Seen this lovely bass at a good price. Bog standard Precision but this one string through body. I have never seen this before? Is this a desireable thing on a P bass? I am after a fairly basic traditional P bass thud thud sound.
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Fender P bass 2012 US standard advice
- Thread starter Craig Williams
- Start date
It's just an option. You can top load strings on the bridge too. You will hear thoughts on both ways, but just make up your own mind.
Wont be able to try it unfortunately. Trying to get an idea. I like the idea of what I would think would be a strong anchor to the body of the guitar and maybe more resonance? Not sure if the reallity matches the hypothesis tho. Do you need longer strings to compensate for the extra inch or so going through the body of the guitars? Were the old 50s 60s ones ever made like this?
Its a pretty good price where Im living (Thailand). Not cheap but just below market. Similar to used price back home
Try the string through, or don’t. It’s nice to have an option
I'm not convinced string through makes a ton of difference, but that bridge also works as a normal toploader as well. That era of fenders is pretty decent. Wouldn't pay a premium for one, but at standard used pricing, they give a pretty decent bang for the buck
The original Precision Basses from 1951 had string through body - this arrangement has been around a long time.
The arguments about top-load vs. string -through usually create more heat than light. It’s up to the individual player - some do have definite preferences.
You will need extra string length to do string-through on this bass. If you use regular long scale strings and string them through-body, they’ll be too short. The silk string wraps will go over the nut, instead of the wound metal portion of the string. You can use regular long scale strings if you string on top through the bridge only.
Many manufacturers offer an extra long scale set which will work fine for through body stringing. Look for extra long scale with at least 38" to 40” ball to taper.
The arguments about top-load vs. string -through usually create more heat than light. It’s up to the individual player - some do have definite preferences.
You will need extra string length to do string-through on this bass. If you use regular long scale strings and string them through-body, they’ll be too short. The silk string wraps will go over the nut, instead of the wound metal portion of the string. You can use regular long scale strings if you string on top through the bridge only.
Many manufacturers offer an extra long scale set which will work fine for through body stringing. Look for extra long scale with at least 38" to 40” ball to taper.
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I have one of these Fenders, and have been using ordinary long scale strings strung through the body. I’ve used D’Addario XL rounds and Chromes, Dunlop flats and TI Jazz Flats with no length problems.
These are excellent Precisions, but with confidence.
These are excellent Precisions, but with confidence.
That’s a great bass, very similar to mine (2014 but with rosewood). The string through body is a non-issue.
Some might like the idea of strings pressing the bridge to the body instead of strings trying to pull it off the body. Just psychologically.
Another thought of string through. Some string will not work well for this. Some flatwounds can not handle the very sharp angle across the saddle. And some strings are not wound for string through. The silk at the headstock end may rest right on the nut causing some issues. Other that that it is a great Bass. I had a 2005 MIA just like it and currently have several MIM with MIA parts.
Yeah I wouldn't even attempt putting flats on unless I was 100% sure of the length required. Been there done that and flats are EXPENSIVE in Thailand. Broke a set only a few months ago. Luckily was the shops fault, they sent the wrong size and replaced them. I never knew it was an issue
So forgetting about the string through, what should I expect here. Is it going to feel and sound like a classic P? What are those era pick ups like? Vintage 60s I believe. I hate paying more money for PU after buying a premium guitar / bass
As far as I know all US Fenders are string through and always have been.
(Someone will point out exceptions, but I believe that's been the standard.)
I've never had a problem with regular strings on mine. No need to get extra long strings IME.
Should be an excellent bass.
(Someone will point out exceptions, but I believe that's been the standard.)
I've never had a problem with regular strings on mine. No need to get extra long strings IME.
Should be an excellent bass.
I *think* the 2012s came with custom shop pickups. Should be very good without any mods.
I think it varies from one manufacturer to another. Eg standard Rotosounds and GHS have fitted my string through bass perfectly.
It’s pretty much as close as you can get to a vintage P bass without getting a vintage one. The wood isn’t as old but all the parts are there & it was made in the fender factory
The bridge works two ways, I’m sure you’ve already seen other replies saying this. You can string through the body if you’d like, or just leave that alone and string through the bridge instead. There’s isn’t much of a difference between in sound between the two and in my experience I never needed long scale strings to string through the body.
Huh?
Last time I bought a Fender bass was back when they were all US Fenders. And in those days I don't recall ever seeing a string-through one.
On the other hand . . . at my age I can't even remember when my memory was particularly reliable.
