Did I screw up the string by cutting it?

[climb]

I just bought a set of custom light gauge DR strings for EADGC tuning. I trimmed the C and G strings with a string cutter about 3 inches past the post, and they sat and playe fine. The D string had a longer exposed core at the end, and I cut off about 3 inches past the post on this string. When I tried to set the string, however, it sounded "dead", with no tone or life to it. Never seen anything like it.

Did I screw up the string or was it a dead string to begin with? What can I do, since this was a custom set?

TIA for any advice or info!

[Matt R.]

Hm, the only thing I could guess without seeing it is that maybe you cut the string too short so it doesn't have enough winds around the post, therefore it doesn't seat well in the nut slot. Hard to say though, but maybe consider that. Good luck!

Matt

[climb]

I thought about that, but it's got a lot of winds around the post, and just sounds qualitatively different than all the other strings. Is there something about the DR string having an exposed core?

[kyral210]

As long as it is anchored to the post right, then the string length is fine. You pretty much always have to cut strings to length.

[climb]

Thanks; I realized that. I cut three strings in succession, but only the third (the dead one) had the exposed core and I'm only trying to figure out if there's anyway I could have screwed it up.

[Nighttrain1127]

Sounds like it was DOA. I would contact the manufcaturer and see if they will replace the string.

[73jbass]

I always put a 90 degree bend in the string about 3/4 of an inch before the spot where I cut.The core might have slipped when you cut it.DR even reccomends bending before cutting.Especially with the round core strings like Hi Beams.

[climb]

That is really helpful. I didn't see any recommendation to bend before cutting in the string box, but maybe that's exactly what happened (sure sounds possible). The string is not just mildly dead, it is totally dead--produces almost no tone at all, just buzzing. Is a string salvagable if the core has slipped?

[Jerry Ziarko]

Doubt it. You got a bad string. It happens rarely, but it does happen. Contact DR, they'll probably make good on it.

[73jbass]

If your strings are the round core style, like HiBeams or Sunbeams,there is a diagram on the inside of the box that says," Make sure you crimp your strings at a 45 degree angle below the point of the cut". That is to keep the core from slipping,which sounds like what happened to you. I alway put a bend below the cut point on any style string.

[Lesfunk]

You don't cut strings without putting at least 90 degree bend before the cut.

[Luke73]

I always bend strings at a 90 deg angle before cutting. Helps anchor the winding.

Contact DR - they may make good on it for you. The problem could have been caused by the cutting, or it may have been a dead string. We'll probably never know. Both can happen.

[Fuzzbass]

Originally Posted by 73jbass

I always put a 90 degree bend in the string about 3/4 of an inch before the spot where I cut.The core might have slipped when you cut it.DR even reccomends bending before cutting.Especially with the round core strings like Hi Beams.

+1

That said, it's possible that the string was dead *before* you cut it.

[stevebasshead]

Interesting, I never cut before I bend, I always bend after. I've also tried different lengths beyond the post at various points in time giving anything from 1.5 to 3 wraps around the post. Can't say I've ever noticed any problems from doing it this way - maybe I've been lucky! But I can see now why it's better to bend before, I'll change my habits.

Either way it sounds like a dud string to me. A courteous letter to the manufacturer will, I'm sure, yield the best results.

[KrisH]

Cutting before or after you wind it on the post? Will a core slip if it's tightly wound 2 or 3 times around the post, kink or not?

[Fuzzbass]

Originally Posted by KrisH

Cutting before or after you wind it on the post? Will a core slip if it's tightly wound 2 or 3 times around the post, kink or not?

Good question.

With Hi Beams, I wind a few times around the post so I know where to cut. Keeping the string wound somewhat tightly I bend and then cut, which is a pain. It would be easier to cut and then bend.