Through body with La Bella 760FL-B? Safe or risky?

[Basslie]

Hello,

I just got a new bass for my birthday from my wife (nice gift!). It’s a Sire P5R- 5 string.

She had tbe La Bella 760FL-B set put on it and had Sweetwater do the set up and string install (extra $).

I opened up the box and played it some last night. Loved it. Amazing neck btw. Come home from work today and take a closer look and I see that the Sweetwater tech set it up with strings through the body instead of through the bridge (I’d have figured they’d know better, but guess not? The input jack also fell into the guitar fist time I plugged it in, so that apparently got missed on this multipoint inspection too— luckily that was an easy fix).

I know LaBella says only through bridge for this set, but I’d hate to have to redo the whole setup. It’s currently set up very nicely with low action, etc. I’d hate to change it all— especially resetting up the intonation on new flats.

What are your thoughts on leaving it as is? whats the realistic risk of breaking a string with through body on this set?

This is a 5-string p-bass with flats, so not gonna be slapping on it. Mostly finger play, occasional pick usage. Maybe use the nordy mute.

I know the topic has been addressed in passing on different forums— but it seems there is no consensus on the risk of running these through body, so wanted to ask directly.

I created a poll for ease of judging the consensus.

thanks for your input.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Worst that will happen is one or more of the strings will be damaged due to the breakpoint angle. It won't hurt the bass.
I installed these on a fretless Wishbass thru body. Was fine.

 

[Killing Floor]

It’s installed. And you can’t remove it and use it most likely because it would have a notch anyway, probably about 1/10” in front of the saddle (+/-).
They say not to install through body so the manufacturer doesn’t owe you any further explanation.

But since it’s done may as well play them and enjoy until they don’t work.

 

[Basslie]

Worst that will happen is one or more of the strings will be damaged due to the breakpoint angle. It won't hurt the bass.
I installed these on a fretless Wishbass thru body. Was fine.

thank you. Just annoyed that their tech didn’t do it right, when we paid $99 for the setup. I’m sure they’ve set these up many times, and it says clearly on the package: “This particular set is NOT suitable for basses with bridges that require strings to pass through the body of the instrument.” They’re not the cheapest strings as you know.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

thank you. Just annoyed that their tech didn’t do it right, when we paid $99 for the setup. I’m sure they’ve set these up many times, and it says clearly on the package: “This particular set is NOT suitable for basses with bridges that require strings to pass through the body of the instrument.” They’re not the cheapest strings as you know.

Yup. Flats and tapes will bankrupt us all!
I know there are certain flats which are through body safe, I just can't remember which

 

[Basslie]

Yup. Flats and tapes will bankrupt us all!
I know there are certain flats which are through body safe, I just can't remember which

Yes, They make the through body FS ones, but the low B string doesn’t match well with it as well as with the FL set. I had FS-B set before on a different bass and the low B just sounded and felt like from a different set.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Yes, They make the through body FS ones, but the low B string doesn’t match well with it as well as with the FL set. I had FS-B set before on a different bass and the low B just sounded and felt like from a different set.

You know what I learned during my double bass years? (Certainly not how to play double bass)...but seriously they mix and match strings all the time on DB.
I once had a 5 string PJ with flats on B, E and A and rounds on D and G.

For some reason the BG crowd is obsessed with canon approved string sets but the more conservative DB guys are string swingers lol!

 

[michael_t]

I know there are certain flats which are through body safe, I just can't remember which

Most flats are okay with thru-body installation. La Bella DTF's are the exception and that's why they offer special thru-body versions.

EDIT: I do top-load all of my flats, but that's just my personal choice.

 

[GIBrat51]

Hello,

I just got a new bass for my birthday from my wife (nice gift!). It’s a Sire P5R- 5 string.

She had tbe La Bella 760FL-B set put on it and had Sweetwater do the set up and string install (extra $).

I opened up the box and played it some last night. Loved it. Amazing neck btw. Come home from work today and take a closer look and I see that the Sweetwater tech set it up with strings through the body instead of through the bridge (I’d have figured they’d know better, but guess not? The input jack also fell into the guitar fist time I plugged it in, so that apparently got missed on this multipoint inspection too— luckily that was an easy fix).

I know LaBella says only through bridge for this set, but I’d hate to have to redo the whole setup. It’s currently set up very nicely with low action, etc. I’d hate to change it all— especially resetting up the intonation on new flats.

What are your thoughts on leaving it as is? whats the realistic risk of breaking a string with through body on this set?

This is a 5-string p-bass with flats, so not gonna be slapping on it. Mostly finger play, occasional pick usage. Maybe use the nordy mute.

I know the topic has been addressed in passing on different forums— but it seems there is no consensus on the risk of running these through body, so wanted to ask directly.

I created a poll for ease of judging the consensus.

thanks for your input.

While that string installation method isn't recommended for those strings (La Bella makes flats that are; the ones with a "TB" suffix), it isn't always a guaranteed kiss of death for the strings, either. As you've noticed... Actually, I'm pretty sure that what breaks flat wound strings when they're strung thru-body, is the very sharp/steep/abrupt break angle from the body hole, over the saddle. Which can vary quite a bit, depending on the make/model of the bass. And, it depends on the make/gauge of the flats, too. Pretty much everybody gets away with doing that with TI Jazz Flats, for example. OTOH, I can't recall anyone ever saying that it worked with a set of Roto 77LD's... I just put a set of TIJF's on my new-to-me '93 Fury Anthem fretless bass - a thru-body only bass. No problem at all. Actually, it would have had a set of medium scale La Bella 760FS's on it, but... the G string - which for some reason, is shorter than the other strings - was too short to reach the tuner post. But, the E string had already been installed with no problem. There's a shallow break angle to the bridge saddles, on this bass; and a fair bit of distance, too. If it wasn't for that short string, they'd have worked just fine. But, I suppose I can live with the TI's...
So...
While it's generally not recommended practice? Some people do get away with it. With some flats. On some basses... You, apparently, are one of them...

