Stringing thru' body and bridge. What's the diff?

supposedly, it increases sustain when you string a bass through the body. but it may or may not do this.

All I know is when I get my string through body MIA P bass, Im gonna switch the stock bridge with a top loading Badass II. I think it will actually make the sustain better since the stock bridge is low mass compared to the Badass II. Even though it is top loading.

 

I have a '98 MIA P bass with GHS pressurwounds strung thru the body.It has about twice the sustain of my '76 jazz with a Badass II.I made it worse by putting flats on the Jazz.I think,in my case,the woods make a greater difference than anything else,but,having said that,I also think string-through ,on a bass with good wood will give more sustain than any bridge will.All the string tension is forcing the bridge to couple with the body instead of relying on little old screws.

But I admit my opinion was formed from playing that 70's J for many years.they aren't known for being Fender's best instruments.

 

I just got a new MIA P-Bass with a string through body.



The sustain sounds really good to me. I also have a MIM J-Bass with a BA II bridge. The upgraded J-Bass has great sustain and tone but I think the P-Bass is a little better.

 

I tried both ways on my MIA P-Bass. It sounded about the same to me.

 

I believe that strings thru the body increases string tension.

This would help to keep things tighter, especially if you detune a lot, or use lighter strings.

Could be wrong, but I think that's the difference.

Any budding lutheirs out there????

 

String through body cannot increase tension. It's not possible. Two things increase tension. String gauge and scale length. String through can affect feel giving the perception that there is more tension, kinda like higher action makes strings feel tighter.

 

Actually, only one thing increases string tension: turning the tuning peg! (Damn smartasses!)

That said, you'll need more tension to get a given pitch if you have thicker strings or longer scale length (so we agree). But, since it's only the vibrating part of the string that matters, stringing through body shouldn't matter. In theory...

So I like JimM's idea that stringing through body is coupling the bridge better with the wood by forcing it down. I've always wondered what the heck was going on there.

But then you gotta ask "isn't there a simpler way?" Like more screws or something?

I'm no luthier.

 

Congrats Basshacker! Nice looking P,I love the natural wood look on P`s.

My stock `98 P (mia) has very good sustain.I may look into swapping out the bridge one day but for now...... I`m happy with her.

I`d always heard the string through bodies added sustain.

 

Thanks Usul.

It's a 50th Anniversary American P with the butterscotch blonde finish. I love it just the way it is - feels and sounds great to me.

 

She`s gorgeous BassHacker,if you EVER consider selling her(and I seriously doubt you ever would) give me first dibs,k?

I don`t know about you,just something about the Ole P that feels right.



Oh,you should post a pic of your princess in the "show your P basses" thread man!