Speaking of Gotoh 201 bridges...

[BlueTalon]

Re: Speaking of Gotoh 201 bridges...

Not clear what "too good" means.

It means he loves the Fender original bent-metal bridges. That's fine, that's his preference. But the fact it that virtually all bridges made by reputable manufacturers represent better design and engineering than Fender's originals. There's no such thing as "too good." Heck, even Fender knows their bent metal bridges are bottom-of-the-line, which is why they offer better bridges on their higher end products. And Leo knew it too, which is why MusicMan and G&L have better engineered bridges.

Personally, I think it's criminal to leave bent-metal bridges on a bass you care about, but that's just me and my opinion. And even though they were originally designed the way they were for ease of manufacture, they still do work (though it's silly to claim they are in any way better than the better engineered alternatives). I just hate the cheap look of them, and it's worth it to me to put something better on my basses.

 

[dg27]

Re: Speaking of Gotoh 201 bridges...

Personally, I think it's criminal to leave bent-metal bridges on a bass you care about, but that's just me and my opinion. I just hate the cheap look of them, and it's worth it to me to put something better on my basses.

That's what's behind my desire...my '76 P is my favorite (best gift I ever got, from a girlfriend at the time--didn't see that coming). It looks so neglected next my others. (Even my pretty lowly '84 MIJ JBS has one.)

I guess I'm still on the fence. The bottom on this bass is what I love tonewise. I don't think a switch to a 201 could screw that up.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Speaking of Gotoh 201 bridges...

What I mean by "too good" is that the improvement brought by the Gotoh 201 throws the balance of what makes up the vintage Fender sound. Kinda like the original, three-saddle Telecaster bridge is a major factor in the sound of that instrument.

As for my attitude to the Gotoh 201, I am something of a fan. Four of my basses have them. I seem to have another three waiting to be fitted.

 

[dg27]

Re: Speaking of Gotoh 201 bridges...

What I mean by "too good" is that the improvement brought by the Gotoh 201 throws the balance of what makes up the vintage Fender sound.

Thanks for clarifying. I'm certainly not worried about preserving a vintage sound (I installed SD QPs ages ago, which I love). I'm only concerned about screwing up the way it sounds now..

 

[daan]

Re: Speaking of Gotoh 201 bridges...

I actually have had a 201 to go on my neck-thru PJ, sitting in the case for 6 or 7 years now. My bass is an import copy bass, and the bridge mounts differently than a "real" Fender so I gotta drill holes. I'm in the same boat as you though, I love the way it plays/sounds now, so I don't want to cut it up and maybe have it sound worse! But I'm sure your bass is just a drop-in change, so you can always change it back with no effort if you don't like it.

 

[dg27]

Re: Speaking of Gotoh 201 bridges...

But I'm sure your bass is just a drop-in change, so you can always change it back with no effort if you don't like it.

Yes, it's a drop-in. The only real issue is that I don't do my own setups and have neither the time nor the inclination to start now. I'm in India right now and when I get home next week I'll either just get a setup on this P or a setup that includes installing this bridge. If I don't like it, I have to get another setup and will have a bridge I won't need.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Speaking of Gotoh 201 bridges...

If you want to try a new bridge and you're paying someone for the install and setup, have them check the intonation of your current bridge before removing it, and tape everything in place. Then if you do decide to change back, the bridge will still be set up and you won't need to have another setup done.

But I can't envision you changing back, at least for any reasons relating to sound. (If you're restoring it to original condition, that's another matter.) A well designed beefier bridge will only help with sustain and clarity.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Speaking of Gotoh 201 bridges...

Some suggestions:
(All of these bridges are direct replacements, and require no drilling.)

Babicz


Hipshot A


Hipshot B


Gotoh


Fender

 

[dg27]

Re: Speaking of Gotoh 201 bridges...

Thanks for the suggestion in terms of taping the stock bridge and all your help in general.

A well designed beefier bridge will only help with sustain and clarity.

This is the heart of the matter and what the half of me (well, more than half) that wants to do it was hoping to hear.

This '76 P has this great 'presence' in the lower registers that none of my other basses have, which is perfect for certain applications (like reggae). I love all my basses and they're all different, but when push comes to shove I tend to go with this one--it's the one I've played the most over the years and has some of the scars to prove it.

Thanks also for posting the other options. I'm fiercely brand loyal though and it would be the 201.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Speaking of Gotoh 201 bridges...

Thanks also for posting the other options. I'm fiercely brand loyal though and it would be the 201.

You are more than welcome.

I believe people are entitled to like what they like, I don't begrudge anybody that. I am also a believer in making an informed decision, hence the suggestions. If you're going to be fiercely loyal to a brand, you could do a lot worse than Gotoh. I like a lot of Gotoh stuff, though I'm not a big fan of the 201. (I have this Gotoh bridge waiting to go on a bass -- I would have recommended it to you, but it would require new holes to be drilled on your bass. I don't have any basses that I'd worry about drilling new holes in).

 

[dg27]

Re: Speaking of Gotoh 201 bridges...

I would have recommended it to you, but it would require new holes to be drilled on your bass.

My tech of many years, Matt Brewster, the owner of 30th Street Guitars in New York, wouldn't do it. Thanks for pointing it out, though.

I don't have any basses that I'd worry about drilling new holes in.

I have three.

1969 Gibson EB-1



1969 Fender Mustang



1976 Fender Precision



A few years ago I wanted to replace the pickup in the Gibson and Matt wouldn't do it.

 

[dg27]

Re: Speaking of Gotoh 201 bridges...

I spoke to my tech and the first words out of his mouth ended this idea for me "It could get bright."

I've got plenty of 'bright' when I want it with other basses.

He said that he has always found that the stock bridges on vintage P basses are the best for vintage P basses: "Once you change the bridge you don't have a P bass."

I trust him completely based on the work he's done for me.

Thanks to everyone for weighing in.