I liked the Fender Hi Mass the best. It sounded the most like the stock bridge, but improved. That means it's more likely to make your bass sound better without changing it too much.
@@Denver077804 The type of bridge should have no affect on the sound of the instrument. The only way that a bridge will affect the sound is if the bridge isn’t built properly and isn’t making good contact with the string
@@RexLlewellyn-le5se By extension of your reasoning, we can also conclude that there's no difference in sound between one bass and another, provided they're all well-made. To each his own.
@@markanthony5897 then why take the time to post? You could've just ignored the video and kept going on with your business. The guy took the time to make a detailed video, which takes a lot of time and effort.
My 90s USA jazz bass came with a badass 3 bridge and dimarzio ultra j pickups when I got it. And a few sound guys have said it’s the best sounding bass they’ve heard.
For me the less metal and the less parts the less chance of buzz and more chance of a cleaner sound ! The stock bridge is the one, if it weren’t for its primitive looking design , but it was meant for the best sound not for looks and that’s why it was covered ! Great video !👍🏼🎸🙏🏻
I use the Hipshot Kickass bridges exclusively. I love the tone, sustain and resonance of them. The Babicz would be my second choice. It rings out nicely, too. Thanks for the effort it too to do the comparison. This is the only video I have seen that goes into that kind of detail regarding the frequency tones, sustain and punch of each one.
Definitely go for the Fender, way better value. I think the fault with the Babicz is the aluminium, if they made a brass version it would vastly improve because the design is excellent
Dude Leo Quan was onto something. I have used a Schaler bridge before, the Leo Quan is the first high mass bridge id ever seen, however hearing it beside others, theres no comparison. It just sounded more well rounded than the others and had more sustain. The notes in the upper range test sounded almost like bell tones and they rang out more.
Bass players will be thanking you for YEARS for making this video. I personally found the Badass bridge to bring out the very best of the p-bass sound with SS strings. That’s the sound you want if you’re going for that picked punk/rock sound. All the others serve different purposes and I’m sure are preferable to different people based on their taste. Great job on the vid!
To my ears, the Babicz might be the _slightly_ “better” sounding option out of the five, followed _very_ closely by the Hipshot. But after factoring the price into the equation, I’m going with the Hipshot. Plus it’s the prettiest one lol. Thanks for the comparison!
Thanks for the amazing, detailed, and methodical comparisons. I just installed a Fender HiMass bridge on my J bass and it sounds aggressive and a bit more modern with extra lows and highs. The stock bridge was pretty good but a bit too "polite" and "woody" in comparison.
Wow! Nice work there, thank you for your effort. It proves fact that the difference is marginal and definitely NOT exaggerated by the hi-mass bridge producers and lovers. I'll stick with the vintage style tin bridge, but if I must give a rating, Babicz would be number one and Fender hi mass would be number last :)))
There are some very slight differences I believe, the Babicz does sound kinda thinner than the rest. Still, I believe new strings and eq will always make the biggest difference
@@OliverTobyn To me, Babicz sounded more balanced compared to the others, with a mellower sound in general. This is my taste of course, others' mileage would vary. In my experience, the vintage tin bridge works just fine as long as you can keep the saddles stable. If the neck pocket is cut deep and the neck sits low, then you need to lower the saddles to get the right string action, which results in a low string break angle past the saddle, which in turn results in less pressure by the strings on the saddle. That's the case when tin bridge saddles rattle. Shimming the neck is a very easy fix and works like a charm. Then there's no need for fancy high mass bridges...
Very cool video, nicely done! The thing about listening to the differences in tone from one instrument to the next, or one piece of equipment to the next, is that nobody can tell me what I do or do not hear, just as I can't make somebody else hear something that they cannot or will not hear. I've been doing these kind of comparisons with my own instruments, the instruments I've been building for more than two decades, and not only will listen to hear the differences, I will record what I am playing and listen to my testing, and then I will compare the same recordings while running it through a spectrum analyzer to see if I visually can see what I am hearing. It's quite a learning experience, and I highly recommend it. I do like the Kick-Ass and high mass bridges, I have used, and been pleased with, the Geddy Lee and Steve Harris Bridges by Fender, but my preference for these type of bridges, for some time now, has been the Babicz and the Hipshot, and I am building a custom bass with each one at the present time. I'm also building a bass with the Hipshot Rickenbacker replacement bridge, and I really, really enjoy that bridge.
Hey, thanks for the effort you've put into this! Just screwing these in and out & re-stringing the bass everytime and tuning (and adjusting intonation, etc..).
I've always been dubious about how much effect the bridge would have on the tone but there is a defininite subtle audible difference. The Fender High Mass seems to have a lot more depth and bottom end to my ears (used to have one on one of my P basses). Currently use a Gotoh 201B on my 96 Korean Squier with SD Quarter Pounders, and have an Omega Badass clone on my parts P bass with pickups from a late 70's Greco P bass - they both have their own "sound". Nice vid, thatnks for the hard work doing it!!
Each bridge was a little different but for whatever reason I like the Badass and Babicz best. I think if you like your bass don't necessarily mess with it. String types and brands may make more of a difference for me.
