String through lengths

[Bob McAlister]

Hi folks, this has probably been covered before, but I want to buy new strings for my newly acquired (2002) ESP bass. It has a Hipshot ‘A’ bridge that can either go with a through the body application or from the bridge application. It’s a 34” scale. I would like to get strings that are appropriate for the ‘through the body’ application. I have been going crazy trying to figure out the proper string length! The measurement from the ball the the back side of the nut is: 37”. I have 1/2” after the nut until it reaches the narrow Hipshot post. Besides my liking 45-100 , what string length should I buy????

 

[Killing Floor]

Been playing bass since 78 or 79(?) and half my basses have been strong through and I’ve never measured and never had silk over the nut. I historically changed strings every 1-2 weeks until pretty recently and I’ve tried dozens of not a hundred different sets.
My guess, and this is only a guess, my guess is that whoever manufactures your favorite strings knows in advance of shipping them that they are intended for use on a bass.

 

[Bob McAlister]

Hmmm, I’ve been playing bass since 1966, but this is the second time I’ve had a string through body bass. My first one was a Lakland 5594 and I just bought Lakland strings and didn’t think a thing about it. But that’s a 35” scale. Different story. This bass is a 4 string 34” scale, but string through. The previous owner had a set of strings on it that had the E string taper start right on the nut! I’m just looking for someone that’s had this exact experience that has the right solution (answer) for me. Also, I might add that I called ESP here in LA and they weren’t sure what to tell me.

 

[Geri O]

I “think” that with 34” scale basses, regular long scale strings will be fine when strung through the body.

But get into 35” scale basses and you’ll probably need extra-long scale strings.

I base D) this on my experience my with 35” scale Lulls. Only the B string is capable of being strung through the body. Regular long-scale strings E through G are fine on those basses. But a regular long-scale B string cannot go through the body, although it can be strung through the bridge just fine.
So with, for example, the D’Addario Pro Steels, I will order the regular long-scale 50-105 4-string sets, then order single extra-long .135 B strings that are long enough to go through the body.

It’s a wee bit convoluted, but here’s my new saying on the subject….

"Mike Lull went to all the trouble of adding a B-string ferrule, it would be disparaging to his memory not to utilize it at all costs, I like it, and it shuts me up!"......“

 

[michael_t]

The measurement from the ball the the back side of the nut is: 37”. I have 1/2” after the nut until it reaches the narrow Hipshot post. Besides my liking 45-100 , what string length should I buy????

"Long scale" by Ernie Ball, GHS, Dunlop and SIT are all 37.25" in winding length (ball end to taper). DR's "long scale" is slightly longer at 37.75".

 

[bassdude51]

I don't know if this will help you or not but I have several Fender Basses that are "through body" and I've been just fine using TI Flats 34" scale.

 

[Isaac_James]

"Long scale" by Ernie Ball, GHS, Dunlop and SIT are all 37.25" in winding length (ball end to taper). DR's "long scale" is slightly longer at 37.75".

Dean Markley also appear to have a 37.25" winding length for their long scale strings according to [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].

 

[michael_t]

Dean Markley also appear to have a 37.25" winding length for their long scale strings according to [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].

37.25" is the most common winding length. Keep in mind, though, the list at Fret Nation is not quite up-to-date as it hasn't been updated in years despite my bugging Jason about it.

 

[Isaac_James]

37.25" is the most common winding length. Keep in mind, though, the list at Fret Nation is not quite up-to-date as it hasn't been updated in years despite my bugging Jason about it.

Good to know. Also not complete as there are a number of other string manufacturers out there that aren't on the list.

In any case, @Bob McAlister has plenty of options to choose from that should fit his bass.

 

[CaribooBass]

Newbie question on the bass strings made to go through the body?

I was told this in a music store last year; The string length is one thing, the main question is find a manufacturer that makes a string that will not bend or break when going through the body.
Apparently the angle created by doing this makes the string weak in that position and they often break under tension.

Is this true ?

 

[Relsom]

Newbie question on the bass strings made to go through the body?

I was told this in a music store last year; The string length is one thing, the main question is find a manufacturer that makes a string that will not bend or break when going through the body.
Apparently the angle created by doing this makes the string weak in that position and they often break under tension.

