The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: godofthunder on March 15, 2010, 12:33:29 PM
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I have had a replacement drawn up for some time but never went ahead because of the start up costs and then Hipshot came out with their product. I have not tried one of the Hipshot bridges but they get good reviews from you guys and they are know for making a quality product. The one thing I don't like about the hipshot is it's looks. My bridge would more closely resemble the Gibson, feature individual saddle height adjustment and a longer tail piece to prevent string windings from going over the saddle. Do you guys think there is enough room in the market for another product? Or should I just go buy a Hipshot :sad:
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To be honest Scott, every Thunderbird I own (Reverse styled of course) will probably get a Hipshot. I love the bridge a lot, mainly because of it's looks and "de-sharpened" feel. It gives a nice little heft to the bass and it feels good when my hand touches it.
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Although, now thinking about it, one thing that I do miss about the 3 point is the ability to tilt the bridge. My Thunderbird has a slight neck warp that makes the E side too low and the G side too high so I can't down tune very well. If I still had my three point, I could fix it easily. So if your bridge design keeps the three post approach, I'd buy one.
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Like the Hipshot mine is designed to bolt to the bass using the existing mounting studs, not tilt or tension adjustment.
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Scott, if your bridge was similar in price to the Hipshot I'd probably try one out just to see. I'm a little suspicious of the Hipshot and the possibility of it leaving an indentation on the face of the bass. I don't love the decidedly non-vintage look of it either (though that wouldn't be a deal breaker in the end).
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I just wish the hipshot wasnt made from aluminum, Brass or steel would be nice, and heavier to help with neckdive.
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No where near having a price for this thing, it will be a challenge to get it to Hipshots price point. I am thinking chrome plated brass. Every '76-79 I have ever owned I had the bridge so low that it left a imprint, I will have to think about it being bolted to the body.....................................ok I have a solution it can be installed bolted directly to the bass or installed floating, piece of cake.
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or installed floating, piece of cake.
Now will this mean adjustment for tilt?
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Possible, have not quite figured that out. If I decided to go ahead this thing is like 9-12 months out, maybe longer so don't get to excited.
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Well Scott, if you do get one built that would allow tilt adjustment so I could get my 'bird back up to 100% usability, I'd buy one from you just to check it out. Of course it would have to be chrome... ;D
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very interesting.i have always wanted a 3 point thats not made out of rubbish metal.
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I'd certainly take a few of your hands.
Will you make a few in black too?
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I'd certainly take a few of your hands.
Will you make a few in black too?
:vader: :vader: :vader: :vader:
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I like the Hipshot a lot. But if you were to build a 3 point replacement I would be tempted to try it out for sure. Even if I had to buy another T-Bird to install it on!! :mrgreen:
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I'd certainly take a few of your hands.
Will you make a few in black too?
Blasphemy.............. ;)
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I have to admit I'm impressed with the Hipshot after putting it on a Pearl Export (Epi Genesis). I like the sustain of Badass 1 bridges. The hipshot doesn't give the same resonance or sustain as the Badass' do but then as a replacement for a 3 point bridge I would expect that its not intended to.
I think the Badass bridges are made from a zinc alloy rather than solid brass. It would be interesting to hear how much the sound changes with a solid brass bridge.
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I'd certainly take a few of your hands.
Will you make a few in black too?
I may buy a black one for my Epi too! :D
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I also like the Hipshot but your idea is interesting enough for me Scott.
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I like the idea Scott.
There's a few things about the Hipshot that I don't like:
1. it can only be installed on a flat surface.
2. it is too wide for the raised centerpiece of a thunderbird.
3. it looks too modern for vintage basses.
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"2. it is too wide for the raised centerpiece of a thunderbird." Now this I did not know :) Makes the whole idea worth doing.
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I like the idea Scott.
There's a few things about the Hipshot that I don't like:
1. it can only be installed on a flat surface.
2. it is too wide for the raised centerpiece of a thunderbird.
3. it looks too modern for vintage basses.
Only if you squint your eyes real hard and are a little bit anal about such things! How teutonic some Dutchmen can be! :mrgreen:
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Here's a pic of Doombass Daniel's Thunderbird with the Hipshot supertone. (From an older thread about the Hipshot)
Teutonic or not, I wouldn't want it on my Tbird (sorry Daniel)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/doombass/Gibson/Hipshot.jpg)
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I'm not digg'n the look either , bet it works better than a 3 point though !
