This was a really informative and scientific review. I have a toploader tele and was about to drill based upon a misconception that it would make a big difference. You’ve saved me a lot of stress. Thank you.
Jimmy Page used the top loader strings on his tele, despite having the through body option. Just shows, being "traditional" does not hold you back, as long as you can make that instrument sing, do whatever you want to make the best music as easily as you can.
So glad I found your video. I've been agonizing tonight over whether to drill the body on my tele project or just go with the top load bridge and your sustain comparison just saved me a lot of work and what I'm sure would have been uneven drill holes. Thanks much!
This saved me a lot of work on a guitar project I've been building. I thought I might need to get a drill press so I could drill through holes and this video proved to me that I don't need it. Thank you!
I built this Harley Benton a few years back, and after a few upgrades it an awesome ax. You get out what you put in. I went through the body string setup for the sound I find it to be slightly warmer than going through the bridge.
Thinking about upgrading a basic Harley Benton TE-20MN BM Standard Series guitar to through body stringing brought me here and the result is I don't think it is worth the time, effort or expense to do it. Through the body seems cooler and more artistic but there was very little benefit to be heard in the different sounds between the 2 stringing methods. Thank you for posting your experiments which has helped to clear up this mystery.
Just found your channel and this was great! I love that your approach is really like someone who does not do it for a living. The mistakes you make feel very real, the failures and recoveries are executed the way so many of us might try. Thanks.
Tbh i've been doing some research on trying to find harley benton diy kits and this video and the painting video confirmed my choices. Although through bridge is the default way of stringing, i would prefer through body just for a cleaner look to the guitar, plus there's a very slight difference but it's not a deal breaker for me. Really enjoyed this video!
Thanks for doing this experiment! I was thinking of modifying a squier mustang for through body strings but now I see it makes little to no difference. I've decided to go for brass saddles and bone nut instead, that should be a much bigger difference instead. 👍
Top load had a tiny bit more upper mid twang to my ears. But I think with brass saddles it is more pronounced. String break angle being sharper and anchoring in the body to my ears is ever so slightly warmer.
I have a cheap Tele copy which I've owned for years. It's a Tanglewood 'Quo Master'. Over the years it has been upgraded with various Fender parts, but one thing I never changed was the 'Top' stringing system. I had seriously considered coverting it to 'string through', with the ferules, but judging by your very handy video, I'm glad I didn't. There is very little difference, in fact you need machines to detect this difference, especially in sustain. Originally, the reason why I was sceptical about changing the Top stringing was the fact that the guitar would lose some of its brightness and sparkling tone.
So the new pick guard looked a little off centered once it was finished. This happened to me when I changed the pick guard on the Telecaster I built. You can see it at 5:36 into the video. It's not a big deal it just makes it appear as though the strings aren't centered when in reality they are. The reason this happens is because the holes on the new pick guard sometimes don't match up and we have to adjust for that. This look doesn't bother a lot of people, but I'm a bit OCD when it comes to things being centered. I assume this is a by product of me being in the military when I was younger. I ended up filling 5 of the 8 holes in the guitar body where the pick guard didn't match. What I did to bring back the visual effect of the strings/bridge being centered is this: I first measured the gap from the right side of the bridge to the pick guard. Then I flipped the new pick guard over and marked how much needed to be shaved off on the other side in order to create the same size gap on the left side. I used my dremel with a little barrel sander attachment and very slowly shaved off enough of the pick guard on the left side until the gap matched. Then I put the pick guard back on and that brought back the look of the bridge being centered. I just thought I would toss out that idea in case it happens to anyone else reading this and is having the same issues with the new pick guard creating an off centered look.
Well done. thanks for making the video. very little difference. Jimmy Page said he used to break fewer strings when running them through the bridge. the holes in the bridge on the through-body bridges place the strings at a sharp angle without a smooth transition to the saddles.
I bought a Squier affinity tele on black friday. I to noticed the neck pickup had a lower volume and darker then the bridge and noticed it was far away from the strings. I opened it up and it's screwed to the bottom of the pickup cavity with no way of adjustment. Then i noticed that replacement pickups were adjustable. I told myself, it can't be that simple could it? So I took a couple of pickup springs I had laying around and installed them under each tab of the pickup, so as I turned the screws in and out, it adjusted the pickup height. I adjusted the stock neck pickup to about the same distance from the strings as the bridge pickup, wow. The volume is now close the what the bridge pickup is and the tone got a little more twang in it (brighter). I think the problem is the neck pickup in these Squire's are just mounted to low. I will not be upgrading my pickups.
to my experience the material of the saddles makes even more difference. Try the same test with stainless steel and bronze. So we see if you find the same difference. By the way when the guitar is unplugged the difference between body/bridge is more evident. I find a more "metallic" sound through the bridge. But when you amplify that the difference is less IMHO.
