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Thunderbird Club

#310,961
AllieCat said:
Babicz vs Hipshot bridges. How do they compare?

Putting together a parts list for a build I might be doing.
Click to expand...
Both are great and have their fans. I put Babicz bridges on everything because I like the way they look. String spacing is not adjustable on a Babicz. It is on a Hipshot. Hipshots are less expensive. Both have a whole lot of adjustments that a 3-point doesn't have, but then you probably don't need most of those adjustments if you set up a 3-point properly anyway. But, I prefer the looks of a Babicz. Being shallow can be expensive.
 
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#310,963
Chucky Stiletti said:
not a three point kinda guy?....
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I'm looking at putting together a bolt-on Epi from parts as a semi-low stakes project, and the body I'm looking at is missing the bridge entirely. Has the threaded inserts though. I figure that's as good a project as any to try one of the drop in replacement bridges on.

I have two (soon to be three) birds with three points as it is.
 
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#310,964
dagrev said:
Thanks Marshall. There are two local guys in town (likely more I don't know of). One younger and a bass builder not far from me. Another who has been repairing vintage guitars for likely 40 years and has a client list full of people everyone would know. There is RS Guitar Works about 2 hrs from here (near Lexington), as well. A lot of Nashville people send them their projects. They restored several vintage guitars for Skynyrd that were damaged in a Nashville flood a number of years ago. Great guys. I was going to have them do some work on the '55 and get the bridge pickup cover/can replaced with a more dull nickel. They knew I was driving from Louisville and said that if I set up the Saturday with them they would do it while I waited. How's that for service? Then covid, then they had a fire, and I never got around to it.

But I hope to same some time and money by finding someone local. But everything that is done will only increase the value by that much if not a lot more. If the neck repair is good and doesn't need redoing, that gives me some money to go for something else. At the moment, PB is first and Black is second. I would prefer to "make it right," but don't want to sink too much into it as it will never be sold. But I do have a USA Strat I could sell I hardly ever play, and another G&L L2k for needed funds.
Click to expand...

If I were in your position, I'd seriously consider the color of Chucky's refinished '60s Reverse. I love that one.
 
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#310,965
GBassNorth said:
That’s an option, but very highly unlikely. Best to leave some jobs to the pros.
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#310,974
AllieCat said:
Babicz vs Hipshot bridges. How do they compare?

Putting together a parts list for a build I might be doing.
Click to expand...
I have tried the Hipshot on a couple of Thunderbirds. First I had to get them to provide different length screws and springs for intonation. Then I could not get the action low enough. I prefer the three-point over it. Great company. Great customer service. Fair price. Just not for me.

The Babicz offers more string height adjustability and comes with a shim for placing underneath it to compensate for varying neck angles when needed. I like it more than the three-point. Although in many cases, the three-point is just fine. IMO the Babicz looks better too.

If I were doing a build, I would go with the classic claw and two-point like on the vintage Gibsons and Epi VPs/60’s etc.
 
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#310,975
AllieCat said:
I'm looking at putting together a bolt-on Epi from parts as a semi-low stakes project, and the body I'm looking at is missing the bridge entirely. Has the threaded inserts though. I figure that's as good a project as any to try one of the drop in replacement bridges on.

I have two (soon to be three) birds with three points as it is.
Click to expand...
Then if you want something different, go with the Babicz. Make sure you get the one for the Epis as it has cut outs to accommodate the flange on the Epi inserts. And be careful when installing so as not to over-tighten the bolts. Otherwise the inserts can pull up (that same issue can occur with the Hipshot).
 
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#310,977
MCF said:
Then if you want something different, go with the Babicz. Make sure you get the one for the Epis as it has cut outs to accommodate the flange on the Epi inserts. And be careful when installing so as not to over-tighten the bolts. Otherwise the inserts can pull up (that same issue can occur with the Hipshot).
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip about the flanges, I hadn't thought of that.

I've had to glue in one of the inserts on my 2010 LE Epi, so I'm usually pretty careful when it comes to them...

Honestly I might just source a used 3 point for it, as the body I'm thinking about already has inserts and bolts, it's just missing the bridge itself. Would definitely save me some money.

At this stage, I'm just thinking about my options. Probably going to put some Hipshot tuners on it, as I like the set on my '21 NR. Probably will go with the Babicz if not a replacement Epi 3-point. This is also why I was asking about pickups the other day. If I'm gonna build a parts bass, might as well have fun with it and go all out.
 
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#310,980
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