Tailpiece Area Rout

gpatt5762 · Post by **gpatt5762** » Mon May 13, 2002 2:52 pm

Mark,

I just looked at a photo of a Badass-equipped 4001, and needed to ask this: I understand the body is routed in the vicinity of the tailpiece assembly. Is the rout there to accommodate the mute or the bridge?

My follow-up…

Your post about installing a badass on a RIC mentions filling the body in- and in fact I have seen basses with plates inastalled under the BA (RUSH- AFTK shows Geddy Lee with one so appointed). Is that primarily cosmetic work?

Thanks for your time,
Garry

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Mon May 13, 2002 3:19 pm

YOu have the choice oof two different BADASS bridge ...the first version was designed to go on Gibson EB-O basses ...it got used better by B.C.Rich on their basses of the 1970's .

Many found their way onto Fenders , which required cutting into the face and sinking this unit about 3/16" .This is easy to spot as there are wear markings behind the bridge from stringing.
The saddles are also centered with the screw running down the middle of each one.

The BADASS II is the bridge re-designed for fitting onto Fender basses.
It was installed on many Rick basses ,but ........
It needs some help to make it perform properly.
Fenders basses have a wider string spread at the saddles than a Rick ... the saddles of the BADASS II are 'L' shaped .These angle away from the center .
To make the narrower spacing of a 4000 series bass work using this bridge , I removed the E and G saddles , and then redrill /mill the intonation screw hole.I then exchange saddles from one side to the other .
Now the Saddles angle TO the center , not away , and the notches for these strings can be cut to the same width as was cut on the original bridge assembly.

The area under the Rick bridge is routed to facilitate the mute and the saddle assembly.There is a two step route under it .
When installing a BADASS bridge , the II version sits on the upper route , while the first version requires routing the whole cavity to the bottom route.
The plate is purely cosmetic and it cut to give the shape of the original bridge .
It covers the cavity that is now exposed.

These plates are either screwed on or attatched with double faced tape.

gpatt5762 · Post by **gpatt5762** » Mon May 13, 2002 4:59 pm

What this eBay photo I looked at showed was a bit bizarre. The Badass II was installed fully clear (tailwards) of the rout, which was fully exposed.

A case of "New Hire" install? Hosed intonation, ya reckon?

Thanks,
Garry

jayfbv · Post by **jayfbv** » Tue May 14, 2002 2:13 pm

This Badass is sunk in about an 8th of an inch and I think it could go another 16th.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Tue May 14, 2002 4:58 pm

That is a BADASS I the original .This is the one that BC Rich used.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sat May 18, 2002 10:03 am

Possible dumb question:

What are the advantages (besides the saddle assembly not falling off if all 4 strings are removed for electronic maintenance) of having a Bad-*** bridge installed? My sustain and intonation is already great.

(BTW: I was reading the liner notes of an old "Bruford" album today where it said, "Apparently Jeff Berlin still insists on using Leo Quan products!")

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sat May 18, 2002 10:14 am

Jeff Berlin and Bobby Vega were the two guys that were the test bed /field users for Glen Quan when he made the very first Badass bridges .Vega would not install a version #1 on his concentric Jazz Basses , but waited for the Badass II .

Jeff has let Glenn experiment on all his basses.
That is why you see everything he uses with one .

How does it differ?
The thing is rock solid .
There is a noticable difference between the stock Rick tailpiece and a Baddass #1 or #2

I prefer the #II

The number one requires channeling out for the intonation /length screws .The #2 does not .
Both are made of the same materials.