Another great comparison video. Thanks for making this! For me, personally, I liked the Fender HiMass the best of the five. I was surprised, I have to admit, at how much each one affected the tone/sound of the bass. I knew they would, but the extent of the differences surprised me.
OMG! Thanks! This was awesome. I came to see about the Hipshot Kickass, but now I think I'm going to go with the Babicz. That's got a great tight tone.
Very high quality comparison job in this video. I do hear a difference, but what more evident to me is the difference is so small you could make them all sound the same by playing with the EQ a little. The biggest advantage of the badass or fender himass seems to be the longer saddles, but for now I'm happy to stick with my $15 stock bridge.
You're lying about "hearing a difference" man, come on. In a weapon-to-your-head blindfold comparison you would not be able to tell a difference and I'm sick of people making it sound as if it will.
Amazing comparison video. Thank you so much for going to this extent of trying out all the popular options. Ultimately I agree with most, that the Fender Hi Mass was a clear winner for me as well, although I would've been happy with any of the hi mass options, had I invested in one already. But yes, this video helped me make a final decision.
Thanks for watching and I'm glad it helped! Ultimately yeah, the Fender Hi Mass has probably the clear winner also cost-wise. Definitely a good upgrade for any bass
Thanks A LOT for the work you've done to make this video. I am, like many others, guilty of being obsessed in minor things that can improve my tone. Owning a fender standart mexican p-bass I was planning on changing bridge someday soon. After watching this, to me it is clear that there is definitely a noticable difference, but i think the stock one has a more classic, balanced and "polite" sound which i actually enjoyed the most. But really it just shows that you can use any of them with a lot of success.
Slight differences here and there, nothing super mind blowing as some might expect, but if you're trying to achieve a specific tone every little bit helps!
Thank you for all the effort you put in to this video. I do like the Fender hi mass, but I also think the Leo Quan bridge had a certain depth and clarity I didn't hear from the others. A super useful video!
One thing I noticed is the upper range test with the arpeggiated chords the Badass had a really nice tone..I am between the Fender Hi Mass and the Badass, Thanks for putting in the time, that had to be a real pain in the ass. But us dedicated Bass players do appreciate it, liked and subscribed.
@@OliverTobyn did you have any issues getting a lower action with hi mass over stock bridge? I’ve read a few reviews where the fender high mass bridge had to hire an action for some peoples taste.
Great video. As a HUGE Maiden fan I have been comparing the Fender High Mass to the Bad Ass II from both of Steve's signature models that I own. I have to go with the Fender HIgh Mass and this video only reinforces my decision. It sounds way more aggressive with deeper bottom end than the Bad Ass II for me. Honorable mention to the Hip Shot as I thought that one sounded great as well. Thanks again & UP THE IRONS!! 🤘
Nice! That definitely did take you some time, but it was very methodically done, and very helpful. I clearly hear differences. To those that have commented on EQ: Those differences are not always EQ'd out easily. And to those who say 'insignificant': That's fine too, but you'll be living with the bridge for lots of hours, so it's nice to have something that feels right. No real right or wrong, IMO. "Feels right" relates differently to every player.
I think bridges should be purchased based on functionality, not "sound." I like the Hipshot A bridge, because it makes string changes way easier (without damaging the strings themselves), allows for lateral string adjustment, and is stable in all adjustments. I think that the differences heard here are more likely due to the same strings getting strung into different bridges with different geometries, inevitably getting darker/warmer/etc. over time.
I put the babicz gold string through bridge, and Leo Quan gold tuners as upgrades for my USA Elite Jazz (ebony fb). I may have also put on a pair of optima golds 0.35-.85... No regrets 🤟
The Babicz had the least noise. People think noise is punch but it’s not. Noise is noise and don’t confuse noise for brightness. Bibicz gives you clear tone of the string. The fender hi mass sounds pretty good too
I think the babicz sounds dead and plastic with lots of sustain, its "cold"... After all lets remember that the aluminum alloys are made from silicone and iron....
Fender, BA and the standard. The Fender covers most of the frequencies, good for who plays a bit of everything. The standard handles well if your budget is short and you need a better pick up. Great video, finally someone that doesn't think that slap is the only bass playing technique!
Thank you Oliver for the time you spent!... :-) I have the Badass on on a PBass AMRI 57. It changed a lot for the sustain from the stock bridge. If I wasn't lazy, I would try the Hipshot!... Best result for me!... I'll be surprise to hear much difference in live situation anyway from Badass to Hipshot!... So I keep my lazyness as a good frenchman!... Thanks again!... :-)
With the Hiphshot, you can get brass or stainless saddles that you can swap out that makes a difference too. So if you ever get one, I recommend you getting both types of saddles to try.
Much appreciated, a good evaluation. I’m a guitar player, new to the bass. And - any sonic loss due to this limiting technology aside (I want to be in that same room!) - I have to say the stock bridge sounded find to me (I was pondering a high-mass bridge) so I probably won’t be changing it out. As they say, “Leo got it right the first time.” Thank you!
