Why Doesn't Anyone Change the Bridge on a MM Stingray ?

[WHUFC BASS]

Fender basses seem to be modded at every given oppurtunity and the bent piece of tin for a bridge is usually the first to go. Why not so on a Musicman Stingray ? In effect its just a slightly bigger bent bit of tin surely yet I've never seen any that have been modded. Any ideas why ?

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='WHUFC BASS' post='943213' date='Sep 2 2010, 11:51 AM']Fender basses seem to be modded at every given oppurtunity and the bent piece of tin for a bridge is usually the first to go. Why not so on a Musicman Stingray ? In effect its just a slightly bigger bent bit of tin surely yet I've never seen any that have been modded. Any ideas why ?[/quote]


I could be wrong but aren't a lot of MM's through body?

[neepheid]

[quote name='WHUFC BASS' post='943213' date='Sep 2 2010, 11:51 AM']Fender basses seem to be modded at every given oppurtunity and the bent piece of tin for a bridge is usually the first to go. Why not so on a Musicman Stingray ? In effect its just a slightly bigger bent bit of tin surely yet I've never seen any that have been modded. Any ideas why ?[/quote]

Because no-one's made a simple drop in direct replacement which affords any improvement?

[Beedster]

[quote name='WHUFC BASS' post='943213' date='Sep 2 2010, 11:51 AM']Fender basses seem to be modded at every given oppurtunity and the bent piece of tin for a bridge is usually the first to go. Why not so on a Musicman Stingray ? In effect its just a slightly bigger bent bit of tin surely yet I've never seen any that have been modded. Any ideas why ?[/quote]

I guess people have but perhaps found it made little difference. IIRC MM bridges are quite heavy, so perhaps a little more substantial than the Fender BBOT, even if this is only down to size and contact area. They also have a slightly more substantial attachment to the body also, I've no idea whether that's a factor though.

I'm guess the fact that, if you changed a part on an MM bass, you'd be hunted down and shot at close range by Sterling Ball probably puts folk off also?

C

[Beedster]

[quote name='neepheid' post='943219' date='Sep 2 2010, 11:54 AM']Because no-one's made a simple drop in direct replacement which affords any improvement?[/quote]

I think if there was a demand they would have tried, and then EBMM would have sued them!

[BottomEndian]

A lot of Rays have the serial number on the bridge. You change the bridge, you remove the verifiability of provenance/authenticity/whatever.

Of course, you could just swap bridges with another Ray to make yours look older/newer/more desirable.

[Beedster]

[quote name='Beedster' post='943226' date='Sep 2 2010, 11:58 AM']I think if there was a demand they would have tried, and then EBMM would have sued them![/quote]

Adding to that I'm aware that both Hipshot and Leo Quan (a.k.a. Badass) have recently had legal problems with 'certain manufacturers', so that's perhaps a factor in the MM issue.

C

[Beedster]

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='943227' date='Sep 2 2010, 11:58 AM']A lot of Rays have the serial number on the bridge. You change the bridge, you remove the verifiability of provenance/authenticity/whatever.[/quote]

Good point also

[WHUFC BASS]

[quote name='Beedster' post='943233' date='Sep 2 2010, 12:00 PM']Adding to that I'm aware that both Hipshot and Leo Quan (a.k.a. Badass) have recently had legal problems with 'certain manufacturers', so that's perhaps a factor in the MM issue.

C[/quote]

Thats interesting. I wonder how do companies like Nordstrand, John East and Kent Armstrong get away with making Musicman replacement pickups ?

[Ou7shined]

All the points above are valid. MM bridges have the logo embossed in them and one of the first clues as to a fake being passed off as original is the absence of the logo jumping out at you - about the only plus point of EBMM not selling spares.
One of the things with Stingrays is that they seem to be developed to conclusion, there's simply no point in modding them any further. In fact a modded 'ray is often viewed as a buggered about with 'ray rather than an improved one. The only real exception being CF necks.

