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why did Fender make the 3 hole bridge?

#82
Why did Fender make the 3 hole bridge?

Twizzlers_Chew_on_It_Commercial.jpg


:)
 
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#84
trickyric said:
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
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Well, they do on some models. And anyway the version on the three-hole models is their version of this bridge. It’s a high-mass bridge that is as good as, or better, than the Fender HiMass bridge. There is no advantage to swapping it for another hi-mass bridge, even if one were available.
 
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#85
jamzcl said:
IMO it's the best bridge Fender has produced to date.

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It is very nice! Although I actually prefer the American Vintage bridge with the threaded saddles because I prefer top loading and don't see any advantage to "high mass" bridges other than added weight. My Highway One Jazz Bass came stock with a Badass ll bridge. It was bulky and I couldn't get the action set low enough with it. I replaced with the American Vintage bridge and it plays beautifully and I believe resonates better. But the new Am Pro bridge is very nice and not over the top high mass.
 
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#95
trickyric said:
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?
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Here’s the bridge on my 2016 MIA Fender Jazz Standard.
54E39E60-FEAE-49A8-8B6F-0015C6AA820F.png

Three holes for screws. 4 holes for string through. I believe, maybe wrongly, a ‘Special’ has five holes for screws since a ‘Special’ is not string through body with ferrules. And can’t speak about newer models with different model names even though they’re basically either Standard’s or Special’s. Couldn’t tell ya about MIM, MIJ, MIK either.

Here’s the bridge on my 2014 limited edition sandblasted MIA Fender Precision which is based on a ‘Special’.

33E60FA8-932C-4836-ACDE-AB61997C6D5D.png


Looks like ‘Specials’ are the way to go for 5 screw holes.

They really didn’t change back and forth as some have said. Any model that is string thrubody has 3 screw holes and any model that is not string through body has 5 screw holes.
 
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#98
trickyric said:
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.
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They just changed the names for marketing. Pro II is actually the equivalent of a Standard. The others are pretty much the equivalent of a Special
 
#99
just to add to the convo pot, if you're having trouble finding a 3 hole old style tailpiece instead of your american standard high mass bridge you can get a (Fender American Deluxe Bass chrome Bridge 005-8396-000) it fits perfect for an american standard 3 hole jazz bass replacement. I got one and the strings can get lower then the high mass ones. they fit and sound pretty good
 

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