Warwick bridges

DDR4LYF

I have Warwick Rockbass Fortress with a one piece bridge that looks like this

I saw another Rockbass with a two piece bridge that looks like this

I first noticed that the two piece bridge has a different material on the part of the bridge where the string sits (the saddle?). As I played the bass, the first thing I noticed was more sustain and the strings seemed to ring out much better.

My question is: Is it possible for a trained person to put a two piece bridge onto a bass that has a one piece? It seems a bit excessive and quite unnecessary, but I was just wondering about the possibilities.

I know the two piece bridge requires a cut out in the body...so yeah... ???

AlanRatcliffe

It's possible - especially with the toploaded string bridges that sit on top. It's just a case of a few screws and it's gone, rout for the recessed type and you're done.

It will change the character of the bass - and whether it's better or not is subjective. A lot of guys were fitting the Badass bridges to their P and J basses in the '80s, but I always thought the simple, lightweight stock bridges sounded better.

Styles

Yup, it is possible to install one of those bridges. They are a bit expensive to get hold of though. It's probably better just to buy one of the newer rockbass models with the two piece bridge

DDR4LYF

Styles wrote: Yup, it is possible to install one of those bridges. They are a bit expensive to get hold of though. It's probably better just to buy one of the newer rockbass models with the two piece bridge

I have looked around, but the fortress model, which I love, doesn't seem to be being sold anymore. Anyway, there are a couple things that I would rather put money towards than a new bridge. ???
Just interested...

Jack-Flash-Jr

Just a quick check in...
Are you sure the sustain and strings ringing out can't be attributed to other factors (newer strings/different gauge/roundwound/steel/nickel) or if you played through an amp then the amp settings. I might be wrong but imho the bridge is almost last in the queue when it comes to the sound... strings, action, intonation, pups, amp all make more of a difference I think. That said I like the look of hi-mass bridges ?

DDR4LYF

Not sure about the strings, but it wasn't through an amp... I should definitely check out what difference strings can make.

Midinut

The old Rockbasses had those chunky necks and one piece bridges. Warwick still makes the Fortress but it is the "new" Rockbass series with active MEC PJ pickups, two piece bridge and remachined necks. To be honest, these new Rockbasses are fairly inexpensive but good sounding and good value for money out of the box. I have three Warwick 6's (one German and two Korean Pro Series) and tried a Corvette Rockbass 5 some time ago - it was awesome and under R5000 for cash!

http://www.warwickbass.com/modules/produkte/produkt.php?submenuID=17072&katID=17065&cl=EN

PS If I may punt Marshall Woodmead, they got me a new bridge for my Thumb bass from Germany...

free2rhyme

Make sure that if you do change the bridge that you get the scale length right and the best position as an incorrect mod could cause a nnightmare ffor intonation