The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: clankenstein on November 11, 2008, 05:15:28 PM

Title: hipshot supertone
Post by: clankenstein on November 11, 2008, 05:15:28 PM
has anyone tried one of these http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Hipshot-SUPERTONE-bass-bridge-for-Gibson-Bass_W0QQitemZ300269265277QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash (http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Hipshot-SUPERTONE-bass-bridge-for-Gibson-Bass_W0QQitemZ300269265277QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash)on an eb type bass?the (japanese)3 point on my eb4 is getting a bit trashed so im wondering if this is an option.
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: rockinrayduke on November 11, 2008, 06:19:02 PM
It's an excellent option. Great bridge, vast improvement over the 3 point.
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: hollowbody on November 11, 2008, 08:31:02 PM
I just received a black one from this seller and put it on my Ripper.  This particular bass has a slight twist in the neck that could not be corrected with the stock bridge, but the Supertone has individual height and string spacing adjustments.  Setting it up was a snap.   :thumbsup: Two thumbs up! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: drbassman on November 11, 2008, 08:47:53 PM
I put one on my 2003 T-Bird project a couple weeks ago. It's really nice, very flexible, easy to setup.   I'm pleased with it. I really like the saddles and adjustment screws.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/2003%20TB%20Project/100_1934.jpg)
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: uwe on November 12, 2008, 06:37:24 AM
I generally don't encounter issues with the three point, but I put a - naturally: black  :vader: - Supertone on my Blackbird just for the heck of it and haven't reverted to the old three point. I don't hear much of a sound improvement much less a "supertone", but it looks good and is for many people just the more convenient bridge as it follows tried and trusted individual saddle height adjustment principles. Comfortable handrest too.

If it makes you happy ...
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: EvilLordJuju on November 12, 2008, 06:47:16 AM
Are they heavier than the three point? They look so.  Would be a new weapon in the war against neckdive (that only affects my '79 tbird)
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: uwe on November 12, 2008, 07:16:54 AM
Naw, a bit lighter actually.
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: drbassman on November 12, 2008, 09:18:30 AM
I generally don't encounter issues with the three point, but I put a - naturally: black  :vader: - Supertone on my Blackbird just for the heck of it and haven't reverted to the old three point. I don't hear much of a sound improvement much less a "supertone", but it looks good and is for many people just the more convenient bridge as it follows tried and trusted individual saddle height adjustment principles. Comfortable handrest too.

If it makes you happy ...

I agree with Uwe.  I don't see an improvement in sound, but it sure is a better bridge for string adjustments IMHO.  It's not that heavy since it's aluminum.  I decided to try it when I was having trouble finding a stock 3-point bridge for my 2003 project.  The bass and the bridge are keepers.
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: doombass on November 12, 2008, 02:40:31 PM
Mine is heavier than the stock bridge. Maybe I got an early one. When Hipshot launched this bridge the option was either aluminum or brass.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/doombass/Gibson/Hipshot.jpg)

Edit: Bad photolink.
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: drbassman on November 13, 2008, 06:32:27 AM
I didn't know there was an option.  Either way, it's a nice bridge and they are popping up on eBay all the time now.  I played my 2003 with it at practice Monday night and it sounds great.  Don't know if the bridge really makes much difference, but I'm liking the bass a lot!
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: rockinrayduke on November 13, 2008, 11:55:39 AM
Makes it a hell of a lot easier to tweak!
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: drbassman on November 13, 2008, 08:20:59 PM
Makes it a hell of a lot easier to tweak!

For sure!  Nothing wrong with that!
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: EvilLordJuju on November 14, 2008, 07:47:39 AM
Is there any way of deciding which are brass and which are alu. is there a different code or anything....
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: drbassman on November 14, 2008, 09:04:46 AM
I would guess you could ask the seller or look for a description before buying.  I just assumed they were all aluminum.
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: Dave W on November 14, 2008, 09:25:46 AM
They've never been listed as anything but aluminum. However, it would have been simple for them to do a run of brass ones. Maybe they did. There would be no way to tell from looking at it, only by comparing weights.

IIRC on the Hipshot A and B bridges, both the aluminum and brass versions have brass saddles. i.e. the choice of aluminum or brass refers to the machined base. So it wouldn't surprise me if the Supertone also had brass saddles.
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: drbassman on November 14, 2008, 09:32:32 AM
They've never been listed as anything but aluminum. However, it would have been simple for them to do a run of brass ones. Maybe they did. There would be no way to tell from looking at it, only by comparing weights.

IIRC on the Hipshot A and B bridges, both the aluminum and brass versions have brass saddles. i.e. the choice of aluminum or brass refers to the machined base. So it wouldn't surprise me if the Supertone also had brass saddles.

Good point, I'll have to check mine to see.
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: rockinrayduke on November 16, 2008, 09:29:54 AM
Tried the saddle exchange trick and though it worked I went ahead and got a chrome Supertone on my ObG from the guy in the ebay link. Less than $100 and super fast shipping.
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: birdie on December 18, 2008, 09:13:47 AM
dumb q. alert! i take it these work only on solid-bodies......?
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: Dave W on December 18, 2008, 09:36:19 AM
They do need a flat mounting surface. Don't think it would work on a semi-hollow archtop like an EB-2.
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: PWV on December 18, 2008, 09:36:34 AM
I've got a dumber question - will the HS Supertone fit on a newer Epi Bird? (looking at modding the one I got for my son.   But he's not ready yet, so Dad's on the rehab hunt).
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: rockinrayduke on December 18, 2008, 09:51:31 AM
It will replace any 3 point Gibson or Epi bridge.
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: doombass on December 19, 2008, 08:43:49 AM
Yes, they even include two sets of studs (different threads). I suppose the Epi version could be metric.
Title: Re: hipshot supertone
Post by: drbassman on December 19, 2008, 08:54:19 AM
Yes, they even include two sets of studs (different threads). I suppose the Epi version could be metric.

Makes sense.  I didn't try the other studs since I don't have any Epis around the house.