KennysFord Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Hey folks, I have a good quality Brass bridge taken from an Ibanez Blazer. I've been toying with the idea of fitting it to my P Bass so does anyone know what tonal differences I should expect....if any. I noticed one fitted to a P Bass on a video posted up on here about the Ampeg PF500 amp. It's a straight swap but the Brass item is a lot more substantial than the Fender item. Cheers in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 You should definitely get some change in tone, whether you like it or not is another matter. Being more substantial though if it is larger you may find that you can't get the saddles low enough and you have to adjust the angle of the neck, pickup height etc. This happened when I fitted a Badass to mine, so be prepared for more than just swapping the bridge over... It might be OK but its always best to go into these things prepared for the worst (rather than shouting and throwing screwdrivers everywhere when you realise the 5 minute job will take 2 hours! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 If you dont like the tone you get from the bridge, I'll have it as a spare for mine! Also, where's the rest of the Blazer? If it's in bits, I'll have that aswell! Anyway, I think you should expect an increase in sustain apart from that I don't think you'll notice a difference in tone at all. I mean, a different set of strings will make more of a difference to your tone! Fit it anyway because brass bridges look wicked! Cheers Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Hmmmm, having replaced lots of bridges on several basses (mostly with Schaller 3Ds, sometimes with Gotoh 201s, once with a Badass), I'm still unsure as to any 'tonal' change. What you may well get is more sustain and a comfier place to rest your hand, if you're a pick player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Surely more sustain is a change of the sound? I have replaced Fender bridges with Gotoh, Badass and Wilkinson. In each case the tone may have changed subtly, but the sustain and the way the note develops has been the most noticeable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 (edited) You should only replace the bridge for cosmetic reasons. Any other differences will be imaginary. IMHO. Edited February 27, 2012 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennysFord Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 Like buses you lot ! My P bass has an ashtray and I play finger style so no benefit from a comfier hand position or cosmetics. I've done a side by side view and the saddles look like they'll come down far enough so that's a plus. I'll give it a try I think just because....well just because. Truckstop, sorry dude but the Blazer is a keeper but I have noticed that your a fan. Mines a 1980 but it's the different model to the one in your avatar. I did have one like yours with the P pup but to be honest I preferred this one so sold the other on a couple of years back.I don't seem to have a picture of the full bass so here it is sawn in half. Hope you likey. [attachment=101187:blazer body resize.JPG][attachment=101188:blazerHS resize.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Funnily enough I passed on an '80 last year because I don't like the headstock shape! Fickle aren't I?! Anyway, let us know how it works out with the bridge swap innit. Cheers Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennysFord Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 Not Fickle at all.I much prefer the headstock shape on mine to the one on yours, each to their own as they say. No worries, I'll report back when done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_B Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1330363106' post='1556264'] You should only replace the bridge for cosmetic reasons. Any other differences will be imaginary. IMHO. [/quote] True. Mind you, brass can look nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Brass does look nice. I like the old skool '80's Statii with the lovely solid brass bridges, and after a few years it develops a lovely patina and goes so well with natural wood basses. Truckstoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1330363106' post='1556264'] You should only replace the bridge for cosmetic reasons. Any other differences will be imaginary. IMHO. [/quote] Although i didnt do a scientific test i've gone through 3 different bridges on my CVP and didnt notice any tonal differences between the Squier CV HB bridge (with brass saddles), a Gotoh 201 and a Fender vintage (BBOT) I did notice a slightly brighter tone when i put a BAII on my old HW-1 Jazz. Maybe the thin finish helped with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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