Tapewound Strings for a Yamaha BB435 is this length suitable...?

[Rangotouille]

I have a Yamaha BB435. It's a 34" scale, 5-string bass that's strung through the body.

I want to fit Invalid Link Removed (tapewound) strings but I'm not sure if their size is suitable.

I found this at the La Bella website:

All standard bass sets are LONG scale length. The 1st (G), 2nd (D) & 3rd (A) strings are 38” from ball-end to silk/taper.

The 4th (E) & 5th (B) string are 36 ¾” from ball-end to silk/taper.

Only the silk portion of the string should wrap around the tuning post or else the string will break.
Invalid Link Removed

Will these fit my BB435?

 

[michael_t]

This particular La Bella set has the B and E at 36.75" winding length (ball end to silk/taper), and 38" for the rest.

If you want to make sure, just measure the distance on your bass from where the ball end sits to the nut on B and E. As long as it's less than 36.75", then you'll be okay.

Yamaha uses their own unique "diagonal" thru-body design, where the string passes thru the body without an extra break behind the saddle.

 

[Rangotouille]

This particular La Bella set has the B and E at 36.75" winding length (ball end to silk/taper), and 38" for the rest.

If you want to make sure, just measure the distance on your bass from where the ball end sits to the nut on B and E. As long as it's less than 36.75", then you'll be okay.

Yamaha uses their own unique "diagonal" thru-body design, where the string passes thru the body without an extra break behind the saddle.

Thanks. It hadn't occurred to me to measure it. The guitar's on it's way to me via courier so once it reaches me I'll, I guess, use a piece of string to get the length.

Really hoping they're long enough; I really want these on my bass.

 

[michael_t]

Thanks. It hadn't occurred to me to measure it. The guitar's on it's way to me via courier so once it reaches me I'll, I guess, use a piece of string to get the length.

Really hoping they're long enough; I really want these on my bass.

If it so turns out 36.75" isn't quite long enough, you can always top-load the B and the E and put the rest thru-body.

 

[Rangotouille]

If it so turns out 36.75" isn't quite long enough, you can always top-load the B and the E and put the rest thru-body.

Thanks,

I really don't want to do that but I guess I might end up doing so.

 

[Rangotouille]

If it so turns out 36.75" isn't quite long enough, you can always top-load the B and the E and put the rest thru-body.

Just took another look at it and it doesn't look like top loading is possible with the BB435 bridge?

The scale length of the BB435 is 34" so it leaves me 2.75" spare to reach through the guitar from the bridge. Fingers crossed that's going to be enough.

 

[michael_t]

Just took another look at it and it doesn't look like top loading is possible with the BB435 bridge?

From Yamaha Canada website:

The 400 models are equipped with a Vintage Plus Light bridge that incorporates “Diagonal Body Thru Stringing,” in which the strings are angled at the saddle and pass through the instrument to the bridge at a 45º angle, as opposed to the traditional vertical stringing method which places more stress on the strings. Diagonal Body Thru Stringing significantly reduces this stress while transferring string vibration to the body reliably and efficiently. The strings can also be attached to the tail end of the bridge. In 5-string models the bridge is equipped with an offset low B string.
​

Sounds like the BB435 bridge has both top-load and thru-body options.

 

[Rangotouille]

From Yamaha Canada website:

The 400 models are equipped with a Vintage Plus Light bridge that incorporates “Diagonal Body Thru Stringing,” in which the strings are angled at the saddle and pass through the instrument to the bridge at a 45º angle, as opposed to the traditional vertical stringing method which places more stress on the strings. Diagonal Body Thru Stringing significantly reduces this stress while transferring string vibration to the body reliably and efficiently. The strings can also be attached to the tail end of the bridge. In 5-string models the bridge is equipped with an offset low B string.
​

Sounds like the BB435 bridge has both top-load and thru-body options.

Thanks. I guess I just couldn't see how that would work by eyeballing it. I'll have to figure that out.

I'm hoping they'll be long enough. I won't know until it arrives and I can measure it. I just took a look at a ruler and it seems 2.75" is actually longer than I thought it was so it might be okay.

 

[michael_t]

Thanks. I guess I just couldn't see how that would work by eyeballing it. I'll have to figure that out.

I'm hoping they'll be long enough. I won't know until it arrives and I can measure it. I just took a look at a ruler and it seems 2.75" is actually longer than I thought it was so it might be okay.

Something else you can try is to post your question here: New Yamaha BB series

You may be able to get help from one of the current BB users.

 

[Rangotouille]

Something else you can try is to post your question here: New Yamaha BB series

You may be able to get help from one of the current BB users.

Thanks, I'll take a look at the thread. Most appreciated.

 

[ThiccKarn]

Thanks, I'll take a look at the thread. Most appreciated.

Sorry to bring this thread back up but did they fit? I want this same set for my BB435

 

[michael_t]

Sorry to bring this thread back up but did they fit? I want this same set for my BB435

La Bella "long scale" with 36.75" winding length (ball to silk) on B and E should be long enough for the diagonal thru-body on the Yamaha BB's. If not, you can always top-load the B and E. (No, it won't affect the tone enough to be noticeable.)

I do have a BB435 coming as well.

 

[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 lowest string tuner post;
3) purchase a set of strings where the winding/speaking length of the strings is between these two numbers.

And for La Bella: don't mount anything string-through-body unless it is a set that La Bella says can be mounted string-through-body.

 

[ThiccKarn]

La Bella "long scale" with 36.75" winding length (ball to silk) on B and E should be long enough for the diagonal thru-body on the Yamaha BB's. If not, you can always top-load the B and E. (No, it won't affect the tone enough to be noticeable.)

I do have a BB435 coming as well.

Thanks! Also you're really going to enjoy your new bass.

 

[michael_t]

Thanks! Also you're really going to enjoy your new bass.

I know I will, especially considering the price I paid for it. A brand new (old-stock) 2017 BB435 for $399 CAD ($299 USD)!

 

[ThiccKarn]

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 lowest string tuner post;
3) purchase a set of strings where the winding/speaking length of the strings is between these two numbers.

And for La Bella: don't mount anything string-through-body unless it is a set that La Bella says can be mounted string-through-body.

Just to note, the break angle for string through basses in Yamaha's catalog is about 5 degrees steeper than just doing string through bridge, as they come from the body at a very shallow angle. One should do it at their own risk but I doubt it would hurt anything, but your input is warranted, thanks!

 

[ThiccKarn]

I know I will, especially considering the price I paid for it. A brand new (old-stock) 2017 BB435 for $399 CAD ($299 USD)!

I brought it to my luthier and he was shocked at how well it was made, we compared the neck pocket gap to some high end basses he had in the shop and it was the tightest of them all. It will need to get the nut slots filed, we also replaced the nut with a bone one because the plastic one was kinda cheap.

Def worth bringing to a top notch luthier and getting a proper set up. I've played much more expensive basses that don't blow my hair back like this thing. I also have no urge to change the electronics but it could do with a cavity shielding.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Just to note, the break angle for string through basses in Yamaha's catalog is about 5 degrees steeper than just doing string through bridge, as they come from the body at a very shallow angle. One should do it at their own risk but I doubt it would hurt anything, but your input is warranted, thanks!

The La Bella warning against through-body loading is limited to their flats, and even so doesn't include either the purposefully-made, thru-body version of the Deel Talkin' Flats (760FS-TB and 760FS-B-TB) nor, AFAIK, the Low Tension sets (LTF-4A, all lengths, and LTF-5A).
All tapewound sets are peachy.