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Admittedly, on that Bicentennial and in chrome it's a bit much (largely because the chrome isn't aged), but I have no such issues with it on my Blackbird. On there, it's military utalitarian look complements the bass:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/IMG00001-20100316-1427.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_2410.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_2406.jpg)
But agreed, I wouldn't stick it on a vintage Bird.
One of these days I'll show you all how to set up a three point, slanting (where necessary) and all. I can't believe that people who are otherwise so much more technically adept than I am should have issues with it.
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they do look a bit too big IMHO
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t253/Freuds_cat/Pearl-Export/Mods1/RIMG0088.jpg)
Still, they are a nice bit of engineering.
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It's a hunk of a bridge, true. Doesn't exactly hide its existence, but I like the overall shape which has some design to it. Not like a Badass which is just a gawky something on a bass.
Martin Turner, forgive me, you will forever be my hero, but thy bridge is fugly:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4261447213_8f74ffc449.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2510/4178901310_4683e55b03.jpg)
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The Hipshot reminds me in a way of the Buick Dollargrin. Check!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/1951_Buick_Eight_Sedan.JPG
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It's a hunk of a bridge, true. Doesn't exactly hide its existence, but I like the overall shape which has some design to it. Not like a Badass which is just a gawky something on a bass.
Martin Turner, forgive me, you will forever be my hero, but thy bridge is fugly:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4261447213_8f74ffc449.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2510/4178901310_4683e55b03.jpg)
What does MT have on there Uwe ?
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Admittedly, on that Bicentennial and in chrome it's a bit much (largely because the chrome isn't aged), but I have no such issues with it on my Blackbird. On there, it's military utalitarian look complements the bass:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/IMG00001-20100316-1427.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_2410.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_2406.jpg)
But agreed, I wouldn't stick it on a vintage Bird.
One of these days I'll show you all how to set up a three point, slanting (where necessary) and all. I can't believe that people who are otherwise so much more technically adept than I am should have issues with it.
Oh I know how to set up a three point bridge.............................with a file ;D
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Even if I had to buy another T-Bird to install it on!! :mrgreen:
I like the way you think!
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What does MT have on there Uwe ?
Is it not a Badass?
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Is it not a Badass?
Thats what I thought. He must have got the idea from me ;) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/Charwithmytbird001.jpg)
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Frankly, even in the late seventies that ugly thing was already on his Tbird. As the bass is a sixties TB, the original bridge was probably discarded due to intonation problems - he just didn't have your good Badbird bridge to fix it back then!
Uwe
In 1973, Martin's Bird was still sunburst and had the sixties bridge plus a maple repair headstock (the bass had been broken on a Mott the Hoople tour).
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/3690227148_1d04b73462.jpg)
Still unchanged in 1975:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/3699797195_20532a2099.jpg)
Come 1976 it had been refinned white (and the neck repair from Mott days - the bass was bestowed to him by Overend Watts - improved), but still retained the original bridge.
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/87/254316678_44d1f7e5be.jpg)
But come 1977, he must have seen a pic of you Scott, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery:
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/90/250580631_0f5c1af518.jpg)
Over time, the ugly Badass had an ill effect on Martin's mind:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2636/3684731268_af7108ab0d.jpg)
Under the influence, he did some horrible things:
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/92/254858757_908c39c212.jpg)
But old age wised him up again:
(http://www.wishboneash.co.uk/livedates/images/2528968_1_wishbone_ash-22.jpg)
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Always good for a larff my friend.
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Will you now get to work on that three-point replacement please!
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I took the Supertone off my Bird and reinstalled the 3 point. I may reinstall it in the future but I would be quite interested in what Scott comes up with, especially if it floats like a 3 point-then I could also use it on my Casady.
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Why did you take it off, Ray? Visuals, feel or sound?
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I had noticed the bridge was not flush on the body of the bass, space in between them and this seemed to cause a slight change in sound and feel. I tapped the studs back down into the bass a little, put the old 3 point back on and that seemed to make a difference to the better so I left it there.
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I am obviously no fan of the Badass 1 bridge at all right? ;)
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t253/Freuds_cat/Jazz/72jazz698.jpg)
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t253/Freuds_cat/Cargill%20custom%20fretless/cargill732.jpg)
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t253/Freuds_cat/Maton-JB4%20Fretless/maton-jb4-fretless-1.jpg)
I softened my attitude and went for the Badass 3 on the JV. (Never really liked the Badass 2's. Too big a footprint)
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t253/Freuds_cat/82%20JV%20Squier%20Jazz/82-squier-jazz-bridge.jpg)
To borrow a quote from Rob Riley from Rose Tattoo when a sound guy asked him to turn down on stage: "BUT ITS MY SOUND MAN!" ;)