Few Design Questions.

[Moreau]

Hello,

Im looking at building a bass, and was curious what the benefits, if any would be of putting strings thru a body on a 5 string bass? I was looking at the hipshot bass bridge, which accepts string thru body. Also i was looking at a BadA$$ bridge. Which would be the better choice? And lastly, i was curious how high the fretboard sits above the body?? I suppose it depends on the bridge? Should i angle my headstock?

Thanks for Your Help

[Brian]

Allowing the strings to be pulled through the body instead of top loaded usually improves the resonance and sustain on any guitar or bass.

Wish I could advise you on the bridge but I really wouldn't know which is better, that could depend on what style of playing and also the construction your planning for the bass itself.

Yes there is a direct connection with how high you want your fret board verses how tall the bridge sit's on the body. That will even very more depending on if your planning a neck through or bolt on style of neck. Adding an angle to the headstock is always a good idea to help avoid problems with feedback and secondary harmonics being produced between the nut and the tuners (that is a signal that can be heard usually even without the instrument being pluged in.

[Moreau]

So if I plan on making a bass, with neck thru design and wantto make it string thru body, how will this affect the height of my fretboard? do I have to make It higher than if I were not going thru the body? Im kinda unclear on this. like a bass bridge that does either, is the fingerboard the same height regardless of how its strung? Thanks

[RAI6]

It doesn't matter if it's a string-thru or not.

What matters is the bridge itself.

How tall are the saddles?

If they are moderately tall, you could just raise the neck/fingerboard over the body.

If the bridge is very tall, you would want to put an angle on your neck.

It's not "impossible" to put your neck/fingerboard 1/2" or more over your body, but it would look a little strange, and your pickups would almost not need a rout to fit under the strings......

[darren wilson]

On a bass, i'd be more inclined to recess a very tall bridge into the body than i would to angle the neck.

[frank falbo]

If the bass is for yourself, then you should analyze your playing technique. If you slap and pop a lot, then remember a low string clearance gives you less room to work under the string. You might find yourself hitting the face of the bass a lot. Some basses like the Ergodynes and some Yamahas have cutouts in that area to make playing easier. So if that's the case, then a higher fretboard/string plane is better. I might suggest playing other basses and feeling for what you like. Find a bass that has the right string clearance and then design around that. Make that be what determines your fretboard height, and then make the bridge determine whether or not you use an angle.

As for bridges I find the Leo Quan stuff to be very good, but you have to cut your own string slots.

[Moreau]

so i have to cut grooves in the saddles for the leo quan bridge? thats kinda crappy. how would you do it? any experiences/knowledge of other bridges? Im liking the quan bridge, just because i have seen them on j and p basses. i have a J and enjoy it alot and almost want to emulate the feel. so maybe this is the bridge to go for, as it is a common upgrade on p and j basses:?

[javacody]

You could go the Gibson route. LOL. Install your first set of strings, smack them with a hammer over the saddle, and then take them off as they are now ruined. Next install new strings. Can you believe a major manufacturer does something this stupid? I believe one of Dan Erlewine's books covers slotting saddles - THE RIGHT WAY.

Edited September 30, 2004 by javacody