Is there any difference in the feel of the strings? I always heard that the top load feels a bit 'slinkier' than tha string through due to the reduced string break angle,
Thanks for the video! And thanx for the final scientific demonstration that there's no difference in between the two methods (with that kind of saddles and nut). The vu meters indicated a very subtle difference that any ear could catch... especially in a hypothetical mix. I believe differences heard between the two methods are driven by a psychological effect. Really thanx and congratulations
Hello and thank you for the video! Even though it doesn't seem to be any helpful I think I'll drill the holes into my kit guitar because I simply like the look of it.
I am rebuilding a lyon solid body. It was a thru the body axe, I'm going to top load with a adjustable. bridge and tail piece. I am going to have t locate the bridge and drill the holes for the studs to mount the bridge. What formula do I use to locate it or can I just eyeball it?
Listening on studio monitors, I think the differences when plugged in are better explained by slight differences in pick attack and proximity to the bridge in each take.
6:05 through the body single ASDR 6:33 through the bridge single ASDR 7:05 A/B test no amplification (pink t-shirt: through body, blue t-shirt: through the bridge (underneath a bridge runs water, water is blue -> bridge/blue)) 7:50 A/B test with amplifcation (same t-shirt "coding")
Thanks for this video helped Me a lot in deciding, I'm in the process of taking off a Floyd Rose set up, which I hate from an Aria guitar that My Grandson gave Me, I'm going to replace with a hardtail top mount as it will be easier to change strings when required, also I'm going to replace the metal string clamp nut set up, another thing I don't like about the Floyd Rose and replace with a bone nut, I'm not bothered about not having a wammy bar anymore, never used it anyway, this will be My stand by guitar, main one is one of the better Les Paul copy's.
Yar u r realy awasome. The way of comparison was great. One of the best guitar comperision video. I m astonishing to see the number of subscribers of your channel. It really worth more.
I keep breaking the high e on the saddle Harley Benton T style. There’s a kink sound like the saddle groove has a bur. What’s the best way to remedy this? Also I tried ordering a different pick guard but the holes didn’t line up any ideas?
Hey man I had squiers bullet, infinity in the past that I had to sold and Its has been offered to me a kind of frankentele for same price of this kit. Your videos made me realice that I prefer to do this trip myself instead of buy someone else tries and errors journey. I didn't notice any change. I must say i prefer a tremolo bridge (not in the options, rebel comment). Thanks for your content!
Lets face it. The string only ever vibrates between 2 points. The nut an the saddle. An its that vibration that is sensed by the pick up turned into a low voltage signal that is then boosted by the amp. In order to move the speaker to make the sound we hear. Top Load or Through Body? Its 50/50 for me.
I’ve been top loading for about 20 years on my ‘72 Fender Telecaster. I do it this way because I feel the strings are easier to do bends. Just lately I restrung trough the body. Let’s just say that I cut those strings off the very next day and top loaded with a new set of strings. Maybe it’s in my head? As far as sound and sustain?? Too subtle to hear. Great video and lovely build 👍🏻👍🏻
I’ve had a couple of squire classic vibe guitars and didn’t like how stiff they are to bend. I’ve played other teles that have strings through bridge and was much easier to bend. Classic vibes are well built guitars so maybe it’s the strings through body that I dislike
I’ve had a couple of squire classic vibe guitars and didn’t like how stiff they are to bend. I’ve played other teles that have strings through bridge and was much easier to bend. Classic vibes are well built guitars so maybe it’s the strings through body that I dislike
I’ve had a couple of squire classic vibe guitars and didn’t like how stiff they are to bend. I’ve played other teles that have strings through bridge and was much easier to bend. Classic vibes are well built guitars so maybe it’s the strings through body that I dislike
With this video i notice that i like 1,2,3 string's toploader and 4,5,6 thru.why treble strings slinkier,more twang and for the other 3 string's more deep low end and thighter feel
I have a mahogany telecaster it is string thru, but my bridge is both top load and string thru, I have done it both ways, no difference in tone, the strings feel a little different, I did for a time string the treble strings g b e top load and e a d string thru
I just did a Tele and could not stand the steel barrel saddles. So I went to the compensated Wilkinson brass saddles. I couldn't stand those either. Just something about trying to play so far out of intonation really messes with me. So I had to actually to to the 6 saddle Squire Bridge, and it came with brass saddles. So far very pleased with that. Now I am waiting to install new pickups into it when the new GOTOH locking tuning keys get here. I mean, does the intonation not bother other people also?
I prefer the string through but it is due to the long term stability of the bridge. With the strings through the bridge, the forces are constantly pulling up on the rear of the bridge. With a string through setup the preasure is pulling down on the bridge and essentially holding it in place.
It does not matter if in a strings through the bridge the forces pull up the rear of the bridge, as long as the bridge does not lift. I prefer strings through the bridge in a Tele because it provides more chime sound and then I install a hybrid set of strings ( 3 heavy bottom 3 light top). This gives me more body sound on the lower strings and more chime on the higher strings. Fuller tone. My opinion.
