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What can a bridge do?

#3
The bridge is the control center for adjusting both the way the guitar plays and how in tune it is with itself. The saddles are adjusted up and down to raise or lower the strings. The saddles move back and forth (closer or away from the headstock) to adjust the intonation. If not adjusted, the string will not be in tune with itself. In other words, the notes will become increasingly flatter (or sharper) the higher the string is stopped on the neck.
 
#5
What would you like it to do? I can imagine that a bridge, beyond setting the intonation and height, could do a lot more. Detuning, vibrato, muting, conducting sound (piezo), buzzing for effect, slacking slightly with plucking attack (for effect), all sorts of things.

Oh, and they can also tear the hell out of your right hand when playing with a pick!! That reminds me, I have screws to shorten.
 
#6
Oh, I'm still a noob for the most part. Another bassist (Uriah Duffy) mentioned modding his basses, and the first thing he changed is the bridge. So that's what sparked my question. I know of tremolo bridges but beyond that I don't know much about the variation of bridges.
 
#7
monster6607 said:
Oh, I'm still a noob for the most part. Another bassist (Uriah Duffy) mentioned modding his basses, and the first thing he changed is the bridge. So that's what sparked my question. I know of tremolo bridges but beyond that I don't know much about the variation of bridges.
Click to expand...

There are many variations in bridges. Most notably, in regards to three aspects.

1. Mass. A hotly debated topic. The differences in tone and resonance lead some players to prefer high mass bridges and others to prefer low mass bridges.

2. Piezo elements. Some prefer saddles with piezoelectric pressure transducers for their tonality.

3. Adjustability, function and aesthetic.
 
#8
Well...
My P bass had a Badass bridge when I got it, and it had a dead spot at the 19th fret D string. Really nasty one. Changed to a threaded saddle vintage type-no more dead spot, and 1/2 a pound lighter, too.

Conversely, my Ibanez 5 string had a barely functional bridge, with wobbly saddles and rusted screws. A Kahler bridge with individually adjustable saddles made a giant difference, with rock solid intonation and looked better too. Added almost a pound, but worth it in this case.

Differences in tone may subjectively be deemed "better".
Regardless, I like 'em.

wraub
 
#9
Ok, I get what you're asking now. I was going off into dreamland there with possibilities.

If you like the sound of your bass and the bridge adjusts well and isn't broken, keep it. If you can identify anything wrong with it, or just want to make a change then go for it. Just know that the spendiest bridge in the world won't sound any better than a decent standard bridge, and as wraub mentioned it might be worse than a basic bridge.
 
#10
wraub said:
Well...
My P bass had a Badass bridge when I got it, and it had a dead spot at the 19th fret D string. Really nasty one. Changed to a threaded saddle vintage type-no more dead spot, and 1/2 a pound lighter, too.

Conversely, my Ibanez 5 string had a barely functional bridge, with wobbly saddles and rusted screws. A Kahler bridge with individually adjustable saddles made a giant difference, with rock solid intonation and looked better too. Added almost a pound, but worth it in this case.

Differences in tone may subjectively be deemed "better".
Regardless, I like 'em.

wraub
Click to expand...

I don't think BA bridges are all that good. Glad to hear you dumped it and got rid of your dead spot. BA bridges are okay but they are way over rated and only add a little sustain. No great tone comes from a BA bridge.
 
#11
monster6607 said:
Oh, I'm still a noob for the most part. Another bassist (Uriah Duffy) mentioned modding his basses, and the first thing he changed is the bridge.
Click to expand...

Some people would agree with him. Others would tell you that they think he's nuts and it's a waste of money.

My suggestion: spend some time learning how to play bass and become an educated user. Don't change things until you have enough knowledge to identify a problem with some aspect of a bass and have some idea of how to correct it.
 
#12
TGLbass said:
I don't think BA bridges are all that good. Glad to hear you dumped it and got rid of your dead spot. BA bridges are okay but they are way over rated and only add a little sustain. No great tone comes from a BA bridge.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it came with the bass, and I tried to like it. I really did. It's pretty easy to set up/adjust, doesn't look bad, and says Badass on it. What's not to like?

But all it really did was make the bass heavier, increase perceived string tautness, add an unwanted character to the sound of the bass, and get in the way.
So glad I switched bridges. The bass now looks better imo, definitely plays better, and weighs under 9 lbs.

Still undecided as to whether to keep it or sell it, but it will not be going back on that bass, that's for sure.

wraub
 
#13
A hi-mass bridge definitely gives more sustain and, in the case of Bas Ass II, for instance, can result in an aggressive sound. The vintage Fender bridges are an example of a simple design that contributed to the punchier, thump that the vintage P Basses had. On a jazz bass, those can help to bring out the mid-tones.
 
#14
Yes. If its made better then the old style fender type it can be a handrest that doesnt try to eat your hand and fingers. High mass ones also give a little biut fuller sound and little bit better note fade out. Longer, smoother rather then shorter and jagged ended. I'm not a fan of baddass bridges as they add an undesired treble zingyness.
 
#15
wraub said:
...says Badass on it. What's not to like?

But all it really did was make the bass heavier, increase perceived string tautness, add an unwanted character to the sound of the bass, and get in the way.
Click to expand...
sorry, i don't believe that part for a second (and i'm a big fan of the old-school threaded-rod bridges).
 
#16
walterw said:
sorry, i don't believe that part for a second (and i'm a big fan of the old-school threaded-rod bridges).
Click to expand...

To clarify-
I'm sure the actual string tension didn't change. But, the difference in playability after the change is a real thing, and part of that is a felt looseness, a lack of string stiffness from a playability standpoint. Translates to a better "feel" and less right hand fatigue.
Again, I know the actual string tension didn't (and wouldn't) change, but I can feel a difference that I like, which makes me play more, which is good.

wraub
 
#17
Just an FYI -

A high-mass bridge can actually hurt your sound, IF you have a resonant body - it will damp the sound of the wood.

Modern bass manufacturers commonly use high-mass bridges for consistency between instruments, as it is very hard to find good wood any longer.
 
#19
I found that by changing to a more expensive aftermarket bridge, the manufacturer of that bridge (a small business owner) was able to generate income, thereby enabling him to pay his employees, and help them, in turn, to feed their children.

I did it for the kids.
 
#20
wraub said:
To clarify-
I'm sure the actual string tension didn't change. But, the difference in playability after the change is a real thing, and part of that is a felt looseness, a lack of string stiffness from a playability standpoint. Translates to a better "feel" and less right hand fatigue.
Again, I know the actual string tension didn't (and wouldn't) change, but I can feel a difference that I like, which makes me play more, which is good.

wraub
Click to expand...
all of that could only be a result of differences in the setup (string height, etc.) that have nothing to do with the structure of the bridge itself.
 

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