why did Fender make the 3 hole bridge?

[GregT]

Just went and looked at my 2015 American Precision Standard, and sure enough, it has a three-screw bridge. I've never noticed it before. It doesn't bother me though because I'm not going to change it out. Seems perfectly solid to me even without running my TI Flats through the body. I like it.

 

[HMZ]

The 3 hole bridges actual started in 2008. The fender stock American standard bridges are excellent. Don't know why you would change it in the first place.

 

[Killing Floor]

No pic, no holes.

 

[darwin-bass]

The answer has been given. Does anybody read, or do we all just post.

STRING THROUGH - the 3 hole bridges are for string through bodies.

 

[Durham52]

The answer has been given. Does anybody read, or do we all just post.

STRING THROUGH - the 3 hole bridges are for string through bodies.

Sounds pretty logical to me.

And yes, you're right, some people just post without reading and some just don't want a rant spoiling with information or logic.

 

[Ric5]

3 hole bridges rock

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I have a Fender J Bass with the 3 hole bridge. I wanted to put a Hipshot kickass bridge on it. However it has 3 screw holes instead of the 5 holes all my other Fenders have.
Does anyone know why fender decided to do this on this on the 2009 American standard J bass?

‘Now you got me concerned.

I never gave this a thought before I read you post, So I go to my 90s PB string through that I’ve had for the last 18 years, and low and behold, it only had 3 screws. Well, I though I’d better check my Warwick Corvette I’ve had for about 7 years and the bridge only has two screws and a separate tailpiece that only has two screws. Maybe I should put them on the market..LOL!!

 

[johnnynitro]

My 1984 Fender American PBass Has a 3 hole Bridge too.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

The real question is not "why did they choose to use a 3 hole bridge instead of a 5 hole bridge," but "why did they choose NOT to use a 5 hole bridge but instead used a 3 hole bridge?"

 

[matante]

Hipshot offers other bridges in the 3 hole sting-through design specifically for Fender basses, so the real question is why don't they offer the kickass bridge in that design?
As someone else else already noted, the original Fender bridge is considered a high mass bridge so there's little point in replacing it for the kickass.

 

[logdrum]

You should not put more fasteners than what is needed. 5 is overkill and you are putting a structural deformity in the wood with the screw holes in the first place. And when you have a string through the strings hold the bridge, so your probably can do with 2 screws. Arch top guitars and upright basses hold the bridge down with string tension. I would rather get a 3 hole bridge than drill extra holes if it was me

 

[COYS]

My MIM Pbass has a 5 screw top loading configuration. I installed a Hipshot SeaBass or whatever it's called. Direct fit with no modification

After spending ages setting the intonation and the string spacing and string height just right, I tuned up and noticed no major differences, except my wallet being a bit lighter.

Still, there are worse ways to spend an evening.

 

[J Wilson]

Danged if you do, danged if you don't.

Since string through body is on its rotation as a fashion statement these days, if Fender sticks with the 5 hole with no string through, they're not a happenin' brand, 'same old Fender'.

Then, they go with the currently fashionable string through, use a 3 hole bridge to leave room to the ferrules, 'cheap old Fender', gotta save ten cents', a three hole bridge?

I mean, whaddya do? I bet their customer service guys are happy hour regulars.

These are decisions that change blueprints, parts purchase and stocking, reprinting catalogs and manuals and online changes in the website, and more.

It ain't 'they quit using them good uns . . '

 

[JakobT]

they don't line up with a fender high mass either.

Well, the Fender high-mass bridge is a direct replacement for the standard five-hole bridge, so it wouldn’t.

 

[trickyric]

Danged if you do, danged if you don't.

Since string through body is on its rotation as a fashion statement these days, if Fender sticks with the 5 hole with no string through, they're not a happenin' brand, 'same old Fender'.

Then, they go with the currently fashionable string through, use a 3 hole bridge to leave room to the ferrules, 'cheap old Fender', gotta save ten cents', a three hole bridge?

I mean, whaddya do? I bet their customer service guys are happy hour regulars.

These are decisions that change blueprints, parts purchase and stocking, reprinting catalogs and manuals and online changes in the website, and more.

It ain't 'they quit using them good uns . . '

Question answered,
They did it for the string through

 

[trickyric]

3 hole bridges rock

who makes this?

 

[trickyric]

The answer has been given. Does anybody read, or do we all just post.

STRING THROUGH - the 3 hole bridges are for string through bodies.

thanks, that is all I wanted to know

 

[Klangfarbe]

who makes this?

Schaller

 

[bobba66]

I wanted 5 holes but I only got 3 and now I am sad.

 

[trickyric]

the weird thing about this thread is how so many people put their emotions into answers. I never said anything about being unhappy or having a problem with 3 holes vs 5. I just wanted to know why it was done.
The question was answered - string through bridge spacing... simple, direct and informative.. all the other comments say a lot more about the people commenting than my question does.