Ibanez ATK300 Question

[CriminalCypress]

Nooby question here.

I've heard many people say that it can be strung through the bridge or body, but what does that exactly mean? The only way I know how to string mine through the back of the body.

I'm using a 1995 4-string Korean Model, if that helps.

 

[TheAnalogKid]

Seems to me that the "thru bridge" is running your strings thru the four (or 5) holes at the end of the bridge. This photo is not of any bass I own, but it may be a close representation of what I am referring. The lines are just pointers I inserted, courtesy of MS Paint; I hope that helps.



Click to Embiggen

 

[danomite64]

You can string it through the bridge only, just stick the ball end of the string through the hole in the bridge. My E string is just through the bridge in the pic.

 

[danomite64]

Seems to me that the "thru bridge" is running your strings thru the four (or 5) holes at the end of the bridge. This photo is not of any bass I own, but it may be a close representation of what I am referring. The lines are just pointers I inserted, courtesy of MS Paint; I hope that helps.



Click to Embiggen

Those aren't string holes, those are the screw holes for the saddles

 

[CriminalCypress]

Seems to me that the "thru bridge" is running your strings thru the four (or 5) holes at the end of the bridge. This photo is not of any bass I own, but it may be a close representation of what I am referring. The lines are just pointers I inserted, courtesy of MS Paint; I hope that helps.



Click to Embiggen

As previously said before, those are just screw holes for the saddles.

I understand what it means now thanks to danomite. But is there really a purpose for this? Is there any audible difference in tone?

 

[Johnny Alien]

Is there any audible difference in tone?

Not that I have ever been able to determine. I just string my bass however I feel like doing it at the time. Right now I am on a "through bridge" kick but that might change at some point.

 

[Diogenes]

You can string it through the bridge only, just stick the ball end of the string through the hole in the bridge. My E string is just through the bridge in the pic.

As danomite64 illustrated the two ways to string it is from the back of the body through the bridge or just from the top side of the bridge as on his E string (the one furthest to the right... damn lefty )

There is not perceptible difference in tone or sustain according to every person I've queried (including bassists) either live, on recordings or in a band setting.

 

[Darkstrike]

The only useful reason, some strings are too short to go through the body. Daddario tapewounds, for example.

 

[TheAnalogKid]

Arrrgh, stupid, stupid ME!!! I should have taken a closer look before my last post. A huge Mea Culpa. I thought, for some idiotic reason, that the ATK bridge was akin to the traditional Fender, not taking into account the intonation screw holes

As an Ibanez (non-ATK) owner, I should have known better.