Flats through the body

[jmceachern36]

Anyone out there string their flats throught the body of the bass? I don't because I like the sound (less sustain). Or I assume it's less sustain. But I just bought a bass that doesn't have the option of stringing it through the bridge and was thinking I'd have to buy a new bridge. Any opinions or whether or not it reall makes any difference?

[One Drop]

IMO not at all, at least with a Fender Deluxe bridge. I went both ways on my long gone RI SCPB and I couldn't hear a difference.

[bongomania]

Yeah we have the thru-body vs. top-load discussion all the time, and it seems to me the majority view is that it has little to no effect on the sound in most cases. I have to say "majority", "little" and "most" because there are always exceptions and extreme cases, and our brains/ears give us funny and inaccurate information sometimes. But the short version is that there's no big difference.

Just as far as flats go, note that LaBella flats sometimes break when strung thru-body.

[bassbully]

I agree i dont hear a diff or at least one that makes it worth the problem of thru body stringing. I had no choice with my new 51 RI. Standard chromes were too short I went to TI jazz flats and the E strings silk just cleared the nut. I like the TIs thou but dont care for thru body stringing a waste to me.

[flewis]

I have Flats (Chromes) strung the the body on my 97 AM PBass and at one time had flats (again Chromes) thru the body on my 05 AM Jazz Bass.

[Bassorama57]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Just as far as flats go, note that LaBella flats sometimes break when strung thru-body.

Danger! Yep, that's a problem with them. I string D'a Chromes through the body of my P; but doesn't seem to make any real difference. Someone got on Sterling Ball in his site about making a string-through body - he said he couldn't tell any difference either.

[Slax]

I've used chromes and TI Jazz flats through body on my MIA '01 P-Bass. Never had a problem. (There is no option to string through bridge)

[jmceachern36]

Cool. Thanks for the info guys. That'll make thing easier. I use GHS Precision Flats 45-105. They're plenty long enough.

[tranceFusion]

My want to string through the body comes from hearing stories of G&L tributes with only two bridge screws stripping and separating from the body over time due to string tension.

Is this a legitimate concern for most basses?

[oldrookie]

Originally Posted by tranceFusion

My want to string through the body comes from hearing stories of G&L tributes with only two bridge screws stripping and separating from the body over time due to string tension.

Is this a legitimate concern for most basses?

I don't think it is common, but why risk it?

I just put Chromes ECB-81 5SL on my Tribute L2500. I like them...a lot.

Need the Super longs to fit through the G&L Tribute series.

Had to run the B through the bridge, won't fit through the body.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by tranceFusion

My want to string through the body comes from hearing stories of G&L tributes with only two bridge screws stripping and separating from the body over time due to string tension.

Is this a legitimate concern for most basses?

There are only 2 screws holding on a G&L trib bridge? I doubt it would happen but.... geesh people complain about fender bridges all the time

[frozilla]

I've got Fender flats on my ATK300 and I have yet to confront any of these problems.

[Jhaley]

I would not do it based on my experience. My A string broke.
I love Flats but that was my experience with them strung thru the body.