First attempt at restringing bass........fail.

Raw Amateur · #1 12-01-2011, 07:28 PM

So I was in the music shop today and decided to buy a new set of strings for my bass. I play a MM Classic Stingray 4. I purchased D'Addario Chrome Flatwounds (ECB81). They are long scale.

I took the E string off and when I try to put the new string on, I am way too tight before the braid gets past the nut. In fact I can't wind the braid past the nut.

Either I'm doing it wrong (my username isn't "Raw Amateur" for nothing), the strings aren't long scale, or my bass takes longer strings (?).

Anybody have any thoughts on this problem?

Jazz Ad · #2 12-01-2011, 07:31 PM

Classic issue with d'Addario. Their long scales aren't very long at all.
They only work for basses with very short Fender style bridges.
They make super long scale for string through body and longer bridges.

bassbully · #3 12-01-2011, 08:23 PM

Been there myself. I just bought a SS Musicmaster that is thu body stringed. I bought a set of chromes for short scale and 2 of the four had felt in the nut barely but its there. Love those strings but they are not a good fit for thru body basses.

Raw Amateur · #4 12-01-2011, 08:32 PM

Ah, live and learn, I guess. Chances they'll take the strings back?

mmbongo · #5 12-01-2011, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raw Amateur

Ah, live and learn, I guess. Chances they'll take the strings back?

Not very good since you've installed them. Best bet is to sell them in the emporium.

arsie · #6 12-02-2011, 02:43 AM

Try stringing it through the bridge instead of the body.

BigDaddyMick · #7 12-02-2011, 03:03 AM

PM Sent.

Raw Amateur · #8 12-02-2011, 10:53 AM

PM sent back. Cheers.

code911 · #9 12-02-2011, 12:15 PM

Had a similar thing happen just last night re-stringing my esp b-415sm with d'addario flat wounds (had s.i.t. strings on it, very bright). Ended up putting on a different set of d'addarios round wounds that I had because the flats e-string wouldn't pull up all the way thru the ferrule. Not sure if the esp bridge would let me string from the bridge, it just didn't look right

ubnomnar · #10 12-02-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsie

Try stringing it through the bridge instead of the body.

The Classic Stingray 4 bridge is not drilled to accept "top loading"... only through body stringing. I had one and missed the "top load" option

But on the other hand they look amazing and sound awesome