SF basses with Badass bridges... why? Worth it?

[dlenaghan]

I've seen them fairly often on JS-IIs - but isn't the top of a Starfire arched enough to make a bridge that's flat against the body fit poorly or deliver action that's a bit too low? Personally, I love the way the Hagstrom bridge voices the notes - it's somewhere between a traditional modern bridge and a more acoustic one. I guess you pay for it (the Hagstrom) with compromised sustain? Do any of your guys have Badass-bridge modded basses? Guilds, specifically? Sometimes I see the modded basses go for fairly reasonable prices, but I can't imagine finding a harp bridge would be an easy task.

 

[fronobulax]

Finding a replacement harp is a difficult task, complicated by the fact that the similar looking reissue bridges cannot not use the same mounting holes as a vintage bridge.

I have not replaced my bridges. The people I know who have complained about: the saddles falling off, breaking, or not staying in position; and the general difficulty in adjusting the intonation (as compared to other bridge styles).

 

[Happy Face]

Because of the long E string problem with harp bridges. You see the Badass bridges a lot on JS-2s.

 

[dlenaghan]

I guess I have heard about string length issues.. but I hadn't suspected it would be worse on a Guild than, say, a string-through Fender Mustang. My DRs have always been plenty long for whatever bass I've used over the years. I can see how if you had to change a string in a club environment the issue of losing a saddle would be a major one, though. Setting the intonation properly was a bit of a challenge when I got my first JS. Certainly a bit more of a task than on my G&L... which reminds me, it might be time to get new tuning machines..

 

[Happy Face]

Yes, I was refering to the difficulty in intonating the E string, not the string length per se....

My closest call as to losing a saddle was when another guy used my JS for a couple of songs. Mr Slap & Pop was so aggressive that a saddle popped right out and skittered across the stage.

 

[bklynbass]

Drilling a badass bridge onto a starfire is pretty misguided. If that's what you're going for then try another bass.

 

[dlenaghan]

Yes, I was refering to the difficulty in intonating the E string, not the string length per se....

My closest call as to losing a saddle was when another guy used my JS for a couple of songs. Mr Slap & Pop was so aggressive that a saddle popped right out and skittered across the stage.

Slap and pop with that pickup placement? Egads..

 

[bklynbass]

It's 2013. For God's sake, stop slapping.

 

[dlenaghan]

It's 2013. For God's sake, stop slapping.

:lol:

 

[mellowgerman]

Amen. I'd even venture as far as to say: regardless of the year, please, no slapping!