Why String through the body?

[bmc]

How much sustain do you need to hold a whole note? How much sustain do you need pumping out 1/8 notes?

Which sounds better: sunburst or natural finish?

AND...if it's resonance, will it make a difference when you're playing in biker bar with two guitarists through half stacks and an animal pounding on drums?

 

[Mitchell Royce]

+1!

I think that any effect is simply in the perception of the player. It is that way with most objects that we spend a lot of time with and have a personal association with. Same as baseball players that use corked bats. It's been shown that this has no benficial effect but that doesn't stop them from using those bats and believing it makes them hit farther.
Once we can perceive the intricacies of the sound of an instrument we apply all sorts of theories to explain them. Personally, I think any debate about the effect on the sound of a bass of anything past the strings, pups, technique, woods, FX and amplification is mythical in nature. Even in each of those topics are plenty of mythical perceptions which are passed of as facts.

 

[zink182]

But, in my experience, basses strung at the bridge are much easier to slap on than basses strung through body because of less "perceived" string tension.

placebos..

what if you have and DR hi beam 105 gauge thourgh body and with a 34 for scale.. it should be the same with top load..

for increased tension you need a longer scale or a thicker gauge..

 

[mark beem]

How much sustain do you need to hold a whole note? How much sustain do you need pumping out 1/8 notes?

Which sounds better: sunburst or natural finish?

AND...if it's resonance, will it make a difference when you're playing in biker bar with two guitarists through half stacks and an animal pounding on drums?

Great post...

 

[SamJ]

I like the body thru because it's just plain cooler!