Thunderbird Club

[PillO]

This has probably been answered but I tried searching and couldn't find anything. Can anyone give me any input on the babicz 3 point bridges that gibson was using vs the hipshot replacement 3 point bridge?

They both sit against the body. It's really personal preference. I use the Hipshot. Not so much because I love the aesthetics, but I love the adjustability of their saddles. I like to narrow the string spacing as much as possible and they allow that. The Babicz does not. I've used Hipshot's type A and B bridges on another bass that they're also great. So is the company. I have no personal experience with Babicz.

I have not used a Hipshot because I do not like the way they look. It is a shallow thing.

Three point bridges work just fine but are a bit fiddly to set up. The saddles fall out if you don't have strings holding them down, and the inserts can pull out under certain circumstances. Once set up, they are rock solid for intonation and stability.

Babicz bridges are a whole lot more adjustable. Instead of being made with the fretboard shape integral like a three point, each string is adjustable for height. The intonation mechanism is clever. I like it a lot, and I find it easier to set up. In the end, it is not much more stable than a well set up three point. I do not find that a Babicz makes much difference in sustain. This is purely subjective because I never timed it.

I think string spacing may be adjustable with a Hipshot. Jeff or somebody else who has one will have to say for sure.

I got along fine with three points for a long time. They are a huge improvement over the old Gibson two point bridge. The three points on my Gibson Thunderbirds are all Babicz now, mostly because I can. They are a bit easier to set up and I like the way they look. It is a shallow thing. I also have no urge to alter the string spacing, just height and intonation.

Did you try searching? I kid!

When I was looking at swapping out the 3 point bridge, I spent a bunch of time comparing Babicz and Hipshot. From my reading (I never did an A/B test) it appeared that from a features point of view, the two were about equal (string height, string spacing, intonation etc.). It also appeared that both provided the improvements I was looking for. Then there are a number of places that argue one over the other, but it struck me that a lot of the preference was opinion. SO, I ended up opting for the Hipshot primarily because I could buy direct and many had great things to say about their customer service (which I eventually experienced first hand and it was spectacular).

I will offer the caution with the Babicz that @bylar13 has discovered that doing windmills with one installed can be a bloody great experience...

 

[PillO]

I still have not decided whether to take a 360 or the Carvin. The 360 would be overkill, but it almost always is anyway. It is not a gig that earth shaking volume or body cavity liquifying are welcome, so I am leaning toward the Carvin. I used it there before and it got lost competing with three guitars.

Take the 360! More is more! Overkill is always the way to go, and if it includes body cavity liquification, even better!. And you can always turn down (not that you will, just that you could).

 

[GonePlaid]

Actually, a substantial portion of the Florida population are yankees (with blue hair and New York accents).

We see a lot of Ontario plates this time of year, too.

 

[PillO]

We see a lot of Ontario plates this time of year, too.

So Californians that live in the sticks between Orange county and San Bernardino...

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Actually, a substantial portion of the Florida population are yankees (with blue hair and New York accents).

I know. I spent a lot of time tgere when I lived in GA. South FL is mostly an extension of the northesat. North Florida is mostly an extension of the southeast.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

The '01 will get some exercise this evening. I still have not decided whether to take a 360 or the Carvin. The 360 would be overkill, but it almost always is anyway. It is not a gig that earth shaking volume or body cavity liquifying are welcome, so I am leaning toward the Carvin. I used it there before and it got lost competing with three guitars. There will only be one most of the time this evening. Meaning it is probably enough. It will be the first time the Broughton pedal gets out to play. Minimal experiments based on a friend's suggestion of setting the lo pass at 5k are good so far. Live may be different.

I vote 360

 

[GonePlaid]

I know. I spent a lot of time tgere when I lived in GA. South FL is mostly an extension of the northesat. North Florida is mostly an extension of the southeast.

Yeah. I-4 is kind of a reverse Mason-Dixon line

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Did you try searching? I kid!

