NancyJohnson Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Some of you may know a few years back I landed a very old Aria Pro II Primary bass...it was in a very poorly state. Over the years, I've done some patching up to bring it up to speed, but the bridge (a stock Fender bent tin unit with the knurled saddles) has been failing recently; the grub screws don't hold the saddle height and at a gig on Friday, one of them fell out. I ordered a Hipshot Kickass from BAss Direct yesterday and it arrived today and is fitted. It's pretty much a BadAss II clone, kind of updated with the rough edges removed. Brass saddles. Took about 15 minutes to install, another 15 to intonate and set the action and we're in business. The E -string saddle wouldn't go back far enough, but you get shorter saddle screws in the kit. It's really very nice and feels a whole lot more sturdy for starters. I'm a fairly heavy player and it's nice that the saddles aren't prone to movement. Notes actually sound fuller, more solid. Sound investment in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Cool, been wondering about these myself since the BAII became impossible to get any more. I like the idea of the Brass saddles, which, correct me if I'm wrong, also offer sideways movement so you can adjust the string spacing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 (edited) I had one for a while, they're good bridges. Didn't like the brass inserts much but you can get steel alternatives. In theory you can adjust the string spacing with the inserts but I wasn't too convinced. Had it on my Road Worn P for a while, but in the end moved it on as I preferred the threaded-barrel BBOT fitted as stock. I've also been looking at this, though the spacing be fixed: [url="https://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_hi_mass_bridge_iv_brass.htm"]https://www.thomann....ge_iv_brass.htm[/url] Edited September 12, 2017 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 [quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1505211221' post='3370204'] Cool, been wondering about these myself since the BAII became impossible to get any more. I like the idea of the Brass saddles, which, correct me if I'm wrong, also offer sideways movement so you can adjust the string spacing? [/quote] Each saddle has a groove that carries an insert that the string rides on. There is a few millimetres sideways movement; there's a little hex grub-screw at the front of the saddle that you slacken off, adjust the insert, then re-tighten. Mine were set centrally on delivery, didn't need any adjustment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1505212965' post='3370229'] I had one for a while, they're good bridges. Didn't like the brass inserts much but you can get steel alternatives. In theory you can adjust the string spacing with the inserts but I wasn't too convinced. Had it on my Road Worn P for a while, but in the end moved it on as I preferred the threaded-barrel BBOT fitted as stock. I've also been looking at this, though the spacing be fixed: [url="https://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_hi_mass_bridge_iv_brass.htm"]https://www.thomann....ge_iv_brass.htm[/url] [/quote] Oooh I like that too. Good price as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 (edited) [quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1505222021' post='3370325'] Oooh I like that too. Good price as well! [/quote] Doesn't include shipping, unfortunately. OK if you're already buying other stuff from Thomann... which you probably aren't, given the exchange rate. Edited September 12, 2017 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 (edited) It looks a bit shiny on a 40 year old bass, it'll calm down a bit. Edited September 12, 2017 by NancyJohnson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr zed Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 A bass I took in a trade had a Kickass fitted. Really good bit of kit that is beautifully engineered. I like to have things as close to standard as possible though aesthetically speaking so replaced it with the original bridge which is good (but not as good as the Kickass). I may keep it and stick it on a Jazz bass to mimic the Geddy look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trueno Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 Great pic... the bridge will soon get mojo'd in and be less blingy. I'm a big fan of muscular bridges and never liked the bent tin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byo Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 Big fan here of the Badass bridges... have them on most of my Fenders. Great to see an alternative that sees to work, I will have to try one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevham Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 I've been considering one of these for my project Squier P bass. I love Hipshot products - quality, well engineered. Nice to see a Kickass on an actual bass - it does look quite 'big' on that Aria. Is the body smaller than a Fender? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 (edited) Fender do their own branded version too; they're not so expensive either. Edit: Oops - just saw discreet's link! The extra £10 shipping is a bit much, but I have seen one of the Fender ones in the UK, and it seemed to me to be really good value. Edited October 6, 2017 by prowla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 I put the Hipshot version on a JV Squire Jazz maybe 6months ago, I felt it made an instant positive difference! I actually have a lot of time for Hipshot products, they seem to nail it every time! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcray Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 I put one on what became a bit of a project Precision and it has brought a new life to the bass. Completely unexpected for me, but I couldn't be happier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Got one with steel saddles from Bass Direct. Lovely bright tone just like the stock steel bridge but with a bit more fullness. Only barely noticeable so doesn't requite any tonal adjustments, Just sounds "better" to my ears. Very solid too, them saddles ain't moving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevham Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I took the plunge and put one on my Squier P bass. It has slightly improved sustain and the tone of the E string but the biggest improvement for me is that it is more comfortable for my picking hand when playing with a pick. Plus, I like that I can fine tune the string spacing. Definitely worth £60 on a budget bass in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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