Hi max, I have to say I like the strings through the body best. I don`t hear much difference but I find the feel very different when I play. I have that exact kit and a variety of other Tele´s. Love that Green!
Why is there a plastic spacer between the neck plate and thwe body? Surely that will dampen things? Surely you want as solid and firm a join as possible?
Though subtle in some instances it seems like through body has a clearer sound while through bridge is like listening to a song with slightly less treble
Yes that's been tried thousands of times. I've tried it myself using different brands and gauges of strings along with several different.... SS/Tube amps along with swapping speakers.....different brands of speakers/cabinets/size of speakers/EQ'n the amps/amp on stands vs on the floor/dozens of pedals.... pedal placement on the board/pick up height adjustment/different nut materials.....swapping saddles....mix and matching different types saddles.... saddle materials..... pick materials along with different brands of picks/gauge of picks....patch cables along with different brands of patch cables/guitar cables.... Length of cables/different fret materials/ adjusting string action/different pick up positions..... playing closer to the bridge vs the neck.... Maple fretboard..... Rose wood fretboard.... Ebony fretboard etc' other type of fretboard materials etc so on. But I've only tried it one time. Also meant to mention on the same guitar' a 50's Baja telecaster with a b bender installed along with a drop D tuner on the low E string and drop banjo tuners on the high E and A strings along with a 1000k linear volume pot for volume swells.
The string through the bridge was louder acoustically .. pretty much no difference after that.. excellent video! Great content.. but I would love to see a comparison of the saddle material .. brass vs stainless !
Отлично, Макс! Я такой же кит собрал, думал тоже сквозь корпус сделать. Теперь, наверное, сквозь бридж оставлю. Глядишь, бигсби потом поставлю. Спасибо за качественную работу!
А оно вообще возможно с такими седлами мензуру отстроить? Я все хочу такой кит заказать и сразу бридж поменять на wilkinson, но там через тушку без вариантов. Там 6 отдельных седел
@@СуперПупер-щ9ч крутяк. У меня не было таких бриджей никогда, поэтому очкую :) к тому же во всех описаниях таких бриджей пишут "точная настройка мензуры не гарантируется". А ещё смотрю я на свой страт и вижу что там седла рядом расположенные нифига не рядом по мензуре. Ай один фиг закажу, прикольный конструктор же
Never mind the tonal difference between the two, which is negligible soloed and likely undetectable in a live context with a band, what impact does it have on feel/tension/playability?
Very cool, thank you for the video. I've also watched your tips for repainting a guitar and I am now set on repainting my Tele for a summer project. I am still undecided on drilling holes for through the body option or sticking with through the bridge, both options sounded great in your demonstration. Keep up the great content!
Thanks Guys, was really trying to decide if I really needed to drill through the body or not on my tele kit guitar. Can’t really hear any or very little difference on your sound test, well nothing that an amp tweak wouldn’t sort. You’ve saved me a lot of hassle for sure👍
I think when strings go on throughout body it can give more problem with high frequencies; they will be calm down faster than low frequencies. Does someone else hear it?
I would be interested in impact on tension. I've heard it said that top loaded teles are easier for string bending than through the body. Maybe a little scale of some sort (like a fish scale??) to pull a string up a tone and see if there is any difference on how much force is required.
I can't see that making much difference either. In order to get a specific note, you require a specific tension. Simple physics. You're going to need the same amount of force in the end. Maybe you need to bend one further if the string is longer, but same force in the end.
@@denis_kleshchev No, that's incorrect. The opposite is true. The more string there is the more it can stretch; therefore, less string means less stretch, more tension. It's the increased angle over the bridge that makes the tension greater on the string through. More angle on the string through, less on the top loader.
In the late 50s fender tried switching to top load bridges, it didn’t last because players wanted more sustain which the thru the body bridges offered.
I find that the biggest difference is in string tension. Top-loading feels slinkier and bending and tremolo is easier to accomplish. Through body makes you work harder. Billy Gibbons top-loads - that's good enough for me.
I would think string through bridge provides the straightest path for the string and would minimise break angle and help keep the string from stressing/stretching. Sustain should stop past the nut and the saddle.
Only my dog can hear any difference and she's more of a Strat girl! lol! Thanks for the video! I'm doing the same with a Donner Telecaster as we speak! Looking for knowledge!
I couldn't tell much difference between the two but I do know and and tell a difference when people play with fingers vs a pick. The difference in sound is far more recognizable and possibilites of tones achieved are broaden. For example, Clarence Gatemouth Brown makes his guitar talk like an old woman with just his fingers no pick. They go back and forth in a conversation with one another.
So a half and half works best then 🤔 Sweet... Deffinatley thought it punched more in mids with a toploader were as the bass response was better through body
Any difference between the two is very subtle. :) Interesting, since l’ve always assumed stringing through the body would sustain better. A tip for fitting the string Ferrules in the back of the body: Heat up a soldering iron with a round tip. Fit the Ferrules over the tip to warm them up, then push them in with the soldering iron. Obviously, be careful not to burn yourself, or scorch the finish in the process, but heating the ferrules slightly always makes them go in rather more easily.
