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String-through-body bridge recommendation?

TimBosby

Somewhere in middle America
Gold Supporting Member
Dec 19, 2004
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Omaha, NE, USA
I'm looking for a string-through-body bridge that will fit a standard Fender-style 5-hole bridge rout. I usually use Gotoh 201s and Badass IIs - thinking about drilling holes in the back of a bass to accommodate a string-through-body bridge, but I don't want to modify the bridge rout/holes on the top of the bass. Any suggestions/links to where I can buy one? Must be chrome.
Thanks!
 
Yeah a Badass III would only work on a modern Fender deluxe I believe.

The weird thing is, I saw a Hipshot "A" on Ebay (it was black) that claims to be a 5-hole bridge, direct Fender replacement, with a strings-through-body option.

But looking at Hipshot's website, all their "A" bridge, while being string-through-body, are only 4-holes, and make no mention anywhere of being Fender replacements. :confused:

Badass III? Looks like it's for a 3 hole bridge though, like the modern Fender USA bridges
 
since it would involve a good bit of drilling for the through-holes and the ferrules on the back anyway, "direct replacement" kinda loses its meaning.

anyway, i like the older fender american standard through-body bridges; low mass, with adjustable string spacing. since the strings anchor in the body, the mass of the bridge doesn't matter so much, so you get high-mass sustain with low-mass warmth and tone.