'51 reissue bridge options

[wazz]

I was just wondering what the options might be if I was to choose to replace the bridge on my recently aquired 51 reissue precision.
The intonation is not the best and its always a compromise between the pairs of strings.

Any suggestions?

Cheers

Warren

[BassBod]

Somewhere (?) I've seen a Wilkinson version, still with only two bridge saddles, but with an allen key adjustment so you can "slant" them to improve intonation between the pairs of strings. No idea if it really does improve things, of course, but an interesting idea.

BB

[BigRedX]

[url="http://www.basspartsresource.com/BB3355001.jpg"]This one[/url]

Edited May 7, 2008 by BigRedX

[BassBod]

Yep - that one...

[Metal-Mariachi]

You could also use the Fender Deluxe series bridge.

[url="http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bridge_genuinefender.htm"]http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bridge_genuinefender.htm[/url]

(just below the Tele bridge)
And there is a Gotoh available

[url="http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bridge_gotoh.htm"]http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bridge_gotoh.htm[/url]


MM

[Scoop]

[quote name='Metal-Mariachi' post='194295' date='May 7 2008, 11:39 PM']You could also use the Fender Deluxe series bridge.

[url="http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bridge_genuinefender.htm"]http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bridge_genuinefender.htm[/url]

(just below the Tele bridge)
And there is a Gotoh available

[url="http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bridge_gotoh.htm"]http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bridge_gotoh.htm[/url]


MM[/quote]

I replaced mine with a Fender four saddle jobby but that's largely because I was unaware of the Wilkinson at that time. The Wilk is still, I guess, going to be a compromise but at least the angled compensation will get things a damned sight closer on the intonation front than the OEM.

To be honest, if I'd known then about the Wilkinson I would have ummed and ahhed about it for ages. I'd quite like to retain the look of the two saddle with the Wilk but the four saddle Fender makes more musical sense.


I'm glad I made the decision from a position of ignorance otherwise it could have kept me awake at night for weeks...

[BassBod]

I'd be tempted to put a standard fender style bridge on, and then put a bridge cover over it. Saves trying to get extra long strings for through body stringing etc

BB

[wazz]

Cheers for the advice chaps..
I already string through the body using standard picato strings so the fender bridge wouldnt be a problem...think I might go for one of those rather than the 2 saddle wilkinson.

unless there are any other suggestions out there......?

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

A Badass III will fit - its a three-hole design & it will keep the thru-stinging.

[url="http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bridge_leoquanbadass3.htm"]Here![/url]

[Telebass]

Frankly, I've never had the slightest problem with the stock bridge...I put an AmDlx bridge on my Sting when I had it, but didn't bother this time. There's enough sideways play to get pretty close. Otherwise, I'd go for the BAIII. Also, if you use contact core strings, there's much less error, but they are sometimes hard to get in the right lengths. For stringing through, I've found Fender 8250 strings to be good, they have a contact core E string.

Bassbod, all Rotosound strings fit fine. Ernie Balls don't, GHS Boomers, some do, etc etc. Not remotely hard to find 'normal' strings that fit.

And bridge and pickup covers are mandatory!

Edited May 8, 2008 by Telebass

[wazz]

I do like the fender dlx bridge.
I have one on my Jazz 5 string (5 string version obviously) and like that you can adjust the string spacing.

I dont like the bridge cover cos I like to mute the strings at the bridge on some tunes.
Not keen on pickup covers either although they do kinda look cool.
But thats all just my personal preference.

[wazz]

I've fitted the fender dlx bridge.
Very easy, doesnt look out of place and sounds good.
The intonation is now right on all the strings and there is a groove for each string.