What's the difference?

[Joe Nerve]

Just got a new Cort Short Scale GB. I love it. I want to swap the bridge out for a black one, but honestly - don't have a clue what effect that would have on the rest of the bass.

Aside from adjustability (I'm fine with what came stock), what's the difference between a $15 bridge and a $150 bridge?

Thanks.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

$135
Just quality of parts and machining, and craftsmanship.
You could always have the original one painted or powder coated.

 

[GretschWretch]

Dammit Joe! It's about time you put in an appearance. I was considering putting out a missing person report on you.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Dammit Joe! It's about time you put in an appearance. I was considering putting out a missing person report on you.

I hide in the crevices . I appreciate being missed, lol. Thank you for noticing.

 

[BassHole1]

Why would a black bridge be $150? Plenty of $15 black bridges (Fender clones, which is what Cort appears to have, too) on Amazon.....

 

[Zooberwerx]

Effect / benefits? Probably none other than your wallet being somewhat lighter. We've seen some tolerance issues (slippage, etc.) but, if that proves to be problem, we have a fix for that.

Riis

 

[bassicmike]

Hiya Joe! Only real benefit would be ease/accuracy for doing setup and intonation work.

But the big bridges do look cool.

 

[gln1955]

I swapped out the bridge on my GB for a black Hipshot Vintage model. $68 on Reverb. Aside from the aesthetics, it is quick release and the saddle are held in by a slot to prevent lateral movement. I didn't expect or hear any difference in tone. An OK investment, IMO.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Nothing. When I buy bridges for my parts builds, I use the $35 fender threaded saddle vintage bridges. However, since I am a Fender dealer, my price is more like $15.

 

[Lo-E]

The fit and finish can be much nicer on some bridges than on others but a bass bridge is a pretty simple machine. As long as it provides the adjustments you need and those adjustments don’t move after you’ve set them, any bridge is as good as any other.

Where they might differ is in the aforementioned fit and finish, ease and range of adjustment and little extras like being able to lock things in place or adjust string spacing.

A $15 bridge might be built like a wind-up toy and a $150 bridge might be built like a Swiss watch but either one will get you through the gig.

 

[Lo-E]

…and it’s nice to see you!

 

[mikecd1]

Hey Joe! The high(er) mass bridge I put on my GB made a nice difference in the sustain and looks better with the nickel finish to me. It was on an old road worn jazz bass I had years ago and felt it made a difference there so was glad I kept it to use again. There's a ton of 5 hole replacement bridges these days and have always liked the Babicz, but can't go wrong with Hipshot or Leo Quan and others either. I like the look of gln1955's black Hipshot too. Whether you notice any difference in sound is completely subjective I suppose and has been discussed ad infinitum here in the past.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I don't know if or how a different bridge would affect tone, I just know I prefer ABM bridges on my 6 strings. I like the adjustability and how they look. The quality is also very high.

 

[groovaholic]

Aside from adjustability (I'm fine with what came stock), what's the difference between a $15 bridge and a $150 bridge?

Thickness/quality of the metal too.
I bought two inexpensive basses in the past year, and both had bridges that were bending under string tension.

But they were 20+ year old basses.
On a new bass, I'd play the bass as-is for long enough to figure out what it really needs to be its best.

That said, you can get a really good bridge for $60-70 or so.
My current favorite is the Gotoh 404; quick-release, option to string through the body, solid base plate, comfortable for palm-muting, simple to adjust...

 

[ColonelZulu]

Hey @Joe Nerve long time no chat. I’m interested because I am starting to find an affinity for medium scale basses. I was assuming the bridge might be affected by the amount of string spacing at the nut vs bridge. Wouldn’t the spacing at those two points make for a more drastic angle of separation between strings.

Just remember…it’s easier to spank the monkey.

 

[GretschWretch]

I hide in the crevices . I appreciate being missed, lol. Thank you for noticing.

Hey @Joe Nerve long time no chat. I’m interested because I am starting to find an affinity for medium scale basses. I was assuming the bridge might be affected by the amount of string spacing at the nut vs bridge. Wouldn’t the spacing at those two points make for a more drastic angle of separation between strings.

Just remember…it’s easier to spank the monkey.

I too am being drawn toward medium scale basses. But it probably is easier to turn up medium scale basses than fretted medium scale bass necks; so far I have obtained only three. For me, string spacing at the bridge creates a whole other problem, since my preferred c-2-c distance is 17 mm.

 

[covermego]

I run a Gotoh 404SJ-4 on my Gretsch CVT medium scale bass, added rear ferrules for string-thru and run full 34" scale strings. Same with my Ibanez Mezzo 5; Gotoh 404SJ-5, string-thru, full scale strings. Lovely bridges.
@Joe Nerve - These are also the schizz for top/quick load. Excellent craftsmanship. I get all my Gotoh stuff from Philadelphia Luthier Tools..... seem to have the best pricing, but occasionally from GuitarHey.
NOTE: Most full scale strings work with the string-thru option, but there are a few that the B or E just starts wrapping around the post. Get measurements and consult your favorite string guide.

 

[scuzzy]

I would do bent steel over some of the cheap pot metal zinc alloys. I've had one of those bend, even though "hi-mass". I've heard good about the guykee stuff

 

[HolmeBass]

Hey Joe! I have nothing on bridges, sorry, but do really groove with medium scale (32”) basses now. And I wanted to say hello, long time!

 

[J Wilson]

The Nerve of some guys. Where you been?

Besides the $135, I'd be surprised if there was ANY audible difference (except what your mind tells you MUST be there for this grand improvement . . . ), but if it's a different bridge than what's on there now, if there's a noticeable difference in the thickness of the base plate of it, it may introduce setup problems as now all the saddles are higher.

C-Ya !