So what's the deal with BA bridges lately?

[IPA]

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?

 

[GM60466]

The last two, I purchased were used because NEW is almost impossible to find. GC here has one new on the wall

 

[Doctor J]

I replaced a Badass with an ABM bridge a few years ago, the ABM was an improvement in every way.

 

[SquierJazz72]

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.

 

[Bongolation]

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.

 

[georgestrings]

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

 

[pdusen]

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.

I replaced a Badass with an ABM bridge a few years ago, the ABM was an improvement in every way.

Cool story, bro.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

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.

 

[IPA]

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

 

[Bongolation]

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

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.

 

[Doctor J]

Cool story, bro.

The question was asked. I thought it better to give a response which was relevant than some groundless speculation. Still, cool post, bro.

 

[NeverKnowsBest]

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.

 

[IPA]

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.

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