Danuman Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 Hi all, Looking for some suggestions. I currently have a Hipshot Kickass fitted on my P, but it looks awfully out of place. (It'll go back on my Jazz as soon as I find a replacement for the P) I'm looking for something with adjustable pitch, as I prefer a slightly reduced string spacing. I like the Hipshot A style, as I find it aesthetically pleasing and it features quick release, but I can't find anywhere to order it that isn't finicky. Alternatively, I'm looking at the Schaller 3D, but I'm less sure of the design and it's not as pretty. So, any suggestions? Which bridges do you favour? Thanks! Quote
Steve Browning Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 I swap out all mine for the Gotoh 203. An advanced version of the original without having a brand name all over it. Great bridge and very reasonable cost. Quote
Bassassin Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 I'm a big Schaller 3D fan - versatile, compact & beautifully engineered. Adjusting string spacing is incredibly straightforward. Downside is that you need to drill new holes for it on a Fender-type bass. Quote
prowla Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 Oh - I was going to suggest a Badass, but I guess it's a no to that! Quote
Cato Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 (edited) I fitted a Babicz to my modded Squier Jazz. It looks great and it's a very clever piece of engineering, much easier and quicker than than average BBOT to adjust, and much more stable too. I can't say I've noticed any improvement in tone or sustain compared to the original bridge though. You can't adjust the string spacing, mind, but there's not that many after market bridges that have that facility, the obvious one being the Schaller 3d. Edited June 30, 2017 by Cato Quote
Thunderbird Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 If I change a bridge I like the Gotoh 201B is very well made does not look out of place and is about half the price of some of the other mentioned makes on this thread Quote
Dood Posted June 30, 2017 Posted June 30, 2017 [quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1498849980' post='3327603'] If I change a bridge I like the Gotoh 201B is very well made does not look out of place and is about half the price of some of the other mentioned makes on this thread [/quote] The 201B is a great bridge, I like it a lot. I'd love to see a version with quick release slots in it, that'd be great. For cheap and cheerful, the Wilkinson BBoT type with brass saddles works very well. I think it's actually a steel baseplate too. Quote
Paul S Posted July 1, 2017 Posted July 1, 2017 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1498821377' post='3327299'] I'm a big Schaller 3D fan - versatile, compact & beautifully engineered. Adjusting string spacing is incredibly straightforward. Downside is that you need to drill new holes for it on a Fender-type bass. [/quote] ^^This^^. I used to fit Hipshot A until I fitted one of these and I think these have the edge. Easy lateral adjustment, not so bulky. Quote
Danuman Posted July 1, 2017 Author Posted July 1, 2017 Thanks for the suggestions so far! I suppose I should've specified that the deciding factor is adjustable string spacing. I'm quite intrigued by the Schaller, however, I'm not going to drill into the body in case I want to move on the bass at some point. I do have a nice maple body for a spare, but it still needs to be finished... Hmm, choices, choices. Quote
JimBobTTD Posted July 1, 2017 Posted July 1, 2017 Hipshot A would be my choice. I have one on my two Warmoth builds and another one will go on the next build. The Schaller 3D is probably just as good, though. The bridge on my old Ibanez was either a Schaller or a copy and it bent upwards, so I was put off the design (fairly or unfairly). Quote
Lozz196 Posted July 1, 2017 Posted July 1, 2017 For replacements I favour the Gotoh 201B, it`s very similar to the Hi-Mass bridge that Fender now put on their US instruments, but will fit to 5-hole fixings/non-string through instruments. Quote
MOSCOWBASS Posted July 2, 2017 Posted July 2, 2017 Hipshot A at bass direct http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Hipshot_A_style_bridges.html Quote
chris_b Posted July 2, 2017 Posted July 2, 2017 I really don't see the problem with this bridge. But if you have to change it I'd go for a Hipshot A Style. I have these on several basses. Quote
LukeFRC Posted July 2, 2017 Posted July 2, 2017 I picked up a hipshot A for my current build. It's nice. I think the Schaller 3d is amazing though. Quote
Danuman Posted July 3, 2017 Author Posted July 3, 2017 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1499001916' post='3328477'] I really don't see the problem with this bridge. But if you have to change it I'd go for a Hipshot A Style. I have these on several basses. [/quote] I know. It's awfully petty. The Kickass is a nice bridge, but to me it just looks off on a P. Do any of you happen to know if there's any difference in the relative height of the A style vs the Kickass? Quote
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted July 3, 2017 Posted July 3, 2017 [quote name='JimBobTTD' timestamp='1498918515' post='3327978'] The bridge on my old Ibanez was either a Schaller or a copy and it bent upwards, so I was put off the design (fairly or unfairly). [/quote] I bought a Schaller 3D in the mid-80s for my precision and the baseplate of that bent upwards, so it is sitting in my bits box now. I thought this was a weird thing to occur, and assumed it was a one-off but hearing about yours I wonder whether it is a more common occurance. Quote
chris_b Posted July 3, 2017 Posted July 3, 2017 [quote name='Danuman' timestamp='1499083826' post='3329003'] Do any of you happen to know if there's any difference in the relative height of the A style vs the Kickass? [/quote] Sorry, but I don't know this. Maybe an email to Hipshot would help. Quote
bazzbass Posted July 4, 2017 Posted July 4, 2017 whatever Fender use for their High Mass Top Loading String Thru bridge on Am Stnds no sharp edges. Quote
Grangur Posted July 4, 2017 Posted July 4, 2017 [quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1498847933' post='3327586'] How about a Babicz? [/quote] This would be my choice. They're more expensive, but much lighter in weight and can be strung without feeding the strings through holes. I've got one on mine and it's got the best tone I've ever had from a Fender. (Accepting that this could be coincidence and nothing to do with the bridge) Quote
matski Posted July 4, 2017 Posted July 4, 2017 A 201B is my Gotoh replacement bridge for my P bass... Quote
Trueno Posted July 4, 2017 Posted July 4, 2017 [quote name='matski' timestamp='1499180992' post='3329759'] A 201B is my Gotoh replacement bridge for my P bass... [/quote] I see what you did there... Quote
jacko Posted July 4, 2017 Posted July 4, 2017 I've had a Schaller roller bridge on my precision since the early 80's. Had the same 3 screw holes as the original bridge. It's beautifully mad and solid. Adjustment in all three directions. perfect... https://www.allparts.com/BB-0318-010-Chrome-Schaller-Bass-Bridge_p_546.html Quote
Bassassin Posted July 4, 2017 Posted July 4, 2017 [quote name='jacko' timestamp='1499183010' post='3329779'] I've had a Schaller roller bridge on my precision since the early 80's. Had the same 3 screw holes as the original bridge. [/quote] Never seen one like that. I have several basses with 3Ds, this is the one on my J: [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/CSL%20Jazz/bridge_zpsqvoksi3h.jpg.html"][/url] The arrows indicate two pilot holes which match the original drillings, to ensure accurate alignment when replacing Fender type bridges - you're meant to use these to mark & drill the proper holes! I find myself wondering if people who have issues with these bridges bending are attaching them just with the pilot holes... Quote
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