The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: TBird1958 on August 08, 2014, 09:49:07 AM
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One of my subjects posted this in the Thunderbird thread on TB, I must say I find it far more appealing visually than a Hipshot - It's nice to see somebody make something that looks like it belongs on the bass.
Kudos Babicz!
Here's a pic in black just to appease Herr Gruppenfuhrer - thankfully it's available in CHROME too.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/babsbridge_zpsefb3629e.jpg)
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That is a VERY good looking bridge. Quick string change, lots of adjustment, bridge lock-down once intonated.
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The $64k question... price?
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That is MUCH nicer looking than those Hipshot Masses of Metal
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I'm told $30 more than Hipshot.
I think it's a great looking design - much more sympathetic to the bass, it looks good in CHROME on a shortie too :)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/babsbridge2_zps0ea872df.jpg)
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Will there be a version for vintage Gibsons with two point bridges?
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Interesting. I kinda liked the Babicz bridge on the new EB bass that I tested a few months ago.
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I like the look of it. It looks less bulky than the Hipshot (which I like despite it's size) and less intrusive to the "flow" of the basses. Do I have another bass that needs a 3-point replaced??? No, but I can remedy that situation. All in the name of research you know :mrgreen:
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It looks great, and it can't be any worse than an original 3-pointer.
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Will there be a version for vintage Gibsons with two point bridges?
I would be interested to know this, too. That's a very nice looking bridge!
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Will there be a version for vintage Gibsons with two point bridges?
...with nickel finish, please!
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I can't see them making a version for the 60s two-point bridge.
There are thousands of three-point bridges....just a few hundred 60s ones. No market to recoup R&D and manufacturing costs.
Never checked...Do the posts on a two-point line up to the two tail end posts on a three-point? I'm guessing no. But then you could use the same bridge on both.
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The posts on the two-points are slightly offset vs. being straight across. Hipshot makes (or planned to make) a two-point bridge with a set screw on one side that can be screwed in to accommodate the offset.
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I can't really complain about the hipshot bridge for my 66' EB-3. It is made specifically for a two point bridge as you said Pilgrim and I believe it's a bit shorter lengthwise than the 3 point supertone. The posts are offset on my bass and the bridge is designed to work with either offset or straight posts. The Babicz looks much better on the Thunderbirds without hanging over the center block like a Hipshot would.
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Hipshot makes (or planned to make) a two-point bridge with a set screw on one side that can be screwed in to accommodate the offset.
Indeed, used it on my LoZ EB0 project, and it works great. I really like that you can adjust the string spacing on them,
although it is a rather large piece of metal. But it is quite lightweight, adjusts the offset with a screw, and looks allright.
I must admit I like the old 2 point bar bridge best, but I´m not a three point kind of guy....
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It's funny - I got my '64 EB-0 and immediately removed the Badass bridge that was on it. I called Hipshot about the adjustable bridge but it wasn't in production yet. The next day, I opened the little storage compartment in the EB-0 case and found the original bar bridge in it. Problem solved! That bar bridge works fine IMO.
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Gibson%20EB-0%201964/PB070018.jpg)
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I open the storage compartments all the time, hoping a nickel bar bridge with the slim forks (just like yours!) shows up...
I'd love to get one for my '63 EB0F, wich for the time have the 3 point. There is one on ebay now, but for the moment out of my
price range...
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True that amptech. The chrome 2 pointers are flimsy as all get out but the nickel ones actually had some heft to them. Wish someone with access to a machine shop could crank out some replicas.
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True that amptech. The chrome 2 pointers are flimsy as all get out but the nickel ones actually had some heft to them. Wish someone with access to a machine shop could crank out some replicas.
Thought of it. Does anybody know the alloy? Is it zinc?
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Is that now standard with new SGs and TBs? Sieht gut aus!
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Nice looking bridge! Looks like something I drew up years ago. Oh Well you snooze you lose.
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Is that now standard with new SGs and TBs? Sieht gut aus!
I don't think anyone's saying that.
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The one thing I don't like about this (and the hipshot) is that it sits on the body - I've seen folks remove the hipshot and there's an indentation in the wood. No thanks for my vintage bass (I actually like the 3 point, sure not perfect, but works well), but for a new one it's OK I guess (if it's stock). Maybe it was cranked down to hard, I dunno if it would be stable if the posts were loosened as I've not used one myself. I also suppose one could cut out a protective base plate out of 1MM aluminuim or something, to prevent body damage.
As for 2 point replacement, I love my Schaller 460. No longer in production though. Bar bridge is good, but as I play higher up the neck a lot (wannabe rhythmn guitar), intonatability is a must for me.
I have wondered recently, what Wilkinson (Gotoh) would come up with if they decided to enter this market. I was recently very impressed with one of their geetar bridges on a Ric a customer had in for a setup and a pup fix (one coil dead - converted it to a single coil; now has a Fender sound option and balance between pups is surprisingly good). So (easily - philips vs allen and not under the strings etc) adjustable and solid. The whole axe was very nice actually, just didn't dig the look so much.
