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So, what does a Badass II really do for the bass?
- Thread starter jre5
- Start date
I really wouldn’t bother. Kind of a cool idea but unless you have a real piece of junk or broken bridge I think there are higher impact mods to be done elsewhere.
- Sep 4, 2010
- 3,304
- 2,730
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: Martin Keith Guitars
For fenders I am perfectly fine with the standard Fender bridge (the real Fender one, that is) which is $33 or something like that.
While I am a fan of the brand, and use their other bridges and tuners on various other basses, I found the Hipshot Kick-Ass a disappointment in tone.
While I am a fan of the brand, and use their other bridges and tuners on various other basses, I found the Hipshot Kick-Ass a disappointment in tone.
Tried it on a few basses, no improvement.
Tried it on one MIM Precision, noticeable change that some may call an "improvement."
In the end, I'm not sold on the whole high-mass bridge theory. The old bent-L and thin plates seem to do the trick, and there is less potential for saddle height/action issues. I think there are several much more impactful variables at play. Which is great because I hate spending time modding and improving my basses outside a basic set-up, I'd rather be playing, so that's one less thing to worry about.
Tried it on one MIM Precision, noticeable change that some may call an "improvement."
In the end, I'm not sold on the whole high-mass bridge theory. The old bent-L and thin plates seem to do the trick, and there is less potential for saddle height/action issues. I think there are several much more impactful variables at play. Which is great because I hate spending time modding and improving my basses outside a basic set-up, I'd rather be playing, so that's one less thing to worry about.
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I have switched to hi mass bridges at least 5 times for "more sustain" and all the other things they promise over the yrs..... I would say no difference. Maybe if I played whole notes all the time I would notice a difference. Most bass players like myself prefer powerful short notes.
Pickups are the only change that seem to make noticeable differences.
Pickups are the only change that seem to make noticeable differences.
This.
There are other modern designs that are lighter, provide improved fine-tuning of setup, and quicker string changes. High-mass for the sake of it isn’t netting much, if any actual improvement.
I play a Fender Geddy Lee Jazz bass. It has a Bad Ass bridge. I have been tempted to replace the Bad Ass with a regular bent plate bridge (just to see) but the bass sounds so good, I figure why mess with success?
My favorite Tuning Machine!
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My main P that I've had since the 80s (a 78) came with a BadAss II. I've used plenty of basses with and without high mass bridges. Taking away the debates around sustain and tone, for me, the feel is different on a Fender-style bass when I'm not using some form of high mass bridge. I also find it's easier to get the higher action I want (hate low action) and I feel the tension more with a high mass bridge.
For a brief time I had the Hipshot SK400B KickAss on a bass. I didn't like it any more or less than the BadAss II.
It's not snake oil if it improves your playing experience. A high mass bridge is generally not a big investment (under $100) and easily removed if you hate it. In the world of mods, this is simple.
For a brief time I had the Hipshot SK400B KickAss on a bass. I didn't like it any more or less than the BadAss II.
It's not snake oil if it improves your playing experience. A high mass bridge is generally not a big investment (under $100) and easily removed if you hate it. In the world of mods, this is simple.
Since they came out I thought BadAss bridges looked like a bad High School Machine shop project . Why would I bolt that thing to my bass . I tried Babicz bridges and went back to stock within a month . Intonation can be easier with most any of the high mass bridges available . All are more palm muting friendly than stock Fender bent bridges .
I didn't like that the saddle position screws don't go through so the adjustment length is limited unless you change to longer or shorter screw. Dumb design.
If it did anything it helped to obscure the OEM sound of my ‘70 Telebass.
It didn’t do anything.
I have a MIJ ‘51 P that was having string issues with some brands of strings because of the two bends coming through the bridge. To be flexible I installed a Fender OEM bent bridge that is a little thicker than the original. It has body through and bridge through provisions. It did allow for finer intonation and the option for any string choices.
Meanwhile the BadAss is a big block of metal. It’s possible in the old days that we fell for the hype. It made sense. At the time the booteequees sounded like they did because of their total construction design. You can’t add rigidity to a Fender with a bridge. Fenders sound like they do because of their form. I’m happy for it!
It didn’t do anything.
I have a MIJ ‘51 P that was having string issues with some brands of strings because of the two bends coming through the bridge. To be flexible I installed a Fender OEM bent bridge that is a little thicker than the original. It has body through and bridge through provisions. It did allow for finer intonation and the option for any string choices.
Meanwhile the BadAss is a big block of metal. It’s possible in the old days that we fell for the hype. It made sense. At the time the booteequees sounded like they did because of their total construction design. You can’t add rigidity to a Fender with a bridge. Fenders sound like they do because of their form. I’m happy for it!
Obvious rabbit hole here. Ill mention the Hipshot Vintage , doesnt add a lot of weight, gets you the quick release feature, looks better and of course gets you that vintage sound because its called Hipshot Vintage, unless you want a badass sound.
Basically nothing. If you have disposable income and like to upgrade parts go for it, but you won’t hear anything happen.
Marketing to people who can't think straight. We spend half our time shoving foam under the strings and muting the strings and one of the marketing "benefits" was more sustain. There hasn't been a bass built since the 40's that didn't have more sustain than anyone needs and they're selling these bridges claiming you'll get more sustain. 