Nice video and great looking guitar too! There were times I could swear I could hear a difference but then in a moment, it was gone and I wasn't sure anymore. It could be down to strumming/picking strength but maybe I thought there was a little bit more low end information in the through body setup. Thanks for such a great comparison, you have a new subscriber!
The difference is very clear both acoustically and through the amplifier. Whoever doesn't hear it should consider buying better headphones. With the strings through the body, the sound has a longer decay and richer harmonics. With the strings through the bridge, the transient is shorter and the sound is poorer in harmonics, making the guitar sound plastic-ey.
Nice content. Can you make a content next time about how to adjust the string height and intonation of that same guitar while in a string-through bridge?
Thanks. Eventually I'll be making videos covering that topic for complex bridges. But in a case with a tele it couldn't be any simpler. One allen wrench and a phillips screwdriver. Does that really need a tutorial?
There is pretty much no difference in sound or sustain, and there ain't a soul on this planet who could tell whether it is string through body or top loaded from hearing only one of the options. Interesting! I think saddle material might be significantly more important for tone. Nice upload!
Sorry, not for sale :) There are still experiments to be done with this guitar, the series is not over. But I'm sure you can order a pickguard with the same graphics from Flatt for any of your guitars. He should still have my file I sent him
Sound is similar enough to not make a difference in my opinion. I would be interested in your opinion on feel. Particularly when bending strings. Most folks claim easier bending with top load vs through the body.
Yep, it is slightly easier. Generally the shorter the string, the easier it gets with a Floyd Rose being the best solution in terms of easy bending since the string is locked at the nut
I am building a Tele replica and I want to decide what kind of solution I have to adopt for bridge. Well, I don't hear any substantial difference between two versions...
Hellifiknow! I have one Telecaster, an Ibanez, and an Explorer. I think it may come down to feel, IMHO, top loaders have a bit less string tension. The string through body string may break sooner... maybe... To me, sound and sustain are indistinguishable. I still prefer my Telecaster. And now, it's off to Warmoth to put together a parts list!
Hi guys, I'm using THRU-BODY STRINGS (purchased without thinking about the meaning of T.B.) on a TOP-LOADED bridge Does anybody know if that could be a problem. I'm not having any "issue", so far so good, but I was wondering and couldn't find answers. (Stings Model: LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass 760FS -TB - Standard) (Bass Model: Fender Player Precision PF PWT)
I believe that T-shirt colour also contributes to tone and sustain!
This was a really informative and scientific review. I have a toploader tele and was about to drill based upon a misconception that it would make a big difference. You’ve saved me a lot of stress. Thank you.
Jimmy Page used the top loader strings on his tele, despite having the through body option. Just shows, being "traditional" does not hold you back, as long as you can make that instrument sing, do whatever you want to make the best music as easily as you can.
You are amazing, dude. No stone unturned and loads of details in your videos, I love this channel. Danke
Thanks :) I'm already working on the next episode
So glad I found your video. I've been agonizing tonight over whether to drill the body on my tele project or just go with the top load bridge and your sustain comparison just saved me a lot of work and what I'm sure would have been uneven drill holes. Thanks much!
This saved me a lot of work on a guitar project I've been building. I thought I might need to get a drill press so I could drill through holes and this video proved to me that I don't need it. Thank you!
I built this Harley Benton a few years back, and after a few upgrades it an awesome ax. You get out what you put in. I went through the body string setup for the sound I find it to be slightly warmer than going through the bridge.
Thinking about upgrading a basic Harley Benton TE-20MN BM Standard Series guitar to through body stringing brought me here and the result is I don't think it is worth the time, effort or expense to do it.
Through the body seems cooler and more artistic but there was very little benefit to be heard in the different sounds between the 2 stringing methods.
Thank you for posting your experiments which has helped to clear up this mystery.
There may be a bigger difference with higher price range guitars made of some top-class tonewood. With TE-20 probably none at all :)
Just found your channel and this was great! I love that your approach is really like someone who does not do it for a living.
The mistakes you make feel very real, the failures and recoveries are executed the way so many of us might try. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Tbh i've been doing some research on trying to find harley benton diy kits and this video and the painting video confirmed my choices. Although through bridge is the default way of stringing, i would prefer through body just for a cleaner look to the guitar, plus there's a very slight difference but it's not a deal breaker for me. Really enjoyed this video!
I'm not a telecaster man (I'm into Prs and LP's) but your Tele on Steroides series is addictive!
Keep it comin'!
Haha, good! I have plans for more episodes
Man, I just stumbled onto your channel. You're incredible, and a joy to watch. Thanks for your work!
