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So what's the deal with BA bridges lately?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by IPA, Jul 12, 2013.

  1. Jul 12, 2013 #1
    IPA

    IPA Supporting Member

    May 5, 2010
    I did a little searching but didn't find much info. Most of it was from a few years ago.

    Seems like they are perpetually out of stock at allparts/bassparts, they show up sometimes in eBay... are they all going straight to Fender to go on their factory-installed models? Are they just not able to keep up with demand? I see Fender occasionally using its own BA style High Mass bridge. I emailed Leo Quan a long time ago but never heard back.

    How about the alternatives out there, anyone done A/B/C with the BAII and Gotoh etc?
     
  2. Jul 12, 2013 #2
    GM60466

    GM60466

    May 20, 2006
    Chi-Town
    The last two, I purchased were used because NEW is almost impossible to find. GC here has one new on the wall
     
  3. Jul 12, 2013 #3
    Doctor J

    Doctor J

    Dec 23, 2005
    I replaced a Badass with an ABM bridge a few years ago, the ABM was an improvement in every way.
     
  4. Jul 12, 2013 #4
    SquierJazz72

    SquierJazz72

    Sep 27, 2012
    Stratford,Ontario
    I don't see that many turn up new lately either. Most of the ones I have seen available were used and being sold on ebay and such. Why that is, I really don't know.
     
  5. Jul 12, 2013 #5
    Bongolation

    Bongolation

    Nov 9, 2001
    California
    No Bogus Endorsements
    RUMOR has it that FMIC either bought them out or contracts for all their production.

    I have no idea if there's a word of truth in that but FMIC has no problem getting them for their OEM installations.
     
  6. Jul 12, 2013 #6
    georgestrings

    georgestrings Inactive

    Nov 5, 2005
    I'll probably be selling a "like new" BAII bridge off a Highway One P Bass I recently bought, PM me if anyone's interested...


    - georgestrings
     
  7. Jul 12, 2013 #7
    pdusen

    pdusen

    Aug 18, 2004
    From what I hear, Leo Quan has been having management problems for the last year or so and has had trouble keeping vendors in stock.

    Cool story, bro.
     
  8. Jul 12, 2013 #8
    TN WOODMAN

    TN WOODMAN

    Jan 31, 2011
    Smyrna, Tennessee.
    This question has been going around for the last 4 or 5 years. Other than NOS hanging around shops, I think Fender must be the sole customer to receive new units.

    Good news for BA fans is availability of new units removed from GLs and HWY Ones are out there, but prices are steep.

    BAs have fallen from favor. Both my fretless jazz have them and I love them on fretless. My fav for fretted Fenders is still the bent metal with threaded saddles.
     
  9. Jul 12, 2013 #9
    IPA

    IPA Supporting Member

    May 5, 2010
    I don't know if they make that much of a difference, but I've always loved the way they look. Maybe that makes me a terrible person, or is a stupid reason to want one, but hey, it's my bass :cool:
     
  10. Jul 12, 2013 #10
    Bongolation

    Bongolation

    Nov 9, 2001
    California
    No Bogus Endorsements
    Well, in that the Highway Ones have been out of production for two years, the pulls there aren't new, but there are other Fenders beside the GLs that currently come with them.

    I sold two new pulls from the last batch of HOs instantly for $125 each to a dealer in 2011.

    That seems like a lot of money, but pricing Hipshot and other bridges may put it into perspective.
     
  11. Jul 12, 2013 #11
    Doctor J

    Doctor J

    Dec 23, 2005
    The question was asked. I thought it better to give a response which was relevant than some groundless speculation. Still, cool post, bro.
     
  12. Jul 12, 2013 #12
    NeverKnowsBest

    NeverKnowsBest

    Mar 24, 2013
    Columbus, OH
    I just bought the new FSR PJ Deluxe bass from Guitar Center that has a Badass Bridge stock, so they must be in production in some considerable capacity.
     
  13. Jul 12, 2013 #13
    IPA

    IPA Supporting Member

    May 5, 2010
    Yep, lends credibility to the idea that Fender is the only place receiving new BA bridges.