A through-body bridge anchors the ball end at the back of the body instead of at the bridge. That uses more string between the ball end and the saddle, leaving less at the tuner end. The full-diameter winding still has to cross the nut and reach the post.
Step by step:
- Remove the old strings one at a time or all at once. One at a time keeps the neck's setup steadier.
- Feed the new string through the ferrule from the back and pull it through until the ball end seats.
- Seat the string in its saddle slot, then pull it to the tuner. Leave enough for 2 to 4 wraps.
- Cut roundwounds only after measuring. Never cut flatwounds.
- Wind downward, seat the string in the nut and tune up.
On standard sets, full winding should cross the saddle. Taper wound and exposed core sets are designed so the thinner section sits on the saddle. If the thick part of the winding ends up wrapped around the post, the string is too long. If the taper lands before the nut, or the string won't reach the post, it's too short.
Our long scale strings have about 37.25" of usable winding length. Extra long is about 38" for 35" and many through-body basses. See Power Wound Nickel Bass, including NR45105XL.