while there is some debate over what impact a BAII bridge has on your overall sound (opinions range from almost no difference to a completed rejuvination of your tone) the technical aspects are indeed clear
- unslotted saddles: one of the great assetts of the BAI bridge is that it comes unslotted by design. this allows the tech installing the bridge to precisely fit the string spacing to the player's preferences. this also makes the bridge universal and able to be used on any spacing between 16.5mm and 20mm.
- according to the Leo Quan website, it is critical that the bridge be slotted by a competent and experienced tech so that optimal string copulation is achieved. slotting is not difficult to do if you have the right tools and the patience to do it right. it is highly recommended that the strings are not allowed to rest on unslotted saddles, but many players have done just this without negative results (but note that they haven't experienced optimal results because the string/bridge coupling has not been optimized)
here is reference to the Leo Quan website: http://www.leoquan.com/html/news.html
Quote:
For years, we have informed builders and players that each of our string saddles must be file cut with round files equal to the diameter of each string. Sometimes the installers or resellers do not inform the players, and the result is a less than optimum sound.
Unlike Round saddles of most other bridges, we've maintained the need to custom fit every string to every instring. This results in the very best of tone transfer from string to body, and provides a precise "Speaking Point" ( a phrase we coined ) which is far more accurate than a prenotched rounded saddle. As they say, if you are a serious artist, you will use serious tools; so please take the time to have the work done properly by an experienced professional guitar repair person - you wouldn't believe how many saddles we sell to people who thought they could file the notches and save a few dollars and time
So, do it right the first time. Thank you.
Unlike Round saddles of most other bridges, we've maintained the need to custom fit every string to every instring. This results in the very best of tone transfer from string to body, and provides a precise "Speaking Point" ( a phrase we coined ) which is far more accurate than a prenotched rounded saddle. As they say, if you are a serious artist, you will use serious tools; so please take the time to have the work done properly by an experienced professional guitar repair person - you wouldn't believe how many saddles we sell to people who thought they could file the notches and save a few dollars and time
So, do it right the first time. Thank you.- the gold colored bridges are electroplated with real gold, hence the added cost. the finish color does not have any impact on the tone - it is just for looks
I'll note that a Leo Quan BAII bridge is one of my two favorite bridges ever made, and definitely a first choice when choosing what bridge to utilize on a 4-string
all the best,
R
