• 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.

So, what does a Badass II really do for the bass?

#81
jre5 said:
Hey guys, only been playing for a few years now, and about to snag my first fender, a jazz. Its used, but in great condition and besides the strings everything is stock. I was planning in the future on doing some upgrades if I ever come across a problem with everything being stock, and one of the most common upgrades I see time and time again is people putting on a Badass II bridge, which seems to be the holy grail of Hi-Mass fender bridges. The only thing is, other than looks, I don't know what I'd be paying 100 bucks for. I understand they increase your sustain but thats about it. Is the difference really that noticeable and am I really better off upgrading? What are some of the main differences one would notice between a MIM stock bridge and a badass ii? And lastly, what even is Hi-Mass? Is it just more bridge? Idk. Please help me out, I've been curious for a little while now. Thanks in advanced!
Click to expand...

It is a high mass bridge. It stiffens the strings near the bridge more and gives more highs, also in theory it should provide better sustain, but that depends on the whole bass. I personally didn't care for it on my Jazz Basses.
 
#82
My $0.02:

It makes any bass sound like it has a Badass II bridge. No matter what you put it on, it changes the dynamic of the body wood, neck wood, fingerboard wood to sound the same. Quite a big deal back in the late 70s/early 80's when finding a good sounding, lightweight Fender was like finding the Holy Grail. As far as my ears are concerned, I prefer the sound which Leo Fender originally intended for it/them. I've had several on several basses. Great when I was in my early 20's and wanted to sound badass...pardon the pun. Now that I'm 60, my tastes have changed. Your mileage may vary.
 
#83
No experience with a BAII, but I once installed a Fender HiMass bridge on a ‘05 MIM Fender Deluxe Active Jazz thinking it would be an upgrade. None whatsoever. Nothing about the sustain or tone had changed, it really did nothing but add weight (to my ears anyway). Was so disappointed that I ordered a Hipshot A-Style bridge. Hands down, the best upgrade I have made for this bass. The clank was gone and it sounds so smooth now, almost like some sort of compression lol. If I ever upgrade another bridge, Hipshot will def be my go-to. Just my 2 cents.
 
Last edited:
#84
I paid for one, and thought “what is a BadAss actually good for?” So your order of operations is better than mine, you’re asking before spending the money. I took it off and put the old bent metal one back on, and sold the BadAss.

Now I have an American Deluxe and it came with Fender’s version of the BadAss. It isn’t changing my life in and of itself in any way whatsoever.

So IMO, nothing. Safe to ignore.
 
#85
jre5 said:
Hey guys, only been playing for a few years now, and about to snag my first fender, a jazz. Its used, but in great condition and besides the strings everything is stock. I was planning in the future on doing some upgrades if I ever come across a problem with everything being stock, and one of the most common upgrades I see time and time again is people putting on a Badass II bridge, which seems to be the holy grail of Hi-Mass fender bridges. The only thing is, other than looks, I don't know what I'd be paying 100 bucks for. I understand they increase your sustain but thats about it. Is the difference really that noticeable and am I really better off upgrading? What are some of the main differences one would notice between a MIM stock bridge and a badass ii? And lastly, what even is Hi-Mass? Is it just more bridge? Idk. Please help me out, I've been curious for a little while now. Thanks in advanced!
Click to expand...

Not a huge change in sound, you might notice a little depending on your amp. I do think they look great though. So i can see how some might just buy them specifically for the look.

really if you want more bang for your buck when it comes to jazz bass mods I highly recommend looking into wiring mods. The series wiring mod is pretty popular. Really other than for fretless where I love the jaco solo bridge pickup sound i prefer series wiring on jazz bass. Also with fender basses the pots they choose have values that add a noticeable amount of resistance. Some folks might say this is a con because they are contributing tone suck, others like them because they make the bass sound more vintage . Changing the pots or bypassing them makes a difference that’ll be more noticeable than swapping the bridge out imo.
 