When I was looking at swapping out the 3 point bridge, I spent a bunch of time comparing Babicz and Hipshot. From my reading (I never did an A/B test) it appeared that from a features point of view, the two were about equal (string height, string spacing, intonation etc.). It also appeared that both provided the improvements I was looking for. Then there are a number of places that argue one over the other, but it struck me that a lot of the preference was opinion. SO, I ended up opting for the Hipshot primarily because I could buy direct and many had great things to say about their customer service (which I eventually experienced first hand and it was spectacular).

I will offer the caution with the Babicz that @bylar13 has discovered that doing windmills with one installed can be a bloody great experience...

My queries here narrowed it down to these two. The Hipshot got more votes. Looking into them, neither shows any obvious “you must buy me!” issues, so I’m going with the Hipshot for some of the reasons mentioned (including less chance of a klutzy moment drenching the stage in blood), and price- for a 5-string, the HS is about $20 cheaper. Since they’re roughly equal, the less expensive option sounds even better.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Yeah. I-4 is kind of a reverse Mason-Dixon line

In college we called it the Dixon-Mason line, and the Un-Mason-Dixon Line.

 

[Count Bassie]

Actually, a substantial portion of the Florida population are yankees (with blue hair and New York accents).

This is true.

 

[PillO]

I’m going with the Hipshot for some of the reasons mentioned (including less chance of a klutzy moment drenching the stage in blood),

Unless you are auditioning for Alice Cooper in which case, the bloody demonstration could get you the gig. I don't know that Chuck Garrick (and he does use a `bird in the show) is looking to leave Alice any time soon, but leave your options open.

 

[PillO]

I vote 360

The Queen will tell you that this is not a democracy (it is a monarchy) but your input is always heard before it is ignored...

 

[Haji]

Since our space heater in our rehearsal space did its best to kill the band and was foiled in its attempt to become a bomb, we rehearsed at the studio our first gig will be at in moderately early mid central February on their main stage. The band was telling me I only needed one cab as there was PA.

I wasn't hearing that nonsense. The best part of stages is making them vibrate. Afterwards they admitted they loved it. Its a LOT of fun to be loud. And wireless.

 

[Gaolee]

I will offer the caution with the Babicz that @bylar13 has discovered that doing windmills with one installed can be a bloody great experience...

Ashtrays!

 

[Gaolee]

I vote 360

I have used both in the venue. The 360, even turned down, was a bit overwhelming for some of the audience. They are generally old people. Playing for old people is the perfect New Year's gig though, since we start at 6:30 and end at 8:00. They are already partially liquified, which is one of the reasons I'm leaning toward the Carvin for this one. The 360 sure is fun to play through, and it's about the same to move. One rolls on its own wheels, the other one rolls on a cart. Weight does not matter when you have wheels, and there's only about a dozen steps I have to navigate.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

The Queen will tell you that this is not a democracy (it is a monarchy) but your input is always heard before it is ignored...

Fine... I’ll put my recommendations in the recommendation box

 

[PillO]

Ashtrays!

Magazines!

I assume this is a new game in which we randomly name items on the coffee table...

 

[PillO]

Fine... I’ll put my recommendations in the recommendation box

Yes, saves everyone lots of time...

 

[Gaolee]

Fine... I’ll put my recommendations in the recommendation box

As the Earl of a minor fief in this realm, I find that doing as I'm told is a good policy. Bringing the wrath of the Queen down upon one's head means being condemned to a week of FSO and tort. It's an awful fate!

 

[Engle]

It looks like I won't be using the 67 NR on the NYE gig. They've decided we'll be setting up outside-in the heat and humidity, 2 blocks from the ocean(salt in the air). I'm gonna take it with me but it may not come outta the van. Crap! If we're sheltered enough, maybe. Oh, the low tomorrow night is s'posed to be 66. FL in "winter". Correction: 72(!)

Dude you need a Vintage Pro!