sure, it makes sense ! in my case I don’t try to replicate a specific vintage (or let’s say “classic”) tone, I just happen to like PB tones in general 
(I might say I like PB pickups tones) but I agree on the fact that a Fender is supposed to sound like a Fender, and the classic Fender bridge certainly plays a role in that tone.
Anyway I’ve seen Bobby Vega with a 60’s JB fitted with a Badass bridge. pretty confusing, isn’t it
That’s a pretty awesome looking bass. It’s just so damn ragged.
Just to confuse the issue even more is the (relatively) new Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass that comes stock with a BadAss bridge.
I have the Hipshot “Kickass” bridge on my J-Bass. It’s kind of an updated
badass. It’s constructed well, and it’s a reversible mod. Mine bolted right on using stock screw locations. I can’t swear to any tonal change, but the bass is very resonant. Also, the saddles are adjustable, so you can customize your string spacing as well. Maybe it’s worth taking a look. 
Bobby Vega is a funky mother f**er!! He’s had that bass since the 60’s.
Looks as if it was either in a forest fire, or somebody used it as a pizza peel 
Hey all ! It’s me again, straight from the bridge-thing rabbit hole. I’ve decided I had to do some experiments by myself, so I picked up a Fender Hi-Mass brass bridge for my 2004 MIA Fender Precision. I chose this model because it’s not too expensive, it’s a Fender so I won’t have compatibility issues, and it has good reviews on the internets. Looked like an obvious choice to me.
The saddles and the bridge itself are both solid chrome-plated brass. Measured at 250 grams, this is a massive piece of metal : it’s 3 times heavier than the stock vintage-style bridge.
here is a picture to show the difference in size (and overall look) between the two bridges :
I find this hi-mass bridge a bit bulky. Even if the finish is pretty good, I prefer the look of the vintage bridge, but, hey, that’s not the most important.
So, I recorded the same short bass line with the stock bridge and with the new hi-mass one, after a proper setup. Everything other than the bridge is exactly the same. The lines have been recorded with my Line6 UX1, Ampeg B15 modeling with a flat EQ, and of course no effect or compression or anything.
Stock vintage-style bridge :
Hi-Mass bridge :
So, obviously there is a difference, but it’s not a revolution as I’ve read sometimes. Here is my review on different points :
Here is a screenshot, the top track is the one with the vintage bridge and the bottom track with the hi-mass :
We clearly see that there is no noticeable difference in sustain, but we also see that the resonnance frequency has changed : take a look at the damping wave on the last note.
EDIT : I was talking about the full length of the note, but I wonder if what we mostly hear/feel could be the first volume drop (first phase of the damping wave) ? if yes, then the effective sustain is indeed longer and it would explain why I feel a difference.
So to sum up, there is a difference with this hi-mass bridge and it goes to the direction I like, so I don’t regret. But the difference is relatively small : I’m pretty sure a volume pot value change would have more effect for exemple.
Also the gain in clarity, dynamics and vibration is not desired by everybody. For exemple for a bass player who would play old-school music, or seek for a vintage-style sound, this bridge swap would be counterproductive.
here is my review at this point !
Great post, @terb 
I like the look of the high-mass bridge, but even after I listened to both tracks, I had a very hard time hearing a difference. I played them a couple of times, and I think the high-mass bridge might sound a little clearer . . . but I’m not sure. 
You’ve obviously put a great deal of thought into this test, so thanks for your efforts!
Cheers, Joe
yes, another way to say that would be that there is more treble (and I think a little bit more hi-mids) and more punch with the hi-mass. the vintage bridge sounds a little bit more mutted. but that’s relatively subbtle, and it may be more obvious for me as the playing feeling has also changed a bit.
you’re very welcome !
Interesting test @terb, thanks for sharing! I’ve never actually swapped a bridge on one of my basses so I haven’t had any personal experience with that. Yet! So many gear rabbit holes to fall into…
Killer content. Have I mentioned before that I love our forums?
yes, but this one might not be the more interesting IMHO 
to be honest I’ve been a little bit disapointed with this bridge swap, I expected more of a difference !
So, now you have a new bridge with more hi-mids and punch - just perfect to add a sponge underneath the strings to kill it all off again
No, just kidding - awesome research! You should have become a scientist, you’d make a great experimentalist!!
exactly ! 
Still testing the hi-mass bridge. It appears that the difference gets bigger in saturated tones, where the increased harmonics and high-mids become more perceptible.
here is a picture to show how it looks on the actual bass :
Anybody know how to find out what kind of wood a P-bass is made out of??? like if it has a painted finish? how would you know???
the more common thing on current Fender basses (and guitars) : if it’s a solid color, it’s alder. if it’s a transparent finish it’s often ash but it can also be alder, in this case it’s easy to see because the veneer doesn’t look the same at all.
ash and alder sound a bit different but both sound pretty good. an ash body is often heavier than an alder one, but not always.
on cheaper models (MIJ, MIM, Squier) it can also be basswood or poplar. those two woods have almost no visible veneer and they sound very close to alder with a little bit less attack (not really noticeable).
(my green Precision has an ash body because it was originally trans-white)
What did you finally decide about the new high mass bridge?
haha, good question … after a few months and some recording sessions, I will end my testing period soon. right now I’m almost sure I will go back to the vintage-style bridge. I’ll explain all that choice when I’ll be 100% sure and when it will be done on the bass
My Squier Jazz has a maple body and a maple neck . . . but it’s been discontinued.
Perhaps @Pbassnewb could use the serial number on his bass to find out?
Cheers, Joe
I thought MIJ were generally more expensive, not cheaper? I know they are sought after…
