Fitting HiMass Fender Bridge to Player Series

[BassAdder60]

I’m thinking of swopping my stock PBass player series bridge with a Fender HiMass 

Anyone suffered with action problems later 

At the moment my low E saddle bottom has about 1/8” above the base of the vintage bridge 

The HiMass is thicker and I’m curious if getting similar action is possible without shimming the neck ? 

[Reggaebass]

The base plates are thicker, with an 1/8” clearance you might be ok ,  have you placed it alongside to get an idea 

[BassAdder60]

15 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

The base plates are thicker, with an 1/8” clearance you might be ok ,  have you placed it alongside to get an idea 

It’s on order so can’t compare at the moment 

[hooky_lowdown]

If you like a medium or high action than it shouldn't be an issue with the thicker base. May be an idea to add a shim to the neck, to offset the height from the thicker base.

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I've fitted a Fender badass-style high mass bridge to two of my basses (a squier SS jag & an '81 Fender precision) I had no problems with setting a low action and I don't recall reshimming either at the time. Unless the saddles on the current bridge are set really low you should be OK. If you do have to shim its really easy to do and a little goes a long way.

[BassAdder60]

Ok Fender HiMass Bridge arrived and I fitted it ( very easy )

I can confirm the action is fine and I can get the Fender recommendations in action height which is how I had it before 

Nice bridge and a big improvement over the stock vintage bridge on the Player Series 

 

Edited June 1, 2021 by BassAdder27

[TheGreek]

I bought one for a project which never happened. Nice to know that they live up to your expectations.

[DGBass]

I fitted a fender Hi Mass bridge on to my player series and to be honest I never really noticed much difference. It looked more cool but sonically didn't make a great deal of a difference. I sold the bass on after a year and put the stock fender MIM bridge back on the bass. Sounded as good with either bridge. I never had any issues with setup. Only thing I would mention is you have to be very careful cutting string slots, specially if your fitting the hi-mass bridge on to a leftie bass 🤨

[BassAdder60]

On 02/06/2021 at 00:16, dangoose said:

I fitted a fender Hi Mass bridge on to my player series and to be honest I never really noticed much difference. It looked more cool but sonically didn't make a great deal of a difference. I sold the bass on after a year and put the stock fender MIM bridge back on the bass. Sounded as good with either bridge. I never had any issues with setup. Only thing I would mention is you have to be very careful cutting string slots, specially if your fitting the hi-mass bridge on to a leftie bass 🤨

Why did you cut string slots ? 
mine came ready to fit with string cuts already done.

I thought that was standard 

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

The ones I have were pre slotted - they both have brass saddles, perhaps the ones with zinc saddles are different?

[BassAdder60]

Yep mine were brass saddles with v notches already factory cut 

[DGBass]

On 07/06/2021 at 22:12, BassAdder27 said:

Why did you cut string slots ? 
mine came ready to fit with string cuts already done.

I thought that was standard 

Because it was fitted onto a left hand bass. The bridge comes as a right hand unit and the saddles did have those small v notches already cut but for right handed fitting. The notches were re-cut to suit left hand use and to keep string alignment & spacing even.