Is Upgrading Your Bass Bridge Worth It? Badass II Bridge Upgrade

[@andymelendez9757]

When we put these bridges on our Fenders in the 70s mods were very popular. We also routinely did pickups and electronics as well. So the overall effect was striking. More sustain with increased top,middle and low end. The modern sound as it was. Now with so many options for basses out there,players are appreciating the uniqueness of the original Fender tone. If you happen to own or buy a vintage Precision or Jazz my advice would be don’t change a thing (excluding needed tweaks or repairs). Nowadays I would just save up for a higher tier model Fender. Great video!

[@alesstysanchez1614]

I think it’s more for looks. People don’t realize that tone can be manipulated by how you play the instrument and how one strikes the string, especially on a jazz bass making it sound more aggressive or softer, and then with the preamp pedals these days you can make a cheap bass sound like a super expensive one. My vintage jazz squier is stock same bridge and Duncan designed p/u. A dark glass clean pre amp pedal and sounds amazing

[@RichardLueras]

I think it’s a bit challenging to make truly accurate bridge comparisons, although this is a really great video! The string height in relation to the pickups can change the tone SO much, so unless you make precise measurements of each string height in relation to each pickup pole before and after the install , the difference you hear in sound may simply be from the pickup-string height variations. Just some humble advice, since I just upgraded my bridge and noticed this myself!

[@91cog]

Thank you Richard! I gave the bass a full set up after installing, which includes pickup height in relation to the strings. Hopefully it helped give an accurate comparison. Thanks for watching

[@benfennell6842]

It will be from that.

[@deekmjones4463]

I love the harmonics with the Omega bridge. Good stuff

[@91cog]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it

[@andyunwin9260]

My preference is the Fender HiMass bridge which isn't too expensive (compared to some others). Whilst there are improvements in sustain, sound and looks, for me one advantage is that they're much more comfortable for palm muting on the bridge as your palm tends to rest on the saddles themselves rather than the adjusting "screws"

[@91cog]

I feel like Fender have nailed the Hi-Mass bridge, which to me is a refined version of the Badass II Bridges. I just wish they printed 'HiMass' on the bridge rather than 'Fender'. I once saw one on a Yamaha Bass and it looked funny!

[@1thess523]

Adds a nice little growl

[@91cog]

Agree! Well said

[@ramencurry6672]

The stock kinda sounds better

[@christosfragias592]

Thanks for the review and insights. I personally like the Hipshot Kickass bridge. As the advantage you have with that is the Kickass allows you to move the bridge saddles right and left. In case your strings may rest too far towards one side of the fret board.

[@91cog]

Thank you for watching Christos. The precision of the Hipshot Kickass is unrivalled, it’s truly an amazing bridge!

[@pauls4742]

Great comparison video - the bridge makes a huge difference!

[@91cog]

Thank you for watching Paul! I’m glad I did the mod.

[@ddonnoli]

Wow. So great. Your reviews are the best thing to wake up to. I’ve heard Wilkinson are very very good. Keep on cheersin

[@91cog]

Glad you like them!

[@elephantgrass631]

If you’re going to use the camera mic for your speech audio, don’t put music on top of it. It’s sounds horrible and it’s hard to hear what you’re saying in that boxy room. At least turn down the music.

[@henryliedecke3769]

I was going to invest in a Badass Bridge for the Squire Jazz Bass i just bought, but it did not have the grooves for the strings on the Bridge Saddles. Then i looked at reviews and people were saying how they had to pay to have the grooves machine milled in on an already pricey bridge. I dont think all there bridges are like that, but that was the only one the shop i went to had. So I went with a Chrome Fender Hi-Mass Bridge.

[@henryliedecke3769]

I'm not mocking the Omega, I think they sound great.

[@woopteedeewoopteedye]

I was Sold on badass Bridge back when I had my Rickenbacker 4001. Sold the Rick with original parts on, kept the Badass still to this day on my MiM Jazz.

[@91cog]

That’s awesome, they are a bridge that stands the test of time. Thanks for watching!

[@oldasrocks9121]

They increase string rigidity and *can* decrease saddle flop, might increase sustain on E and A, but that's it. The "tone" is increased amplitude of resonant frequencies in the body, or in a word "mud". If you're playing regular tension flatwounds it'll be like plucking piano strings.

[@LiamD613]

Your Squier CV 70’s P bass review convinced me to buy one. For me, it’ll be replacing a p bass copy I refinished and upgraded as a project about a decade ago that I’ve just scrapped for parts. When it arrives I’ll be fitting it with the Badass Bridge II and a fresh set of flatwounds 😁.