Thanks for doing this experiment! I was thinking of modifying a squier mustang for through body strings but now I see it makes little to no difference. I've decided to go for brass saddles and bone nut instead, that should be a much bigger difference instead. 👍
Top load had a tiny bit more upper mid twang to my ears. But I think with brass saddles it is more pronounced. String break angle being sharper and anchoring in the body to my ears is ever so slightly warmer.
Mine too
I have a cheap Tele copy which I've owned for years. It's a Tanglewood 'Quo Master'. Over the years it has been upgraded with various Fender parts, but one thing I never changed was the 'Top' stringing system. I had seriously considered coverting it to 'string through', with the ferules, but judging by your very handy video, I'm glad I didn't. There is very little difference, in fact you need machines to detect this difference, especially in sustain. Originally, the reason why I was sceptical about changing the Top stringing was the fact that the guitar would lose some of its brightness and sparkling tone.
When I had this pick guard holes issue, I packed the old holes with wood tooth picks and re drilled the hole. It worked very well
So the new pick guard looked a little off centered once it was finished. This happened to me when I changed the pick guard on the Telecaster I built. You can see it at 5:36 into the video. It's not a big deal it just makes it appear as though the strings aren't centered when in reality they are. The reason this happens is because the holes on the new pick guard sometimes don't match up and we have to adjust for that. This look doesn't bother a lot of people, but I'm a bit OCD when it comes to things being centered. I assume this is a by product of me being in the military when I was younger. I ended up filling 5 of the 8 holes in the guitar body where the pick guard didn't match.
What I did to bring back the visual effect of the strings/bridge being centered is this: I first measured the gap from the right side of the bridge to the pick guard. Then I flipped the new pick guard over and marked how much needed to be shaved off on the other side in order to create the same size gap on the left side. I used my dremel with a little barrel sander attachment and very slowly shaved off enough of the pick guard on the left side until the gap matched. Then I put the pick guard back on and that brought back the look of the bridge being centered.
I just thought I would toss out that idea in case it happens to anyone else reading this and is having the same issues with the new pick guard creating an off centered look.
Well done. thanks for making the video. very little difference. Jimmy Page said he used to break fewer strings when running them through the bridge. the holes in the bridge on the through-body bridges place the strings at a sharp angle without a smooth transition to the saddles.
I bought a Squier affinity tele on black friday. I to noticed the neck
pickup had a lower volume and darker then the bridge and noticed it was
far away from the strings. I opened it up and it's screwed to the bottom
of the pickup cavity with no way of adjustment. Then i noticed that
replacement pickups were adjustable. I told myself, it can't be that
simple could it? So I took a couple of pickup springs I had laying
around and installed them under each tab of the pickup, so as I turned
the screws in and out, it adjusted the pickup height. I adjusted the
stock neck pickup to about the same distance from the strings as the
bridge pickup, wow. The volume is now close the what the bridge pickup
is and the tone got a little more twang in it (brighter). I think the
problem is the neck pickup in these Squire's are just mounted to low. I
will not be upgrading my pickups.
Great video!!! Thanks for sharing! Especially the unplugged version!
to my experience the material of the saddles makes even more difference. Try the same test with stainless steel and bronze. So we see if you find the same difference. By the way when the guitar is unplugged the difference between body/bridge is more evident. I find a more "metallic" sound through the bridge. But when you amplify that the difference is less IMHO.
Brass.
Is there any difference in the feel of the strings? I always heard that the top load feels a bit 'slinkier' than tha string through due to the reduced string break angle,
Thanks for the video! And thanx for the final scientific demonstration that there's no difference in between the two methods (with that kind of saddles and nut). The vu meters indicated a very subtle difference that any ear could catch... especially in a hypothetical mix. I believe differences heard between the two methods are driven by a psychological effect. Really thanx and congratulations
Hello and thank you for the video! Even though it doesn't seem to be any helpful I think I'll drill the holes into my kit guitar because I simply like the look of it.
I am rebuilding a lyon solid body. It was a thru the body axe, I'm going to top load with a adjustable. bridge and tail piece. I am going to have t locate the bridge and drill the holes for the studs to mount the bridge. What formula do I use to locate it or can I just eyeball it?
I like the top load & reversing the controls because once you give up a freedom you can’t get it back.
Listening on studio monitors, I think the differences when plugged in are better explained by slight differences in pick attack and proximity to the bridge in each take.
6:05 through the body single ASDR
6:33 through the bridge single ASDR
7:05 A/B test no amplification (pink t-shirt: through body, blue t-shirt: through the bridge (underneath a bridge runs water, water is blue -> bridge/blue))
7:50 A/B test with amplifcation (same t-shirt "coding")
Thanks for this video helped Me a lot in deciding, I'm in the process of taking off a Floyd Rose set up, which I hate from an Aria guitar that My Grandson gave Me, I'm going to replace with a hardtail top mount as it will be easier to change strings when required, also I'm going to replace the metal string clamp nut set up, another thing I don't like about the Floyd Rose and replace with a bone nut, I'm not bothered about not having a wammy bar anymore, never used it anyway, this will be My stand by guitar, main one is one of the better Les Paul copy's.