 

[JC BASS 91]

I've had a set of those on my Fender Precision, through the body, for many years and it has never been an issue.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I know there are certain flats which are through body safe, I just can't remember which

Nearly all flats are through-body safe.

The only ones that carry a warning against through-body loading are regular (not marked -TB for "Thru-Body" or -MUS for "Mustang") La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass flatwounds, both stainless steel and Golden Alloy.

In other words, the Low Tension Flats are (supposedly, but also according to user reports) fine, the new Olinto Signature Flats are fine, DTB nylon tapewounds are fine, and so are flats by any other brand.


Back to the OP's dilemma, I feel your annoyance at those that did the setup, but I too vote (well, I haven't, but still) for leaving things as they are.

 

[Lo-E]

FWIW, the only times I’ve broken flats strung through the body was when I first tuned them to pitch. They never lasted long enough to even get played.

The ones that survived the initial tuning (most of them), lived a normal lifespan.

 

[Basslie]

You know what I learned during my double bass years? (Certainly not how to play double bass)...but seriously they mix and match strings all the time on DB.
I once had a 5 string PJ with flats on B, E and A and rounds on D and G.

For some reason the BG crowd is obsessed with canon approved string sets but the more conservative DB guys are string swingers lol!

thanks. I play DB too… though BG was my first instrument. I’ve had the same set of Obligatos on the DB for about 10 years… still sound and play great!

 

[Basslie]

Nearly all flats are through-body safe.

The only ones that carry a warning against through-body loading are regular (not marked -TB for "Thru-Body" or -MUS for "Mustang") La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass flatwounds, both stainless steel and Golden Alloy.

In other words, the Low Tension Flats are (supposedly, but also according to user reports) fine, the new Olinto Signature Flats are fine, DTB nylon tapewounds are fine, and so are flats by any other brand.


Back to the OP's dilemma, I feel your annoyance at those that did the setup, but I too vote (well, I haven't, but still) for leaving things as they are.

Thanks for your input. Annoyance is probably a big part of it, haha.

 

[Basslie]

FWIW, the only times I’ve broken flats strung through the body was when I first tuned them to pitch. They never lasted long enough to even get played.

The ones that survived the initial tuning (most of them), lived a normal lifespan.

Good to know… they’ve survived so far. Thanks.

 

[Basslie]

While that string installation method isn't recommended for those strings (La Bella makes flats that are; the ones with a "TB" suffix), it isn't always a guaranteed kiss of death for the strings, either. As you've noticed... Actually, I'm pretty sure that what breaks flat wound strings when they're strung thru-body, is the very sharp/steep/abrupt break angle from the body hole, over the saddle. Which can vary quite a bit, depending on the make/model of the bass. And, it depends on the make/gauge of the flats, too. Pretty much everybody gets away with doing that with TI Jazz Flats, for example. OTOH, I can't recall anyone ever saying that it worked with a set of Roto 77LD's... I just put a set of TIJF's on my new-to-me '93 Fury Anthem fretless bass - a thru-body only bass. No problem at all. Actually, it would have had a set of medium scale La Bella 760FS's on it, but... the G string - which for some reason, is shorter than the other strings - was too short to reach the tuner post. But, the E string had already been installed with no problem. There's a shallow break angle to the bridge saddles, on this bass; and a fair bit of distance, too. If it wasn't for that short string, they'd have worked just fine. But, I suppose I can live with the TI's...
So...
While it's generally not recommended practice? Some people do get away with it. With some flats. On some basses... You, apparently, are one of them...

The break angle is what I’ve heard too causes the break. I wonder if the Yamaha BB series, with the diagonal through body holes are more forgiving to flats

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I'd reach out to Sweetwater with your concern...
They "should be" familiar with the products they sell - especially when you're paying for a set-up (AND their expertise, given the circumstances).
For $99 - they wouldn't be out anything if they sent you a set of laBella TBs...

 

[2F/2F]

Get the setup and string cost refunded, and leave it as is. If it breaks, then deal with it.

 

[logdrum]

I installed the short scale on a hybrid bass with crazy break angle and sharper saddle and they did just fine. Oh and I raised the pitch to G (up a 3rd)-- still tight even though the scale length was 29.75. I think everything I did can be a factor to breaking them which included having some of the silk wrap around the first string post. No issues for 6 months - but I switched to GHS flats which sound better to me.

 

[Basslie]

Worst that will happen is one or more of the strings will be damaged due to the breakpoint angle. It won't hurt the bass.
I installed these on a fretless Wishbass thru body. Was fine.

I installed the short scale on a hybrid bass with crazy break angle and sharper saddle and they did just fine. Oh and I raised the pitch to G (up a 3rd)-- still tight even though the scale length was 29.75. I think everything I did can be a factor to breaking them which included having some of the silk wrap around the first string post. No issues for 6 months - but I switched to GHS flats which sound better to me.

Thanks. I was also consider the GHS precision flats. This is to be my old school thumper P-bass, so of course had to try la Bellas. I take it you’re liking the GHS strings?