This was one of the best shootouts ever. You rock. And you just saved people cash and will make 1000s of bassist make a better choice and sound more like they want. Do one for tunimatic and strat an Tele bridges .I'd pay you for that
Best bass bridge comparison video out there, for me the stock bridge sounds great, there's not enough of a sound difference to me to justify getting a high mass bridge, but for aesthetics the high mass bridges look way cooler.
The Fender is definitely the best one; because I allready have one on my Bass und bought just another one for my fretless today; so no doubt about that; I think it´s like pimping a car - it runs perfect but we like to buy fancy stuff and customize; Thanks for the video - it´s interesting to hear that there are differences; depending on the sound you want to create and like in my case I just like the look of the Fender Bridg!
Gotoh classic bass bridge might be of interest to you. Looks classic, weights a little more, you can find it with brass saddles. I found that it made me low E full and rounded out the tone a bit. I find the standard bridge also twangy/lets the low overtones disappear
Thanks for this. I'm actually surprised by the tonal differences between these. Babicz for me. It seems to have a slightly thicker midrange and is a tad warmer. Just sounds "sweeter" all around. I'm seeing opinions saying the exact opposite. Just shows we all hear different things and have different preferences. :)
The best part is being able to lock the settings. I set mine 2 years ago and they haven't moved at all. What's more, It's an extremely comfortable bridge if you rest your hand on it (no sharp edges or poles sticking out).
Same. I use the string through 3 bolt gold bridge on my elite jazz 4. I picked it cuz I'm mostly slapping, or doing slapcersizes. Been working on classical thump for like 10 years lol. Then I realized playing Wooten is way fucking easier with super light gauge strings. I feel like I wasted so much time fighting against my poor string gauge choice. Running 35 45 65 85 (sometimes 80). I use a cobalt E string cuz the stainless and nickel sound weak, and the ADG are optima's lol 🤷. It's amusing watching people's confusion as they try out my weird set up. It's kind of cool having the bridge, tuners, and strings be all gold. The strings are quite eye catching over the black pickguard and ebony fretboard 🤟
Thanks for this video, great job! ❤ In my opinion the differences are subtle and for me won’t make an audible difference in a band performance that anyone can hear above drums,vocals, guitars. However, there are other reasons to fit a high mass bridge. If it’s a heavy one then it can counteract neck-dive. It also has more calibration options for intonation etc. ….. and it looks cool! 😊
I played bad ass bridges for years.I love the fender version. The old fender would move around on me.On tour I would have adjust the stock bridge everyday.The high mass stays in tune and don't move.Yes I play very hard I know but live ever night you need a tough bridge. Great vid.Cheers 👍🏼
I thought the stock bridge and the Babicz sounded pretty woody and natural. The higher mass bridges sounded somewhat compressed to my ears. I think I would choose the Babicz due to ease of setup and solidity over the stock.
I have a 'vintage' Waterstone Jazz-style bass with a Jazz-style stock (Fender replica) bridge. This is a gorgeous bass, made by a small and under-rated company. I purchased the bass new on sale for a song, and while it has good tone, I knew it could be better. The unplugged tone and sustain was nice, but my theory was a high-mass would enhance its performance. I purchased the Fender Hi Mass (brass saddles) and - wow - the difference is tremendous. Increased acoustic volume and sustain, it really sings. Highly recommend the Fender Hi Mass. Just keep in mind there is a brass saddle version and a zinc version. I cannot speak to the performance of the zinc which is about 10 USD cheaper. I will probably upgrade the nut and eventually the pick ups as well. But the High Mass is a really nice bridge.
I drilled out my bridge for the B string to pass through. Be careful as the bit got stuck, twisted and scratched the bridge. I use it regardless. I think the previous owner sold this bass because he could not get it set up correctly. The G string would pop out of the saddle slots changing the spacing and the B could not maintain its spacing unless the bridge was drilled out giving the B sting a direct line from front to rear. It was not a Bsdass but it shared the issue described here. A bit of drilling and filing of the multi grooved saddles made everything rock solid.
I feel the Babicz was too tinny for my taste , the Fender was probably the happy medium for me because it had a nice smooth high-end without being harsh and a nice low end. I would describe it like the Quarter Pounder pick up, good low end with nice highs that aren't too bright if you know what I mean 👍
Thank you very much for that comparison - I was especially interested in the D and G string behaviour - which I find weak on my CV 70 with stock bridge. Now I will install the Fender HiMass and looking forward to the tonal changes (although I think only noticeable in such a seperated setting).
Great video thank you. I have been thinking about swapping my stock bridge on my Aerodyne Jazz but wasn’t sure how to choose. To my ear, I like the sounds produced with the Babicz and the Fender Hi Mass. Up close comparisons, with the weights were great.
Very interesting video. For me, Fender wins followed by the Babicz but others close by. Fender brings out the lower frequencies which is what I'm after and is used on the high-end Factory Jazz basses. So I think it depends on what sound you're after. For my Player series I was looking a the Babicz, but after this - going with the Fender, I think. Thankyou for doing this, I really enjoyed it. I listened with headphones for better clarity.
