Bridge vs. Body What's the difference in tone?

Bassman7PM · #1 06-05-2007, 12:17 PM

I recently acquired a Lakland 55-01 and man is this bass awesome. I just strung it with some Daddario EXL-170-5's as they are my present experiment changing from DR Hi-Beams which I like as well. I noticed that while trying to route thru body they come up short so bridging was the only option, no problem. However, this caused me to think.

1. What's the tonal difference routing strings thru the bridge vs. thru the body?

2. Do I need extra long scale stings if I want to route thru the body?

3. For Lakland users, what strings are you using especially for Funk, Gospel, R&B?

4. How does the B string factor into Bridge vs. Body?

Jimbob Jones · #2 06-05-2007, 12:29 PM

1. When you string through a body, it improves "coupling" (how easily vibrations move from the string to the rest of the bass) the result of this is not major, but the two things you get are more sustain and a tone that is more dependant the body wood (but this is not a huge difference)

2. If the normal strings arent long enough, then it would seem so!

3. I'm afraid I'm not nearly rich enough to own a Lakland!

4. The effects on the B string are the same as on the other four. (see 1)

Bassman7PM · #3 06-05-2007, 03:14 PM

Thanks

JimmyM · #4 06-06-2007, 12:21 AM

I wish I had a bass that let you do both. My 98 Jazz only lets you string it thru the body. I can't figure if it makes a difference or not. But it's the deepest sounding Fender unplugged that I have, and it sounds great, so I don't object.

Jeff Moote · #5 06-06-2007, 12:44 AM

I have basses that do one or the other as well as one that can do both. I can't hear a difference on that one when comparing with the same strings - and I'm always one to point out nuances in gear, etc. I feel that overall bridge design makes a greater impact than through-body stringing.

Bassman7PM · #6 06-06-2007, 09:10 AM

Thanks for the response.

SGT. Pepper · #7 06-09-2007, 06:06 AM

In D'Addario's you need super long scale to use thru the body.
The difference lies more in the tension rather than sound. Thru the body makes them a bit tighter.

One Drop · #8 06-09-2007, 10:29 AM

I've never been able to hear a difference either way myself..

rsautrey · #9 06-09-2007, 03:43 PM

"The difference lies more in the tension rather than sound. Thru the body makes them a bit tighter."

I disagree with this observation. The distance from the witness point on the bridge to the nut is still the same whether you string through the bridge or the body. It's not possible for them to have more tension through the body. Yes, they may feel different but that is due to other things, not tension. If the tuning posts at the headstock are farther away from the nut it will not increase tension either.

Akami · #10 06-09-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I wish I had a bass that let you do both. My 98 Jazz only lets you string it thru the body. I can't figure if it makes a difference or not. But it's the deepest sounding Fender unplugged that I have, and it sounds great, so I don't object.

There's always the Hipshot A which allows you to string either way, although you would have to drill holes.

One of Hipshot's suggested stringing methods is only running the E and A through the body.