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Why String through the body?

#3
Phantasm said:
What's the advantage vs. just stringing through the bridge?

I've been stringing through the body with my Lakland since I bought it, but I haven't found an answer anywhere as to why this is beneficial or how it affects the sound.
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If you read up there are debates that pop up from time to time as to the benefits of this. Some people will say it affects the string tensions, others will say that there is no scientific proof of that.

I personally believe that it doesn't necessarily change sustain or tension...i think it changes the feel of the string. But there are more drastic variables like what gauge string you use and what the winding type is that will affect the sound more.
 
#4
Poon said:
If you read up there are debates that pop up from time to time as to the benefits of this. Some people will say it affects the string tensions, others will say that there is no scientific proof of that.

I personally believe that it doesn't necessarily change sustain or tension...i think it changes the feel of the string. But there are more drastic variables like what gauge string you use and what the winding type is that will affect the sound more.
Click to expand...

+1. Exactly.
 
#5
Logically, I would have thought it converts the vibrations in your string through the body better, than a top-loading bridge. And so gives better resonance and sustain, all round improving sound quality, maybe only a little bit though.
 
#9
Hipshot FAQ said:
Are there any advantages to through the body string loading?

When the strings are run through the body of your instrument as opposed to being held at the back end of the bridge, string pressure is directed downward forcing the saddles into the body. Therefore saddle/ bridge/ body coupling is enhanced, giving you a more snappy tone (good for slapping). Our bridges are available with the string through and top loading features combined so that you can run some strings though the body or from the back of the bridge for maximum tonal adjustment and variations (for example; you may want to run your bass strings though the body while running you treble strings from the back of the bridge).
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However...

Hipshot FAQ said:
What are the advantages of top load?
Besides being much handier to change strings through the top load slot, I believe you get less wear and tear on your strings.*As you pass a string through the hole in back end of your bridge you cannot help but rub the*string winding against the edge of the bridge.* If*the string is rubbed hard enough, you could deform one side causing damage (similar to the way you would rub scissors against a ribbon to curl it).**A deformed string may not orbit correctly, causing false overtones.* *Also you avoid scratching*the face of your instrument due dragging the string ball against the finish.
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#11
Minger said:
My take on it is: Because you can.
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Thats pretty much it!! There is a thread going round on this forum recently which has some links to a site that has Sterling Ball from Musicman demonstrating a heap of the EBMM basses. There is one video that has Sterling playing an Anniversary Stingray. This particular ray has a string through body setup. He says that Musicman believe this serves no purpose what so ever and that they did it purely because thats how it used to be done. He also didn't say it was any worse...
So there you have it... Even the guys (well EB ayway) making the basses believe it serves no purpose.
 
#13
Phantasm said:
What's the advantage vs. just stringing through the bridge?

I've been stringing through the body with my Lakland since I bought it, but I haven't found an answer anywhere as to why this is beneficial or how it affects the sound.
Click to expand...
I have string-thru options on my Peaveys... I can't say for sure than they sound noticably better strung either way, but putting on new strings is loads easier going thru body..

;)
 
#16
The tensions should be the same; otherwise the tuning would change (assuming the same length of strings).

Three things:

1) You might use less string on bridge connections.

2) The string bend angle into and thru the body may not be a factor on string life since it looks less than the bend angle of the strings to the tuning posts.

3) The perpendicular and parallel (to the string) components of the string vibrations could be a factor in sustain. Perhaps a string bridge with free-rolling rollers [edit] would separate the vibrating components (x-axis and y-axis) to the body. (You might lose the the transmission of z-axis vibrations). Has this been done? Any thoughts on this?
 
#20
I think it changes the tone slightly...making it more woody sounding. As far as tension goes...of course it doesn't change the tension but I have definitely felt a difference in how tight or the perceived tension feels. I have noticed that strings feel slightly harder going through body...but...this also could be a my imagination playing tricks with me.
 

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