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As I understand it, Trevor Wilkinson is the designer. He licenses his designs to Gotoh or Sung-Il. No reason he couldn't come up with his own design, but there would have to be enough of a market for Gotoh or Sung-Il to want to produce it.
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That bridge would look cool on a 20/20! :D
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The one thing I don't like about this (and the hipshot) is that it sits on the body - I've seen folks remove the hipshot and there's an indentation in the wood. No thanks for my vintage bass (I actually like the 3 point, sure not perfect, but works well), but for a new one it's OK I guess (if it's stock). Maybe it was cranked down to hard, I dunno if it would be stable if the posts were loosened as I've not used one myself. I also suppose one could cut out a protective base plate out of 1MM aluminuim or something, to prevent body damage.
As for 2 point replacement, I love my Schaller 460. No longer in production though. Bar bridge is good, but as I play higher up the neck a lot (wannabe rhythmn guitar), intonatability is a must for me.
I have wondered recently, what Wilkinson (Gotoh) would come up with if they decided to enter this market. I was recently very impressed with one of their geetar bridges on a Ric a customer had in for a setup and a pup fix (one coil dead - converted it to a single coil; now has a Fender sound option and balance between pups is surprisingly good). So (easily - philips vs allen and not under the strings etc) adjustable and solid. The whole axe was very nice actually, just didn't dig the look so much.
I agree with you about the indentation aspect, tho it may not really matter. A three point will do it too, two of my '76s were that way before being refined.
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I've never had that with a 3 point.... though if you crank it down low enough obviously it is possible. People do stupid shit to instuments over the years.
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Pretty easy to see here........One of my '76s before it went to the paint shop, Gibson's inserts don't have a lip so the studs can be cranked all the way down when you're in search of low action and trying to compensate for a broken headstock repair that has twisted over time - I love a good three point!
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/veronicasteed/1345234222.jpg)
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I love a good three point!
Now you're just trying to make trouble, aren't you?? ;)
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Yes, yes I am ;D
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Now you're just trying to make trouble, aren't you?? ;)
Just be very thankful that the paint was dull on that bird! What with the track record some folks have of photography while nude at this place :rolleyes: :P ;)
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I wouldn’t mind a 3 point replacement bridge if it were thinner the then the one on my ’77 Tbird, are 70’s 3 point bridges & 80’s Epip & Gibson 3 pointers interchangeable? I’m having a hard time getting the action on my ’77 Tbird low enough, I really don’t want to mess with the saddles & I heard that the new saddles are smaller,
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I've never had that with a 3 point.... though if you crank it down low enough obviously it is possible. People do stupid shit to instuments over the years.
On some Gibsons ("V"-Bass, Les Paul Signature and some Rippers come to mind), you do have to crank the bridge extremely low (and hit surface) PLUS file the saddles deeper.
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My '76 Bird has a very low action with the standard bridge. It was set up around 15 years ago and it has never seen a luthier since. And I've played an awful lot with it.
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Just be very thankful that the paint was dull on that bird! What with the track record some folks have of photography while nude at this place :rolleyes: :P ;)
That was George!
I know you all think it was something I'd do, but he's not what he seems on the surface ;)
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If you got it, pull it out!
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If you got it, pull it out!
I've heard that line at a picnic!
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If I knew it was that kinda picnic...
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I've heard that line at a picnic!
;D
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My '76 Bird has a very low action with the standard bridge. It was set up around 15 years ago and it has never seen a luthier since. And I've played an awful lot with it.
It's hardly ever an issue with T-Birds the way that centerpiece/neck is sawn.
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Yeah, I don't have that issue on my RD either (similar body shape; long scale, flat top, no neck angle), but things can vary from specimen to specimen.
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That was George!
I know you all think it was something I'd do, but he's not what he seems on the surface ;)
He has credibly explained that that picture was taken while he was fast asleep. He just has bad luck while sleeping, things happen all the time then.
I do so want to believe him.
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At least we know why bright chrome and gloss finishes are preferred.
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On, errrm, reflection, that does explain a lot of things, albeit in a most unsavoury way. Any closer inspection of the reflective members on this board always fills me with dread. :-\
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Do we have a link for this Babicz bridge?
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If I can get hold of one of these new bridges I'd be happy to take a new photo for y'all. I'm nice like that.
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You have greyed a bit since then of course, but that may only add to the general attraction.
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Do we have a link for this Babicz bridge?
I can't find it on their website yet. It was announced on Jeff Babicz' FB page here (https://www.facebook.com/JeffBabicz/posts/245259185670808).
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If I can get hold of one of these new bridges I'd be happy to take a new photo for y'all. I'm nice like that.
Shrinkage ;)
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Curious to see if it will allow a lower action than the stock bridge or even the hipshot.
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Wot, George's instrument is made for lower action too? ??? It's becoming viral here.
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Curious to see if it will allow a lower action than the stock bridge or even the hipshot.
Me too,