Yar u r realy awasome. The way of comparison was great. One of the best guitar comperision video. I m astonishing to see the number of subscribers of your channel. It really worth more.
Thanks!
I keep breaking the high e on the saddle Harley Benton T style. There’s a kink sound like the saddle groove has a bur. What’s the best way to remedy this? Also I tried ordering a different pick guard but the holes didn’t line up any ideas?
Hey man I had squiers bullet, infinity in the past that I had to sold and Its has been offered to me a kind of frankentele for same price of this kit. Your videos made me realice that I prefer to do this trip myself instead of buy someone else tries and errors journey. I didn't notice any change. I must say i prefer a tremolo bridge (not in the options, rebel comment). Thanks for your content!
Hey. I'm not a fixed bridge guy either, so I totally get that :)
I due prefer string through only for how it looks. Don't know if that counts tough 😂
Is there any difference in sense of durability of the strings?
Man you are so good. I wish I could pluck each individual string so smoothly and effectively like that.
Solid video. I really couldn't tell much difference. With regards to the pickguard, I hate them but you did a great job, white out and glue, nice!!!
Nice to have options for the way to string up your guitar.
Lets face it. The string only ever vibrates between 2 points. The nut an the saddle. An its that vibration that is sensed by the pick up turned into a low voltage signal that is then boosted by the amp. In order to move the speaker to make the sound we hear. Top Load or Through Body? Its 50/50 for me.
I’ve been top loading for about 20 years on my ‘72 Fender Telecaster. I do it this way because I feel the strings are easier to do bends. Just lately I restrung trough the body. Let’s just say that I cut those strings off the very next day and top loaded with a new set of strings. Maybe it’s in my head? As far as sound and sustain?? Too subtle to hear. Great video and lovely build 👍🏻👍🏻
I’ve had a couple of squire classic vibe guitars and didn’t like how stiff they are to bend. I’ve played other teles that have strings through bridge and was much easier to bend. Classic vibes are well built guitars so maybe it’s the strings through body that I dislike
I’ve had a couple of squire classic vibe guitars and didn’t like how stiff they are to bend. I’ve played other teles that have strings through bridge and was much easier to bend. Classic vibes are well built guitars so maybe it’s the strings through body that I dislike
I’ve had a couple of squire classic vibe guitars and didn’t like how stiff they are to bend. I’ve played other teles that have strings through bridge and was much easier to bend. Classic vibes are well built guitars so maybe it’s the strings through body that I dislike
With this video i notice that i like 1,2,3 string's toploader and 4,5,6 thru.why treble strings slinkier,more twang and for the other 3 string's more deep low end and thighter feel
Gosh guys , thank you so much . My first build and I needed some help . Many thanks
I have a mahogany telecaster it is string thru, but my bridge is both top load and string thru, I have done it both ways, no difference in tone, the strings feel a little different, I did for a time string the treble strings g b e top load and e a d string thru
My latest "Tele" is the house brand of the Music Store, and came both ways, top loading, and strings through! $148 to Colorado USA.
String-Through body definetly *looks* better... But sounds the same. Great video!
I just did a Tele and could not stand the steel barrel saddles. So I went to the compensated Wilkinson brass saddles. I couldn't stand those either. Just something about trying to play so far out of intonation really messes with me. So I had to actually to to the 6 saddle Squire Bridge, and it came with brass saddles. So far very pleased with that. Now I am waiting to install new pickups into it when the new GOTOH locking tuning keys get here. I mean, does the intonation not bother other people also?
It does. It should!
Thank you,, top video and what a stunning green Tele! I want one.
I prefer the string through but it is due to the long term stability of the bridge. With the strings through the bridge, the forces are constantly pulling up on the rear of the bridge. With a string through setup the preasure is pulling down on the bridge and essentially holding it in place.
What you speak of here is exactly why I prefer the "string-through-body" method.
It does not matter if in a strings through the bridge the forces pull up the rear of the bridge, as long as the bridge does not lift.
I prefer strings through the bridge in a Tele because it provides more chime sound and then I install a hybrid set of strings ( 3 heavy bottom 3 light top).
This gives me more body sound on the lower strings and more chime on the higher strings. Fuller tone. My opinion.
I like it through the bridge. thanks!
Hi max, I have to say I like the strings through the body best. I don`t hear much difference but I find the feel very different when I play. I have that exact kit and a variety of other Tele´s. Love that Green!
Great video! I prefer through the body by the sound in this video, sounds fuller to me!
No differences at all for me..... btw i've always wanted to try this...
Why is there a plastic spacer between the neck plate and thwe body? Surely that will dampen things? Surely you want as solid and firm a join as possible?
Though subtle in some instances it seems like through body has a clearer sound while through bridge is like listening to a song with slightly less treble
Hey. Nice video. Can you explain in a bit more detail how you drilled the holes through the body without the drill press? Thanks.
