Bass-Thing Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I will shortly be purchasing a rather gorgeous white Japanese Fender 70's RI P-Bass. The only thing is that I've never been able to abide BBOT bridges. On all of my Fender basses I've usually stuck a Badass II (apart from the Badass III on the 51 RI P-bass... sorry sacrilege I know). I'm not sure however that a Badass II is necessarily the best option for a single pickup P-Bass and I'd be curious to know how it might be compared to a Babicz? Anyone got any idea how they compare and what would be best on a P-bass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 (edited) In my opinion. the best bridge on a P bass is a BBOT one. I would avoid anything "hi-mass" Edited August 17, 2012 by LukeFRC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 (edited) you wont be able to tell the diffference.... trust me.... if you do decide on an upgraded bridge, keep in mind that the bridge (by its thicker bass plate) will take the strings higher... on a jazz bass you can bottom out the saddles.. i once thought about a bridge upgrade but realised the difference is very minimal... your money would be better spent on great strings, or pickups... imo... put some Lindy Fralin's in your P Bass, and hear it sing... Edited August 17, 2012 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackers Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 (edited) the 70s RI will be a great bass, and I would say that changing the bridge won't really have any great effect on the sound. if you are doing it for purely cosmetic reasons, then go for whichever you prefer the look of, otherwise I would say don't bother, as I really don't think you will notice the difference to be honest. EDIT: as said above, the money would be better spent on some nice strings or similar. Edited August 17, 2012 by jackers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 If it`s purely looks, the Gotoh isn`t a bad swap. Looks like an updated more modern version, plus costs about 25% of a Badass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Thing Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 Ok thanks folks I appreciate what you're saying and I take your various points. Thing is my main issue with BBOT bridges is that you can't get a decent low action and a Badass will give you the lowest you can get without gluing the strings to the fretboard. Can you get the same sort of action with a Babicz? The bass I'm about to get to all intents and purposes, has a Geddy Lee neck and I want the same action I have on my GL jazz bass. Basically I'm asking are these Babicz bridges any good? Regarding the Gotoh not really that impressed though I am intrigued by the Schaller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 The only reason I have a Badass II on my Jap Jazz, is because the BBOT on it had action adjustment screws that use to unwind due to the vibrations of the strings, oh and because the saddles use to move around the base plate when playing and because the string spacing could be set spot on with a Badass and because the action can be set really low on a Badass with plenty of behind the saddle string break. Apart from that, no reason to change it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Gotoh 201 or 203 is brilliant, if I had another Fender bass it is what I would go with. Its as solid, but not as ridiculous looking as a Badass or Babicz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stinson Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 [quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1345238791' post='1775561'] Gotoh 201 or 203 is brilliant, if I had another Fender bass it is what I would go with. Its as solid, but not as ridiculous looking as a Badass or Babicz [/quote] +1 Gotoh 201's are brilliant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 [quote name='Bass-Thing' timestamp='1345234580' post='1775481'] Ok thanks folks I appreciate what you're saying and I take your various points. Thing is my main issue with BBOT bridges is that you can't get a decent low action and a Badass will give you the lowest you can get without gluing the strings to the fretboard. Can you get the same sort of action with a Babicz? The bass I'm about to get to all intents and purposes, has a Geddy Lee neck and I want the same action I have on my GL jazz bass. Basically I'm asking are these Babicz bridges any good? Regarding the Gotoh not really that impressed though I am intrigued by the Schaller. [/quote] Schaller is nice. But I don't believe you with a Badass/BBOT affecting the action. If anything isn't the baseplate of the badass thicker? action is more down to the neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1345240321' post='1775588'] Schaller is nice. But I don't believe you with a Badass/BBOT affecting the action. If anything isn't the baseplate of the badass thicker? action is more down to the neck. [/quote]Luke, that's true. The base plate is thicker but it's worth putting a shim under the neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftyhook Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I put a Babicz on a Squier Jazz modified having watched vids on youtube. The difference............................... ??!!! I think if you want to hear your notes with more distinction, just dig in deeper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Thing Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 OK after putting all your comments into the mix and processing the information, I think I might just go with a Schaller. Babicz is a silly name and I think if it would make a difference Fender would have stuck a badass on as standard (though I think they are hoping that nobody will think it's just a "Geddy Lee' P-bass so probably didn't deliberately.). Or I might go for the Babicz... or leave it as it is.... on the other hand you can't go wrong with a Badass..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Thing Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 [quote name='steve-soar' timestamp='1345237002' post='1775520'] The only reason I have a Badass II on my Jap Jazz, is because the BBOT on it had action adjustment screws that use to unwind due to the vibrations of the strings, oh and because the saddles use to move around the base plate when playing and because the string spacing could be set spot on with a Badass and because the action can be set really low on a Badass with plenty of behind the saddle string break. Apart from that, no reason to change it. