Question for Roger Sadowsky

Emibass · #1 10-17-2011, 12:05 AM

As the title says but anyone here who knows is welcome to answer and comment.

Hi Roger,
About a year or maybe less I have purchased your flats strings and I had a doubt about if the strings can go trough the body and you chimed in and cleared my doubt. I must say that I'm very happy with this strings.

Now I purchased the blue label nickels and have another doubt. I have to string the bass trough the body (G&L L2500) and I had to clear some blue wrap at the end of the string in order to sit whright on the nut but the real doubt I have is for the low b string: on the saddle it's sitting on its second wrap. Is it ok?

Thanks a lot Roger,

Emi,

SLaPiNFuNK · #2 10-17-2011, 12:42 AM

When it comes to "String Through Body" instruments and strings it mainly depends on the design of the instrument.

Strings that are not as flexible like Flat Wounds that are tightly wound simply can not bend at extreme angles. So as long as the string goes through the body and out of the bridge at less of a harsh angle the string will not snap.

Most string through body instruments are now being made with less harsh angles in general but there are many more out there that force the strings to bend to sharply... Those instruments are not recommended for use by string manufacturers.

So it really depends on your specific instruments through body construction and if it will accommodate flats through body.

Emibass · #3 10-17-2011, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

When it comes to "String Through Body" instruments and strings it mainly depends on the design of the instrument.

Strings that are not as flexible like Flat Wounds that are tightly wound simply can not bend at extreme angles. So as long as the string goes through the body and out of the bridge at less of a harsh angle the string will not snap.

Most string through body instruments are now being made with less harsh angles in general but there are many more out there that force the strings to bend to sharply... Those instruments are not recommended for use by string manufacturers.

So it really depends on your specific instruments through body construction and if it will accommodate flats through body.

I have the flats trough the body for allmost an year and are perfect as Roger told me. My doubt is about the blue nickels b string wich is sitting on its second wrap on the saddle.

Thanx

SLaPiNFuNK · #4 10-17-2011, 12:51 AM

Are you able to get a good witness point where the string goes over the saddle or are you finding that the full wrap of the string being on the saddle does not allow this? In other words, is the full wrap passing over the saddle or is it on the edge of the full wrap and the tapered portion? If the full wrap is fully over the saddle and the string is not just hanging on by the edge of the tapered portion you should be fine.

The main thing is you will not have the benefits of the tapered string since the taper is behind the saddle.

Jim Carr · #5 10-17-2011, 12:53 AM

Why not send a message to Mr. Sadowsky himself? Also, if you can take a picture and post it/send it to Roger, it might help, too.

Emibass · #6 10-17-2011, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

Are you able to get a good witness point where the string goes over the saddle or are you finding that the full wrap of the string being on the saddle does not allow this? In other words, is the full wrap passing over the saddle or is it on the edge of the full wrap and the tapered portion? If the full wrap is fully over the saddle and the string is not just hanging on by the edge of the tapered portion you should be fine.

The main thing is you will not have the benefits of the tapered string since the taper is behind the saddle.

Well..the string has 3 wraps, is sitting on the middle one.

Thanx

Emibass · #7 10-17-2011, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

Why not send a message to Mr. Sadowsky himself? Also, if you can take a picture and post it/send it to Roger, it might help, too.

A picture worth more than a thousend words. I'll take it as soon as I get home I'm at work right now

SLaPiNFuNK · #8 10-17-2011, 01:57 AM

You are talking about the area highlighted in Yellow correct?

Its fine as long as the string is not hanging on the edge of the taper causing the string to bend at a sharp angle.

Although you will not experience the full "taper core" experience since the taper is behind the saddle.

Emibass · #9 10-17-2011, 02:07 AM

Thanks Slapingfunk that's exactly the place,

Can you elaborate what exactly am I loosing with the string like that?

SLaPiNFuNK · #10 10-17-2011, 02:32 AM

Taper Strings are generally brighter than full wound strings and have greater sustain.

Although, the difference can sometimes be just as arguable as stringing strings through the body.

So essentially you are using a tapered string but not using the "Tapered" part.

It is really not a big deal either way! It is a great string and is still going to sound good although not the ideal fitment in your case.

Many people string the 4 strings through the body and the B string through the bridge. If that is an option for you on your next set you can do that.

All Sadowsky B Strings are Tapered.

Personally I use tapered B strings on my multi string instruments and always have when available.

Emibass · #11 10-17-2011, 02:54 AM

Thnk you Slapinfunk

SLaPiNFuNK · #12 10-17-2011, 03:03 AM

No problem.... Hope the info helps you out.

Emibass · #13 10-17-2011, 03:11 AM

It helped, the string sounds ok to me, defined and strong, just wanted to know it'll be ok

SLaPiNFuNK · #14 10-17-2011, 03:22 AM

Please do not get me wrong it is going to sound great!

The difference between Tapered and Non-Tapered strings is slight, but it does help out in many cases.

In general the you have a good set of strings there!

Emibass · #15 10-17-2011, 07:18 AM

well this is how the string sits on the saddle

madbassplaya · #16 10-17-2011, 07:45 AM

Do you have the regular or the XL's? I'm curious if maybe the taper would fit in the saddle a little better if they were XL's?

How's your intonation as is?

Emibass · #17 10-17-2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

Do you have the regular or the XL's? I'm curious if maybe the taper would fit in the saddle a little better if they were XL's?

How's your intonation as is?

I wasn´t aware that there are an XL version for the Sadowsky blue nickels.

The intonation is dead spot, perfect

FunkMetalBass · #18 10-17-2011, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emibass

well this is how the string sits on the saddle

That's perfectly normal - tapered strings are actually designed to taper just past the saddle.

The benefit of the taper in this case is that the string is much more flexible with only two windings than it is with three, so it allows you a better witness point (and better action + intonation).

Since your intonation is spot-on, you're good to go.

madbassplaya · #19 10-17-2011, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emibass

I wasn´t aware that there are an XL version for the Sadowsky blue nickels.

The intonation is dead spot, perfect

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

SLaPiNFuNK · #20 10-17-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emibass

well this is how the string sits on the saddle

Have you pushed the strings down over the saddle so they are straighter yet?

Its fine, the only thing that may possibly happen is if you hit the string very hard, the full wound part may come in contact with the saddle and buzz... but that would be pretty hard to do... probably pushing down on the the string over the saddle will cause this to happen easier so if the string does intonate properly its probably better to leave it.

Taper length doesnt change on xl's.

Taper strings are not designed for through body use, but they work depending on instrument.