#88
jre5 said:
The only thing is, other than looks, I don't know what I'd be paying 100 bucks for.
Click to expand...
that's about right. IME: changing bridges does seem to make some difference(s) on some instruments whether you change to"high mass" or not.

if you're not seeking more sustain then it's a non-issue, and if you are: there are other things to check/do on your instrument before you need to replace the bridge you have now...lots of things affect "sustain."

IME: i bought into the "high mass" hype for a while, years ago. now i use anything that gives me the features i like (e.g., string spacing), and some "high-mass" bridges do that better/easier than other bridges. but i don't buy them just because they're hyped as "high mass." i've had good luck with every type of bridge made for a 4-string, fender-style electric bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BillMason and Spidey2112
#92
Steve88 said:
The only difference I've ever noticed with a high mass bridge is having to bottom out the saddles to get close to low enough action, I assume because of the thicker bottom plate. I've removed the high mass bridge from any bass that comes with one. I've noticed absolutely zero differences in tone or sustain on several basses with bridge swaps.

My favorite bridge right now is the classic Fender threaded saddle bridge. Simple, cheap, effective, and also has adjustable string spacing.
Click to expand...

Very true. Thick, hi mass bridges do next to nothing, and you can kiss real low action goodbye. Fender pure vintage threaded is the best, and cheapest.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rockinrayduke
#93
My 73 Jazz ended up with a BA11, but mine was black with gold screws and saddles, even uglier than the chromies. I pulled the big cast bridge off of my Squier CV 50s and added a 70s style Kluson to save weight and embarrassment, but I also added Fender reverse tuners to bring back the weight and add neck dive
 
#94
If ya want badass mass, go big or go home

3219FA7F-A9DC-4714-A796-6A319E637658.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Swerve and imabuddha
#95
Steve88 said:
The only difference I've ever noticed with a high mass bridge is having to bottom out the saddles to get close to low enough action, I assume because of the thicker bottom plate. I've removed the high mass bridge from any bass that comes with one. I've noticed absolutely zero differences in tone or sustain on several basses with bridge swaps.

My favorite bridge right now is the classic Fender threaded saddle bridge. Simple, cheap, effective, and also has adjustable string spacing.
Click to expand...
^^^that right there^^^
 
#99
jre5 said:
my first fender, a jazz. Its used, but in great condition and besides the strings everything is stock
Click to expand...
There’s a decent amount of folks (me included) that consider “upgrades” decrease the value of a nice bass like a USA Fender Jazz. If it were mine (an of course it’s not), I would leave it 100% stock and buy yourself a nice pedal or DI.
 
#100
jre5 said:
Hey guys, only been playing for a few years now, and about to snag my first fender, a jazz. Its used, but in great condition and besides the strings everything is stock. I was planning in the future on doing some upgrades if I ever come across a problem with everything being stock, and one of the most common upgrades I see time and time again is people putting on a Badass II bridge, which seems to be the holy grail of Hi-Mass fender bridges. The only thing is, other than looks, I don't know what I'd be paying 100 bucks for. I understand they increase your sustain but thats about it. Is the difference really that noticeable and am I really better off upgrading? What are some of the main differences one would notice between a MIM stock bridge and a badass ii? And lastly, what even is Hi-Mass? Is it just more bridge? Idk. Please help me out, I've been curious for a little while now. Thanks in advanced!
Click to expand...

I’ve played a boatload of Fender basses over the years, and a few had badass bridges. I’ve never had one fail or kept me from tuning the bass. I also never had a problem with string spacing, and never had a problem with centering the strings over the pick up poles.

I will grant you that Fender bridges for their basses are not reflective of brilliant engineering or quality materials, nor will they give you freedom to significantly adjust spacing that some after market bridges may. BTW, my N series MIA PB has 4 grooves on the saddle that gives me about 1/4” of lateral travel each string.

IMO, if I was going to do an upgrade on a Fender Bass, I’d probably upgrade the pickups to the replacement 62s, not the bridge if I was looking to improve the tone.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back