Author Topic: Badass bridge (Read 133 times)

mint_bass · « **on:** February 28, 2006, 06:16:54 AM »

hi guys

just looking for some advice i working on fixing up a jazz bass i just ordered a badass bridge for it and when it comes i would like to file the saddles myself. Any advice or tips and whats this about harmonic tuning then? The package claims the bridge can be harmonically tuned to your bass any help would be great.

thanks

811952 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2006, 06:40:32 PM »

I would guess they're referring to setting the intonation (matching the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic with the 12th fret fretted note). If I'm not mistaken, the badass should just bolt right in using the existing holes in the body. As for filing the notches, if you like your present string spacing, then you can simply eyeball it or make a template for the notch placement. Whenever I've done it (perhaps a half-dozen times years ago), I've always just eyeballed it (which is expensive if you mess it up and like your bridge saddles to have only one notch per). I would recommend you refer to Joey's setup FAQ in the must reads section for the details on what to do after. If followed even halfway closely, it will leave you with one fine playing bass...

John

adriaan · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2006, 03:25:48 AM »

Weird wording, harmonically tuned - but probably just a funny way of saying you can adjust the intonation.

So you can move the bridge saddles backwards or forwards to make sure that the note at the 12th fret is exactly one octave above the root note of the string (which is the same as the 12th fret harmonic). Pretty basic stuff, nothing fancy.

mint_bass · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2006, 04:29:07 AM »

thanks

Thats what i thought but thought id check.

You never know
andrew

lbpesq · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2006, 07:15:51 AM »

Perhaps the bridge is new old stock from the mid-1980's when we experienced the harmonic convergence. Your bass can be in tune with the rhythms of the universe! LOL

Bill, tgo

bigredbass · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2006, 03:19:06 PM »

Mint, 811952 has it right. Remember though, this is definitely one of those times in life to 'measure twice, cut once'! BadAss has been making their bridges forever, so you should have no problem. Watch out for a ground wire once you pull the old one off: Lots of these style basses ground the pickups to the bridge (and YOU), so there may be a solder joint or the exposed wire end may just be pressed by the bridge once it's screwed down. Either way, while it's off, cut off the old end (just the very end of it), strip off a like amount that's new and shiny, and reattach your bridge.

Also, it was good advice to pre-adjust the BadAss in terms of the layout of the saddles, etc., to mirror your old bridge. This will give you a headstart after you re-string towards getting you right back up and playing again.

J o e y

J o e y

olieoliver · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2006, 01:39:18 PM »

I have a 76 Jazz that I put a BadAss bridge on. I also put the Bassline active PU and controls on. I must admit the BadAss bridge made an amazing improvement in the sustain and tone. I had this bass refinished by Buddy Blaze when he was still in Dallas. That was before he and Vivian Campbell designed the White Swan for Kramer I believe. In retrospect I wish I had never made any of the changes though considering I bought this Bass new in 76.