Looking for some real world info concerning the tangible differences with different bridges. What would any certain 3rd party bridge offer over, say the standard issue on a modern Fender. Could you listen to a recording and identify what bridge is being used? Is it a matter of... feel? What exactly is perceptibly different or better?
They either affect all aspects, or some, or none depending on who you talk to. Let the festivities begin.
I used to always get a high mass bridge ASAP, but the last time I changed a bent plate bridge (on a Cort made of Poplar) I couldn't tell the difference. These days, If I'm going to put a new bridge on it will need to have an added benefit, adjustable string spacing or quick release for the ball ends. My current main player has gold hardware (mono-rail saddles) & I was convincing myself to change it to cosmo black, but I never got there. (since I feel like changing for aesthetics is sort of bourgeois)
Most of those changes in the bridges are contingent upon how good your money can hear. The more expensive the bridge, the more adamant some are that they can hear a difference. IME, there are two reasons to change a bridge; your bridge is defective thus not doing its job, or 'cause, that is, you want to blow some money and a bridge is as good a place as any.
The best reason to change a bridge (other than failure) is to get some form of adjustability that your current bridge doesn’t offer. If you’re chasing tone, IMO, your money is best spent elsewhere.
I noticed that when I had the E string one out, making a better ground connection. It was measuring 200 Ohms to the output jack...
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