Cheap, high-mass bridges

[landwomble]

Anyone have any experience of some of the cheaper, no-name high mass bridges such as these? My Jazz has a BadAss II from the mid 90s on it and whilst it's great, I'm not sure they're worth the money for what is basically a pretty low tech cast item.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-String-Chunky-Electric-Precision-Jazz-Bass-Guitar-Bridge-BB007/371949328025?_trkparms=aid%3D555019%26algo%3DPL.BANDIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20151005190705%26meid%3Da1a8c14461bb47b4ac18d236f72301bf%26pid%3D100506%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26&_trksid=p2045573.c100506.m3226"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-String-Chunky-Electric-Precision-Jazz-Bass-Guitar-Bridge-BB007/371949328025?_trkparms=aid%3D555019%26algo%3DPL.BANDIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20151005190705%26meid%3Da1a8c14461bb47b4ac18d236f72301bf%26pid%3D100506%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26&_trksid=p2045573.c100506.m3226[/url]

[url="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-QUALITY-J-BASS-P-BASS-STYLE-BASS-BRIDGE-STRING-PITCH-19mm-Bl-Gold-or-Chr/232498627614?hash=item3621ff841e:m:mOVTjovNGdSXyVXUris0I5w"]https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-QUALITY-J-BASS-P-BASS-STYLE-BASS-BRIDGE-STRING-PITCH-19mm-Bl-Gold-or-Chr/232498627614?hash=item3621ff841e:m:mOVTjovNGdSXyVXUris0I5w[/url]

[url="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-String-Hardtail-Bridge-for-Precision-Jazz-Bass-Chrome-201B-4-Badass-I1P5/253207567659?epid=2253347194&hash=item3af458dd2b:g:V-cAAOSw~g1Z4Za1"]https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-String-Hardtail-Bridge-for-Precision-Jazz-Bass-Chrome-201B-4-Badass-I1P5/253207567659?epid=2253347194&hash=item3af458dd2b:g:V-cAAOSw~g1Z4Za1[/url]

OK, they're cheap but in terms of replacing a boggo 5 hole J or P thin bridge they look like an improvement.

Thoughts?

[discreet]

I was thinking the same just recently. There are quite a few in this category. Looking at your first example, the casting looks a bit rough to me. The second and third ones may be OK as they're basically slightly heavier bog-standard Fender-type bridges. Being shallow, my fear is that such bridges, though functional, will make your bass look (and feel) cheap.

I thought this may be worth a look. Good value and a nice take on the 'Badass' thing by a reputable brand. Of course you need to add postage on top, but if you were buying stuff from Thomann anyway it could be viable.

[url="https://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_hi_mass_bridge_iv_brass.htm?ref=search_prv_5"]https://www.thomann....ef=search_prv_5[/url]

Edited November 7, 2017 by discreet

[BassApprentice]

They all look fine and if you think about it, you never really hear of horror stories from budget basses having bridge problems.

Only problem there might be is the finishing as I imagine the QC for checking rough edges which might damage strings is ignored compared to your big brands who will check things more thoroughly.

[Andytre]

I've got black and silver versions of the 3rd link on a couple of bitsa builds (both precision) and they're well built, do the job and i haven't managed to chip or scratch any paint of the black one. the base plate is a little thicker than you might expect so the saddles are quiet low on mine, but that could be a neck height issue.

they take a while to arrive but for under £5 from china you cant really go wrong

[discreet]

[quote name='Andytre' timestamp='1510142385' post='3404227']
...they take a while to arrive but for under £5 from china you cant really go wrong
[/quote]

You wouldn't expect the best at that price, but how do they do it?? Cheap labour and economy of scale, I suppose... but even so..!

A few interesting ones here...

http://www.northwestguitars.co.uk/bass-bridges/

Not Chinese prices, but they do next-day delivery. The Hipshot-alike of the sort that appears on Sandberg basses is quite cool. No idea what it's actually like, though.

Edited November 8, 2017 by discreet

[Cato]

Not quite as cheap, but you can can get Fender's Hi Mass bridge for £30, which is a quality item that they fit as standard to several of their £1000+ basses

[Grangur]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1510145833' post='3404250']
You wouldn't expect the best at that price, but how do they do it?? Cheap labour and economy of scale, I suppose... but even so..!

A few interesting ones here...

[url="http://www.northwestguitars.co.uk/bass-bridges/"]http://www.northwest...k/bass-bridges/[/url]

Not Chinese prices, but they do next-day delivery. The Hipshot-alike of the sort that appears on Sandberg basses is quite cool. No idea what it's actually like, though.
[/quote]

I had one of these:

http://www.northwestguitars.co.uk/4-string-chunky-electric-jazz-precision-bass-guitar-bridge-bb001/

It was pretty decent too. Great value for money. They're a good company too.

[The59Sound]

Gotoh 201 is already quite cheap and is better than a BadAss IMO.

[discreet]

[quote name='The59Sound' timestamp='1510230323' post='3404776']
Gotoh 201 is already quite cheap and is better than a BadAss IMO.
[/quote]

And it still retains much of the classic look of the BBOT, too. If that's your thing.

[Andytre]

I've used northwest for loads of parts i need quickly very good quality and good customer service

[Saved]

I was looking for a high mass super heavy bridge to replace the cheap harley benton bridge i use for a 40"scale precision i build,but then i foun a 44£ UK made piezo bridge.
The most high mass brigde for a 4 string.Also,piezo opened a new world toy playing style and tone

[discreet]

[quote name='Andytre' timestamp='1510236096' post='3404882']
I've used northwest for loads of parts i need quickly very good quality and good customer service
[/quote]

Their range isn't huge, but I agree, you get 'family business' -type service.

[Andytre]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1510246445' post='3404993']
Their range isn't huge
[/quote]

this is true but they had everything i needed for a cheap P bass build! i quite like there Nitro paint as well (sea foam green)

[Thunderbird]

If it was me I would rather pay a bit extra and get a Gotoh 201 bridge that will last forever and is bullet proof

[discreet]

[quote name='Andytre' timestamp='1510252292' post='3405088']
I quite like their Nitro paint as well (sea foam green)
[/quote]

They're good! I've had hardware and paint from them quite a few times.
They don't stock TV Yellow though, for some reason.

[Dood]

Gotoh for me. Brass Saddles and a proper base plate made of something not cast from left overs lol