Description

Vintage-Style BADASS Bridge Reissue – Lower Profile Model

It’s been a long time since genuine BADASS bridges disappeared from the market—largely due to the original mould being lost. Despite this, their reputation has endured. Vintage models regularly command high prices at auction, and while several companies have attempted to recreate the iconic design, many replicas have fallen short in both form and function.

Now, at last, we’re proud to introduce our faithful reproduction of the original BADASS guitar bridge—crafted with precision attention to detail in both shape and plating. This version not only captures the look and feel of the original, but also addresses a key issue: bridge height.

Montruex in Japan have carefully revised the height specifications to suit modern player needs. The total height is 1mm lower than the original BADASS—a small change that makes a big difference.

Why is 1mm so important?
On some Les Paul Special (Single Cutaway) models—particularly those with a shallow neck angle—swapping a vintage bar bridge for a standard BADASS can leave the string action uncomfortably high, even with the studs fully lowered. This new design solves that issue, offering better fitment and more manageable string height without modification.

What Is a BADASS Bridge?

Originally developed in 1972 by the late Leo Quan, the BADASS bridge marked a turning point in aftermarket guitar parts. Dissatisfied with the limitations of the traditional bar bridge—found on models like the Les Paul Junior—Leo created a drop-in replacement featuring individually adjustable saddles for precise intonation. The result was the first BADASS bridge: a fully adjustable solution that required no modification to install.

It quickly gained popularity among professional players who shared Leo’s frustrations, including legends such as Keith Richards, Pat Travers, Malcolm Young, and Jimmy Page. BADASS bridges also became standard issue on high-performance models from brands like B.C. Rich, and the later Bass II model set a new benchmark for replacement bass bridges throughout the 1980s.

Specifications

Body thickness (including saddles)

1st & 6th strings: 12.15mm

2nd & 5th strings: 12.65mm

3rd & 4th strings: 13.15mm

Fulcrum pitch (stud spacing): 82mm

String pitch: 10.1mm

Thickness at stud contact point: 5.5mm

Stud neck length (from bottom of lower brim): 22mm

Stud insertion gap: 5.7mm

Note: Supplied studs are inch-sized.