Excelente video! 😍 por el puente es más twang el sonido... por el cuerpo tiene más peso. La diferencia no es abismal pero existe!
Sounds like the string trough lifted a little of the highest frequencies, hear it on the bridge mic. At the other mics I dident hear any difference
Thanks, dude. I was just thinking if drilling or not my Telecaster project. You saved me a lot of work.
Great channel, by the way.
I wonder why you didn't used the new pickgard holes...? So... What about the feel . Did you feel any difference .
I wonder that too :) It looks great and feels good!
through the bridge sounded nicer to me, a little bit janglier. but mostly it sounds the same)
Has anyone tried a mix like 3 low strings through the body and 3 high top loaded, or any other variation for that matter?
Yes that's been tried thousands of times. I've tried it myself using different brands and gauges of strings along with several different.... SS/Tube amps along with swapping speakers.....different brands of speakers/cabinets/size of speakers/EQ'n the amps/amp on stands vs on the floor/dozens of pedals.... pedal placement on the board/pick up height adjustment/different nut materials.....swapping saddles....mix and matching different types saddles.... saddle materials..... pick materials along with different brands of picks/gauge of picks....patch cables along with different brands of patch cables/guitar cables.... Length of cables/different fret materials/ adjusting string action/different pick up positions..... playing closer to the bridge vs the neck.... Maple fretboard..... Rose wood fretboard.... Ebony fretboard etc' other type of fretboard materials etc so on.
But I've only tried it one time. Also meant to mention on the same guitar' a 50's Baja telecaster with a b bender installed along with a drop D tuner on the low E string and drop banjo tuners on the high E and A strings along with a 1000k linear volume pot for volume swells.
The string through the bridge was louder acoustically .. pretty much no difference after that.. excellent video! Great content.. but I would love to see a comparison of the saddle material .. brass vs stainless !
I'll be comparing different saddles soon. Stay tuned :)
Yep
Try the picks.
that guitar looks so awesome!
I thought the strings through the body sounded more resonant, with the bridge through sounding a bit damper.
Hi Max, great video !
the strings are not go straight in the wood but first thru the metal plate, maybe that makes more difference.
I liked this video because it was informative, and you have a nice calming nature.
Отлично, Макс! Я такой же кит собрал, думал тоже сквозь корпус сделать. Теперь, наверное, сквозь бридж оставлю. Глядишь, бигсби потом поставлю. Спасибо за качественную работу!
А оно вообще возможно с такими седлами мензуру отстроить? Я все хочу такой кит заказать и сразу бридж поменять на wilkinson, но там через тушку без вариантов. Там 6 отдельных седел
@@denis_kleshchev у меня всё отстроилось без проблем. хотя, если есть возможность лучше заменить на более современный бридж, где не парная подстройка.
@@СуперПупер-щ9ч крутяк. У меня не было таких бриджей никогда, поэтому очкую :) к тому же во всех описаниях таких бриджей пишут "точная настройка мензуры не гарантируется". А ещё смотрю я на свой страт и вижу что там седла рядом расположенные нифига не рядом по мензуре. Ай один фиг закажу, прикольный конструктор же
I prefer the tone with the strings thru the body. More full sounding with more sustain.
What a nice pickguard!
Max Solo rules \m/
I liked the ''strings through the body'' version. Fuller sound!
Never mind the tonal difference between the two, which is negligible soloed and likely undetectable in a live context with a band, what impact does it have on feel/tension/playability?
That's a good question. I'll cover that in one of my future videos!
Very cool, thank you for the video. I've also watched your tips for repainting a guitar and I am now set on repainting my Tele for a summer project. I am still undecided on drilling holes for through the body option or sticking with through the bridge, both options sounded great in your demonstration. Keep up the great content!
Rock on!
Thanks Guys, was really trying to decide if I really needed to drill through the body or not on my tele kit guitar.
Can’t really hear any or very little difference on your sound test, well nothing that an amp tweak wouldn’t sort.
You’ve saved me a lot of hassle for sure👍
How many gigs do you play using your Telly unplugged with a mic in front of it?
Do one with alternating thru body and bridge
Nice job on the pickguard. ;)
I think when strings go on throughout body it can give more problem with high frequencies; they will be calm down faster than low frequencies. Does someone else hear it?
I would be interested in impact on tension. I've heard it said that top loaded teles are easier for string bending than through the body. Maybe a little scale of some sort (like a fish scale??) to pull a string up a tone and see if there is any difference on how much force is required.
When strings go through the bridge they are a bit longer, that's why it is harder to bend them I guess
I can't see that making much difference either. In order to get a specific note, you require a specific tension. Simple physics. You're going to need the same amount of force in the end. Maybe you need to bend one further if the string is longer, but same force in the end.
@@denis_kleshchev No, that's incorrect. The opposite is true. The more string there is the more it can stretch; therefore, less string means less stretch, more tension.
It's the increased angle over the bridge that makes the tension greater on the string through. More angle on the string through, less on the top loader.
