String-Through? New Bridge? Stop being a crybaby?

[lburton2]

My problem is this. I LOVE the sound of DR Sunbeams and play though a MIM Fender Jazz 5-String. The scale length on any standard DR string is about an inch too long for my bass.. Thusly, ANY nickel string by DR breaks on the low B because the outer-wrap wraps around the tuning machine and breaks. (Steel doesn't because the material is a lot stronger).. My question is this.. Should I make my bass a neck-through to allow for long-scale strings and eliminate the scale-length problem, or should I continue doing what i am doing and using a long-nut/ferrel to extend the length at the base of the bridge (Is a minor suffication of tone and sustain).. Pls help?

[cheezewiz]

Trim the end of the strings before you put them on?

[walterw]

no, he's saying the fat part of the string bends around the key and breaks.

this bass has the little keys, right?

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by lburton2

, or should I continue doing what i am doing and using a long-nut/ferrel to extend the length at the base of the bridge (Is a minor suffication of tone and sustain).. Pls help?

Continue to do that. There is no "suffication" of tone or sustain because of it, real or imagined.

[john grey]

+1

However you may want to call (human voice) or send a real letter) to DR and explain the situation. Asking if they have any sub-size, factory seconds, or shorter sizes. It is POSSIBLE that you may get to try a new product or get inexpensive (or even free) strings.

Remember you have a common Bass design; you may have a marketing platform for them and they MAY give you some as a "beta" for a new concept. ...Never hurts to try if all the conditions are met.

[lburton2]

Yes, they are the smaller tuning machines. I have already contacted DR, and they do make "custom" sets for Short-scale.. I'm still trying to find out the exact length of the string from ball to outer-wrap.

And in regards to the suffication of sustain, it is apparent.. in addition to that, if the string is struck hard enough, the piece i'm using to extend the range of the bridge will rattle, and is picked up through the pick-up.. So i better solution would be ideal.

[lburton2]

and.. they don't make the length I need.. So I'm seriously debating making it a neck through - unless anyone knows of a good bridge that'd suffice?

[SteveC]

You mean string thru body, right? You keep saying neck thru but that's something different.

[lburton2]

Sry - I'm at work and flopping between screens. I DEFINITELY mean string thru. My apologies

[darkstorm]

Suprised your having that problem. 34 scale top load bridges basses Ive had dr neons on didnt have that problem. So I'm geaussing the wrap for the B string extends much further then on the low E string?

[Doctor Dirt]

Just bought a 2008 USA P-bass with a bridge that has the option of tradional stringing or through the body. I use "deep talkin" Labella Flats and had abit of a problem with the G-string. So I strung it traditionally and have no problem at all. My 1999 USA J-bass has the same strings and is threw the body with no problems. The bridge on my P is made by Fender I think and is a nice sturdy piece decent chrome plating. Doc

[lburton2]

It's because on the MIM Fender 5-string - The Low B tuning machine is slightly closer to the nut than any other fender (including the USA 5-strings, because they do 4+1 instead of 5 in line)

[stflbn]

Added extra length beyond the bridge via a small tube, etc is promoted as an advantage by some manufacturers... and a 'fix for better B string' in many threads here.

Yamaha BB 415's have a longer B string at the Bridge. (Not promoting that I believe it "helps", just showing that it's not necessarily hurtful)

[AHDBassist]

Originally Posted by lburton2

My problem is this. I LOVE the sound of DR Sunbeams and play though a MIM Fender Jazz 5-String. The scale length on any standard DR string is about an inch too long for my bass.. Thusly, ANY nickel string by DR breaks on the low B because the outer-wrap wraps around the tuning machine and breaks. (Steel doesn't because the material is a lot stronger).. My question is this.. Should I make my bass a neck-through to allow for long-scale strings and eliminate the scale-length problem, or should I continue doing what i am doing and using a long-nut/ferrel to extend the length at the base of the bridge (Is a minor suffication of tone and sustain).. Pls help?

I have the same bass and cannot find DRs to fit. The shortscale ones are too short. I gave up on it and it sits unplayed with 4 strings on it cause I can't find strings to fit. I emailed Dr and they never replied

[john grey]

Originally Posted by AHDBassist

I have the same bass and cannot find DRs to fit. The shortscale ones are too short. I gave up on it and it sits unplayed with 4 strings on it cause I can't find strings to fit. I emailed Dr and they never replied

IF you ever want an answer to a question; never Email. Get a human voice on the end of a phone. The OP contacted DR & they told him they do make Custom sets, etc. Enough human contacts and the issue will eventually be resolved.
Companies marketing research may NOT extend itself to find out the "truth" in a commercial venue because it may entail spending more money that management does NOT want to hear. That's rather common.

[lburton2]

DR did say they can do "custom" sets.. however they are limited to the standard scale lengths that they make.. In other words.. they will "assemble" a set out of pre-existing string dimensions and specs..

[allexcosta]

Stop being a crybaby...

[Chasarms]

Mike Lull builds basses with only the B string having the string through ability. If it means that much to you, just convert that one string.

I saw a Fender "High Mass" fiver bridge on ebay today. It would fit right up, allow string through and still have a very Fender vibe.

[testing1two]

I would look into retrofitting large post tuners on the bass.