why did Fender make the 3 hole bridge?

[Rib 13]

3 holes or 5 holes dont matter as long as the holes are tort

 

[bradd]

Not necessarily front to back (as in "how far from the nut will the saddles end up").

With a different type of bridge you will need to measure where the screw holes go or the intonation range may suffer. It doesn't matter if there are 3, 4 or 5 screw holes. There is no guarantee that the bridge will end up in the right position just because some (or even all) of the old screw holes will match. The only exception is of course when the new bridge is sold as a 100% drop in replacement for the old bridge.

But we're not talking about any random bass bridge. OP specifically says that they want a Kickass bridge, which will be the same front to back.

The real question to be asked is why bother with an aftermarket bridge in the first place?

 

[mrm56]

This would be my guess. It's more about the gimmick (selling point) of strung through body than anything else.

when the precsion electric bass came about it was 'more about' emulating the (then) string - thru design originated with broadcaster/esquire/telecaster. CLF was never about 'gimmick', imo/ime/et al ...

 

[Deleted member 271037]

But we're not talking about any random bass bridge. OP specifically says that they want a Kickass bridge, which will be the same front to back.

The real question to be asked is why bother with an aftermarket bridge in the first place?

Ah, sorry, I see now that you were obviously referring to the Kickass bridge. I read this thread kinda back to front and several other bridges were mentioned in later posts. My bad.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Because it's through body and there is room for 3 screws unless you make the bridge wider and do 5 screws. Then it would look odd.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Even the Badass III for string through Fenders has 3 screws

 

[jamzcl]

IMO it's the best bridge Fender has produced to date.

 

[GregT]

I removed mine when I put the Geezer pickups and wiring system into my Precision because I even replaced the ground wire. The screws are very good quality and almost go completely through the body. It's a great design even if you top load your strings as I do. As far as aftermarket products go, it is their responsibility to match Fender specs, not the other way around.

 

[JakobT]

IMO it's the best bridge Fender has produced to date.

View attachment 4701835

I agree - it’s a great bridge. I also really like the 5-hole Fender HiMass bridge. That said, the standard bent-plate bridge is perfectly serviceable.

 

[trickyric]

But we're not talking about any random bass bridge. OP specifically says that they want a Kickass bridge, which will be the same front to back.

The real question to be asked is why bother with an aftermarket bridge in the first place?

Fender now puts their version of the Badass/Kickass on bases as factory equipment. I like the look even if there is no real advantage. But there is no version of this bridge for the 3 hole models... except the badass III (which isn't made anymore).. anyway my question was answered

 

[Cave Puppy]

Two screws is really all you need to anchor a bridge. I have a five string that only has two screws attaching the bridge to the body. The Sterling SUB I have only has three screws. I put the SUB bridge on a Squier P, using the three holes to attach it. I put a five hole Fender type bridge on the SUB using only three screws. No problems encountered.

 

[Jim C]

BTW, if anyone is really concerned about the ability of 3 screws to solidly mount a bridge to a body with string pull, it can be determined through Solid Works.
I would think Fender did this during the prototype stage and I can't remember a post about the bridge being pulled away from the body due to a fastener issue.

 

[Obese Chess]

I will add that my 1983 Fullerton P-Bass is not string-through-body, has a three-screw bridge, and I have never been able to figure this out either.

 

[JIO]

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.

Other than the original two saddle string-thru bass bridge in '51, the first time Fender had a 3 screw, four saddle bridge was in '83. It was primarily used on the Standard Series Jazz bass and the '88-'94 American Standard Jazz. It has slotted saddles and wide spacing. The A & G strings are right at the fb edge.

'93 American Standard Jazz bass

 

[lowendrv]

Babicz FCH-4 AM String Thru Bass Bridge - Full Contact Hardware

 

[FunkHead]

Other than the original two saddle string-thru bass bridge in '51, the first time Fender had a 3 screw, four saddle bridge was in '83. It was primarily used on the Standard Series Jazz bass and the '88-'94 American Standard Jazz. It has slotted saddles and wide spacing. The A & G strings are right at the fb edge.

'93 American Standard Jazz bass
View attachment 4701900

That looks more like a Jazz Bass Plus than a Standard.

 

[Chrisk-K]

The answer: because Fender can.

 

[SJan3]

My American Ultra has a high mass 5 screw.. it is Fenders version of the Badass.. The American proII has 3 screws American Original has 5.. I don't think they make the standard anymore.

Isn't your American Ultra top load only?
Let's simplify this. The 3 hole bridge isn't a "money saver". It's to allow alignment of the string ferrules for thru body stringing.
And, FWIW, I'm sure the string ferrules cost more than 2 screws.

 

[SJan3]

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

The Fender American Pro bridge IS a high mass bridge.

 

[SJan3]

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.

Uh, no. The 3 screw bridge with string thru ferrules started more like 1995 on the American Standard. In fact, they were string thru ONLY. The string thru/top load combo bridge was introduced around 2004.