I'm basically wondering which bridge would be the best for me. Three I'm considering are the Badass II, Hipshot, and Babicz. I'm looking to increase overall punch & sustain as well as have a durable, reliable bridge. What are the main differences between the three, and which would be best for my bass? (also sorry if these threads have been done to death. I'm sort of new to this)
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Which bass bridge for my Jazz?
- Thread starter BenWhoPlaysBass
- Start date
Opinions vary. Many say high mass bridges don't help but to empty your wallet. My 1962 jazz has the original threaded saddle bridge: 51 years of service. durable enough for you?
Use the money to find strings you like. Or save for a new rig. Bridges are just not a great use of resources IMO.
Use the money to find strings you like. Or save for a new rig. Bridges are just not a great use of resources IMO.
I think Gotoh is the best bang for the buck.
Babicz is interesting, but difficult in actual use, and not cheap. I really liked its design conceptually, so I got one. In use, I just don't really like it. Nothing wrong with BadAss except that it's over-priced.
If you don't care about saddles moving around, there's nothing wrong with a good old classic BM bridge with the big threaded rod saddles.
I've only played with this on my Peavey's. That's one of the nicest things about my G & L: no one needs a better bridge on a G & L.
Babicz is interesting, but difficult in actual use, and not cheap. I really liked its design conceptually, so I got one. In use, I just don't really like it. Nothing wrong with BadAss except that it's over-priced.
If you don't care about saddles moving around, there's nothing wrong with a good old classic BM bridge with the big threaded rod saddles.
I've only played with this on my Peavey's. That's one of the nicest things about my G & L: no one needs a better bridge on a G & L.
I agree with tbird - I would suggest strings and/or pickups to make changes you are looking for. Start out with some different strings first. There are lots of suggestions if you search the forums.
What year and is it a MIM or American model? Standard, deluxe, etc?
What year and is it a MIM or American model? Standard, deluxe, etc?
the later '70s center-groove saddles slide around; when strung right, the proper vintage threaded-rod saddles do not.
IME a different bridge isn't going to change the sound of your bass enough to matter. That said, I'm not a fan of the standard Fender stamped metal bridge. I just like something that feels more ... substantial? Precise?
I've got a babicz on one instrument and I like it a lot. It's not terribly difficult to adjust and I like that it locks both string height and intonation. It's a solid piece of kit.
I also have a Fender high mass that I like. Problem is it has only three screw holes and isn't a direct replacement for a 5 screw bridge.
I've got a babicz on one instrument and I like it a lot. It's not terribly difficult to adjust and I like that it locks both string height and intonation. It's a solid piece of kit.
I also have a Fender high mass that I like. Problem is it has only three screw holes and isn't a direct replacement for a 5 screw bridge.
Scott in Dallas
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- Aug 16, 2005
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Personally, I think the stock bridge is just fine, and the only I might change, as others have suggested, is to threaded saddles. (with all the love those things get, why do you suppose Fender stopped using them?)
I'd buy the bridge with the best chrome and sparkle, since you're going to find it's best use is as a deep sea fishing lure when you take it off and put the original one on again.
To get the best bang for your buck, you would be best experimenting with string and pickup options.
Strings will have a major effect on the tone and individual preference in playability. There are string discussions all over this board that may narrow down a string selection for your purpose.
Okay. Some are of the opinion that the newer standard jazz pickups are weak and others think their fine. This would depend on what YOU are looking for. Discussion about j bass pickups: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91384. You can also experiment with pickup height which can make your sound more punchy and affect volume.
I agree with others that said keep the stock bridge, but if you gotta have it (we've all been there) then get a Hipshot A. Reasonable price, highly adjustable, and stable.
I recently read in BP mag that the aluminum model may be better suited for some applications that the brass version. I have a brass one on one bass, and an aluminum one on another, and they are equally good.
I also have never had any issues with the threaded saddle bridge on my P.
I recently read in BP mag that the aluminum model may be better suited for some applications that the brass version. I have a brass one on one bass, and an aluminum one on another, and they are equally good.
I also have never had any issues with the threaded saddle bridge on my P.
I prefer the hipshot ones for their easily adjustable saddles and easy string loading as well. For some people, that's enough justification to purchase a different bridge than the threading-required Fender bridges.
I have a highway 1 J that came with a BA, I have a MIM J with a babicz, a US J Plus that came with a QC schaller, and a mongrel J with a fender L plate with threaded saddles.
If you are looking to make the kind of changes you mentioned you will be throwing your money away to change the bridge. I like big gaudy bridges because I grew up playing peavey basses that always had big gaudy bridges on them, and because of my playing style I tend to pull much harder on the strings than need be when I play fast and a locking bridge helps keep my strings from wandering when I'm trying to rip them out of my bass.
If you have a serious problem with strings creeping latterly when you play, a locking bridge may be of some practical use to you. Otherwise a set of threaded saddles will improve both the looks and function of your stock bridge and save you enough money to snag up a set of Model J or Area J pups, either of which IMO will go much further toward reaching your stated goals regards the sound of your bass.
Unless this is one MIM J replacing another and you are already familiar with MIM J characteristics, why don't you just play it for a while before making any changes?
If you are looking to make the kind of changes you mentioned you will be throwing your money away to change the bridge. I like big gaudy bridges because I grew up playing peavey basses that always had big gaudy bridges on them, and because of my playing style I tend to pull much harder on the strings than need be when I play fast and a locking bridge helps keep my strings from wandering when I'm trying to rip them out of my bass.
If you have a serious problem with strings creeping latterly when you play, a locking bridge may be of some practical use to you. Otherwise a set of threaded saddles will improve both the looks and function of your stock bridge and save you enough money to snag up a set of Model J or Area J pups, either of which IMO will go much further toward reaching your stated goals regards the sound of your bass.
Unless this is one MIM J replacing another and you are already familiar with MIM J characteristics, why don't you just play it for a while before making any changes?
I voted Hipshot but there's not a durn thing wrong with a bent-plate / threaded saddle configuration.
Riis
Riis
