what difference does string-thru actually make?

ElliotBass · #1 05-26-2007, 04:17 PM

first off, sorry if this has been answered before and yes. i did try a search

How does string-through body on a bass effect your tone? does it affect it all? would you notice the difference in the sound between a string-through and a normal bridge?

Thanks a lot

saxnbass · #2 05-26-2007, 04:54 PM

IMO, very little to none.

**Marcus Willett** · #3 05-26-2007, 04:59 PM

I can hear a difference, but it is pretty damn slight. A bit more bottom and sustain at the expense of a little mids and burp. but again, very slight. In an mix, you'll never notice. If you've got a bass set up for it, you can try both ways, but I wouldn't mod a bass for it.

Again, that is. Done it a couple times and wasn't really worth it.

ElliotBass · #4 05-27-2007, 04:08 AM

thanks a lot, if i took the bridge off a string thru bass, could i replace it with a normal bridge ?

62bass · #5 05-27-2007, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElliotBass

thanks a lot, if i took the bridge off a string thru bass, could i replace it with a normal bridge ?

Sure. Make sure it's a decent quality "normal bridge" I have string through and normal. I notice absolutely no difference in normal playing. The string through idea, like so many others is a marketing ploy that the bass gear magazines have bought into and promote to make their adverisers happy.

One thing to note though is the normal bridge may not line up with the same mounting holes and may be a different bass size so take that into consideration.

ehque · #6 05-27-2007, 11:59 PM

Personally the string thru bridge for me uses the string tension to pull the bridge into the body, while the other bridge uses the string tension to pull the bridge OFF the body.

The screws will hold, of course. But im not sure how this affects anything.

Poop-Loops · #7 05-28-2007, 12:14 AM

It doesn't. The net forces are equal in both cases, meaning nothing movies.

ehque · #8 05-28-2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

It doesn't. The net forces are equal in both cases, meaning nothing movies.

yeah, the net forces are the same, but where they act is different. String thru bridges have the tension mostly taken up by ferrules that distribute the force into the whole chunk of wood "above" it.

The other bridge... well, ive never stripped a bridge screw, but the force on this one is mostly exerted thru the 5 or so screws you have, and certainly isn't as well distributed.

Uh, the idea, to me, is, you can strip a screw, but it'll take a lot more than that to pull a ferrule thru a bass body.

My main bass is a quick loader.

**Marcus Willett** · #9 05-28-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

The net forces are equal in both cases

Yes, but it's re-directed. The force is directed more downward on the saddle, increasing the physical and acoustic coupling between the bridge and the body. It does make a difference, but it's marginal and most folks probably would never notice anyway.

202dy · #10 05-28-2007, 09:32 AM

There is probably a difference. The question is whether or not it can be measured and what kind of metering need be employed to find the difference.

If you consider the forces and the vectors involved on a bass guitar it is obvious that the weak point is the neck-body joint. There are a few instances of neck bolts pulling out due to tension but one would be hard pressed to find the same condition happening at the bridge. The string is pulling the bridge toward the headstock, not away from the body. Think about it: The length of the screw alone might, in a really soft (pine, balsa?) body, allow the bridge to shift forward toward the headstock but not pull out of the body. At the neck joint, on the other hand, the strings are pulling on the entire assembly much in the same way as the string on a long bow. The forces are identical and are trying to pull the headstock toward the bridge. As in any span, the weak point is the middle.

gargemil · #11 05-28-2007, 01:42 PM

String through basses, according to those who make them, have increased sustain. Since all guitars have their own personality I, personally don't see how this can be verified or disproven. I doubt there is much difference at all. It all comes down to personal preferance.

Human Bass · #12 05-28-2007, 01:55 PM

In my experience, it gave a little bit more tension.

PaleMelanesian · #13 05-28-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gargemil

Since all guitars have their own personality I, personally don't see how this can be verified or disproven.

You can try it on the very same instrument. On my goes-both-ways bass, I don't notice a bit of difference either way. Not that there isn't, but I can't tell. Main difference is it's a pain to restring.