What is your go-to bridge???

[Ian Perge]

Hipshot A's in Aluminum (I prefer the "snap" of it to the tonal qualities of the Brass models) as you have the option of choosing between several different string-spacings, and one is *exactly* what I find to be perfect for my personal playing. I could also do the same with a Kahler, but I've heard it's much more of a PITA to do so.

If I ever get a custom bass made I might consider Hipshot"s "Triple Lock Down" single-string Mono-Rail pieces as I general like the idea of keeping each string physically separated from each other to reduce crosstalk to a minimal amount, but the A's are so very workable and perfect in terms of spacing (something I took years to find exactly what worked best for me) for me that the positives very well might not be worth the change.

 

[neonrust]

Two hipshot supertone bridges should be in my mailbox today. I am hoping for a major improvement over the 3-point bridges on my SG RI's.

 

[dabbler]

Whenever I replace the bridge it is a Gotoh. GREAT value.

FYI- One of our engineers that specializes in music products - tells me that if the bass body has a nice tone to it (by knocking on it,etc.) the lighter stamped metal bridge will impart the wood tone, where the heavy bridge will not allow the wood to ring. To be tested.

Please do the test and let us know! Anecdotally, when I replaced the stock bent metal bridges on my 2 SX SJB 4+1's with some economy badass style ones I could've sworn that I did in fact lose some of the "natural" tone I had before. So I have not replaced any of my other SX bent metal bridges. Unfortunately, I have no recording capability so I have no "before" and "after" recordings to be really sure.

I like the look of badass style bridges, but if they cost me tone, I'll keep the cheap-looking bent metal ones. I never DID like the look of Fender style bridges. :scowl:

 

[andvari7]

I likes me the Kahler 2460 fixed six-string bridge. Because it's countersunk, and because it has a wide footprint, the sustain is quite wonderful. And, it's a Kahler, so it's built really well. Mine's from 1993, and though it shows its age, it does what it does flawlessly.

I would like, though, a Kahler trem on a bass, but my only basses are six-string, and I am NOT going to spend that much time on such a potentially risky project. I'll get a four-stringer instead.

 

[WoodyG3]

I love the Hipshot A bridge on my Carvin.

For Fenders, I have yet to see a reason to replace the stock bridge. In fact, the only time I've replaced a bridge on a Fender was to get rid of the Badass II it came with and put on a stock MIA bridge. I couldn't adjust the saddles low enough with the Badass, and didn't want to shim the neck.

 

[Eric Perry]

Does Hipshot make an "A" or "B" type bridge that will fit the Fender
5 or the newer 3 screw hole pattern?

As a direct drop-in? I'm not sure, but I don't think so...

 

[Thunder_Fingers]

I am a Badass man... I just like the look and the size of the thing, good sound, and solid!

 

[ProfGumby]

I voted Badass, but I also have a Gotoh 201 and a generic 5 string Gotoh type on another. I guess whatever put on the Squier VM Jazz would be the tie breaker. Unless I put a Schaller or Hipshot on that one.

Maybe a poll choice should have been "Other than stock"

 

[TMacATK]

Please do the test and let us know! Anecdotally, when I replaced the stock bent metal bridges on my 2 SX SJB 4+1's with some economy badass style ones I could've sworn that I did in fact lose some of the "natural" tone I had before. So I have not replaced any of my other SX bent metal bridges. Unfortunately, I have no recording capability so I have no "before" and "after" recordings to be really sure.

I like the look of badass style bridges, but if they cost me tone, I'll keep the cheap-looking bent metal ones. I never DID like the look of Fender style bridges. :scowl:

If that really is a problem, you could get a nicer bent plate bridge.

I just put this Gotoh on my SX. It works great and looks great too. I got it from basspartsresource.com

 

[sunbeast]

I was always a fan of the Schaller roller bridges for their side to side string adjustments (I think they are the cheapest bridge to offer that adjustment?), as well as the optional bottom spacer which I have found very useful in the past. That said, the newer Badass bridges with multiple pre-slotted saddles are pretty great and don't require drilling new holes on a Fender-style bass. They do sound slightly different to my ears, but not enough to chose one over the other (I generally have chosen based on what sized footprint I was looking to cover- the BAII has the largest bass bridge footprint that I know of aprt from tremelo bridges). I've found side-to-side string adjustment to be a must on most of my "project" basses...

Karl

 

[Eric Perry]

Maybe a poll choice should have been "Other than stock"

Hey, I do have "Other" up there!