A Tip for Newer MIA Fender Owners.......

Fender4Me · #1 02-27-2011, 04:23 PM

If you are the owner of a 2008 or newer MIA Fender with the High Mass bridge and find that your volume and sustain are a tad low, try stringing through-the-bridge (top side) instead of through-the-body. I dont know why but, it sure made my bass open up. Its noticably louder with much more sustain. The only thing I can figure is that the break angle of the strings is much less when top strung. Anyone else ever noticed this before?

loinmute · #2 02-27-2011, 05:22 PM

I| did see an ad for the hipshot bridge (the one that either top loads or stb) and the ad said, ||GO BOTH WAYS string thru body for a percussive ringing attack or top load for smooth traditional tones. I dunno if they're right or not. I do prefer top load for it's tone.

Sorry just looked up the ad in April '06 Bass Player-Ringing SUSTAIN and percussive attack or top-load for smooth trad. tones. Maybe they're just pitching a marketable ploy?

treekiller · #3 02-27-2011, 05:26 PM

I top-loaded both my MIA basses(P & Jazz) when I switched to Chromes. Can't say as I noticed a lot of difference, though.

Fender4Me · #4 02-27-2011, 05:27 PM

Yeah, Everything i have read has said that you get more sustain wehn you string through the body but, thats not the case with mine. Could just be my bass. Easy enough to experiment with though.

loinmute · #5 02-27-2011, 05:29 PM

It is cool that you found a better tone. Some say that alot depends as to where the ball end contacts.

Fender4Me · #6 02-27-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loinmute

It is cool that you found a better tone. Some say that alot depends as to where the ball end contacts.

Thanks and that reminds me! If you do the bridge through stringing, make sure the ball end of the string falls into the slot that is machined into the ned of the HM bridge. They designed it to where the ball tucks nicely, almost out of sight.

SlingBass4 · #7 02-27-2011, 05:42 PM

IMO & IME top loaded Fenders will supply you with a more ringing sustain - the sound *I* prefer. No slight to those like a string-through load...which supplies a more fundamental 'thunk', and is more influenced by the wood used. IF we were all the same it would be boring. Happy to see so many take the time and effort to really work with their instruments to achieve their own sound, mod as needed, use flats vs. round wounds, etc. I've pursued many formulas and basses in my 40 years of playing, and come full circle back (or close) to where I began - a top loaded Fender P-Bass and J-Bass. The main difference now being I prefer a higher mass bridge with more adjustment features

Fender4Me · #8 02-27-2011, 05:52 PM

Thats a relief Slingbass. Now I know I am not loosing my mind : )

loinmute · #9 02-27-2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fender4Me

Thanks and that reminds me! If you do the bridge through stringing, make sure the ball end of the string falls into the slot that is machined into the ned of the HM bridge. They designed it to where the ball tucks nicely, almost out of sight.

Which reminds me: I just bolted a BAII on my J body, the string holes are quite a bit smaller than the stock Fender bridge. I don't have my neck bolted yet, but I did run a 105 low E and while the string went thru; the two itty bitty wires that tie the ball, is what flushes the bridge. I wonder if I should bore the hole a millimeter or so??

BassBob1 · #10 02-27-2011, 07:28 PM

i have an 08 MIA jazz bass. I used round wounds at first. I tried both through the body and top loaded. I preferred top loaded. Switched to flats about 4 months ago (i think). Tried both ways again and prefer top loaded. I don't really know if one gives more sustain than the other but top loaded just sounds better to me.