1) Kickass 2) Badass II 3) Stock 4) Babicz 5) Hi Mass . Stock is just fine. The two asses add a bit of clarity and density. The Babicz seems like it smooths things out a little too much and the Hi Mass is a bit clangy. I remember really liking the feel of a Badass II on a P-Bass but not being able to tell much of a difference in the sound.
In the past year, I've ended up replacing two bridges with heavier options. I put a Kickass on a Squier P and a grooved Omega Badass-style on a Fernandes PJ. The tonal differences are negligible, but the differences in feel and response were significant. I found myself rocking out harder, and on the Squier, the Kickass, along with some import ultralight tuners, ended up curing some significant neck dive. They're both great bridges. The Omega was simpler, while the Kickass was more versatile.
I have a squier J-bass that I tossed a heavier bridge on and the only noticeable differences were from the A on the e-string down to the open string. All notes below A suddenly came to life after being a bit dead.
So that was fascinating, I was going to buy a Babicz, but it was consistently the one I disliked most. I think the Fender Hi Mass is hard to beat, similar character to stock, bargain price, but in all honesty, this has saved me money as I'm sticking with stock!
. The other four bridges are a massive improvement over the stock bridge. I prefer the Babicz as it's the most comfortable and you can lock in the settings. I've had one on my main bass for 2 years (pandemic purchase) and after countless hours of abusing it, the settings haven't budged. I'll never go back to a bridge with threaded poles again.
I'm down to deciding between the Kickass and the Babicz. I own both in my parts box. I also own both on two different basses and they both sound fantastic. I will need to do a comparison again. Your video illustrates that the Babicz has a little honk to it.
Bass players will be thanking you for years to come because of this video. 👍
I liked the low end of the fender hi mass bridge.
Haha well, I felt like youtube could use something like this. Not perfect, but I'm quite happy with the result
There is no difference, if you mix all the bridges and you close your eyes I doubt which one is which, but the best built one is babicz
I have them on all three of my basses, the Hi Mass with Brass inserts.
@@TheMrHeartkiller wrong, there is a big difference, been playing bass for 55 years, i can tell
the difference.
@@cliffords231555 years of being deaf I guess
This is the way absolutely every comparison video should be done, you channel is the holy grail for many bassists.
I liked the Fender Hi Mass the best. It sounded the most like the stock bridge, but improved. That means it's more likely to make your bass sound better without changing it too much.
There is no difference, if you mix all the bridges and you close your eyes I doubt which one is which, but the best built one is babicz
@@TheMrHeartkiller Just because you can't discern a difference does not mean there isn't one.
@@Denver077804 You're dumb? I doubt you can guess which bridge is with your eyes closed
@@Denver077804 The type of bridge should have no affect on the sound of the instrument. The only way that a bridge will affect the sound is if the bridge isn’t built properly and isn’t making good contact with the string
@@RexLlewellyn-le5se By extension of your reasoning, we can also conclude that there's no difference in sound between one bass and another, provided they're all well-made. To each his own.
Thank you for this video. Just saved me a lot of cash. The standard bridge is doing just fine on my 3 basses.
I couldn't watch this the sound of long nails against the strings is hard to tolerate. Life is short why voluntarily listen to this? No , no, nope.
@@markanthony5897 then why take the time to post? You could've just ignored the video and kept going on with your business. The guy took the time to make a detailed video, which takes a lot of time and effort.
@@andycanona much more fun to be triggered. Lol
I use round wound strings, and rely on sustain, the originals drop off to early for the long
ringging notes i use, 55 years bass playing.
You saved me $70. This was one of the most informative videos on bass modification I have ever seen. I'm subscribed. Great job!
Fender high mass was top in class in every category. Thanks for the vid!
I agree, probably the best one price wise. Thanks for watching!
for me, it has a bit of rounded high end and vintagey vibe. i like its character, and the standard bridge comes next for me. :)
I'm in accordance with that!!!
Indeed
My 90s USA jazz bass came with a badass 3 bridge and dimarzio ultra j pickups when I got it. And a few sound guys have said it’s the best sounding bass they’ve heard.
For me the less metal and the less parts the less chance of buzz and more chance of a cleaner sound ! The stock bridge is the one, if it weren’t for its primitive looking design , but it was meant for the best sound not for looks and that’s why it was covered ! Great video !👍🏼🎸🙏🏻
Badass II for me all the way. Great video. Keep up the great work!
I use the Hipshot Kickass bridges exclusively. I love the tone, sustain and resonance of them. The Babicz would be my second choice. It rings out nicely, too. Thanks for the effort it too to do the comparison. This is the only video I have seen that goes into that kind of detail regarding the frequency tones, sustain and punch of each one.
I came here because im thinking of buying the Babicz bridge , but annoyingly the Fender high mass sounded the best to my eyes.
Definitely go for the Fender, way better value. I think the fault with the Babicz is the aluminium, if they made a brass version it would vastly improve because the design is excellent
Dude Leo Quan was onto something. I have used a Schaler bridge before, the Leo Quan is the first high mass bridge id ever seen, however hearing it beside others, theres no comparison. It just sounded more well rounded than the others and had more sustain. The notes in the upper range test sounded almost like bell tones and they rang out more.
babicz is better
Overall, Fender Hi-Mass. Great video!
