Hipshot 2 point bridge-Epi Thunderbird VP nightmare

[michael2003x]

Where to start ?

1. It didn't fit, the mounting holes are 1-2mm too narrow and have to be filed to get it installed. Not good for a £100+ bridge that's touted as a "drop in"

2.They have recessed the mounting holes in the bottom of the bridge which means the studs get pulled up if you tighten too much.....or even  little.

3. Because the mounting holes are way forward of the ball ends, the whole back of the bridge lifts under string tension.....and pulls up the studs.

 

In desperation, I bought an extremely expensive  Hipshot Stop bar from a d-style bridge and intended to use that to cover all of the mounting issues. When I mocked it up, I realised that the whole thing was just too butt ugly and not worth the bother. I have reverted back to the original VP TOM bridge. I contacted Hipshot on several occasions and got no reply. If anyone wants this POS and the stop bar, please get in touch.

[neepheid]

It's not meant to be a drop in replacement for an Epi anything - it's a direct replacement for the Gibson 2 point bridge thus:

 

 

I have seen it used on Epiphones, but it takes work to make it work properly.

 

The holes in the base of the bridge are recessed because on some models, the threaded inserts sit proud of the surface of the bass.

When fitted correctly, the bridge should be sitting flush on the deck, so tail lift shouldn't be possible.

Edited July 23, 2024 by neepheid

[neepheid]

Here's a picture of one on an Epiphone Embassy, which uses the same bridge as a T-bird Vintage Pro...

 

[lemmywinks]

EDIT just seen it's for the VIntage Pro, disregard!

Edited July 23, 2024 by lemmywinks

[neepheid]

1 minute ago, lemmywinks said:

Hipshot Supertone 3 point and Babicz FCH-3 are the drop in 3 point replacements. I think the Hipshot comes with screws for Epi and Gibson threads.

 

The original 3 point bridges aint great, never been "spaff £150+ to upgrade them" bad for me though. Definitely a market there for some AliExpress £60 clones.

 

Appreciated (and I'm with you on the 3 point bridge not bothersome enough to spend that kind of money on a replacement), but this is not about the 3 point bridge though.  This is about repurposing a Hipshot 2 point replacement as a replacement for the two part bridge on an Epiphone VP T-bird.

[lemmywinks]

6 minutes ago, neepheid said:

 

Appreciated (and I'm with you on the 3 point bridge not bothersome enough to spend that kind of money on a replacement), but this is not about the 3 point bridge though.  This is about repurposing a Hipshot 2 point replacement as a replacement for the two part bridge on an Epiphone VP T-bird.

 

Yeah just noticed the VP bit in the title after I'd posted.

 

I hate bridge/tailpiece arrangements for bass (except the Warwick ones which work properly) even more than the 3 point, there's just no need for 'em!

[michael2003x]

A bit confused by Neephieds reply TBH, says it's not meant to fit any Epiphone and then posts a picture of an Epi Embassy with the 2 point bridge ? 

[neepheid]

3 minutes ago, michael2003x said:

A bit confused by Neephieds reply TBH, says it's not meant to fit any Epiphone and then posts a picture of an Epi Embassy with the 2 point bridge ? 

 

I didn't say it couldn't be done, what I'm saying is it's not meant for that.  It was not designed for that.  It was designed to be a drop in replacement for the Gibson 2 point bridge, which no Epiphone has ever used.  I also said "I have seen it used on Epiphones, but it takes work to make it work properly."

 

The three point replacement, on the other hand IS designed to replace said bridge on both Gibson AND Epiphone basses and is supplied with both imperial and metric bolts.  I don't know if the two point replacement comes with both types of bolt or not, because, again, it is designed to replace the Gibson 2 point bridge - an imperial only bridge which Gibson stopped using in 1973.

Is that clearer?

[michael2003x]

Hers a picture from the Hipshot website.......is that clear ?

[michael2003x]

[neepheid]

...

Edited August 17, 2024 by neepheid

[mcnach]

gotta be aliens...

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I have three vintage pro thunderbirds, and the stock bridge & tailpiece work perfectly for me without any issues on all of them — eg: no intonation problems or unwanted lateral string movement, and I like the styling. What issue were you addressing by swapping out the bridge?

[michael2003x]

Hello, I have a VP Thunderbird in tobacco burst which I got off a member on here and it's excellent, and I agree, the TOM bridge and stop bar is great and looks good, no problem with that at all, it sounds great even un-plugged. I also have a completely stripped white VP that I bought from a friend about 2 years ago that had it lying around his workshop. This was literally the body/neck, no wiring, pick-ups, bridge, machines etc. My intention was to re-build it and I thought I may as well try something different especially as the original bridges are quite hard to come by.