HI FOR EXAMPLE. GREAT VID. THANKS
In the late 50s fender tried switching to top load bridges, it didn’t last because players wanted more sustain which the thru the body bridges offered.
I heard Fender switched to thru body stringing on the Tele due to the top load bridges pulling screws out and lifting causing warranty repairs 🤷♂️
I find that the biggest difference is in string tension. Top-loading feels slinkier and bending and tremolo is easier to accomplish. Through body makes you work harder. Billy Gibbons top-loads - that's good enough for me.
agreed!
I would think string through bridge provides the straightest path for the string and would minimise break angle and help keep the string from stressing/stretching. Sustain should stop past the nut and the saddle.
Only my dog can hear any difference and she's more of a Strat girl! lol! Thanks for the video! I'm doing the same with a Donner Telecaster as we speak! Looking for knowledge!
I couldn't tell much difference between the two but I do know and and tell a difference when people play with fingers vs a pick. The difference in sound is far more recognizable and possibilites of tones achieved are broaden. For example, Clarence Gatemouth Brown makes his guitar talk like an old woman with just his fingers no pick. They go back and forth in a conversation with one another.
So a half and half works best then 🤔
Sweet...
Deffinatley thought it punched more in mids with a toploader were as the bass response was better through body
thanks man, that was weirdly informative!
Top loaders generally have a slightly warmer rounder sound.
Any difference between the two is very subtle. :) Interesting, since l’ve always assumed stringing through the body would sustain better. A tip for fitting the string Ferrules in the back of the body: Heat up a soldering iron with a round tip. Fit the Ferrules over the tip to warm them up, then push them in with the soldering iron. Obviously, be careful not to burn yourself, or scorch the finish in the process, but heating the ferrules slightly always makes them go in rather more easily.
Surprised to hear that, I thought they might expand a bit, thus being harder to seat.
@@IfUfindthisURlost
Correct.
Nice video and great looking guitar too! There were times I could swear I could hear a difference but then in a moment, it was gone and I wasn't sure anymore. It could be down to strumming/picking strength but maybe I thought there was a little bit more low end information in the through body setup.
Thanks for such a great comparison, you have a new subscriber!
In 1959 the Tele had string through the bridge.Good enough for me.
Try a black shirt!!! It gives a warmer tone and lots of sustain!!!!!
The difference is very clear both acoustically and through the amplifier. Whoever doesn't hear it should consider buying better headphones.
With the strings through the body, the sound has a longer decay and richer harmonics.
With the strings through the bridge, the transient is shorter and the sound is poorer in harmonics, making the guitar sound plastic-ey.
I thought the same thing when I read the comments, I think people have been buying some bad headphones lately.
Headphones? You mean people aren’t just listening to the phone speaker???
Nice content. Can you make a content next time about how to adjust the string height and intonation of that same guitar while in a string-through bridge?
Thanks. Eventually I'll be making videos covering that topic for complex bridges. But in a case with a tele it couldn't be any simpler. One allen wrench and a phillips screwdriver. Does that really need a tutorial?
There is pretty much no difference in sound or sustain, and there ain't a soul on this planet who could tell whether it is string through body or top loaded from hearing only one of the options. Interesting! I think saddle material might be significantly more important for tone.
Nice upload!
I want to buy that tele from you lol. I live in Tennessee and dig the state ag seal you had designed into the pick guard!
Sorry, not for sale :) There are still experiments to be done with this guitar, the series is not over. But I'm sure you can order a pickguard with the same graphics from Flatt for any of your guitars. He should still have my file I sent him
@@MaxSoloMusic
Would you take $5000.00 and a happy meal ?
Sound is similar enough to not make a difference in my opinion. I would be interested in your opinion on feel. Particularly when bending strings. Most folks claim easier bending with top load vs through the body.
Yep, it is slightly easier. Generally the shorter the string, the easier it gets with a Floyd Rose being the best solution in terms of easy bending since the string is locked at the nut
I am building a Tele replica and I want to decide what kind of solution I have to adopt for bridge. Well, I don't hear any substantial difference between two versions...
8:56 sounds like a...ss. Ceramic bridge pickkup ? Easy fix tho' - new pu 😁
Hellifiknow! I have one Telecaster, an Ibanez, and an Explorer. I think it may come down to feel, IMHO, top loaders have a bit less string tension. The string through body string may break sooner... maybe... To me, sound and sustain are indistinguishable. I still prefer my Telecaster.
And now, it's off to Warmoth to put together a parts list!
5 Stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Great video. 👍
Hi guys, I'm using THRU-BODY STRINGS (purchased without thinking about the meaning of T.B.) on a TOP-LOADED bridge
Does anybody know if that could be a problem.
I'm not having any "issue", so far so good, but I was wondering and couldn't find answers.
(Stings Model: LaBella Deep Talkin' Bass 760FS -TB - Standard)
(Bass Model: Fender Player Precision PF PWT)
I like through the body!, Fuller sound with body