Babicz FCH 5 String Bridge - Gold

Full Contact Hardware is an innovative electric guitar and bass saddle solution featuring the patented eCAM saddle system, designed by Jeff Babicz, that offers a dramatic improvement to sustain, tonal quality & performance. Full Contact Hardware technology results in increased dynamic range, better sustain and pitch stability as well as providing easy and accurate string height and intonation adjustments which, with the ability to fully “lock down” the bridge saddles, remain secure, even when removing the strings.

The Babicz FCH 5 string bridge features a wide 19mm (0.75") Fender-style spacing, standard Fender 5 hole screw mounting pattern and can be installed in minutes, in right or left handed configuration. Like all Babicz products, the unit comes complete with all necessary screws and an adjustment wrench, with comprehensive, step-by-step installation instructions available in an online video presented by Jeff Babicz — simply click on the INSTALLATION tab above to view.

Babicz FCH Bridge Features

1. Five hole mount - direct upgrade for Fender basses
2. Single screw string height adjustment
3. Lock eCAM saddle - after string height adjustments
4. Lock saddle housing - after intonation adjustments
5. Lightweight extruded aluminium construction for improved acoustics.
6. Gapless eCAM saddle technology

Jeff Babicz designed FCH with the intent of gaining the maximum amount of direct string coupling to the body of the instrument. The result is an extremely lightweight bridge that makes "full contact" between the vibrating string and the instrument's body and provides over 50 times more contact surface per saddle compared to conventional saddle designs.

With FCH, string height and action can be set with more far more precision than with traditional saddles. The eCAM saddle allows for instant action adjustments, without introducing space or air-gaps, ensuring complete contact between the saddle and the body of the guitar. The tiny, string height adjustment screws associated with traditional bridge systems are eliminated so that, with the Babicz FCH design, the saddle can never sink or shift while playing.

In addition, each eCAM saddle also includes a specially designed String Height Lock, which keeps your string height setting in place, even with extreme saddle vibrations over time. Similarly, precise intonation adjustments are also easily attained and maintained with the FCH Bass Bridge's unique Saddle Housing Lock feature.

String Height & Intonation Adjustment

Adjusting the string action height

1. Install the strings (A) and position them in the grooves (B) located in each eCAM saddle (C).

2. Using the provided 2mm hex wrench, loosen screw (D) then set your string height by turning screw (E) until the desired position is achieved.

3. Lock the eCAM saddle (C) by turning screw (D) using the 2mm hex wrench.

Adjusting the intonation

1. Loosen the Saddle Housing Lock Screw (F) using the 2mm wrench.

2. Using a phillips screwdriver (not included), turn the Intonation Adjustment Screw (G), until the desired eCAM Saddle Housing (H) position is achieved.

3. Lock the eCAM Saddle Housing (H) in position by tightening the Saddle Housing Lock Screw (F) using the 2mm hex wrench.

Guitar & Bass Magazine

Steve Cook • September 2013
"With the FCH bridge, the sound was bigger & richer and we noticed more overall volume, both acoustically & amplified. If you care about the quality of your sound, you'd do well to look into one"
RATING : 93%

READ THE FULL REVIEW

Jeff Berlin

Considered by many to be the one of the finest electric bass players on the planet, Jeff's solos are amongst the greatest ever played on a bass guitar and his harmonic and melodic approach to playing are part of bass legend. Now using Babicz bridges exclusively, his signature model Cort bass RITHMIC Bass also features the FCH Bass Bridge as standard.

"Jeff Babicz re-invented the bass bridge and made it as necessary as my amp and my bass. I only play equipment if it sounds great... which is why the Babicz Bridge is on my bass"

Dave Swift

Through his long-term gig with Jools Holland's Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Dave has laid down his immaculate, grooving bass lines for just about every major name in contemporary music.

"I'm extremely happy with Babicz bridges and my Fender basses have never sounded better! The qualities in a good bass bridge for me are accurate intonation, adjustability with a solid and reliable design. Also, I mute the strings with the edge of my hand at the bridge a great deal, so comfort is also important. There are no annoying sharp edges and aesthetically the bridges looks great too!"

Jesse Stern

Since 2011, Jesse Stern has equipped his Fender basses with Babicz FCH Bridges. In demand as a versatile and dynamic performer Jesse has toured and recorded with Sly Stone, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, teen pop sensations Hanson, Mario Reyes of the Gipsy Kings and alt.Rock stalwarts Weezer.

"The Babicz bass bridge is compatible with my Fender basses, and all the adjustments lock. Super solid, and it has a great tone. Keep up the good work!"

Joey Vera

Alongside full-time gigs for Armored Saint and progressive metal band Fates Warning, Joey keeps a busy schedule as independent producer & session bassist (including a 2004/05 touring stint replacing Frank Bello in Anthrax). He has equipped his entire stable of Fender basses with Babicz FCH Bridges.

“Solid design mixed with quite a few options makes this bridge a force to be reckoned with! This thing is super stable with every adjusting element locking in place. It’s road worthy AND studio worthy.”

Pancho Tomaselli

Since 2003 Pancho Tomaselli has been holding down the low end with legendary Chicano funk band War and is also the bassist for new power trio supergroup PHILM - alongside guitarist/vocalist Gerry Nestler (from prog metal band Civil Defiance) and Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo.

"I love Babicz Full Contact Hardware because it gives me more of a 'piano-like' feel for my bass... it also gives me more tone and more mid-range frequency"

Rodney O'Quinn

The long time touring and recording bassist for The Pat Travers Band, is currently using his Tony Franklin Signature Precision Bass equipped with a Babicz Bridge. 

"I love what the FCH has done to My P-Bass!!"

Rodney's boss, blues rock legend PAT TRAVERS, also uses FCH on his Telecaster - with a nice line in deadpan humour... 

"Babicz Full Contact Hardware technology turns mediocrity into magnificence!"