Ok, I have a 2019 thunderbird that's been a problem child...I bought it a supertone bridge to hopefully help out.
Actually I bought two bridges, installing one in my Les Paul Tribute was easy and seamless...
But the bird is still a problem child...with a relatively straight neck (with regard to relief—I guess there is a twist there or some neck anomaly)the strings are too low with the saddles maxed. I like low action, but this is much too low...it plays but just barely...
I guess I go back to the 3 point?...with the 3 point, strings 2 3 and 4 are too high when the g string is about right...
I will admit to being real picky about how my basses play.
Otherwise the bass plays and sounds just ok...It's by far my most expensive bass, and the least satisfying player...my EPI T Bird Pro just blows it away...not to mention my Les Paul or all my Fenders...
Any suggestions?
If the string on the E A and D are too high on the three point bridge you need to lower the bass side bridge stud.
I don't know about the Hipshot Supertone, but the Babicz replacement of the three point bridge comes with a spacer that goes underneath the bridge.
(https://www.tonefactory.nl/media/catalog/product/cache/6ab363cc96689675b2e0e3cea5553950/image/29587bb7b/babicz-fch-3-point-4-string-g-style-bass-bridge-black.jpg)
Plan "B" is to put the 3 point back on, and switch out some of the saddles to get a better arch across the neck?
I have spare saddles from the LesPaul Tribute...and yes, I had tried lowering the bass side stud...it will probably work ok with some saddle changing.
Maybe that was the problem to start with! The saddles are numbered to follow the radius of the fret board.
But since they can fall out easily if there's no strings on, they may have been put back in the wrong order?
You could have a luthier fine tune the individual string heights by filing the saddle slots as needed.
Ok, I went back to this after a couple days away from it, and the bass did set up well...action is low, but not too low...relief is right where I like it...a little straighter than textbook business card relief...no buzzing.
I guess I'll keep the hip shot bridge on, but this would definitely not work for folks that like medium or high action...although no saddles are maxed out.
I guess sometimes you just need to step away from a project for a while.
Guyker has just announced they will also introduce a three point bridge replacement:
(https://scontent-ams2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/604502783_122217553838098641_1213534189993255848_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=x4ioxhem-m0Q7kNvwGIzs3v&_nc_oc=AdlxOvIoc3cooGXKoFNw5hlEfUFFfGJtctoB37k6zCChpmJmyRtlSRzYjYymKbqR8_v-4RkNPXuONejQIxwEnwg9&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ams2-1.xx&_nc_gid=XuLZ-eRRu7nmou9pCifX_Q&oh=00_AfkI3b-TgK_xA5lQQbq0m3B_hjzqVOs2E30d3Oi61kk_Dw&oe=6956490E)
Quote from: Basvarken on December 27, 2025, 04:05:25 PMGuyker has just announced they will also introduce a three point bridge replacement:
(https://scontent-ams2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/604502783_122217553838098641_1213534189993255848_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=x4ioxhem-m0Q7kNvwGIzs3v&_nc_oc=AdlxOvIoc3cooGXKoFNw5hlEfUFFfGJtctoB37k6zCChpmJmyRtlSRzYjYymKbqR8_v-4RkNPXuONejQIxwEnwg9&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ams2-1.xx&_nc_gid=XuLZ-eRRu7nmou9pCifX_Q&oh=00_AfkI3b-TgK_xA5lQQbq0m3B_hjzqVOs2E30d3Oi61kk_Dw&oe=6956490E)
Wow, that looks really nice! I'd be seriously interested if it offered adjustable string spacing like the Hipshots. I love it narrow.
Yes, this look nice, and it also comes in black! :D Any idea what is the string spacing?
I assume same as the Gibson Three point bridge. Since it is intended as a drop-in replacement. Wouldn't make sense to me if they deliberately changed the spacing.
Agreed, but bridges like Hipshot and Sandberg (love Sandberg's aesthetic) have adjustable string spacing. That's what I look for for my own stuff. I like narrow spacing. I just dropped off my BC Rich at the shop to swap part or all of my original Badass bridge for a new Badass 1 I got from Allparts to match the string spacing of my three Hipshots.
Quote from: Basvarken on August 26, 2025, 06:55:17 AMI don't know about the Hipshot Supertone, but the Babicz replacement of the three point bridge comes with a spacer that goes underneath the bridge.
(https://www.tonefactory.nl/media/catalog/product/cache/6ab363cc96689675b2e0e3cea5553950/image/29587bb7b/babicz-fch-3-point-4-string-g-style-bass-bridge-black.jpg)
I just recently installed a Babicz Fender style bridge on my Double Neck project, so far I've been impressed with it. It was easy to install & setup. The sustain seems much better also.
Filling saddles is my solution for this. Get a set of jewelers files and go cautiously. Sometimes I also use shim brass under the saddles to raise them up if needed.