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Post subject: ***STRING SPACING ON MY MIA P ***
Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 2:38 am
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Hi everyone,

I've just had my 2 month old MIA P re-strung with a set of La Bella 760 FS flats, by a 'tec' guy at the shop where I bought it.

I'm really concerned because the gap between the strings is not equidistant now.

He's strung them through the bridge as I asked (not through body).

The problem is that the 'gap' between the 'A' and the 'D' strings is noticeably wider than the gaps between the other strings AND the 'E' and 'A' strings appear to deviate outwards to lie over the saddles and then- once on the saddles- move back into line to where they are held in place in the bridge.

I don't know enough about this to know whether this is completely wrong, but it just doesn't look right (nor is it how the original strings sat). It looks to me as if both the 'E' and 'A' strings need to be moved over one 'notch' on the saddles closer to the other 2 strings.

Can anyone help please, and set my mind at rest?

Also, the actual metal part of the string of the 'E' string is resting against and bent slightly around the turning key, not simply the silk portion: is this correct?

Thanks everyone.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 4:19 am
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Just by way of an addendum, when I look carefully, it looks as if both the 'D' and 'G' strings deviate outwards to lie over the saddles and then- once on the saddles- move back into line to where they are held in place in the bridge, too. It's just not as apparent because the string gauges are so much smaller.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:31 am
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Right... I really could use some help from someone who knows the current MIA 'P', the bridge and La Bella flats inside out...!!

I've taken the initiative, loosened the strings and tried to move the strings over onto different saddle grooves.... BIG PROBLEM...!!

I see on the saddles for the 'E' and 'A' strings, there are 3 grooves and for the 'D' and 'G' strings, there are 4 grooves.

The tech-guy had put the strings onto the following grooves:-

E - 2 (middle)
A - 2 (middle)
D - 3
G - 3

I've tried to move them over and succeeded in getting all the gaps between the respective strings to be equidistant again, but when i do this, there's a really noticeably 'bend' in some of the strings between where they lock into the back of the bridge and where they sit across the saddles!!!! I've put them back.

I'm lost here guys: is my bridge defective?

Is this because my 'P' isn't designed for these La Bella strings?

Does anyone else have this problem and just have to settle for the spacing between the 'A' and 'D' strings being wider than the other gaps?

Thank-you.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 12:29 pm
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Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 4:30 pm
Posts: 203
I just looked at my P-bass and the spacing between the A and D strings is indeed a little wider than the other strings. But I think you can move them around to suit your taste, I certainly do. Depending on what groove you land the string on, there indeed can be a bend in the string's travel. I wouldn't think this bend should be any problem for flatwound strings. The bend we are worried about is the sharp bend going into the body - snaking around the bridge will be no problem.

Your fingers "feel" string spacing as the actual distance between the edges of the strings, not the center to center spacing. This can play tricks with your eyes. When I re-string a bass with grooved bridges, I do a quick alignment, then tune up, play, then de-tune, move around to taste, tune up and play on.

Where the silk lines up is different from string maker to string maker. It also depends on if the string was strung through body, or top loaded as yours is. The silk is there to keep the ends of the wind from unraveling on very long scale lengths, this won't be a problem for you if the silk is up around the tuning peg. I'm using Ernie Balls on my P-bass, the silk is right up on the E string tuner.

Finally, I saw your other post. In terms of tension, I think the higher tension referred to around here regarding the La Bellas are the .110 gauge set. The A string is .95(!). Personally, I like the .105 gauge Ernie Balls I have on right now.

BrotherDave really digs the GHS - I actually have a set here in the house based on his recommendation.

One beautiful thing about bass strings is that you can take them off, try a different brand, and change them back! If your bass is now set up for .105s, try some other brands. If you like the higher tension feel, look for higher gauges in the D and G strings. Many manufacturers list tension on the web sites.

Bottom line: Get thumpin'!

Hope this helps!

-Tim


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Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 9:00 am
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Sorry for not replying sooner Tim, I've been away.

Many thanks indeed for taking the time to reply so comprehensively: I really appreciate your help.

All the best, Ian.


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