Bass players will be thanking you for YEARS for making this video. I personally found the Badass bridge to bring out the very best of the p-bass sound with SS strings. That’s the sound you want if you’re going for that picked punk/rock sound. All the others serve different purposes and I’m sure are preferable to different people based on their taste. Great job on the vid!
To my ears, the Babicz might be the _slightly_ “better” sounding option out of the five, followed _very_ closely by the Hipshot. But after factoring the price into the equation, I’m going with the Hipshot. Plus it’s the prettiest one lol. Thanks for the comparison!
I liked it too, sounds different, where the other seem very similar (to me)
Thanks for the amazing, detailed, and methodical comparisons. I just installed a Fender HiMass bridge on my J bass and it sounds aggressive and a bit more modern with extra lows and highs. The stock bridge was pretty good but a bit too "polite" and "woody" in comparison.
It’s the Hipshot for me. It really does KickAss!!!
Wow! Nice work there, thank you for your effort. It proves fact that the difference is marginal and definitely NOT exaggerated by the hi-mass bridge producers and lovers. I'll stick with the vintage style tin bridge, but if I must give a rating, Babicz would be number one and Fender hi mass would be number last :)))
There are some very slight differences I believe, the Babicz does sound kinda thinner than the rest. Still, I believe new strings and eq will always make the biggest difference
@@OliverTobyn To me, Babicz sounded more balanced compared to the others, with a mellower sound in general. This is my taste of course, others' mileage would vary. In my experience, the vintage tin bridge works just fine as long as you can keep the saddles stable. If the neck pocket is cut deep and the neck sits low, then you need to lower the saddles to get the right string action, which results in a low string break angle past the saddle, which in turn results in less pressure by the strings on the saddle. That's the case when tin bridge saddles rattle. Shimming the neck is a very easy fix and works like a charm. Then there's no need for fancy high mass bridges...
Very cool video, nicely done!
The thing about listening to the differences in tone from one instrument to the next, or one piece of equipment to the next, is that nobody can tell me what I do or do not hear, just as I can't make somebody else hear something that they cannot or will not hear.
I've been doing these kind of comparisons with my own instruments, the instruments I've been building for more than two decades, and not only will listen to hear the differences, I will record what I am playing and listen to my testing, and then I will compare the same recordings while running it through a spectrum analyzer to see if I visually can see what I am hearing. It's quite a learning experience, and I highly recommend it.
I do like the Kick-Ass and high mass bridges, I have used, and been pleased with, the Geddy Lee and Steve Harris Bridges by Fender, but my preference for these type of bridges, for some time now, has been the Babicz and the Hipshot, and I am building a custom bass with each one at the present time. I'm also building a bass with the Hipshot Rickenbacker replacement bridge, and I really, really enjoy that bridge.
@@ig55 because you definitely play weak arse Fanny man music
Excellent video comparison!! Thank you!!
First Place: the Badass2 bridge
2nd Place: the standard Vintage Style Fender bridge.
I haven't searched replacement bridges but I've been thinking about it your video helped a lot thank you definitely leaning towards the Fender Hi Mass
Hey, thanks for the effort you've put into this! Just screwing these in and out & re-stringing the bass everytime and tuning (and adjusting intonation, etc..).
Great vid. Liked the Fender HiMass personally. Also noticed it sounded more resonant in higher frequencies vs the others.
I've always been dubious about how much effect the bridge would have on the tone but there is a defininite subtle audible difference. The Fender High Mass seems to have a lot more depth and bottom end to my ears (used to have one on one of my P basses). Currently use a Gotoh 201B on my 96 Korean Squier with SD Quarter Pounders, and have an Omega Badass clone on my parts P bass with pickups from a late 70's Greco P bass - they both have their own "sound". Nice vid, thatnks for the hard work doing it!!
Each bridge was a little different but for whatever reason I like the Badass and Babicz best.
I think if you like your bass don't necessarily mess with it.
String types and brands may make more of a difference for me.
Thanks so much for doing this. I could really hear the differences in tone, and the Babicz will fit my needs better.
Hi Mass on one of my P’s. Stock on the other three
Thank you for this great video! 👍👍👍👍👍
Fender high mass sounds so full. I like it. Followed by the BAii. The babicz was surprisingly thin.
First time I've seen and heard a demo like this. You have helped bass players everywhere with your skills. Thanks
Another great comparison video. Thanks for making this! For me, personally, I liked the Fender HiMass the best of the five. I was surprised, I have to admit, at how much each one affected the tone/sound of the bass. I knew they would, but the extent of the differences surprised me.
Thank you! It took a looooooong time (well, a whole day) and you can see how tired I was at the end of the video, hah!
@@OliverTobyn Time well spent, though!
@@scotkaeff7456 the internet needed this!
I appreciate the time and effort.To my ears the fender high mass sounded best.
Wasn't sure how much difference it would make, but consistently, I preferred the tone of the Hipshot Kickass.
Thank you for this video.... It's been 3 years, but very relevant and informative. I really do appreciate the time you put into this video.
