]

How do you adjust string spacing with the Schaller 3D-4 bridge?

 

[JimmyM]

How do you adjust string spacing with the Schaller 3D-4 bridge?

With the little roller saddles, which is why I dislike the Schaller. Those rollers always move when I change strings. Yet I keep it on because it's there already

 

[TonyP-]

I was looking at the Stewart-MacDonald catalog and found the Schaller roller bridge. Well, the saddles on my old BC are getting pretty worn and I don't know where to find the original saddles. So, I was thinking of replacing the entire bridge. The roller idea sounds like it would be good to the strings. Does anyone have any experience with this bridge? Does it change your tone, good or bad? Anything else? Thanks.

IMHO
It's the best 4 string bridge on the market...

 

[Cosmiceddie]

With the little roller saddles, which is why I dislike the Schaller. Those rollers always move when I change strings. Yet I keep it on because it's there already

I know, but how do you move them? Do I have to remove the strings before?

 

[JimmyM]

I know, but how do you move them? Do I have to remove the strings before?

You can just loosen them or move them over to one side. Best to at least loosen them.

 

[Cosmiceddie]

You can just loosen them or move them over to one side. Best to at least loosen them.

Thank you. I thought I would need a tool to move them.

 

[JimmyM]

Thank you. I thought I would need a tool to move them.

Nope, they rotate freely.

 

[JimmyM]

The 3-D bridge is a great bridge, I have been using them since the early 1980s (I first put one on a 1972 Jazz Bass back then, it is still on that bass working just like new). I currently have two basses that came with them stock. The rollers have not moved around for me, but if they did do so, they are quite easy to readjust.

Wish I could say the same, bro. I have to be extremely super careful with mine because they roll so easily. Sheesh...I've had that bridge on there since 82. You'd have thought the rollers would have frozen up by now

 

[JimmyM]

I suppose you could spray the treads is something to "gum" them up a bit the add resistance/traction to the roller threads. Maybe plumbers tape.

Thought about Loctite at one point. Might still do that...just never got around to it.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I suppose you could spray the treads is something to "gum" them up a bit the add resistance/traction to the roller threads. Maybe plumbers tape.

I supposed you could use blue Loctite or clear nail polish same as we do for the height adjustment screws.

Riis