Labella 760 FL's through the body?

armybass · #1 10-18-2011, 10:22 AM

I have re entered the world of P Basses and just ordered the appropriate strings (Labella 760FL's) for my P Basses.... but I think both of my P Basses are through the body strung bridges... I know the accepted rule of thumb is to not string flats through the body for fear of strings breaking given the added tension. Just wondering if that will be a prob for my 2008 P Bass and the 760 FL's. I think my 98 P Bass has through body and bridge...both stringing options....not sure now...????

SLaPiNFuNK · #2 10-18-2011, 10:25 AM

In a recent post from LaBella: This post was about a through body on a 35" instrument. But it is the same idea...

Quote:

There are in fact some bass models that our extra-long Flats do work with. Some bass manufacturers drill a lesser angle through the bass of the body which puts less stress on any style flat wound string. To combat this issue we developed an E-string with a flexible tail. This flexible tail by the ball end of the string allows the string to make some of those harsh angles successfully with out snapping. I can also suggest our Quarter wound string that has a smoother finish than a round wound. This style of string can pass through any bass. If anyone is curious about how these strings sound, they can refer to any Meshell Ndegeocello album.I hope i have been some help in answering your question. All the best playing,
Eric Cocco
Vice President
La Bella Strings

Are you going to notice a difference stringing through bridge / through body? It is arguable...

armybass · #3 10-18-2011, 10:37 AM

Fantismo! Thanks for the reply. I don't want to string through the body...but if I have no other option...I will do what I have to.... I just want to make sure I do not damage my beloved Labella 760 FL's........

armybass · #4 10-23-2011, 04:12 PM

Got em and put them on my 09 MIA P Bass.....oh my!

vin*tone · #5 10-23-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

In a recent post from LaBella: This post was about a through body on a 35" instrument. But it is the same idea...

Are you going to notice a difference stringing through bridge / through body? It is arguable...

Does that mean I can string Labella MLs through my 51ri? (bridge doesn't top load)

SLaPiNFuNK · #6 10-23-2011, 05:15 PM

As long as the angle the strings will have to pass through is not too extreme then yes you can use LaBella strings on a through body.

I do not know the exact angle they did not mention it. But as long as the angle the string needs to pass through you are ok.

The LaBella strings have a flexible tail (basically ball end wrap area) which helps for this as well as on some string through bridges (fender style for example).

I do not know the exact design of the 51ri through body system so I cant tell you for sure. But as long as the strings are not at too extreme of a bend angle then yes you can.

vin*tone · #7 10-23-2011, 05:59 PM

I'm pretty sure it's a straight right-angle. AFAIK they do not recommend this but maybe they made this new fangled development since?

I recently slapped a set of Labellas on my 70's RI P and it came to life. I'd love to give my 51 the same treatment if poss. (currently wearing DA chromes)

You'd think as they marketed as the original flat wound string.... they'd fit on an original string thru Fender? -shrugs-

SLaPiNFuNK · #8 10-23-2011, 06:00 PM

If they go from straight to a right angle then no they would not work for that design.

etoncrow · #9 10-23-2011, 06:17 PM

Not exactly to the OP's point but I have been using Chromes (flatwound) on a Birdsong Hy5 where the B string is double through the body and all four of the other strings are single through. Strings have been on there for over a year with no ill effects at all.

armybass · #10 10-24-2011, 05:49 AM

I know this is mainly about the strings....but why Fender would make a modern bass without the through the bridge option is beyond me. My 2009 has both options but my 1998 is through the body only. I strung the 760's through the bridge on my 09. I may do the same through my 98 but went with the 09 first since I had the bridge option.

SLaPiNFuNK · #11 10-24-2011, 06:03 AM

I think it was a trend in the 90's... I remember there was a bridge advertised in the magazines back then that required cutting out a block from your body to install it. It was a big beefy looking thing. I still have all my old Bass Player mags from that era I'll have to look through them and find the add.

zombywoof5050 · #12 10-25-2011, 02:53 PM

Why not just make sure that you get the LaBella thru-body flatwound strings? Their catalog says that they are available for all of their sets.

SLaPiNFuNK · #13 10-25-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombywoof5050

Why not just make sure that you get the LaBella thru-body flatwound strings? Their catalog says that they are available for all of their sets.

See this post from LaBella that I quoted above:

Labella 760 FL's through the body?

Their notation in the catalog should say "in the works,"... But its been like that for some time now.

zombywoof5050 · #14 10-26-2011, 03:37 PM

Ok, thanks.

**bassman_al** · #15 10-26-2011, 06:03 PM

I modded my '98 by drying holes in the back of the bridge. Wasn't that hard and created an instant top load option for my la Bella's.

vin*tone · #16 10-26-2011, 09:30 PM

Yeah. Not possible on the 51RI I'm afraid. There is no back lip & I want to keep the original bridge on.