Dood

Hey helllooo ‘chatters! I’ve been searching the internet to see if I can find an old bass bridge replacement that came as standard on my Fender Power Jazz Bass Special. It looks very similar to the Gotoh 404, https://g-gotoh.com/product/404bo-4/?lang=en so this could be a modern alternative, but I wondered if anyone has seen this style floating around anywhere? On the subject of Gotoh, I wouldn’t be surprised if they OEM’d parts - actually fairly sure they did as the FB30 tuners they have available are a like for like replacement for the tuning keys on all of my Japanese Fenders. I’m after two of these bridges in black. If you have suggestions for alternatives, I need low profile types and, like these bridges, quick release versions. I’ve been through the usual contenders from hip shot, babicz, the Quan clones and the like, I’d love to find something that has a steel base plate and brass saddles. I think I’m asking too much!

Funnily, I was just looking at cheap replacement bridges and noted a comment on one of the budget brands that despite having an all steel base plate, a customer found that several they bought all evenutally bent too easily, so maybe worth buying in to a decent branded example.

The H4 has a greater headroom too, which would be good for noisy bands.

I've also just shot a full deep dive video review for Bass Gear magazine about this incredible product too:- https://asiaudio.com

I recorded this video ages ago but have since upgraded my solution. When I get a moment to finish it, I'll get a video up online as it's really rather good! My system and the 3DME below offers huge advantages over having microphones on either side of the stage and I love using them both.

I think quite a few bassists here play drums too. I used to but the kit had to make way for children. I’d love a little fusion kit again one day. This post can happily live in “Other Instruments”! Nice kit

Some Dood from a while back rattling out a jam or two on a Cort: I think they’re cracking basses!

Yeeeeeeeees, it does make it tough to do detailed high quality video reviews for public consumption when you have to chase down technical details, lol. I’ve been lucky with most companies. One brand’s technical design team let me in to some inside information once and the marketing team may not have been so happy with that. But, I agree with you, this information helps musicians be informed and in that case I liked the product even more because I could trust the specifications. I’d like to see brands adopting at least a standard for measuring, say, true output, power handling and, I chuckle when I think about ole car magazines advertising ICE in thousands of what’s PMPO 😁

I do enjoy the challenge of making songs work without the full compliment of instruments on stage. I play (on bass) the keyboard parts and bass line for songs like Summer Of 69 (yeah, yeah, I know lol) when we’re just a 3 piece. In another band, on the subject of Mssr Adams, in a moment of pure show boating, in Run To You, my singer would lean over my shoulder to play the bass line on my bass whilst I played the harmony to the guitar solo up the dusty end. Guitarist would huddle up to for maximum on stage cheese . Sounded great and was fun to do.

You’re a star! I was just heading over to the thread to say that I’ve started receiving messages again out of the blue 😁 and have just read your response! Good work Thank you!

Not entirely related, I went to a Chiropractor many years ago for excrutiating back pain. After looking at me, poking and prodding, she told me I've played heavy guitar for many years. Excited that she may have come to those conclusions based on me trying to look like a musician (ha ha) she said, no, it's because my back is crooked, my neck is tight, my left shoulder goes down, my left hip points upwards and this causes one leg to be shorter than the other. 😂🤣 Years of bad posture in this case took it's toll, I've wear and tear on my vertebra. I do have to check myself when performing, not to pull so many rock-star poses so I don't have to pay the piper too much later!!

Mebbe the bit where Derek is trying to get through airport security with a certain vegetable secreted away in his trousers wrapped in foil lol..

Completely forgot to ask about bass set up, neck profile size, hand position and at what height the bass is set at. Ideally, some playing videos may be of assistance. There's also the Alexander Technique for musicians that may help?

My suggestion is based on this post and, related to techniques I teach in bass lessons. New students sometimes weld their thumb in to the wood work, or poor left hand positioning; understandably instruments can sometimes need a service and a set up too. Not suggesting that those suffering from thumb problems are doing any of the above, but often taking these things in to consideration can, as Lozz has pointed out, be a great help. There are many elements to look at when playing and one that I often pickup on when watching students is the tendency to lock up or apply uneven/more pressure when playing faster or more dextrous passages leading to fatigue. (Sometimes overlooked whilst in the throws of an adrenaline filled performance) - Couple that with say a high action / neck relief and 'broom handling' position has definitely caused issues. Much like those who like to "rest" their picking hand thumb on the top of a pickup, but, in the excitement of a performance let the weight of their entire forearm bear down on the thumb joint. FLoating thumb technique can be of assistance here for example. Obviously I'm not a doctor but I hope maybe there's a little food for thought that might just help? I hope so, not being able to play without discomfort is the worst and I have my own battles in that department.