OMG! Thanks! This was awesome. I came to see about the Hipshot Kickass, but now I think I'm going to go with the Babicz. That's got a great tight tone.
I'm glad it was helpful, thanks for watching! 😊
Great work. For me, it was the babicz. Those particular bridges have good tuning stability for drop tunings.
Excellent chops! The opening riffs sounded great,and I love the tone,of all the bridges.Nothing beats great playing.
Thank you! In the end it's all that matters :)
For anyone interested: The mounting holes on the Kickass do not align with the holes on a Squire Affinity P+J.
What a great comparison video, thanks for all the work you did. Fender Hi Mass, Badass II……..thanks
I appreciate the editing you had to go through!
Very high quality comparison job in this video. I do hear a difference, but what more evident to me is the difference is so small you could make them all sound the same by playing with the EQ a little. The biggest advantage of the badass or fender himass seems to be the longer saddles, but for now I'm happy to stick with my $15 stock bridge.
You're lying about "hearing a difference" man, come on. In a weapon-to-your-head blindfold comparison you would not be able to tell a difference and I'm sick of people making it sound as if it will.
@@redacted5035 buy better headphones.
That was a lot of work! The comparison was just what I needed/hope for. Impressive attention to detail. So much so I liked and subscribed Thanks.
Thank you so much! I'm glad it was useful :)
The Hipshot and Babicz sounded great. I wasn't sure a bridge would do much, but I could clearly hear the difference.
Amazing comparison video. Thank you so much for going to this extent of trying out all the popular options. Ultimately I agree with most, that the Fender Hi Mass was a clear winner for me as well, although I would've been happy with any of the hi mass options, had I invested in one already. But yes, this video helped me make a final decision.
Thanks for watching and I'm glad it helped! Ultimately yeah, the Fender Hi Mass has probably the clear winner also cost-wise. Definitely a good upgrade for any bass
Thanks A LOT for the work you've done to make this video. I am, like many others, guilty of being obsessed in minor things that can improve my tone. Owning a fender standart mexican p-bass I was planning on changing bridge someday soon. After watching this, to me it is clear that there is definitely a noticable difference, but i think the stock one has a more classic, balanced and "polite" sound which i actually enjoyed the most. But really it just shows that you can use any of them with a lot of success.
Thank you! Yeah I agree, though I prefer the better string stability given by a Hi Mass bridge
changing all that bridges, puting strings , playing them again. This is good work , thanks for the video
wow that must have been a pain in the ace to make. Thank you. I honestly did not notice much, if any difference at all.
Slight differences here and there, nothing super mind blowing as some might expect, but if you're trying to achieve a specific tone every little bit helps!
Thank you for all the effort you put in to this video. I do like the Fender hi mass, but I also think the Leo Quan bridge had a certain depth and clarity I didn't hear from the others. A super useful video!
The gotoh vintage style is worth a look too. It's pretty close to high mass is weight and it has brass saddles but it looks more like the standard
I have a KSM, Ray Ross, and a Few Fender High mass brides and they all have a cool sound. But I’m liking that Leo Quan.
One thing I noticed is the upper range test with the arpeggiated chords the Badass had a really nice tone..I am between the Fender Hi Mass and the Badass, Thanks for putting in the time, that had to be a real pain in the ass. But us dedicated Bass players do appreciate it, liked and subscribed.
Thank you! I really appreciate it!
Agreed. I think it’s the brass saddles of the badass that rings out with more treble.
@@OliverTobyn did you have any issues getting a lower action with hi mass over stock bridge? I’ve read a few reviews where the fender high mass bridge had to hire an action for some peoples taste.
Great video. As a HUGE Maiden fan I have been comparing the Fender High Mass to the Bad Ass II from both of Steve's signature models that I own. I have to go with the Fender HIgh Mass and this video only reinforces my decision. It sounds way more aggressive with deeper bottom end than the Bad Ass II for me. Honorable mention to the Hip Shot as I thought that one sounded great as well. Thanks again & UP THE IRONS!! 🤘
Nice! That definitely did take you some time, but it was very methodically done, and very helpful. I clearly hear differences. To those that have commented on EQ: Those differences are not always EQ'd out easily. And to those who say 'insignificant': That's fine too, but you'll be living with the bridge for lots of hours, so it's nice to have something that feels right. No real right or wrong, IMO. "Feels right" relates differently to every player.
i've been thinking about a bridge for months now, and this video has settled it. Leo Quan Badass II all the way.
amazing video, I am a ton more informed after 12 mins of your video. I'm gonna go HiMass for my project bass. Thank you sir!
I think bridges should be purchased based on functionality, not "sound." I like the Hipshot A bridge, because it makes string changes way easier (without damaging the strings themselves), allows for lateral string adjustment, and is stable in all adjustments. I think that the differences heard here are more likely due to the same strings getting strung into different bridges with different geometries, inevitably getting darker/warmer/etc. over time.
Badass video, kickass editing! :) Good job, thanks man! I like the Babicz design and Fender is amazing for the price.
