Heavy gauge string question for Classic SR4

[Thunder139]

Hey guys, been awhile since I've posted but I came seeking some enlightenment/answers.

I've recently been trying to expand my playing repertoire and have been experimenting with different strings. Per a recommendation on Ed Friedland's website, he strung a regular SR4 with La Bella "1954" flats which are .052-.110. I was interested in giving them a try but through some research, I saw some comments that the gauge might be too heavy for a string-through body (i.e. Classic SR4).

The only thing that comes to mind is having to do a truss adjustment, but otherwise I don't know why anyone would recommend against using the strings solely because of how the strings are loaded onto the bass. (String length maybe?)

I am constantly trying to learn, but I don't want to pretend to have more knowledge about the topic than I currently do, so I'm writing to ask if there are any real concerns about using this type of heavy gauge.

Thank you in advance for anyone who might be able to share information on this issue!

 

[uOpt]

Actually the longer the string is outside the regular playing area (between nut and tuner and whatever is behind the bridge saddle), the easier it becomes to play (given same scale and same tuning), and to bend (same thing, really).

So... whoever told you that doesn't know what they are talking about.

 

[Golem]

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There is some concern on some basses about heavy guage flats
having their winding weakened by a string-thru-body bridge. I've
seen some signs of this on SOME basses. The big "IF" in the deal
is a combination of how far back your saddles wind up and how
far forward the thru body holes are located. Saddle height plays
a role as well, as does saddle shape. So ... the crux of the matter
is whether those variables all combine to put a nasty bend in the
string, either as it exits the hole or as it bends onto the saddle.
How do you recognize 'nasty' ? The outer ribbon winding spreads
out alarmingly such that you can easily 'feel their pain'. How can
you foresee trouble before stringing up and risking your strings ?
No sure way, but I do look at the RWs the bass comes with to
see whether they look exceptionally stressed [outer wrap spread
scary wide]. RWs are less vulnerable than ribbon wound strings,
even when the windings are spread kinda scary. I guess wire is
more adaptable than ribbon to such bending. Acoarst, the heavy
flats might result in a different saddle location [intonation], thus
compromising the value of observing the RWs before removing
them. AFAIK, there will be some risk involved, no way to duck it.

I play mostly flats and I try to avoid string-thru basses [for more
reasons than discussed here]. I have flats on a string-thru SR4,
and these show slight spreading of the outer wrap ...more than I
see on my 'normal' SRs, but these are not extra heavy strings.

 

[Freddels]

They specifically make a string thru body version.

 

[Thunder139]

Thank you again for all your input! I'll be doing some further research but this is very handy for the near future as I tweak my setup.

 

[Golem]

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They specifically make a string thru body version.

Waaaay inneressin ! Have you tried, or seen, a set ?
I'm guessing that by "they", you mean LaBella ?

 

[Freddels]

Yes, but since EBMM makes strings, I am trying not to go there.

 

[Golem]

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OOOooooppzzz !!!!!



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