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I have a pile of 3-point bridges in a box somewhere if anyone needs one.
Great explication!Yeah, I was meaning to get the velcro done, but I got involved with the new strings on the VP, then working with the Triple Shot....I really should just wait 'til the last pedal shows up, I guess (footswitch for the Peavey).
Long-winded-ness? ensues below...
As far as comparing the CP & the VP...they're pretty similar, in some ways. The VP is a bit lighter (mostly because of the bridge, imo), and sounds a bit brighter.
Putting the brass nut on the CP brought their sound a bit closer, and if I changed out the tone pot on the CP for the standard 500k, might not be a huge difference, sound-wise.
Physically, the body's the same, save for the larger headstock on the VP, so playability is essentially the same.
I do think the Schaller tuners on the CP operate a bit more smoothly than the Wilkinsons on the VP.
The balance is totally different between the two. The CP, with its smaller headstock, lighter tuners, and heavier bridge, is definitely weighted towards the rear; the VP is mostly neutral, maybe just very (very) slightly headstock heavy.
And the bridge....not a gigantic fan of the two piece. It looks cool & vintage correct, works fine, but has some limitations. Those DR reds I just put on - the 105 E-string is pretty much the largest that will fit in the claw, without mods (or tapered strings, I guess?). Tried the 125 B-string that came in the set, just for the funs, wasn't happening.
Adjustability is somewhat challenging/limited, imo the 3-point is better in that regard.
Those of you that have one know that the Babicz is heavy, has tons of adjustability, and is designed so those adjustments can be made easily. And you can put larger strings on very easily - I had a 130 Roto 77 one the CP for a while, fit beautifully with no mods needed to the saddle or the...string retaining area?
I do like both bridges, for different reasons. But if Babicz started making their two-piece replacements for bass also, I'd strongly consider the swap.
But my opinions on bridges may be suspect, since I actually like the three-point...
I think, if someone likes to tinker, like me, and have the CP or similar already, or can get it cheap, the researching, shopping for, buying, & doing the mods is fun, and you can tweak the bass to suit yourself.
But it's not as cost effective as just buying a VP, so if you don't actively want to do/like doing mods, I'd say buy the VP, and have a great sounding & playing bass
Hopefully all that over long expository exposition comes close to answering what you asked?
That's my only minor issue. Mine intonates fine, but at times I do like being able to adjust string height individually, as much to adjust/balance string volume as playability. That's one of the things I love about the Hipshot on the '06 (and the Precision pickup being so adjustable).
), and the sound is very similar; the coated strings may be slightly less treble-y (it's a real word?).
Plus, as you said, they look awesome with the chrome & white, and turn neon under a blacklight
My '64 isn't perfect either and I can tolerate it given that where I tend to play isn't affected. Maybe I'm lazy or I just don't focus on something that no one will notice but me and therefore deem that lower on the priority list. Likely both! As for the VP we were talking about, I've yet to run into a problem with it. I can get everything set right on both as I recall. I've had basses that you never could get right where it matters and they drove me crazy. I don't have those basses any longer, so I have my limits!I put up with my '64 as-is for years w/o noticing a difference. (and anyone in the audiences or recording didn't notice either) I'll chalk it up to becoming more educated about set-up and developing a keener ear over the years. Once you know, that becomes the standard. So Scott's BB bridge fixed that bridges issue. Intoning a bass (correctly) is usually the last adjustment on a new bass build and it's all always very satisfying to achieve that.
went through the same thing so got a BB as well, problem solved. outstanding piece of machined hardware (go Scott!)....the BaCH bridge is also a good compromise imho.....I put up with my '64 as-is for years w/o noticing a difference. (and anyone in the audiences or recording didn't notice either) I'll chalk it up to becoming more educated about set-up and developing a keener ear over the years. Once you know, that becomes the standard. So Scott's BB bridge fixed that bridges issue. Intoning a bass (correctly) is usually the last adjustment on a new bass build and it's all always very satisfying to achieve that.
I've come to the conclusion I need to build one of these. As bad as in love the looks of the Bird, they just don't choose me
