Vintage Guitar and Bass forum

Mod Bars Vs Nuts

Mod Bars Vs Nuts
« on: August 06, 2013, 10:48:25 AM »
Unfortuantely 'Mod' and 'Bar' are too short for the search function!

Before I re-string my bass I'd like to give a bit of extra clearance at the 3-point bridge, to avoid any potential issues with string silks or long end wraps, etc.

The Mod Bars look like a very simple solution, however I have read that they beef up the tone, and noticeably increase sustain- I'm looking for a short sustain and thumpy sound, so I'm keen to avoid 'modernising' the sound of my bass in any way.

On most basses I tend to prefer the sound of lighter gauge bridges, so might I be better served using the old-school method of a nut or washer or two behind the bridge to give the extra clearance whilst keeping the sound 'warm and bouncy'?

Can anyone comment on the perceived tonal difference between the two approaches?

Many Thanks, Jus

jules

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Mod Bars Vs Nuts
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2013, 12:23:14 PM »
Hi Jus, are you set on one particular brand of strings? For flatwounds I use labella deep talkin' which have no silk at the ball end, getting rid of the need for mod bars. They are a little expensive, but sound superb and last forever. I use 760FSS or 760FLS for short scale basses,  and 760FS for long scale. But there are other scales and gauges available too. They do extra long too for stringing through the body. It's all I use these days

Mod Bars Vs Nuts
« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2013, 06:46:41 PM »
+1 for LaBellas! Have them on my Les Paul Triumph with the 2-point bridge (AKA Tilt-O-Matic) and they work great!

I considered putting one of the mod-bars on my Melody Maker Bass (also 2-point) but as Jules pointed out, when I strung it with LaBellas there was no need.

If one did use a mod bar, it would be interesting to have one made out of a material similar to the white plastic used in the saddles. Or how about bone or wood even?

Mod Bars Vs Nuts
« Reply #3 on: August 22, 2013, 10:13:13 AM »
Thanks chaps,

    I'm not stuck on any particular strings, so I'll look into the Labellas. I was planning to use Picatos, which also don't have silks, although Status Hotwires have a good reputation, and the price is very good so I'm quite keen to try those too, as I will be picking up some of their long scale tapewounds at some point anyway.

    Aside from the silks, have you ever noticed a problem with the actual 'back-winding' of the core under the wraps? I've found that even without silks there is a lumpy section at the end of the string which could still cause issues if it ran over the saddle.

    Good point about a different material, too. I actually have some dowel which could be perfect. I just worried about how much the wood might compress over time, but it could be a good option!

Mod Bars Vs Nuts
« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2013, 11:51:25 AM »
Quote from: jus lukin;17947
Aside from the silks, have you ever noticed a problem with the actual 'back-winding' of the core under the wraps?


Actually, a bit of a Google hunt came up with this...

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/fs-epiphone-allen-woody-rumblekat-923311/

The fifth picture down shows the unevenness I was thinking of, and protruding over the saddle, too. I guess I'll have some spacers handy just in case!

Is it fairly standard practice to use nuts or washers as spacers on these bridges?

jules

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Mod Bars Vs Nuts
« Reply #5 on: August 23, 2013, 03:18:40 PM »
Quote from: jus lukin;17948
Is it fairly standard practice to use nuts or washers as spacers on these bridges?
No not at all - I only use Labella Deep Talkin' though... but I have no basses strung with them that use any form of spacer (and I have quite a few). The windings on that talkbass pic do look a bit damaged, and it's not something I've even seen on any of my basses. I wonder whether too much movement (setting intonation?) has caused this. certainly minor saddle movements don't cause that problem.

Mod Bars Vs Nuts
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2013, 06:03:47 AM »
I believe he also states in there that the strings are for the Hofner Beatle Bass - that might have something to do with it too!

Mod Bars Vs Nuts
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2013, 01:22:46 PM »
Well, after much procrastination I have a set of Status Hotwires on the bass. They are actually very nice strings, with a great sound and a nice feel under the fingers. The bass now sounds just as I had envisaged when I bought it! The strings did have silks, so I bought a handful of nuts to sit them further back on the bridge, which was very effective, and whilst not entirely pretty, don't look terrible. I've taken a couple of shots, but unless I look for them, they don't really notice in normal use.

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Hieronymous, in my searches regarding Telecaster basses I keep coming across your 'Telembic' elsewhere. I took me a while to put two and two together and realise it was yours! I have a Squier Precision TB I am adding a P-bass and Dimarzio Ultra Jazz to, which I will post here when it is eventually finished. I've been enjoying your Soundcloud too! ;)

Mod Bars Vs Nuts
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2013, 07:48:28 AM »
I think that actually looks kind of cool with the nuts. That's an Allen Woody isn't it? I don't think I realized that was the bass you were talking about.

Hearing about you finding the Telembic online and locating it to me - I guess I have been posting music stuff for almost ten years now! So far no one has stalked me so I guess it's ok. As long as people check out the music I'm happy - thanks for doing so! The hieronymous project has definitely in part been me just enjoying these various basses & synths that I have been fortunate enough to own.

Mod Bars Vs Nuts
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2014, 08:59:10 AM »
Yeah, it's an Allen Woody, a great little bass, I must say. Born to be played through a valve (or at least 'valve-like') pre-amp, and great for that 60's 'plunk-and-boom' when played with a plectrum.

Quote from: hieronymous;18082
So far no one has stalked me so I guess it's ok.


Now you mention it, I suppose it does sound a bit creepy! I'd been looking at lots of pictures of Teles with extra pickups, and I think it was as simple as following a Soundcloud link from somewhere else and thinking "Ive heard this before...". One step back and the guy with the Telembic had the same screen name as you. 8)

Mod Bars Vs Nuts
« Reply #10 on: June 26, 2014, 11:43:24 AM »
I know it's veering slightly off topic, but I thought I'd share my modified Tele bass, helped into being by the 'Telembic' I kept seeing pictures of! It's worked out well, and is a great all round gigging Fender-style bass, with the addition of the deep, murky tones I love best.

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