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 [quote name='steve-soar' timestamp='1345237002' post='1775520'] The only reason I have a Badass II on my Jap Jazz, is because the BBOT on it had action adjustment screws that use to unwind due to the vibrations of the strings, oh and because the saddles use to move around the base plate when playing and because the string spacing could be set spot on with a Badass and because the action can be set really low on a Badass with plenty of behind the saddle string break. Apart from that, no reason to change it. [/quote] All of this =100'000'000 yet people bang on about the tone diference it may or may not make Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1345228095' post='1775359'] If it`s purely looks, the Gotoh isn`t a bad swap. Looks like an updated more modern version, plus costs about 25% of a Badass. [/quote] +1 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1345278417' post='1775741'] All of this =100'000'000 yet people bang on about the tone diference it may or may not make [/quote] changed my bridge over for a higher mass version - gotoh or similar something on a J and there was a definite improvement - not massive but enough to notice i dont know .. all these people who bang on about hi mass bridges not making any difference whatsoever! even if it sounded like the best elusive bass tone ever i still wouldnt put a badass on a P if somebody gave them to me cos it looks fugly never mind what it might sound like Edited August 18, 2012 by steve-bbb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Steve Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 +1 for Gotoh. I put them on my basses. They're a direct fit and I prefer to have the bridge grub screws sitting in the tracks to 'lock' them in place. That's just a preference and the OEM bridge is perfectly fine in all other respects (for me). Agree that Badass look just dire (same with Schaller) - however well they may be engineered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Thing Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share Posted August 18, 2012 [quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1345282120' post='1775796'] +1 for Gotoh. I put them on my basses. They're a direct fit and I prefer to have the bridge grub screws sitting in the tracks to 'lock' them in place. That's just a preference and the OEM bridge is perfectly fine in all other respects (for me). Agree that Badass look just dire (same with Schaller) - however well they may be engineered. [/quote] Funny because I think Badass bridges look amazing. Schaller aren't bad looking either and if Babicz didn't have such a big logo they would look pretty good too. BBOT bridges look flimsy and cheap, which of course they are. Interesting that after he sold Fender, Leo came up with the Musicman Stingray bridge and the the High Mass G&L Bridges. Shame because the original question was which sounds better on a P-Bass, a Badass II or a Babicz, bearing in mind I prefer a super low action with light gauge strings and I think BBOT bridges are rubbish I'd love a straight answer. Oh and you can get a much lower working action with a Badass than any other bridge.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 i think you have answered your own question.... i think you should get another Badass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkle Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 I've installed the Babicz on two Fender Jazzes. I like how adjustable it is and how everything locks into place. I can get a very low action, certainly as low or lower than BBOT bridge. However I don't think it makes any difference sonically compared to the BBOT bridge, despite manufacturer claims to contrary. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Thing Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 [quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1345333463' post='1776470'] i think you have answered your own question.... i think you should get another Badass [/quote] This is actually the conclusion I reached while writing my last post......HOWEVER...... [quote name='funkle' timestamp='1345347502' post='1776511'] I've installed the Babicz on two Fender Jazzes. I like how adjustable it is and how everything locks into place. I can get a very low action, certainly as low or lower than BBOT bridge. However I don't think it makes any difference sonically compared to the BBOT bridge, despite manufacturer claims to contrary. Pete [/quote] .....I've just found a ridulously cheap brand new Babicz that is half the price of the cheapest Badass I can find and also cheaper than the Schaller and not a lot more expensive than a Gotoh so I'm going to go for that. Also even though it's a silly name Babicz sounds a bit like Babbit if like me you are a bit deaf, and he came up with my favourite bass line of all time (Inner City Blues). From what Pete/Funkle is saying I can get the action I want and I'm not really fussed about the sonic difference, though I like Bubinga5's suggestion of Lindy Fralins at some stage. Stringwise it will get a set of 40-100 flatwound D'Addario chromes. I'm looking for a more traditional P-Bass sound with this (even though I am going to change the bridge whatever anyone says!) Thanks for your help on this one folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 The bridge I prefer over the BBOT, the Gotoh, and a Badass III (not ever owned a II) is the Fender High Mass bridge that comes on more recent US standards. It's rock solid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Thing Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 [quote name='bigjohn' timestamp='1345385684' post='1776922'] The bridge I prefer over the BBOT, the Gotoh, and a Badass III (not ever owned a II) is the Fender High Mass bridge that comes on more recent US standards. It's rock solid. [/quote] I love those but surely you agree it would be wasted on a non string through body bass? I am actually considering replacing the Badass III on my 51 p-bass with one of those..... but that's another topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 [quote name='Bass-Thing' timestamp='1345384332' post='1776905'] Also even though it's a silly name[/quote] Well, I'd rather have a complete Badbitch than just a mere Badass. YMMV of course. best, bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Thing Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 [quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1345411178' post='1777278'] Well, I'd rather have a complete Badbitch than just a mere Badass. YMMV of course. best, bert [/quote] Well thank you Bert. Errrrr YMMV means what exactly (sorry I'm old)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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