Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi All,

I'm building an electric bass.  I just got the bridge I ordered.  It's an ABM, solid brass.  The thing is pretty heavy.  Do you think I'd be better off with a lighter bridge, tonewise?  Maybe all that weight is going to filter out some of the higher frequencies. 

Also bought me some Bartolinni PUs. J bass style.  They didn't come with any screws, though.  Is that right?

You guys are great, thanks for all the advice.

Stefan

Welcome to the forum, Stefan. I can't answer your question but I can bump this back to the top.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Stefan.....welcome. As for bridge weight...I have never considered the weight of the bridge to affect the sound. I have always used heavy solid bass bridges so the strings do not rattle the saddles.

As for your Bartolini's not coming with screws....seems a little odd. I am sure if you call Bartolini and ask how you could get a few screws they would probably send them out at no charge.

By the way....sounds like you are building a fairly nice bass. Can you offer more info on the design or woods you plan to use?

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Brad
Avon, OH

The body weight of a solid body electric guitar affects mostly sustain and not that much in tone. Lest that has been what I have been taught.

the general rule (and i do mean very general) is that a solid bridge will have more sustain and less 'tone'.

maybe that means that tone is a defect, i like to think so in a messed up way, but i like guitars with tons and tons of tone, i'll get the sustain with my playing and the amp hopefully.

i say try everything and see what happens, opinions dont really matter, tone does!

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www.theguitarrepairworkshop.com

I apprenticed with a guy who built a balsa-bodied electric (before I met
him). He reinforced structural areas, like where the bridge attached, with
a stronger wood, but he claimed it had just as much sustain as any other
guitar. There goes the weight=sustain theory, if you choose to believe
him. He did say it certainly affected the tone though.

I never actually got to play it.

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

I agree with you Mike, I build my electrics with a cedar core and mahogany guitar backs as top and bottom plates.  it makes for a very light guitar but that sustains very well!!!  I also use a light bridge (Danelectro Style) to achieve an excellent tone.  So, more weight may bring more sustain, but it is not the only way to achieve great sustain!