I have my bass for 10+ years and I get used to it, but now after watching videos about guitar set up I started to wonder…
Short intro, I bought it as a first (and basically only) bass. I play occasionally with couple of friends, but I wanted to get more serious and work on the basics, so I started the course:).
Now the main issue, my bridge looks like this:
And the problem is that it cracked a bit and is bent (without the screw the A string would not hold
):
It was like this when I bought it, and I think it is pretty old guitar (some luthier told me that it is some Japanese guitar from 70s or 80s probably? - I never cared to investigate).
I got used to how it is, but after watching set up videos I think I should replace that bridge. (My current string action is in range of 3-4 mm)
I found some options:
- replace with basically the same stuff (something like Amazon.com) - cheapest (~20$)
- replace it with Hipshot 3 point bridge replacement SuperTone Gibson® Bass Replacement Bridge – Hipshot Products - medium cost (~150$)
- replace it with https://www.thomann.co.uk/intl/babicz_fch_3_point_4_string_bass_c.htm - expensive, ~250 $
If I would go with the cheap one, string action can only be set up by the big bolts on the side, so not really practical.
The other 2 options offer independent action adjustment for each string. I think I will take the Hipshot one, since it is ~2/3 of the price of the Babicz bridge.
Is there anything that would justify paying more for the most expensive one? Does anyone have any experience in any of those bridges and can recommend? Or is there anything else I should take into consideration here?
From the measurements I took it seems all 3 options should fit.
for this past 10+ years I didn’t notice this to become worse, so I guess it was some one time mess up.