Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,027
- 1
- 31,768
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Fine grit Scotchbrite. Do not use steel wool anywhere near magnetic pickups!
I just used some steel-wool. As was already stated, you need to be careful all the particles stay away from your pickups. I lay the bass on my lap, tilted slightly downward. I've never had anything close to the pickups, and all the dust just vacuums up pretty easily. I've never tried anything else, not to say there's not a better way! I've never had an issue. Wipe-off with a lightly damp paper towel to see your progress. Neck will feel amazing!
Good luck!
I think I bought from that same seller. Amazon? Didn't come in the blue box, but looks legit, perfect fit. Hipshot says they are aluminum here. Mine is non-ferrous (magnets don't stick to it).
Yes, they are aluminum.
But (I purchased mine directly, and a few years ago)- it came with two sets of bolts. One Metric one 'Standard.' However, they were both hex sockets…. NOT flathead bolts. Those look more like my Babicz bolts.
Seems fishy
But (I purchased mine directly, and a few years ago)- it came with two sets of bolts. One Metric one 'Standard.' However, they were both hex sockets…. NOT flathead bolts. Those look more like my Babicz bolts.
Seems fishy
It's Amazon and they claim to be an authorized dealer but don't show or list the hardware? Do you like the Babicz or Hipshot better? Any benefits better on either one as far as preference?
OK glad to hear someone here actually bought one. I might pull the trigger but looking at the (expensive) Babicz too.
In my opinion (I stress, opinion), the Babicz is a far superior bridge.
Again, in my opinion, the Hipshot is made to (somewhat) fit the specs and be a (somewhat) drop in replacement, but leaves something to be desired when it comes to the finer points.
I think this sums it up best: were there any modern production models of the SG Reissue offered with another manufacturer's bridge (yes)?
Was the Hipshot ever issued as OEM during those years (no)?
I've owned both, so I have a direct point of comparison. I also work in manufacturing, so I have a different perspective.
I would buy a Babicz again and again. I would not, however, buy another Supertone
Again, in my opinion, the Hipshot is made to (somewhat) fit the specs and be a (somewhat) drop in replacement, but leaves something to be desired when it comes to the finer points.
I think this sums it up best: were there any modern production models of the SG Reissue offered with another manufacturer's bridge (yes)?
Was the Hipshot ever issued as OEM during those years (no)?
I've owned both, so I have a direct point of comparison. I also work in manufacturing, so I have a different perspective.
I would buy a Babicz again and again. I would not, however, buy another Supertone
Could you elaborate on why ? Genuine curiosity on my end.
@SubHuman : this is the place where I bought most of my Supertones from, no issues
Hipshot SuperTone 3-Point Replacement Bridge for 4-String Gibson Bass - CHROME | Reverb
Sure, but too much to elaborate upon with only thumbs (I kinda hate cell phones). So I will do my best to be brief and concise:
A) Hole spacing C to C is not accurate. And additionally, further slop seems to be introduced to accommodate Epiphone models, which have varying dimensions due to, well, a whole bunch of things
B) Why is there a straight bore through the bridge at the mounting bolt holes (see complaint A)? You would 'neck' off a bolt before leveraging a bushing out of the body with a proper design (see: Babicz). Why are so many people only seeing this 'non-problem' after fastening a ST bridge? Because this bridge is actually acting as a 'bushing puller' in order to fit a wide variance of BHS? (Yes)
C) What about that third bushing? The ST design is so magical that it doesn't need any help to counteract the lever arm of string tension? Does your G string pull at the same tension as your E? Mine sure doesn't. Are you certain that tension imbalance doesn't need a counterpoint? I'm not.
D) As much of us would likely hate to admit, some part of why we love Gibson instruments is because they are the nearly perfect 'Anti-Fender.' So you want to replace your (admittedly) not so great Gibson 3-point bridge? Cool. Why don't you double down on the same inherent design flaws of Leo's bent sheet metal bridge (dual action adjusting screws?) Are they both touching the base plate? Are you sure? That is a pretty critical measurement that is appropriate for a machine shop. Not a home musician, nor a technician with a piece of carpeted tabletop and a Harbor Freight automotive feeler gage.
The Babicz bridge offsets all of those concerns with careful design as well as the use of cams.
E) This one is simple. Do you play near the bridge? What is the deal with those exaggerated and unnecessary fins? No thanks
and lastly F) County of Origin labeling is a curious thing. If multiple legal entities are intertwined, how do you know for certain where your goods were produced? I know there is no such thing as a 'licensed' Babicz bridge (or anything else). But we all know there are many 'licensed' Hipshot products. Both companies have a legal filing address in NY, USA. But I would bet top dollar that only one of those companies is using Domestic hands to perform every step of that work…
And if you aren't, give Jeff a call. He is actually a human being who lives in NY with a shop that has visiting hours. Then give Hipshot a call and compare the response
I forget what made me feel fishy when I installed mine. I think that the bolts didn't fully match Hipshot's description.
But, I ignored that, forged ahead, and installed just fine.
You'll see that mine has hex bolts.
