you cant string flats through the body can you?

[biff malibu]

my jazz bass dosnt have an option to put the strings through the bridge. it has to be through the body. so that means no flats for me right? i tried a set of chromes and the wrap was out over the first fret.

[snyderz]

Many players have strung flats thru-body. A lot of makers advise against it, but I've had Fender flats and Lakland flats on a couple string thru basses for over a year with no problems. I would imagine TIs would work even better, as they have less tension. The saddle break point is a main factor, and the closer to the ferrule, the sharper the break point. I'm not going to let a string co. tell me I can't do something. If I break a string (never have) that's my decision.
JMHO

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by biff malibu

my jazz bass dosnt have an option to put the strings through the bridge. it has to be through the body. so that means no flats for me right? i tried a set of chromes and the wrap was out over the first fret.

I think the problem is that you need longer strings. I have flats on my Jazz 5, which is string-through.

[Groover]

Originally Posted by bassteban

I think the problem is that you need longer strings. I have flats on my Jazz 5, which is string-through.

I currently have TI's on a string-thru Jazz fretless. I did have to sort of do a "sloppy" wind on the G so it wouldn't slip.

I've also tried Labellas Flats and Roto 77 Flats on that bass as well. They all worked, but on all I had to do the special wind on the G.

I'd say unless you are a very aggressive player, you probably won't break the strings, especially on the TI and Rotos. Labellas were not liking the bending that much, but I still don't think they were about to break.

The silk wrap cleared fine on all.

[bassman blue]

I always run my TI Flats 'through body' and they have never complained...

[Bass Below]

On one of my basses I have the XL Chromes running through the body, I've had it that way for a couple of years with no issues at all.

[Nick Kay]

That's a common problem I'm hearing about Chromes, not anything else. Apparently, the regular Longs are long enough for hardtails at 34", but 35" or string-through gives some people trouble clearing the nut. This is because, for whatever reason, D'Addario measures their scale lengths from the end of the ball to the nut.

On the plus side, you can buy some safety if you plan on getting Chromes by buying the Super Long set (ECB81SL). This is rated for 36"-38" from ball to nut, which should be just right for string-through with a decent sized body on a 34" bass, I think.

Also on the plus side, this problem hasn't occured with any other string manufacturer I've encountered, so all the other choices of flats are pretty much safe, as long as you don't have a tough breaking angle at the saddle.

[bigthemat]

I feel your pain. Someone suggested to me to cut off some of the wrapping with a razor. Worked for me.

[Phalex]

I asked this very question on the GHS forum, and they said no problem.

[tomshepp]

I put a set of Labella flats on a through body Telecaster bass only to read at a later date that they do not recommend it. Its been a long time and the only thing I notice is that harmonics at the fifth fret don't ring like they should. Not sure if it's the strings or the bass.

[sublime0bass]

i put fender flat Mediums on a string thru american jazz, and i LOVED it

[kevinmoore73]

I have a set of Chromes ECB81-5SL strings strung through the body of my Lakland with no issues.

[Slowgypsy]

I use standard length medium gauge Chromes on my MIA Precision, thru the body... no problems at all. Yes, I did take a razor and trim off about 1/4" of their blue binding material to clear the nut... no big whoop. Easy to do.