Al1885
Hopefully he will weigh in, he’s got the hands on expertise and has graciously answered many questions and messages from me… Greatly appreciated Al1885… 
About the Lightwave bass’s, I do like the look of them.
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Ah-so, arigato
I see it now… 
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Oh sure I thought you knew I have them on several of my basses.
It’s the only saddleless bridge. There are many types of bridges but there’s only one saddleless type that I know.
The upside is obvious, No break in the string from the ball end. You’d get the extra sparkle out of the string. It’s a very clean tone. The feel is very lively, each plug is very lively. It reminds me a little of the short scale bass. I love how it feels.
The lows are very good but the highs are just incredible. The installation is pretty straightforward it’s a straight drop in for the Fender style bridge if I recall correctly. You can also choose to mount the side screws for added stability. If you are the OCD type that follow the manual to the letter this bridge is a no brainer upgrade.
That said here are some of the things you need to be aware before you buy it.
Here’s the most PITA, every time you want to make any adjustments you need to release the string tension. Adjusting height or intonation gotta release the tension. It’s what you are supposed to do with every bridge anyway but we usually just make all those adjustments under full tension regardless. The adjustment is the holes along the disc.
Next, sine there’s no saddle you save at least an inch of length so you may have to get a size shorter than usual. It’s the exact opposite of the string through body.
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There will be a couple mod projects soon on some cheapy bass’s and that bridge is now part of the plan.
That to me looks like it maybe one of the best bridges ever created.
Thanks Al1885
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Don’t thank me yet, wait until you do the setup the first time and a few times after that, then you can thank me. I know that @John_E gave it up after a while 
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The Ray Ross sure looks cool and streamlined, @Al1885, but I still prefer upgraded versions of a Fender-style bridge design. A beefier but still simple-to-adjust bridge design works beautifully.
As a matter of fact, I returned a new Sandberg P largely due to its funky bridge. But, to be fair, its shitty finish “relic-ing” job didn’t win it any points with me.
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Right. A modded cheapo bass is still worthless used after the mods except as a parts source.
And it is even worse with “upgraded” instruments that were good to begin with.
You don’t mod for resale.
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(To be clear, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with inexpensive instruments - they can be awesome! It’s just that their resale value is very low and modding will not help that.)
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it’s one of the only problems with super cheap instruments. if a bass costs $135 new how are you going to sell it? what are you going to ask for it, $100 plus shipping? why would anyone pay that when they could just get it new? $75 plus you’ll cover shipping or split it? then what’s the point really, you’ll make like fifty bux. I recently had this very issue when I wanted to sell a cheapo u-bass I had. instead I just wound up giving it to my daughter (which would be fine but I’m pretty sure she has never touched it) 
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Yep. I am upgrading a Pacifica now and I’m just going to give it to my bandmate when he visits next month as a guitar to use while he’s here this spring.
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You have to sell the cheap bass (instrument ) locally period.
The only mods are looks and pickups. I expand my collection mainly from buying and selling cheap and cheerful instruments. Mainly Stratocaster and P and J basses. It’s difficult to make money on the margin of the premium basses.
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yeah you’re probably right. pick up only.
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Yeah the depreciation on the premium instruments is brutal. If you ever buy a new one, it’s either yours for life or you’re taking a big bath on resale - expect at least a 60-75% haircut when you sell.
You might make a small profit if you buy it used though - the prices can be volatile. At least here.
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i think the only way to make money on a high end bass is to be in it for the long long long haul.
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Yep, or get real real lucky with a used one.
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Not even that the inflation neutralized that. I think with premium instruments the best route is trade. On the grand scheme of things it would be the shipping cost on each party that’s out providing you can establish trust.
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I can’t speak for all high-end basses, but my first Mayones Jabba is selling used for the same amount or more than what I paid for it two years ago. That said, that doesn’t matter; I’m not selling it or my custom Mayones.
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yeah I guess there are some out there that hold their value, so good on you 
. I have been drooling over the same collection of 20 or so Spector usa customs for a long time now on reverb. I haven’t seen a single one sold in I don’t know how long. they’re around $7K.
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Well you know what they say about when you buy a new car and drive off the lot.
With so many great new basses now for 1 - 2 or 3k for real quality that’s a heavy number to digest.
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