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Ultimate Fender Bridge

Just for reference, the standard "cheapo" bridge gets me a more desireable (to my ears) sound than the new and improved high mass bridges. I don't care how huge and bombproof a bridge is, its purpose is to transfer vibrations in a desireable way, and allow the ability to properly intonate the instrument. I've compared the Detemple bridge to the one being used currently on the American Vintage reissue Fenders and its definitely an enhancement. Its well constructed, and 100% titanium with the exception of the screws. I have not tried the wilkinson but I will have to pick one up now, I have one of their vintage trems for my strat and its really nice and well engineered. Apparently some of you aren't getting the point that while this isn't a feature laden bridge, its the simple basic bridge design used for over 50 years and it offers some pleasing sonic enhancements.
 
The appeal of this bridge, IMO,is for use in a reliced instrument. You would have the look of a vintage bridge thats been scratched up and had the chrome worn off it without any worries about corrosion and rust stains seeping into your finish.

Not my thing. Though, I do agree with mprice on preferring the standard fender bridge to high mass ones like the badass.
 
FYI there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with the stock American Fender bridge. It took me years to figure this out (schaller, badass, gotoh etc.) but it's true. Oh and btw someone mentioned earlier in the thread that stock Fender bridges are aluminum...not true. MIM bridges might not be that good (I don't know for sure) but the MIA bridges are completely functional and are integral part in achieving that "woody" Fender tone.
 
bazzanderson said:
FYI there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with the stock American Fender bridge. It took me years to figure this out (schaller, badass, gotoh etc.) but it's true. Oh and btw someone mentioned earlier in the thread that stock Fender bridges are aluminum...not true. MIM bridges might not be that good (I don't know for sure) but the MIA bridges are completely functional and are integral part in achieving that "woody" Fender tone.

I really like the MIA bridges now. I think the mix of a string-through setup plus the stock Fender bridge works really, really well.

I used a MIM body for my project P-bass and slapped a Gotoh bridge on it because it was pretty cheap and had a good reputation. I don't think it sounds that different from a regular Fender bridge, although I guess it is slightly clearer and less woody. I don't know if that's due to the bridge or the vintage-style pickup I use, though.

Likewise, I've played Badass-bridged Fender basses that sound pretty standard like the Dirnt and then played Geddy Lees that sound like someone put a bass-filter on it. I hear the pickups are the main culprit for the Geddy Lee.

As a result, I think the bridge might do a little bit, but it's a very small role in the overall sound of a bass. Wood quality, pickups, and overall tightness of construction go a lot further.
 
Nick Ioannucci said:
it looks like a piece of tinfoil, ill take a hipshot badass gotoh ets anyday over that. or even a better fender bridge, that thing looks like a piece. do i smell advertising?
I thought the same. Personally, I don't see any difference and, IMO, if you want to change the sound you'll have to change the mass of the bridge.

I've got a bridge I'd like to sell also:p
 
Filakovsky said:
I thought the same. Personally, I don't see any difference and, IMO, if you want to change the sound you'll have to change the mass of the bridge.

I've got a bridge I'd like to sell also:p

Wow, of course you don't see any difference, its made to look like the original. :rollno: As far as changing the mass, Titanium is much lighter than steel and also has different sonic characterictics. Especially different than the low grade carbon steel Fender (probably) uses. The bridges themselves sound completely different if you were to tap on them and hold them like a triangle, the titanium has a very ringy sound and the steel is just a muted thud.
 
bazzanderson said:
FYI there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with the stock American Fender bridge. It took me years to figure this out (schaller, badass, gotoh etc.) but it's true. Oh and btw someone mentioned earlier in the thread that stock Fender bridges are aluminum...not true. MIM bridges might not be that good (I don't know for sure) but the MIA bridges are completely functional and are integral part in achieving that "woody" Fender tone.


I would also argue that there is nothing wrong with the MIM bridges either. My opinion.

It would appear that the "massive bridge" pendulum is starting to swing back a little?
 
It's just something different that's all...some will like it better, some won't, and some will not be able to tell the difference.

My favorite bridge for Fenders is the vintage style threaded saddle bridge, and I don't feel a need to try anything else.
 
op: no one is bashing the bridge, but this thread is kind of like me walking into a car show and going up to the microphone and announcing that toyotta makes the best car ever, no questions asked. I am surrounded by people who know nothing of my (non-existant) credentials, all of whom have taken time to form their own opions, If I had hard facts, the might listen, but untill that point, security will take me out back and beat me silly