Musicmaster Bass Bridge replacement options

[basshead56]

Hi all,

 

Now that I've finally managed to put down my newly-acquired Am Pro 2 Jazz (amazing!!!), I am circling back to my 75 Musicmaster project.

It's still playable but rough enough to warrant the need to make some changes.

I am happy overall with the neck (needs a buff, polish and waxing, fretboard will need de-greased and oiled), tuners (will de-gunk those), pickup and a few other bits but I will definitely be needing to completely redo the tone pot, input jack and bridge.

Still debating as to whether or not I'll repaint it. A luthier in these parts is apparently very good at doing 60's and 70's Fender catalogue colours and I have always fancied the Daphne Blue look...

 

 

Anyway, looking into bridges, I have happened across two viable options:

 

1: Halon Musicmaster bridge from Greece

https://halonguitarparts.com/product/musicmaster-bass-bridge/

 

2: Albridge Musicmaster bridge from Via Ampshop in the US

https://www.ampshopbassexchange.com/product/albridge-parts-mms18-vintage-bridge-for-musicmaster-short-scale-direct-replacement/

 

Both look like excellent options.

My question would be - has anyone had experience with either provider?

I've heard great things about the AmpShop products but not-so-great things about communication, lead times and customer service.

I've emailed Halon and have had a reply from the owner, Haris, who seemed quite nice and helpful.

 

Keen to hear your thoughts 

 

 

 

 

[DF Shortscale]

The Albridge is about as good a bridge as you can find for Musicmasters, but yeah AmpShop can be tricky with shipping. If I ordered from them again, I’d pay a little extra and ask for FedEx shipping, they normally use USPS which is a diabolically unreliable service. It’s worth emailing them first. 

[ped]

Given the lack of functional difference between the two I’d go with the Halon, as he’s replied 

[basshead56]

Have decided to go with the Halon option.

Placed an order this morning for their drop in Musicmaster bridge with brass saddles and 17.5mm spacing.

 

Can't wait to see how it goes

[basshead56]

I arrived home to a package 😁

 

Beautifully presented and arrived lightning fast once shipped from Greece, though lead tine was a month.

The steel pick made from an offcut used to make it is a very cool touch

 

Very happy with how it looks and feels, just need to strip the bass down and get her started...

[NHM]

I'm a bit late to the party on this topic, but I've fitted the Hosco compensated saddles to my Musicmaster and have had a good ten years of 'no worries / great intonation' as a result.

[NHM]

A good thing about fitting the Hosco saddles is that they keep the correct look of the bridge - i.e. twin saddles - and also utilise the stock bridge plate so no new holes in the body are required.

[ped]

On 15/05/2025 at 06:13, basshead56 said:

Hi all,

 

Now that I've finally managed to put down my newly-acquired Am Pro 2 Jazz (amazing!!!), I am circling back to my 75 Musicmaster project.

It's still playable but rough enough to warrant the need to make some changes.

I am happy overall with the neck (needs a buff, polish and waxing, fretboard will need de-greased and oiled), tuners (will de-gunk those), pickup and a few other bits but I will definitely be needing to completely redo the tone pot, input jack and bridge.

Still debating as to whether or not I'll repaint it. A luthier in these parts is apparently very good at doing 60's and 70's Fender catalogue colours and I have always fancied the Daphne Blue look...

 

 

Anyway, looking into bridges, I have happened across two viable options:

 

1: Halon Musicmaster bridge from Greece

https://halonguitarparts.com/product/musicmaster-bass-bridge/

 

2: Albridge Musicmaster bridge from Via Ampshop in the US

https://www.ampshopbassexchange.com/product/albridge-parts-mms18-vintage-bridge-for-musicmaster-short-scale-direct-replacement/

 

Both look like excellent options.

My question would be - has anyone had experience with either provider?

I've heard great things about the AmpShop products but not-so-great things about communication, lead times and customer service.

I've emailed Halon and have had a reply from the owner, Haris, who seemed quite nice and helpful.

 

Keen to hear your thoughts 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi there, which spacing did you go for/what's the standard spacing? 

 

Cheers

[ped]

7 hours ago, ped said:

 

Hi there, which spacing did you go for/what's the standard spacing? 

 

Cheers

Ah I see you mentioned 17.5mm. 

[ped]

On 13/07/2025 at 08:20, NHM said:

A good thing about fitting the Hosco saddles is that they keep the correct look of the bridge - i.e. twin saddles - and also utilise the stock bridge plate so no new holes in the body are required.

Where did you get these?

[NHM]

I got mine about ten years ago from WD Music when they had a branch in the UK. If you look on their US site, or the Hosco site, there is a Wilkinson bridge where the saddles looks about the same.

[ped]

I ended up getting the Albridge linked in the first post as they messaged back and said they had one ready to send. The Halon guy is away from today for a few weeks so even though I’m not in a rush I went for the Albridge which worked out about the same price.