String Through Body or Bridge?

[lijazz]

Hi All,
Hope I can gt some feedback on this. I have an '08 American Jazz Standard strung with DR Lo-Riders (which I love). I have always strung them through the body since I have the option. I have heard this is OK to do even though the Lo-Riders are not open core at the saddles. I have never tried them through bridge only and was wondering if anyone knows if it would correct an issue I have, which is this: I will tune it (with an inexpensive Korg tuner) and put it back in its case. Sometimes I will not play the bass for days at a time and when I pick it up again and play it a bit and re-check the tuning, all strings are usually flat and I have to re-tune. Does anyone know if stringing through bridge only would correct this issue, or is this just due to humidity/temp changes, etc.

Appreciate any feedback.

Thanks.

[lijazz]

......also forgot to mention another issue that I am not sure if related to the above. The 5th fret harmonic on the E string is ever-so-slightly "wobbly" however I don't really notice any wobble when that harmonic is played with the open A string, so any thoughts on this as well?

[JTE]

Neither issue has anything to do with string-through. Going a bit flat is most likely due to either temperature/humidity changes, the strings stretching, or they're slipping at the tuning machines. Note that last one doesn't mean the gears are slipping, but the strings aren't wound on the barrels well and so they're slipping.

First, make sure they're wound on the barrels smoothly and wind down towards the headstock. This puts good pressure on the nut to avoid rattles, and makes sure there's less likelyhood of play in the strings.

Second, make sure the strings are settled in, and have a good "witness point" at both the nut and saddle. Push down on the string right where it breaks over the saddle especially, and retune.

My music room is in the back of the unit, and the temperature does vary a bit. The instruments that are in the stands there are mostly stable, but the ones stored in the big closet (where the temperature varies a bit more over the course of a day) do go out of tune more often.

The "wobble" on the harmonic might be a twisted string, or it might be the magnets from the pickups pulling the string just enough to deflect consistent vibration. Loose the string all the way, reinsert it in the tuning machine while being careful to not twist it in any way. Then retune it. If it persists, lower both PUPs as far as you can without them coming off the screws (doesn't matter if you're actually USING the pickup, the magnet will still pull the string if it's too close) and listen for the wobble when you play the bass unamplified. If it's gone, the slowly raise the PUPs until it comes back, then lower them just a bit. This is a common problem on Stratocaster guitars (in fact, it's frequently called "Strat-itis") but it also happens with basses, especially Jazz basses, and the culprit is generally the neck PUP.

If these don't fix it, it may just be a bad string- it happens to the best of companies and most are pretty good at working to remedy the problem if you approach them pleasantly.

John

[lijazz]

Thanks JTE. Appreciate the info. I will try these procedures and hopefully they will work.

[darkstorm]

I prefer high qaulity high mass quick top load bridges. 2nd pref is high qaulity top load bridge like gotoh201. Ive had bridges with thru body option and only diff it gave was slight feel of more string tension. Of course these where high mass bridges to. I would expect and get a slight increase in sound fullness maybe with thru body and low mass fenderish bent metal type bridge and slight increase in note fade out time.

The main problem with thru body bridges is several string brands have trouble with them for string length from rear furrel to nut.

[BigOldHarry]

I have recently stopped bothering to feed strings through the body - it's just not worth the work. I hear *zero* difference, so why bother?

[JTE]

BTW, I agree with Big Old Harry. I strung my two Laklands with alternating strings- on one the E and D were through-body, the A and G were top load, reversed on the other one. When it was time to change strings I reversed the order on both. That's a true side-by-side, control ALL the variables possible test. And it made me change my mind. Before the test I was one who swore there was a slight but noticeable difference in sound and a difference in feel. But an empirical test proved me wrong. There's simply no difference.

On the other hand, I still string through the body. Why? Because I'm a musician and therefore a flake- don't confuse me with facts, I've already made up my mind!

John

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

I have recently stopped bothering to feed strings through the body - it's just not worth the work. I hear *zero* difference, so why bother?

I usually string thru the body when the option exists, but I totally agree with Harry - IME/IMO, there is no sonic difference either way...


- georgestrings