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Post subject: Precision Bridge Question
Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 9:12 am
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Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 9:07 am
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Hi Guys,

I have a question that i hope you fellas will be able to help me with.

i have a P-Bass and am looking to upgrade the bridge.

the main consideration is how low the action can be adjusted (i know this has other factors, however the bass is setup well, just that the action adjustment is at it's lowest.

i don't really like shimming a neck so i was wondering if you guys know what i can get a extra little adjustment on with either of these two bridges?

Gotoh 203
Fender DELUXE CHROME
BASS BRIDGE


Many Thanks

Ben


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bridge Question
Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 7:08 am
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Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:01 am
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What year and type of Precision is it? What fretboard?

If the only consideration is low action---- you may not need to upgrade the bridge.


I've had to shim necks on Fender USA guitars. If done right it doesn't hurt the bass. Sometimes it's a good "fix". The mental thing with shimming a neck goes away after you fix the bass and it still sounds good and plays better.


I've had alot of Fender basses. Overall in the big picture I have come to realize that on some basses you can get the action real low. There are certain trade offs with doing that. The bass with super low action may have fret noise and may be a little "Flappy" or loose playing wise.

I really believe that when a good Fender bass is set up right-- the action may seem a bit high to alot of players. Not so high that it's rediculous but set up with attention payed to the particular bass and setup with good "break angles" etc.
A good way to check out how to set a P or J bass up is to look at the "Guitar Player Repair Guide" by Dan Erlewine. The Guide can answer allot of questions .
If you start with factory specs you can tweek it a bit to your own tastes. Then you can tell more about needing a shim or a bridge.

Hope that helps


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bridge Question
Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 9:00 am
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Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 9:07 am
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Howdy, thanks for the advice!

It's a american standard from the 90s. The current bridge is not stock fender, it was replaced with a wilkinson with big brass saddles, i suspect this is the reason for the slighty high action, hence wanting to change the bridge. I think with a normal spec bridge a shim wouldn't be nessasay as action is just a hair too high, half a millimetre. Any thoughts?


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bridge Question
Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 2:50 pm
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I'd just get the proper stock bridge and install it, do a good set up and go for it. I'm not a fan of aftermarket bridges. I've had all kinds of basses do just fine with the stock bridges that came with them new from the factory. I went thru the bridge thing and spent way too much money and I have a drawer full of them that I don't use. I think in some cases and according to personal taste an aftermarket bridge could be a good thing. A bridge does have something to do with the sound and playability of a bass but I have found that some of the bridges out there do more to hinder the sound (and playing) than help it in certain basses.( as you may have found out with the Wilkinson) The right bridge on the right bass kind of thing- you know?


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