Edited September 2, 2010 by Ou7shined

[budget bassist]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='943217' date='Sep 2 2010, 11:53 AM']I could be wrong but aren't a lot of MM's through body?[/quote]
Yep, you're wrong

[MB1]

MB1.
...If it aint Broke?...

[budget bassist]

Aye, personally I never had any problems with sustain etc on any of my MM basses.

[Ou7shined]

[quote name='Johnston' post='943291' date='Sep 2 2010, 01:00 PM']Where's Tino, he should go over to the EBMM forum and ask [/quote]

[MB1]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='943217' date='Sep 2 2010, 11:53 AM']I could be wrong but aren't a lot of MM's through body?[/quote]

MB1.
...Go Directly to Jail and do Not Collect 200 Pounds!

[Ou7shined]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='943217' date='Sep 2 2010, 11:53 AM']I could be wrong but aren't a lot of MM's through body?[/quote]
Pre EB's are.

[mcnach]

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='943283' date='Sep 2 2010, 12:55 PM']All the points above are valid. MM bridges have the logo embossed in them and one of the first clues as to a fake being passed off as original is the absence of the logo jumping out at you - about the only plus point of EBMM not selling spares.
One of the things with Stingrays is that they seem to be developed to conclusion, there's simply no point in modding them any further. In fact a modded 'ray is often viewed as a buggered about with 'ray rather than an improved one. The only real exception being CF necks.[/quote]


Nah, if you have a 2EQ Stingray, try it with a John East replacement... and hear it blossom!

(I almost feel like posting this on the EB forum... and run for cover to watch the fireworks )

Edited September 2, 2010 by mcnach

[tombboy]

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='943319' date='Sep 2 2010, 01:11 PM']Pre EB's are. [/quote]
And certain runs for the German and other markets..... also the Classic range.

[Grand Wazoo]

[quote name='neepheid' post='943219' date='Sep 2 2010, 11:54 AM']Because no-one's made a simple drop in direct replacement which affords any improvement?[/quote]

Is the right answer. Besides, the MM bridges regardless of string through or back strung are made from a very thick plate and have very good hefty saddles which together with the bridge provide a great combo which gives you all the resonance you need and some. Aftermarket people cannot make a better one, simple as that.

[BottomEndian]

My SR5's through-body... was it not that way from the factory? It's the original bridge, so I guess someone's been a-drillin'.

I'd never even given it a moment's thought before now.

[Ou7shined]

[quote name='Johnston' post='943553' date='Sep 2 2010, 04:00 PM']Question's which is better MM bridge or G&L?[/quote]
Or this one?

[henry norton]

[quote name='budget bassist' post='943307' date='Sep 2 2010, 02:06 PM']Aye, personally I never had any problems with sustain etc on any of my MM basses.[/quote]

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Not the dreaded "sustain" issues again! Possibly the most misunderstood word in a string musicians vocabulary. Ahh, I feel a new thread coming on.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='943319' date='Sep 2 2010, 02:11 PM']Pre EB's are. [/quote]

Not my pre EB

BTW, I kept my pre EB's bridge 'cos the bass sounded fine as it was and - more importantly - I thought the dampers and the big bridge plate looked really cool.

As for my EB SR5, that sounded fine too although it didn't have the really cool dampers.....

[budget bassist]

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='943452' date='Sep 2 2010, 02:51 PM']Is the right answer. Besides, the MM bridges regardless of string through or back strung are made from a very thick plate and have very good hefty saddles which together with the bridge provide a great combo which gives you all the resonance you need and some. Aftermarket people cannot make a better one, simple as that.[/quote]
Aye, MM bridges are pretty hefty bits of kit and nicely made, the bridge on my squier (and the one that came with my old fender) are just bent bits of tin, as people say.

[Vibrating G String]

The 2 outside mounting holes with the threaded inserts won't be covered by a normal bridge and you get funny looking holes in the bass. And you get on the EBMM hitlist.

[martthebass]

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='943319' date='Sep 2 2010, 01:11 PM']Pre EB's are. [/quote]

And 30th's

And Classics