Can Flats Go Through The Body?

[CLMSHQ]

I have been using flats on my P Bass for years. But now I want to put flats on my Jazz.

I have seen posts where they should NOT go through the body... Not sure why...Does it ruin the flats?

Any idea?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

You don't want a sharp break in the angle of the string with flats, that's why people generally avoid through body with flats.

 

[sgiacomo]

Learn something new every day! Is it only certain flats? The reason I ask is that I have chromes through the body on my 07 Fender P bass with no problems. They've been on there a couple of years, maybe just lucky.

 

[NorCal Dog]

i've run numerous makers flats thru body on numerous basses for years with ZERO issues

could care less what the " manufacturer's recommendations " are, but most will never even consider crossing the line

fyi,,, back in the 60's Fender was selling many thru body basses,, & they were ALL strung with flats

 

[drummer5359]

I have Fender flats running through the body on all of my Fenders, I've had no issues whatsoever.

Didn't the strings run through the body in the early days of Precision basses? Flat wound strings were the only option then.

 

[MisterMagician]

I don't know about through body flats, but the string winding on some flats does not play nice with a "Badass" replacement bridge.

 

[SouthTippBass]

I have a 2010 MIA Fender Jazz with La Bella deep talking flats going through the body. Have had the strings on four years, never had any problem, sounds and feels amazing. Wouldn't put anything else on it now

 

[Jefff]

Labella makes a special set of DTF's that are designed for string through body.

I have run TI's through body for at least 20 years and never had a problem. The only issue is if I take them off they don't sound as good when I have tried to reuse them.

 

[CLMSHQ]

Well that pretty much answers that.

Thanks for the quick responses!

 

[Stealth Fighter]

I've had La Bella 760FL-TB strings on my '95 Precision for almost two years without any issues.

 

[Pilgrim]

I have been using flats on my P Bass for years. But now I want to put flats on my Jazz.

I have seen posts where they should NOT go through the body... Not sure why...Does it ruin the flats?

Any idea?

Depends on the flats. Some are made for through-body, some are not. Do homework on the strings and you will be fine.

 

[2saddleslab]

Absolutely, been using TI's [current and longtime favorite], LeBella, Fender, & GHS flats for decades with no problems, ever.

 

[pasta4lnch]

Edit: ^^nice basses btw!!^^

FWIW I've had the same Roto Swing's on my PBJ for over 6 years w no issues...

 

[sqrat51]

Another two cents worth: GHS Precision Flats on my thru-body Mustang Bass work just fine.

 

[metron]

It can be a problem. I popped a labella DTF E string once going through body. Brand new and right at the break angle. Never had an issue with any others though including the replacement labella they sent me free of charge.

 

[okcrum]

String them either way. If a string can't handle the relatively gentle radius of coming around the saddle, how is it going to handle the sharper bend coming out of the nut? I'd consider such a string defective, not special. The argument seems kind of random on that basis. Do what works best for you.

 

[Al T.]

I had a LaBella DTB-FS E string winding come unwrapped at the saddle after about 6 months use. I put a Hipshot aluminum B bridge on so I can play either type of string. Good solution.

 

[okcrum]

It can be a problem. I popped a labella DTF E string once going through body. Brand new and right at the break angle. Never had an issue with any others though including the replacement labella they sent me free of charge.

I popped a DH .130 roundwound B string at the same point while playing it, so I sent the dead one back at their request so they could examine it and they sent another. Defects are not selective by string type.

 

[CLMSHQ]

Thanks again.

I really like Fender Flats...are there others that are smooth to the touch like Fender Flats that won't cut the hell out of your finger tips?

 

[The Bass Clef]

Thanks again.

I really like Fender Flats...are there others that are smooth to the touch like Fender Flats that won't cut the hell out of your finger tips?

I'm guessing that's probably more to do with a heavy playing style.? The standard Fender flats are some pretty stiff/high tension flats though. TIs are about the lowest tension and most pliable flats out there, if you want to see what the other side of the spectrum feels like give those a try (I've been playing TIs for many years, I love em). Chromes and GHS are in the middle somewhere. Most LaBella flats are pretty heavy and stiff, more like Fender flats IMO.