B-string through body or not?

BassAgent · #1 05-28-2011, 06:13 AM

I want to put a new set of strings on my Lakland 55-60, and it has the fabulous string through body option. I've got a set of taperwound DR strings, and I've heard that it's best to put all the strings through the body except for the low B. Is that true? If so: what difference does it make?

cnltb · #2 05-28-2011, 06:15 AM

All except the B string?
If I was you I'd just try it out...and report back here once you have.

BassAgent · #3 05-28-2011, 06:16 AM

Well I wanted to know if anyone had tried yet

cnltb · #4 05-28-2011, 06:18 AM

Yeah I get that., sorry.
I string all strings through the body.

tedsalt · #5 05-28-2011, 06:22 AM

For low B would expect you'd want as solid an anchor at the bridge as possible. I'd route it through the body.

Double Agent · #6 05-28-2011, 08:20 AM

I have a tapered low B on my Jazz (Labella HRS, .128) and I route it through the body. I don't know how much of a difference it makes, if any, but I haven't seen a down side to doing this yet. If anything, it might be one of the reasons why the low B on my Jazz is so much better than most other Fender 5ers I've played.

Go ahead and string it through the body. Nothing bad will happen.

mmbongo · #7 05-28-2011, 08:21 AM

Actually the opposite is true. If you're going to string anything through the body, it should be the B string. Many high end makers even make their basses where you can ONLY string the B string through body. The rest are normal top load.

Double Agent · #8 05-28-2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Actually the opposite is true. If you're going to string anything through the body, it should be the B string. Many high end makers even make their basses where you can ONLY string the B string through body. The rest are normal top load.

see: Mike Lull

CapnSev · #9 05-28-2011, 10:42 AM

I string my TI flatwound .136 B through the body.

Mojo-Man · #10 05-28-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Actually the opposite is true. If you're going to string anything through the body, it should be the B string. Many high end makers even make their basses where you can ONLY string the B string through body. The rest are normal top load.

I prefer this also.
B-string only.

Ric5 · #11 05-28-2011, 10:46 AM

As far as I can tell the only real difference with the string through body basses is you are more likely to break a string when you bend it 90 degrees at the bridge.

kevinmoore73 · #12 05-28-2011, 10:54 AM

I've had the same set of Chromes strung through the body of my 55-01 for almost four years.

hdracer · #13 05-28-2011, 11:03 AM

I got some single LaBella 760F .128 for my Cirrus. They move the taper up.

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BassAgent · #14 05-28-2011, 11:14 AM

I've strung the bass through body now (all strings). Seems to work like a charm, B-string seems really tighter than with non-taper strings. What a bass that Lakland is.

darkstorm · #15 05-28-2011, 01:07 PM

If the bridge offers top load and is a nice high mass one, I dont think theres any value in stringing thru body. Haveing had and still owning bass that offers both options and high mas bridge. I find no tone change nor sustain diff when tried thru body. Only a sense of little bit more tension to the strings. If its light bent metal fender style bridge, then stringing thru body might help tone and sustain a little bit. But try it both ways if string length allows for thru body to see which you like better.

mmbongo · #16 05-28-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

As far as I can tell the only real difference with the string through body basses is you are more likely to break a string when you bend it 90 degrees at the bridge.

I've never seen a design like that. What kind of bass is this on?

BassAgent · #17 05-28-2011, 01:57 PM

Yeah it's almost always 2 times 45 degrees. Once towards the saddle, one from the saddle towards the pickups.

knuckle_head · #18 05-28-2011, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I've never seen a design like that. What kind of bass is this on?

It'd be closer to 75-80 degrees where the string emerges from the body and heads toward the saddle, and all through body strings are subject to this.

Near-any B string made to do this 75 degree bend would snap the string if it were full thickness at the bend point.

BassAgent · #19 05-28-2011, 02:02 PM

Last 2 B-strings I had on my Lakland were at full thickness there, and they didn't snap. Was I lucky?

jay tay · #20 05-28-2011, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

It'd be closer to 75-80 degrees where the string emerges from the body and heads toward the saddle, and all through body strings are subject to this.

Near-any B string made to do this 75 degree bend would snap the string if it were full thickness at the bend point.

I have through body stringing on my 6er, I never use taper wounds, and have never broke a string!