I put the babicz gold string through bridge, and Leo Quan gold tuners as upgrades for my USA Elite Jazz (ebony fb). I may have also put on a pair of optima golds 0.35-.85... No regrets 🤟
The Babicz had the least noise. People think noise is punch but it’s not. Noise is noise and don’t confuse noise for brightness. Bibicz gives you clear tone of the string. The fender hi mass sounds pretty good too
I think the babicz sounds dead and plastic with lots of sustain, its "cold"... After all lets remember that the aluminum alloys are made from silicone and iron....
Just saved me some $$. Was going for the hipshot, but much prefer the Fender Hi mass. Thanks.
Fender, BA and the standard. The Fender covers most of the frequencies, good for who plays a bit of everything. The standard handles well if your budget is short and you need a better pick up. Great video, finally someone that doesn't think that slap is the only bass playing technique!
Thank you Oliver for the time you spent!... :-)
I have the Badass on on a PBass AMRI 57. It changed a lot for the sustain from the stock bridge. If I wasn't lazy, I would try the Hipshot!... Best result for me!... I'll be surprise to hear much difference in live situation anyway from Badass to Hipshot!... So I keep my lazyness as a good frenchman!... Thanks again!... :-)
Thank you for watching! The Kickass is probably my favourite, as it allows to adjust the string spacing and try different saddle materials
With the Hiphshot, you can get brass or stainless saddles that you can swap out that makes a difference too. So if you ever get one, I recommend you getting both types of saddles to try.
@@guybuddy1 yeah, I did that video last year, but I prefer the brass saddles
@@OliverTobyn Hey sorry man, my comment was intended at
Guillaume :-)
Thanks for all the work to shoot this video. I’m building a pbass from parts and this video will help. I’m liking the kickass I think.
Nicely Done! Concise and very thorough. This was a great help in getting educated on the bridge types. Thank you!
Thank you for your effort for this amazing comparison.
Much appreciated, a good evaluation. I’m a guitar player, new to the bass. And - any sonic loss due to this limiting technology aside (I want to be in that same room!) - I have to say the stock bridge sounded find to me (I was pondering a high-mass bridge) so I probably won’t be changing it out. As they say, “Leo got it right the first time.” Thank you!
This was one of the best shootouts ever. You rock. And you just saved people cash and will make 1000s of bassist make a better choice and sound more like they want. Do one for tunimatic and strat an Tele bridges .I'd pay you for that
It was pretty cool, thanks
Best bass bridge comparison video out there, for me the stock bridge sounds great, there's not enough of a sound difference to me to justify getting a high mass bridge, but for aesthetics the high mass bridges look way cooler.
The Fender is definitely the best one; because I allready have one on my Bass und bought just another one for my fretless today; so no doubt about that; I think it´s like pimping a car - it runs perfect but we like to buy fancy stuff and customize; Thanks for the video - it´s interesting to hear that there are differences; depending on the sound you want to create and like in my case I just like the look of the Fender Bridg!
Gotoh classic bass bridge might be of interest to you. Looks classic, weights a little more, you can find it with brass saddles. I found that it made me low E full and rounded out the tone a bit. I find the standard bridge also twangy/lets the low overtones disappear
Thanks for this. I'm actually surprised by the tonal differences between these. Babicz for me. It seems to have a slightly thicker midrange and is a tad warmer. Just sounds "sweeter" all around. I'm seeing opinions saying the exact opposite. Just shows we all hear different things and have different preferences. :)
The best part is being able to lock the settings. I set mine 2 years ago and they haven't moved at all.
What's more, It's an extremely comfortable bridge if you rest your hand on it (no sharp edges or poles sticking out).
Same. I use the string through 3 bolt gold bridge on my elite jazz 4. I picked it cuz I'm mostly slapping, or doing slapcersizes. Been working on classical thump for like 10 years lol. Then I realized playing Wooten is way fucking easier with super light gauge strings. I feel like I wasted so much time fighting against my poor string gauge choice. Running 35 45 65 85 (sometimes 80). I use a cobalt E string cuz the stainless and nickel sound weak, and the ADG are optima's lol 🤷. It's amusing watching people's confusion as they try out my weird set up. It's kind of cool having the bridge, tuners, and strings be all gold. The strings are quite eye catching over the black pickguard and ebony fretboard 🤟
Thanks for this video, great job! ❤ In my opinion the differences are subtle and for me won’t make an audible difference in a band performance that anyone can hear above drums,vocals, guitars. However, there are other reasons to fit a high mass bridge. If it’s a heavy one then it can counteract neck-dive. It also has more calibration options for intonation etc. ….. and it looks cool! 😊
Damn nice test. Appreciate the time you took to show us. The Babicz and the Fender High Mass get the nod from me. :)
I played bad ass bridges for years.I love the fender version. The old fender would move around on me.On tour I would have adjust the stock bridge everyday.The high mass stays in tune and don't move.Yes I play very hard I know but live ever night you need a tough bridge. Great vid.Cheers 👍🏼
I thought the stock bridge and the Babicz sounded pretty woody and natural. The higher mass bridges sounded somewhat compressed to my ears. I think I would choose the Babicz due to ease of setup and solidity over the stock.
Fantastic video. Thanks for making this huge effort. Very helpful!
