Warwick bridge

[Marikk]

Hi all,

Not sure where I'd put this but this seems as good of place as any

I recently purchased this bass from a member. Knowing full well of it's condition. So no prob there. My question is really what I can or should do with the bridge now.
As you can hopefully see from the pics that hopefully loaded the bridge is bent up at the tail

It's only held in by 4 screws two at the front corner and two in front of the where the string load. My problem is the bass action is great right now just as is. But am I causing undue strain on the screws with it bent like this?
The gentleman I bought it from included a babicz but it is a 5(?) screw model that doesn't match the current.

So I guess I'm just looking for opinions, options and input on the bridge situation

 

[Matthew_84]

Personally, I'd drill a fifth hole and put on the new bridge.

In theory, with the bridge off the body like that, you should be losing attack and articulation in your tone.

Also, I'm not sure about if there's more strain the screws, but the screw holes have likely been enlarged. You may want to look at replacing the screws with bgger ones.

 

[Marikk]

Thanks for the input. Ive been thinking of just getting a similar warwick replacement and getting screws with a little more bite to compensate for the current holes. Just not sure if that got bent do to a design flaw in those bridges or some other weird stuff only the bass remembers

 

[Henrythe8]

The Babicz bridge is quite a good one, and is fitted to the "Fender" style briges and drilling.
I'd say that it's worth a try pre-drilling the holes. They'll be hidden under the bridge anyway, and try the Babicz. (take care of strings /P'up/Neck alignment, though).

 

[Zooberwerx]

Thanks for the input. Ive been thinking of just getting a similar warwick replacement and getting screws with a little more bite to compensate for the current holes. Just not sure if that got bent do to a design flaw in those bridges or some other weird stuff only the bass remembers

You nailed it. We've seen this more than a handful of times on the forum. Check your spacing for the proper replacement. There is a probably a few available in the classifieds. Hipshot, Babicz, and Gotoh are all good choices.

Riis

 

[elBandito]

Is that a rockbass? I don;t see a warwick bridge.

 

[bass10bfb]

That has to be a Rockbass with the one piece bridge design and not the 2 piece design. I have owned almost 20 Warwicks and never seen this.

 

[Awesome Sauce]

It's a design flaw combined with VERY poor metal and casting practices. This is one of the reasons the first iterations of the Rock Basses got such a bad rap. As Zooberwax said above, best to replace it with something better that will fit.

Rob

 

[bass10bfb]

No doubt. I agree 100% with these guys. If the bridge will do that, it ain't worth havin'!!!!!!

 

[Marikk]

Is that a rockbass? I don;t see a warwick bridge.

It's a 1999 streamer STD passive with a single humbucker. Ovangkol neck and wenge fretboard

 

[rojo412]

I would go new bridge as well.

It is worth mentioning, though, I actually had a similar bridge on a Squier and I modified it thusly to make that problem go away:

It's cheap and easy.

 

[Dug2]

i have never seen a warwick bridge thats 1 piece. (german made anyway)
get a different bridge, or do what he ^ did.

 

[Marikk]

A used aftermarket bridge seems to be the consensus and the direction i thought id have to go. Have to start looking in the classifeds for a decent fit once i get home and measure the spacing. The body on this is fairly rough. But i fell in love with the neck, so i really want to make this thing right