Thunderbird Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 Hi all I always thought that Hi Mass bridges were a load of nonsense after trying a few such as Badass 2, Gotoh and some generic models on different basses in the past and not really noticing any real difference but here is were I find it interesting I have switched to short scale basses and I thought I would tart one of them up a bit so I bought a Gotoh 201B bridge from this very forum and stuck it on the bass and I find that the bass has much more clarity and sustain than it did before which surprised me as I had never noticed any difference on a long scale bass anyone else noticed this? or could it be a placebo effect? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefrash Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 It might just be a better bridge due to its quality rather than the mass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 [quote name='lefrash' timestamp='1466624938' post='3077410'] It might just be a better bridge due to its quality rather than the mass? [/quote] Agreed; I would think it's about how well the bridge supports the strings... the original bridge might have been a poor performer in terms of stability - to my mind you want to keep as much energy in a string for it to continue vibrating (sustain) and saddle construction probably influences this as much as anything else with regard to bridge design (including its mass). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 I`ve always thought that I could tell a difference when changing a bridge to the hi-mass type, where they have grooves for the saddle-screws to sit in. There seems to be a more focused low-end, and a tighter top end. It must be something to do with the contact of the sadlles on the base-plate I`d reckon. Would I hear it in the mix, no, but on the basses I`ve done this on I`m sure I could notice a difference. And in all honesty, I`ve noticed it more the other way, when removing the hi-mass bridge and returning to the BBOT, suddenly the foused lows and tighter highs have become less apparent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddiehoffmann Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1466633095' post='3077519'] I`ve always thought that I could tell a difference when changing a bridge to the hi-mass type, where they have grooves for the saddle-screws to sit in. There seems to be a more focused low-end, and a tighter top end. It must be something to do with the contact of the sadlles on the base-plate I`d reckon. Would I hear it in the mix, no, but on the basses I`ve done this on I`m sure I could notice a difference. And in all honesty, I`ve noticed it more the other way, when removing the hi-mass bridge and returning to the BBOT, suddenly the foused lows and tighter highs have become less apparent. [/quote] I don't know what happened to what I typed before but I meant to say I agree with Lozz here. Edited June 22, 2016 by eddiehoffmann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 I've put a hi-mass on a shorty and it was a vast improvement, mostly because the BBoT-type saddles wandered around a bit under the low tension strings. No change on a 34" sound-wise, but found a big difference for edge-of-hand comfort while pick playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkandrew Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Sorry if I'm being stupid but what does BBoT stand for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Bent Bit of Tim. I never noticed a difference in sound or sustain when I changed from a high mass to a bbot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1466663264' post='3077603'] Bent Bit of Tim. I never noticed a difference in sound or sustain when I changed from a high mass to a bbot. [/quote]Bent Bit Of Ti[b]m [/b] Bent Bit Of Tim is quite a disturbing image Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 [quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1466676453' post='3077771'] Bent Bit Of Ti[b]m [/b] Bent Bit Of Tim is quite a disturbing image [/quote] Indeed. They're pretty brutal! I was going to correct it before I hit post, but then I remembered good ol'e TIM & decided to leave it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Ive got a Gotoh 201 on all my 4 string basses. They might not make much difference to the tone (and they might) but they do make my basses just a bit nicer in some way. Never really liked the BA2 bridge. I definitely noticed an increase in high's with that (ive had 2) bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanF Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 (edited) I rebuilt a BB300 with some Gotoh hardware including a 201. I know, hardware more expensive than the donor bass. But the sustain is bonkers. I swear I plucked a string one night in passing and it was still humming the next day! Maybe .... Edited June 23, 2016 by DuncanF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LITTLEWING Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 TBH I've never been able to tell to any great degree if there's a massive difference with a high mass bridge, but if you want to hear what a bass SHOULD sound like, change your bbot for a Wilkinson item with brass saddles for around 12 squid. I've transformed a Precision and a Squier P/J and all the rich warm tones are suddenly there in abundance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted June 23, 2016 Author Share Posted June 23, 2016 [quote name='LITTLEWING' timestamp='1466709954' post='3078126'] TBH I've never been able to tell to any great degree if there's a massive difference with a high mass bridge, but if you want to hear what a bass SHOULD sound like, change your bbot for a Wilkinson item with brass saddles for around 12 squid. I've transformed a Precision and a Squier P/J and all the rich warm tones are suddenly there in abundance. [/quote] Agreed Wilkinson bridges are good But I think that there must be some kind of black magic involved with Hi Mass bridges and short scale basses the improvement is vast I am so impressed I just ordered another 201 for my other shorty lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 I'm a Gotoh fan. 201 mainly, but they do the 203, which is a more solid version of the traditional BBoT, which works well. Have one on my fretless. Don't like the Badass - seems to rob the instrument of warmth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 The differences in tone of a floating bridge guitar when changing from a cast trem block to a solid brass one is immense. I feel the same must be achievable going from a skinny bit of tin to a substantial well made bridge. Certainly in my own upgrades, a high quality, high mass bridge does improve the girth of the tone, but there are 'high mass' bridges on eBay that only, to my mind, offer a visual difference. Probably owing to what they are made of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 (edited) A couple of years ago I had a CIJ Geddy Lee and MIM standard Jazz bass. I tried swapping the bridges (Badass II on the Geddy, BBOT on the MIM), and the necks over. To my ears, there was no noticeable difference in tone, volume, sustain or anything else (although the Geddy looked really smart with the rosewood fingerboard!). Edited June 24, 2016 by Conan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1466767379' post='3078571'] .......although the Geddy looked really smart with the rosewood fingerboard [/quote] Sacrilege!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bassman7755 Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1466764075' post='3078523'] girth of the tone [/quote] Oh no ... were going to have to have a discussion about whether class D amps lack girth as well as heft now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 What you are looking for is a good 'connect' throughout the bass...and a good bridge can play its part. I'm looking for a Fender 5 st retro fit as the main problem is the current incumbent is not top loadable so I'll be looking at a Hipshot...which looks all rpund a more substantial bridge as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 I see hipshot have brought out a BA2 lookalike bridge - form an orderly queue! http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=426 Must've been a short meeting to come up with that name too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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