Flatwound strings on a Yamaha BB435

[Dave Cudlip]

I just purchased a Yamaha BB435 bass and would like to put DR Legends flatwound strings on it. It has a thru body bridge and I know this can sometimes be a problem with flats, but the string angle isn't as sharp thru the body as other basses are. They're drilled at a gradual angle. Any one have flats on the Yamaha BB 435 basses?

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

You’ll have better luck posting this in the electric bass forums

 

[michael_t]

I just purchased a Yamaha BB435 bass and would like to put DR Legends flatwound strings on it. It has a thru body bridge and I know this can sometimes be a problem with flats, but the string angle isn't as sharp thru the body as other basses are. They're drilled at a gradual angle.

Yamaha's 45-degree thru-body design should work fine with the DR Legend Flats. In fact, DR's "long scale" with 37.75" winding length should work better with thru-body than top-load on that particular bass to avoid having too much of the main body of the E string wrapping around the tuner post.

 

[Dave Cudlip]

Yamaha's 45-degree thru-body design should work fine with the DR Legend Flats. In fact, DR's "long scale" with 37.75" winding length should work better with thru-body than top-load.

Thanks for the info. I thought that Yamaha's 45 degree angle used thru the body, flatwounds should have no issues.

 

[michael_t]

Yamaha's 45-degree thru-body design should work fine with the DR Legend Flats. In fact, DR's "long scale" with 37.75" winding length should work better with thru-body than top-load on that particular bass to avoid having too much of the main body of the E string wrapping around the tuner post.

Just realized BB435 is a 5-string, which makes the B string closest to the nut. Just wanted to clarify that.

 

[Dave Cudlip]

I think the bridge on this 5 string bass has the B string further back then the other 4 strings, making it a little longer.

 

[michael_t]

I think the bridge on this 5 string bass has the B string further back then the other 4 strings, making it a little longer.

You're right about that.

Can you do something just to satisfy my curiosity? Measure the physical distance on that bass from where the ball end of the B string sits on the bridge when top-loaded to the B tuner post. Thanks.

 

[Dave Cudlip]

Haven't received the bass yet. I did play one last month before I made my decision to buy one. I'll make sure to measure it and let you know that distance is on the B string.

 

[Yahboy]

Haven't received the bass yet. I did play one last month before I made my decision to buy one. I'll make sure to measure it and let you know that distance is on the B string.

No worry, unlike Fender Am or old Ibanez bass which has 90 degree string through body concept, the 45 degree STB design on both BB435 and 735 accept any standard length winding bass string without issue.

 

[Dave Cudlip]

I wonder why more companies don't go that route with a less severe angle thru the bridge?

 

[michael_t]

I wonder why more companies don't go that route with a less severe angle thru the bridge?

I would guess not all companies are as smart as Yamaha.

 

[skycruiser]

I just purchased a Yamaha BB435 bass and would like to put DR Legends flatwound strings on it. It has a thru body bridge and I know this can sometimes be a problem with flats, but the string angle isn't as sharp thru the body as other basses are. They're drilled at a gradual angle. Any one have flats on the Yamaha BB 435 basses?

I had no trouble putting flats on my BB434 but no B string obviously. Didn't really like the sound of it and switched back to rounds after a couple of weeks. I used the Fender flats, 9050L I think.

 

[MotorCityMinion]

I wonder why more companies don't go that route with a less severe angle thru the bridge?

2 theories come to mind.
1st: The 45° would require an additional set up in manufacturing, adding cost.
2nd: Tonal variation and sustain are negligible and highly debatable with string through basses, similar to the tone wood debate.

 

[skycruiser]

2 theories come to mind.
1st: The 45° would require an additional set up in manufacturing, adding cost.
2nd: Tonal variation and sustain are negligible and highly debatable with string through basses, similar to the tone wood debate.

Item #2 is not relevant since the question is why do other manufacturers use 90 degree holes instead of 45 degree holes.

 

[Dave Cudlip]

I can see that drilling the 45 degree angle might involve additional set-up at the factory or buying/building a new piece of machinery. It's all about cost savings and making a profit and I have no problem with that. There's plenty of choices in the bass market.

 

[Yahboy]

The BB43x/73x/BBPH/P3x 6 bolt miter neck concept also improve neck/body contact and sustain add.

 

[Dave Cudlip]

They almost feel like a thru body neck. Kudos to Yamaha on that set-up.

 

[peiiion]

I know I'm answering a year-old post, but I was looking through opinions on flat wounds on BBs and reading this one I'd like to add something about the 45 deg thru body bridge.
At least on my 2024x, the bridge has the ability to run strings thru the body or directly on the bridge (as any other non-thru-body bridge). Not sure on other models though (43x, 73x, 102x, etc)

Mine came from factory with the strings set as thru-body, but the bridge supports otherwise.

Just that, my 2 cents.