I have a 'vintage' Waterstone Jazz-style bass with a Jazz-style stock (Fender replica) bridge. This is a gorgeous bass, made by a small and under-rated company. I purchased the bass new on sale for a song, and while it has good tone, I knew it could be better. The unplugged tone and sustain was nice, but my theory was a high-mass would enhance its performance. I purchased the Fender Hi Mass (brass saddles) and - wow - the difference is tremendous. Increased acoustic volume and sustain, it really sings. Highly recommend the Fender Hi Mass. Just keep in mind there is a brass saddle version and a zinc version. I cannot speak to the performance of the zinc which is about 10 USD cheaper. I will probably upgrade the nut and eventually the pick ups as well. But the High Mass is a really nice bridge.
The Babicz hace a nice look, to me almost sound the same , even the stock thin plate , but the aesthetics counts, so Babicz for me.
I drilled out my bridge for the B string to pass through. Be careful as the bit got stuck, twisted and scratched the bridge. I use it regardless. I think the previous owner sold this bass because he could not get it set up correctly. The G string would pop out of the saddle slots changing the spacing and the B could not maintain its spacing unless the bridge was drilled out giving the B sting a direct line from front to rear. It was not a Bsdass but it shared the issue described here. A bit of drilling and filing of the multi grooved saddles made everything rock solid.
Great playing talent skills. Yes
I feel the Babicz was too tinny for my taste , the Fender was probably the happy medium for me because it had a nice smooth high-end without being harsh and a nice low end. I would describe it like the Quarter Pounder pick up, good low end with nice highs that aren't too bright if you know what I mean 👍
Yeah, I agree with the Babicz. Using quarter pounders and the Fender Bridge is definitely a cool upgrade, though understandably not for everyone
Great Video! I really appreciate the effort you put in to do this video.
Great video. To my ears the Leo Quan had more character than the rest, and the Babicz had more clarity.
Thank you very much for that comparison - I was especially interested in the D and G string behaviour - which I find weak on my CV 70 with stock bridge. Now I will install the Fender HiMass and looking forward to the tonal changes (although I think only noticeable in such a seperated setting).
I appreciated the effort
I liked the hipshit kickass bridge the best, and the fender high mass a close second.
Great video thank you. I have been thinking about swapping my stock bridge on my Aerodyne Jazz but wasn’t sure how to choose. To my ear, I like the sounds produced with the Babicz and the Fender Hi Mass. Up close comparisons, with the weights were great.
Definitely appreciate u taking the time to do this 🎸
Excellent review!
I liked the Badass ll the most
The high mass bridges seem a little richer in tone. Thanks for doing this.
Very interesting video. For me, Fender wins followed by the Babicz but others close by. Fender brings out the lower frequencies which is what I'm after and is used on the high-end Factory Jazz basses. So I think it depends on what sound you're after. For my Player series I was looking a the Babicz, but after this - going with the Fender, I think. Thankyou for doing this, I really enjoyed it. I listened with headphones for better clarity.
1) Kickass 2) Badass II 3) Stock 4) Babicz 5) Hi Mass . Stock is just fine. The two asses add a bit of clarity and density. The Babicz seems like it smooths things out a little too much and the Hi Mass is a bit clangy. I remember really liking the feel of a Badass II on a P-Bass but not being able to tell much of a difference in the sound.
In the past year, I've ended up replacing two bridges with heavier options. I put a Kickass on a Squier P and a grooved Omega Badass-style on a Fernandes PJ. The tonal differences are negligible, but the differences in feel and response were significant. I found myself rocking out harder, and on the Squier, the Kickass, along with some import ultralight tuners, ended up curing some significant neck dive.
They're both great bridges. The Omega was simpler, while the Kickass was more versatile.
I have a squier J-bass that I tossed a heavier bridge on and the only noticeable differences were from the A on the e-string down to the open string. All notes below A suddenly came to life after being a bit dead.
thank you for that priceless effort! really comprehensive as helpful
Thanks for taking the effort. Hugely helpful comparison!
So that was fascinating, I was going to buy a Babicz, but it was consistently the one I disliked most. I think the Fender Hi Mass is hard to beat, similar character to stock, bargain price, but in all honesty, this has saved me money as I'm sticking with stock!
Badass best, fuller. Fender a very close and similar second. BUT depends on playing style - i liked the Babicz slapped .....
Thanks
Thank you
.
The other four bridges are a massive improvement over the stock bridge.
I prefer the Babicz as it's the most comfortable and you can lock in the settings. I've had one on my main bass for 2 years (pandemic purchase) and after countless hours of abusing it, the settings haven't budged.
I'll never go back to a bridge with threaded poles again.
Good comparison. To my ear, the Badass II had the best sound, especially on the open E string.
With a himass and flats motown soul playing sounds the best. The low "thumpy" sound sounds lots better than stock on my Pbass.
Thanks for the comparison! 😀
I'm down to deciding between the Kickass and the Babicz. I own both in my parts box. I also own both on two different basses and they both sound fantastic. I will need to do a comparison again. Your video illustrates that the Babicz has a little honk to it.