I agree that the Babicz is better. But I could not justify paying more for the bridge than I did for the bass. If they were equal cost, I'd likely have gone Babicz.
Last edited:
I have never spoken to Jeff, but have spoken to folks in Hipshot a number of times. Granted, the last time was before the pandemic so something might have changed since then. Other than that...
The problem described in A is not something that I've encountered on my Epiphone EB-0 which is the only Gibson-related bass in my stable to sport a 3-point Hipshot. My 2-point Supertones fit like a glove but these belong in a different conversation altogether.
While I can't offer a scientifically-based-counter-argument to your point C, I haven't encountered any imbalance on two of my basses sporting a 3-point Supertone.
As to your point D - and speaking only for myself - I can't say I fit the bill. Gibson OTOH was involved in the design of the best bass bridge ever in *my* book - the Schaller roller bridge - but has given up on it for reasons that I never fully understood.
I play near the bridge but was never bothered with any bridge that I've ever used apart from the Guild's "Muller" bridge. My playing style is my own, though, so I could see where other people might run into issues with "fins".
I've had two different Babicz bridges on two vastly different Gibson basses - a 2013 EB5 and a 2015 (?) SG and while they were sonically excellent IMO, I did find the adjustment process to be a bit counter-intuitive. Would I replace the Babicz on an SG Bass with a Hipshot if I were ever to buy one again ? No. I do, however, find the Supertone to be easier to work with which may very well be due to the fact that I've been using them since 2016 and have gotten accustomed to them.
Anyone looking to replace The Oil Rig on their basses should be exploring both options, IMO.
Last edited:
Easy does not mean better.
And as far as the roller bridge- how 'involved' could someone be in a product that already existed? Was there a V2? (No).
And seriously- can we all stop talking about "The Pandemic" like it was Noah and his Ark? I haven't been excused from a single day of work in the past 10 years (without actually being sick or what have you).
We all need to really stop cutting so much BS slack here. I still have multiple print outs in my glove box from 'customers' that I was given to show a LEO if I were stopped on my way to work years ago that basically said "Back Off. This one gets to keep driving." My job cannot be done from home. Can we all (please!) stop pretending that a customer service job can't be done from home?
Did their Netflix access stop at the same time? Just curious. Because all I seem to hear about is why some people couldn't work anymore…
And as far as the roller bridge- how 'involved' could someone be in a product that already existed? Was there a V2? (No).
And seriously- can we all stop talking about "The Pandemic" like it was Noah and his Ark? I haven't been excused from a single day of work in the past 10 years (without actually being sick or what have you).
We all need to really stop cutting so much BS slack here. I still have multiple print outs in my glove box from 'customers' that I was given to show a LEO if I were stopped on my way to work years ago that basically said "Back Off. This one gets to keep driving." My job cannot be done from home. Can we all (please!) stop pretending that a customer service job can't be done from home?
Did their Netflix access stop at the same time? Just curious. Because all I seem to hear about is why some people couldn't work anymore…
Agreed.
That bridge was designed for the Gibson Victory Bass. So there was no need for a V2. Yes, it was subsequently used on numerous other basses, but Norlin/Gibson had their hand in its development.
Well, that affair did put a lot of places out of business or changed their business models whether we like it or not.
My point was that I haven't personally spoken to anyone in Hipshot - because I haven't had the need to - since 2020. Whether their CS model has changed or not I can't say and I'm not dialing them from 5,000 miles away right now to find out...
I was also in a job that couldn't be done from home back then. Happily retired - and moved back home since - two years and one day ago...
It changed business models because all of a sudden people were being offered money for doing nothing. That should be pretty obvious.
That will always change people. Do you think I enjoy waking up at 4am 6 days a week? Of course not. But when I hear certain trades (teachers, ahem) loudly clamor and downright boycott their employment I have to take a very deep breath.
Whatever your political persuasion may be, how is it that you get to brag about "Mmmmmerica?" Because of people like myself (hint: I don't manufacture wine stoppers). We never even got a day off because of this 'pandemic.' And that's okay: people like me aren't likely looking for it. But respectively, we (at least me) are looking for others to stop using it as a crutch and expecting a handout.
Go to work. Punch in, punch out. Go home. Repeat
That will always change people. Do you think I enjoy waking up at 4am 6 days a week? Of course not. But when I hear certain trades (teachers, ahem) loudly clamor and downright boycott their employment I have to take a very deep breath.
Whatever your political persuasion may be, how is it that you get to brag about "Mmmmmerica?" Because of people like myself (hint: I don't manufacture wine stoppers). We never even got a day off because of this 'pandemic.' And that's okay: people like me aren't likely looking for it. But respectively, we (at least me) are looking for others to stop using it as a crutch and expecting a handout.
Go to work. Punch in, punch out. Go home. Repeat
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,027
- 1
- 31,768
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Please take the political complaining to the Off Topic forum. This thread is for SGs!
I meant it non-politically; just as an abstract (hell, I don't even vote). I am only a day laborer.
But I logged on to say the same as you. I was only intrigued by the prior discussion. Delete as you see fit
But I logged on to say the same as you. I was only intrigued by the prior discussion. Delete as you see fit