[@91cog]

Glad I could help out! Yes my friend, the Badass II will be a perfect mod. Thank you for watching

[@JorgeLopez-fu9lb]

I upgrade my Squire P Bass, many, many years ago, to a Leo Quan and I'll never go back. It made that "student" model bass sound more expensive than it really is. deeper tone, less distortion and more sustain.

[@91cog]

Well done - it’s a great upgrade! Thanks for watching

[@earlgarcia9824]

After 40+ years of playing Fender Basses the main thing swapping for hi mass bridge does is increased sustain ,the unwanted effects depending on brands especially lower priced are added string height above fretboard, time consuming laborious intonation process usually due to the thickness of bridge but if your after increasing sustain or making it look more badass ,pardon the pun,🤣go for quality made product. 🤘👍

[@samlelowitch]

I generally don't upgrade the bridges on my basses. In my opinion, you are usually better off putting your money into a better bass. For example, If I'm paying $400 for a high-end Squier and you add the cost of pickups $200 and a bridge $100, that brings you almost to the level where you could have afforded a MIM Fender Player bass instead.

[@christosfragias592]

Hey mate, with the Omega bridge, do the string ends/balls make contact with the body from the rear of the bridge? Cheers. And love your videos.

[@91cog]

They clear the body just fine! Thanks for watching

[@galaxyseven]

I dunno, the original fender bridge sounded much fatter to me. I didn't care for the thinner tone from the Badass clone bridge.

[@91cog]

Thank you for watching and I appreciate your thoughts!

[@pauls4742]

Good comment - I preferred the Badass bridge, but I heard the same thing.

[@hushpuppykl]

Hardly much difference when played with finger. Pretty audible difference when played with a pick BUT, me thinks the difference can be had with a smidge of EQ and when it’s in the mix with a band, it won’t be that noticeable.

[@dennisrossa4421]

The actual Leo Quan brings out more definition, brighter sound & adds a ton of sustain. I've heard the omega, pales by comparison

[@Jack-pp2ng]

Nice bass, I have never seen a stacked knobs PJ

[@91cog]

It’s really handy being able to blend the two pickups together with the different tonal options!

[@Jack-pp2ng]

@@91cog I would Imagine! Makes me wish all pjs and J's have stacked knobs

[@davecooper6173]

Maybe you can help me. I've got a P Bass with the Badass Bridge II on it. I recently cut off my roundwounds to try flats, and the silk thread around the string by the bridge makes the string too fat to fit into the hole. VERY frustrating. Have you tried installing flats on your bass with this bridge?

[@91cog]

Hi Dave, the silk threads are purely just for aesthetics on strings. If it’s causing an issue, you can try carefully peeling it off. Short answer is yes, I’ve used flats with Badass II before with no drama. Hope this helps!

[@davecooper6173]

@@91cog thanks for the reply. I was looking at cutting the threads off the E string but there appears to be a thin metal band that runs around the string. These are D'Addario Chromes XLs. Gonna run to the shop to see if LaBellas are different. Thanks again.

[@binheiss]

The stock bridge sounds better for me…

[@91cog]

Interesting! Thanks for watching

[@stevenordstedt2535]

There’s no difference between the tone on the omega bridge versus the stock Fender rich the only difference that’s really going to make is the playability should be easier with the aftermarket bridge as I’ve experienced since 1981 on a for sure plan base and I replace my Rickenbacker Stockbridge with a bad ass to Braves I get a lead it and it did make a big difference in playing played easier but if you want tone difference you have to change the pick ups out.

[@91cog]

Thanks for sharing, Steve! And thanks for watching

[@cacadordorio]

In fact the bass looks better with an omega bass bridge

[@IgnisIban]

Omega and original badass don’t sound the same even when they look the same, the badass have faster attack, brighter tone and tighter snappier dynamics more compressed, the original have softer attacks, duller more airier open sound and less attack, easier to dig in, depends on personal taste

[@91cog]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts Ignacio! I wish the Badass was more available and accessible. The good thing about the Omega is that if anyone watching this video is a fan, they can jump online and grab one. Thanks for watching!

[@kenwilliams7597]

0% difference in sound. The Badass II MIGHT get better intonation due to the more rigid design.

[@JessMichaelWillyard]

I really couldn't hear a difference.

[@91cog]

Thanks for watching!

[@totalrobot]

Want your WHOLE NOTES to sustain as long as a HALF NOTE? Keep your stock bridges on then, cheapskates!

[@91cog]

Very good! Thanks for watching

[@bobabooey]

I think the stock bridge had better sound.