I'm sure to say that more hit songs have been recorded with bass's that have a strings fed directly through a simple bent piece of metal than any other genius contraption of a bridge known to man.
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Is there really a benefit with "sting-thru" vs toploading?
- Thread starter vindibona1
- Start date
The only 2 possible advantages would be:
1) If your bridge saddles are unusually low, resulting in virtually no down force at that string contact point when using the standard end holes.
2) If your bridge screws are all stripped out allowing the bridge to move or pull when string tension is applied to end loaded bridge.
Realistically, either of these conditions is so rare as to be almost unheard of. Even so, if this was happening with your bass, the proper solution would be to fix the bridge, not run the strings through the body.
Having said that, with most string sets, choosing the through body option is just personal preference and makes no practical difference. Yet, there are some strings that will fail and come apart if bent around the saddles at too sharp an angle. Some manufactures specifically warn against going through the body.
1) If your bridge saddles are unusually low, resulting in virtually no down force at that string contact point when using the standard end holes.
2) If your bridge screws are all stripped out allowing the bridge to move or pull when string tension is applied to end loaded bridge.
Realistically, either of these conditions is so rare as to be almost unheard of. Even so, if this was happening with your bass, the proper solution would be to fix the bridge, not run the strings through the body.
Having said that, with most string sets, choosing the through body option is just personal preference and makes no practical difference. Yet, there are some strings that will fail and come apart if bent around the saddles at too sharp an angle. Some manufactures specifically warn against going through the body.
I assume humans who hear better than others are now regulated to the genre of “not human.”
Time and time again someone typing on TB tells us all that we can’t hear something. All that’s been said is that that person can’t hear a difference. They are the only ones who can say definitively what they can or can’t hear.
I’ve owned a ‘70 Tele and now a MIJ ‘51 P RI. The through or top question. If there is a difference it’s very subtle. What I notice though is having swapped bridges on both that any distinction depends wholly on that bass and which strings. So no generalizations apply.
It really doesn't. The tension of the strings is determined by the tuning, and it's constant regardless of what happens on the other side of the nut and bridge saddles.
As an experiment, I have literally strung basses every other string top or string through. I have never, ever noticed even the slightest difference. Ever. I have listened. I have timed sustain. I have slowly played up.and down the neck. I can't perceive even a hint of a difference in any way.... not tonally, not sustain, not feel. Not anything.
String mounting is like sex, politics, and religion (And beer preferences). You can debate it ‘til the cows come home and be no closer to having any meaningful understanding.
No perceived benefit for tone or playability, IME. I get excellent coupling to the Hipshot saddles with regular top mounting.
The only time I use a string- through is to keep the full B string winding from wrapping around the tuning post, especially when using strings with longer winding, such as DR.
The only time I use a string- through is to keep the full B string winding from wrapping around the tuning post, especially when using strings with longer winding, such as DR.
My Mike Lull’s B-string has a through body and top load option. I’ve switched back and forth quite a few times, and I’ve got to say I prefer stringing my B-string though the body. Maybe it’s a placebo effect, but I prefer how my B-string feels and sounds going through the body.
Can't say I've noticed much if any difference. I prefer top load, if I have the option on the bass.
My MIA P from ~2000 had a bridge that only allowed through body stringing. I replaced it with the Fender Deluxe bridge from that era and am happy. Certain string sets seemed to need the saddle pushed back pretty far and that made the low E have a particularly sharp break over angle.
My MIA P from ~2000 had a bridge that only allowed through body stringing. I replaced it with the Fender Deluxe bridge from that era and am happy. Certain string sets seemed to need the saddle pushed back pretty far and that made the low E have a particularly sharp break over angle.
JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
- 14,723
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Nope. Had one that did both, did both, no change. Except that it seperates the winding on your strings as they halfway break going over the body.
I live life on the razors edge, with over 30 years stringing FLATS [from many brands] thru the body.
I use to put them on through the body on my Vanquish, but after a couple of issues with string core breaking, I just put them on as normal for the past year or so.
I've not noticed any difference in feel or tone, but to be honest, I don't have the best ears.
I've not noticed any difference in feel or tone, but to be honest, I don't have the best ears.
I have to agree with this. Fancy bridges are mostly a solution looking for a problem is my experience.
I see everyone say this, and while I assume it is true, I 100% feel a difference on my p bass. I just got a jazz that has both as an option I feel a difference on this as well, but only when played over the bridge pickup.
