Bridges, Tuners & Knobs
Whether you are installing a bass bridge on a new build or on an existing bass that already has a bridge installed, the method to handle the install is relatively the same. Step 1: Select the New Bridge Before selecting your new bridge you will need to determine a few details about your existing bridge. … Read more
Looking for a different way to play? Try some chords. Contrary to what some think, no you do not need a bass with more than 4 strings for chord playing as the video below will demonstrate. However, if you want to hit the really high notes on a 4-string, you can get a second bass … Read more
(Tokai Hard Puncher bass shown because we hardly see these things anymore. Got one? Submit it for bass of the week if it’s in good shape. Trust us, they sound pretty darned good.) Installing a new set of bass strings is not an exact science, however it is amazing how many players do not know … Read more
It’s common knowledge that a lot of bass players take offense to those who use a pick when playing, claiming that it’s the “wrong way” to play a bass (even though the “right way” is whatever way you feel comfortable with.) The standard complaint from the No-Plectrums-Allowed Club is that use of a pick does … Read more
The short scale bass is an interesting animal because there are times you have to take certain things into consideration to solve issues with them. On a bass BBG worked on recently, an inexpensive Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Special SS (the SS meaning short scale), there was a peculiar issue where fretted notes played on … Read more
(Tip before beginning: It is typical that on most bass guitars, a properly intonated bass that does not have octave strings will have string saddles that look like a small flight of stairs as seen above, with the thickest string being the first “lowest stair.” This means that when shopping around for bass guitars in … Read more
This is not an article about string brand, although some will be mentioned. You most likely use a very specific brand because you like the sound and feel that the string provides. Instead we’re just going to talk about hex-core and round-core, and why it matters when making your string choice. Hex-core Hex-core is literally … Read more
Note up front: Technically, calling a pitch-bending bridge device a “tremolo” system is wrong; it is properly called a vibrato system. However, most players know these things as tremolo systems or “trem” for short. Yes, we know it should be called vibrato instead of tremolo, but that’s a bit difficult to do since many companies … Read more
Recently we received an email asking to poll the audience (you) on what strings you use and moreover why, so before continuing, the goal of this article is simple: Please comment with what you use and why you use it. Tips on making a good comment that’s useful here: 1. Do you prefer new or … Read more
As you can see from the video above, Fender RSD has developed a new high-mass bass bridge for 2013. Many players who have been shopping with BBG a while know all about high-mass bridges and have been using them for some time. What we want to know is this: With your use of a high-mass … Read more
