Bass Guitar Bridge Spacing

Please put your pickup/wiring discussions in the Electronics section; and put discussions about repair issues, including "disappearing" errors in new instruments, in the Repairs section.
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Gordon Bellerose
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Bass Guitar Bridge Spacing

Post by Gordon Bellerose »

Do most of the bass builders here use a bridge with 3/4 inch spacing?
Or do you prefer spacing that is a bit closer together?
I need your help. I can't possibly make all the mistakes myself!
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Beate Ritzert
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Re: Bass Guitar Bridge Spacing

Post by Beate Ritzert »

I am used and clearly and prefer "Gibson spacing" which is a bit narrower, AFAIK 16.5 mm between two strings.
Gordon Bellerose
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Re: Bass Guitar Bridge Spacing

Post by Gordon Bellerose »

I guess the next parts of my question would be,
"Where do you get your bridges?"
And, "What kind of bridges is everyone using?"
I need your help. I can't possibly make all the mistakes myself!
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Beate Ritzert
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Re: Bass Guitar Bridge Spacing

Post by Beate Ritzert »

Hipshot Supertone in the 2 point version in my own builds, and in the 3 point version to upgrade Gibson or Epiphone basses.

The bridge Gibson used in their 2015 basses should also be freely available, and even the 3 point bridge is.

AFAIK at least some Warwick bridges also use Gibson's traditional spacing.

A last option are individual bridges per string. Necessary for basses with a small neck angle.

One interesting thing about that spacing is that You can use guitar pickups on the bass.
David King
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Re: Bass Guitar Bridge Spacing

Post by David King »

I like 19mm or 3/4" on 4 string basses, for the 5 and 6 strings I need it a tad narrower so I go with 17.5mm or 18mm. The bridges I make myself are .700".
Hipshot bridges are fine as are Gotoh, ABM, ETS. The Babicz bridges are also nice though a bit pricy unless you commit to buying a bunch of them.
There are very inexpensive Asian copies of most of the designs though my sense is that fit and finish aren't good and the plating seems to peel off pretty quickly from the die cast pot metal.
"Everyone" is using the Hipshot "A" style bridges though I personally prefer their "B" style.
Gordon Bellerose
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Re: Bass Guitar Bridge Spacing

Post by Gordon Bellerose »

While we're on the topic of bass hardware, can I ask about tuners?
I know there was a thread on this a few months back, but I thought it might go well with this topic.

I'm liking the Hipshot Ultra-lites, but the ratio may be a bit of a problem.
Again, I look to the experience of this forum for good advice.
I need your help. I can't possibly make all the mistakes myself!
Gordon Bellerose
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Re: Bass Guitar Bridge Spacing

Post by Gordon Bellerose »

We may as well extend this topic to bass pickups while we're at it!
What is everyone using?
Single coil?
Humbucker?
Passive or active?
I need your help. I can't possibly make all the mistakes myself!
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Beate Ritzert
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Re: Bass Guitar Bridge Spacing

Post by Beate Ritzert »

If i was a professional builder: what the client needs.
For me: what seems suitable for the specific project.
With a preference to humbuckers of all kind, notably with coils around Alnico (V) blades.

BTW: super light tuners are not always good. The mass at the headstock strongly contributes to the tone. On one instrument i had to replace the ultralite tuners (Schallers) back to the old ones (Grovers) because the instrument became uncontrollable at large volume.
Jason Rodgers
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Re: Bass Guitar Bridge Spacing

Post by Jason Rodgers »

Beate Ritzert wrote: BTW: super light tuners are not always good. The mass at the headstock strongly contributes to the tone. On one instrument i had to replace the ultralite tuners (Schallers) back to the old ones (Grovers) because the instrument became uncontrollable at large volume.
"Uncontrollable"?! This is not a situation I've heard tell. How?
-Ruining perfectly good wood, one day at a time.
Gordon Bellerose
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Re: Bass Guitar Bridge Spacing

Post by Gordon Bellerose »

Beate Ritzert wrote:
BTW: super light tuners are not always good. The mass at the headstock strongly contributes to the tone. On one instrument i had to replace the ultralite tuners (Schallers) back to the old ones (Grovers) because the instrument became uncontrollable at large volume.
I'm wondering the same Beate. What do you mean by uncontrollable?
I need your help. I can't possibly make all the mistakes myself!
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Beate Ritzert
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Re: Bass Guitar Bridge Spacing

Post by Beate Ritzert »

That must have been feedback in the low registers. The instrument is neck through...

With the original tuners the bass could easily played very loud without problems.
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