Switch from through body to bridge stringing, do I need a new set up?

[thekish]

Hello all,

If I usually have my G&L L-2500 set up to have the strings through body, would I need to get my bass re-set up if I wanted to just string through the bridge? I"d be using all the same string gauges and tunings. Thanks.

[Justin Tuskey]

I do it all the time on my basses and Ive never had a problem, so I'm going to go with "no".

[LaklandBass]

I agree with Justin... I have done it and other than string length there shouldnt be an issue

[Hugh Jass]

Don't string your L-2500 bridge only!

There is a known flaw with these basses: The 2500 bridge is only held down with two screws and there have been a few TB'ers who have had them pull out of the body. It will most likely be fine but why take the risk? Stringing through the body takes all the tension off of the two screws. There was a TB'er (might have been Ken Baker) who used bolts with long cylindrical nuts to bolt the bridge down using the string through holes so that bridge stringing could safely be used.

As far as setup goes, there wouldn't be any change in string tension so the setup would remain the same (as long as the bridge remains attached).....

[delta7fred]

It was Ken Baker who did a bolt down bridge mod. It does not require any modifications to the bass so it is completely reversible if you so wish.

Here is a link to it.


http://www.bassesbyleo.com/l2500_bridge_mod.html

[Pilgrim]

That is one VERY slick mod!

[Justin Tuskey]

Wow, I didnt know they manufactured their bridges like that. seems like such an easy fix to do at the factory too. Yeah do that mod for your G&L if you want to string through bridge.

[Hugh Jass]

Originally Posted by delta7fred

It was Ken Baker who did a bolt down bridge mod. It does not require any modifications to the bass so it is completely reversible if you so wish.

Here is a link to it.


http://www.bassesbyleo.com/l2500_bridge_mod.html

Nice digging!

[thekish]

Thanks for the advice, and the link for the mod. Looks like I'm putting GHS boomers through bridge.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by delta7fred

It was Ken Baker who did a bolt down bridge mod. It does not require any modifications to the bass so it is completely reversible if you so wish.

Here is a link to it.


http://www.bassesbyleo.com/l2500_bridge_mod.html

That's a GREAT fix.

Prevents one from losing the ferrules also.

Regards
Sam

[delta7fred]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.



That's a GREAT fix.

Prevents one from losing the ferrules also.

Regards
Sam

I had never given that a thought.

Before I did the mod the ferrules were slightly proud of the body, after they were all flush or very slightly recessed. Just shows they were not properly seated.

The good thing about doing the mod is that you can use any strings you choose, you don't have to go for a long set

[JTE]

Wow, I don't have a G&L, but what an elegant, simple, and beautiful solution!

John

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by delta7fred

It was Ken Baker who did a bolt down bridge mod. It does not require any modifications to the bass so it is completely reversible if you so wish.

Here is a link to it.


http://www.bassesbyleo.com/l2500_bridge_mod.html

I did this mod on my L2500 before it was stolen. Problem solved and it was restricted to top-load-only. But it sounded a little more solid when top-loaded with the bolts in it anyway and stayed in tune better as well.

This is a nasty defect in the way the L2500 is made, IMO. I think the factory should either drill new holes in the bridge to add some additional hold-down screws, or just eliminate the through-body option and put screws in the existing holes to begin with.

But IMO, the bolt mod is the first thing you should do to an L2500 when you pull it out of the case for the first time...

LS