Is this true ?

I read that flats should be installed in the top load position if you have a choice. Also, it is more difficult to maintain a twist free installation on a string through, especially if you insist on wrapping the string around the tuner post.

I have a couple of Fender USA basses that were made around Y2K.... a period when the bridges were string through only. I've since replaced those bridges with Fender versions that allow for both.

BTW - I've never had an issue on any 34" string through bass with any brand of regular long scale set.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Hmmm, I’ve been playing bass since 1966, but this is the second time I’ve had a string through body bass. My first one was a Lakland 5594 and I just bought Lakland strings and didn’t think a thing about it. But that’s a 35” scale. Different story. This bass is a 4 string 34” scale, but string through. The previous owner had a set of strings on it that had the E string taper start right on the nut! I’m just looking for someone that’s had this exact experience that has the right solution (answer) for me. Also, I might add that I called ESP here in LA and they weren’t sure what to tell me.

I have a few string through and haven't had a problem.
I would suspect that the previous owner of the bass had short scale strings on it.

 

[Isaac_James]

Newbie question on the bass strings made to go through the body?

I was told this in a music store last year; The string length is one thing, the main question is find a manufacturer that makes a string that will not bend or break when going through the body.
Apparently the angle created by doing this makes the string weak in that position and they often break under tension.

Is this true ?

It can be problematic if the string is bent at a sharp 90 degree angle. Some manufacturers design their instruments to have the string bent to a less extreme degree. It is more problematic with flatwound strings than roundwound, though I've seen flats run through the body before with no apparent issue. I think it's just more likely to break or cause issues with the outer wrap on flatwounds.

 

[Bob McAlister]

They did seem a bit short.

 

[wiscoaster]

I had a problem with string-through on a short-scale bass and solved that problem with medium-scale strings. Just be aware of the winding length; not all brands are the same.

 

[Killing Floor]

I realize different bridge, different string, different bass.

I just measured my 2020 Fender MiA P bass and my 2021 Kiesel 5 string P and for grins, my MiA Telecaster Deluxe.
In all 3 cases, assuming the “string” side of the ball end is 0”, there is 1/4” difference between string through and top load on my instruments. If you don’t have a tool to measure the depth of your ferrules you can use a pencil from the back and subtract that distance from the thickness of the body and you’ll be really close.

 

[Bob McAlister]

All’s well now. I put a set of Ernie Ball hyper slinky’s (ok, I have whimpy little hands) and the tapered end (E string at the nut) just starts 1/8” after the back of the nut. The packaging doesn’t say ‘long scale, but they are. Thx for all the comments. I would think that the string manufacturers would address ball to taper length, but maybe there’s no room on the package and maybe they assume that we’re smart enough to figure it out as a group. As the old adage states “between the two of us we equal one genius”.?

 

[tb-player]

It’s a wee bit convoluted, but here’s my new saying on the subject….

"Mike Lull went to all the trouble of adding a B-string ferrule, it would be disparaging to his memory not to utilize it at all costs, I like it, and it shuts me up!"......“

I feel like we need to work out a residual for use of this…

 

[iiipopes]

Let us all repeat the mantra:
1) measure from the ball anchor to the tuner side of the nut;
2) measure from the ball anchor to the center of the tuner post of the lowest string;
3) purchase a set of strings that the speaking or winding length is between these two measurements.
The OP has reported that ball to back of nut is 37 inches. Most manufacturers report their standard long scale to be between 37 1/8 to 37 3/4 inches. All should be good. Even if the string clears the nut by the width of only one winding, that is sufficient.

 

[2saddleslab]

Newbie question on the bass strings made to go through the body?

I was told this in a music store last year; The string length is one thing, the main question is find a manufacturer that makes a string that will not bend or break when going through the body.
Apparently the angle created by doing this makes the string weak in that position and they often break under tension.

Is this true ?

Been sporting flat wounds from multiple brands & string thru bridges for nearly 40 years and the only broken string I've experienced was from a cue ball flying off a pool table which hit my Jazz bass [top mount btw] while on a stand during a break.