TOM bridge & string through body: Pros? Cons?

[jackpax]

Long time reader, soon to be builder here. I've seen a few string through bodies with tune-o-matic bridges in the gallery (eliminating the stop bar) and am wondering why some players/builders made that choice. I see that it eliminates the need for an angled neck pocket. Does that have something to do with it? I've never owned a Gibson and remember playing a friends' for the first time. There was a moment of "huh?" when I looked down at the angled neck. But there was nothing to get used to regarding playability. Is there another advantage to string through body design?

 

[bagman67]

What eliminates the need for an angled neck pocket is not the string-through  - it's the recessed tune-o-matic bridge.  Because that sits lower on the face of the guitar,the strings are low enough that the flat pocket will suffice.


It may be that the stop bar will not provide a sufficiently acute break angle over the TOM saddles when a recessed bridge is instaleld, so string-through holes are drilled at a distance from the bridge that will provide the right angle.

 

[stratamania]

The only other way with a recessed TOM bridge would be with a tailpiece similar to that on the Musicman Steve Morse. A normal tailpiece would not give sufficient string break with a recessed TOM.

 

[SustainerPlayer]

I got 3 Warmoths with recessed TOM/string through. I just really like the ergonomics of the right hand position - resting and palm muting. It's not like there is a world of difference - but you know - 3% here, 2,5% there ... it all adds up.

Only con I can think of is that sometimes - especially with the thin strings - they can be a little hesitant to get through the string through holes in the first attempt. But not a big deal either.

And I just like the look of the setup.

 

[elgravos]

Strings are much closer to the body coming off the recessed TOM.  3/8" on the recessed vs 5.5/8" on an LP standard.  I much prefer the former from a feel / comfort standpoint.

 

[stratamania]

I'm assuming 5.5/8" is 11/16" when not mixing decimals and fractions.

 

[Updown]

The one I use the most is a recessed Tom string thru ..... http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=17679.0

Got another here ... http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=19269.0

I just really like the ergonomics of the right hand position - resting and palm muting.
It's not like there is a world of difference - but you know - 3% here, 2,5% there ... it all adds up.

+1  :icon_thumright:

 

[stratamania]

The one I use the most is a recessed Tom string thru ..... http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=17679.0

Got another here ... http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=19269.0

I just really like the ergonomics of the right hand position - resting and palm muting.
It's not like there is a world of difference - but you know - 3% here, 2,5% there ... it all adds up.

+1  :icon_thumright:

That's an awesome looking guitar.

 

[elgravos]

@ stratamania: yes, you are indeed correct.  I enjoy a bit of convolution here and there.  Thought I would just keep it in 8ths for comparison, though I could certainly have raised the denominator to 16ths on all fronts!

 

[stratamania]

@elgravos 

 

[swarfrat]

I'm one of those that absolutely detests angled necks. Sticks my elbow into my rib cage. Might not matter if your guitar is already at your knees.  Of all the things which I dislike Gibson for, their attention to strap buttons and ergonomics is at the tippy top of my list.