Instantly dead strings

SwamiRob · #1 04-26-2008, 09:38 AM

Does anyone get a problem with their strings dying pretty much as soon as they're put on? 50% of the time a restring a bass, the E seems to have alot less new string sound to it. Is this a problem with the string or how I'm stringing it?

lowendgenerator · #2 04-26-2008, 09:40 AM

Check to make sure that the string isn't twisted. Depending on how you wrap the string around the post, you may be putting a twist on the string. Loosen them up and give them a spin. Usually works for me.

fenderhutz · #3 04-26-2008, 09:41 AM

Do wash your hands often?

Sweat alot when you play?

Have clammy or damp hands?

Smoke?

Leave the bass in a humid area?

There are a ton of factors that play into this. I have very dry skin and a set of strings can last me 6 months or more.

You may also have a problem with your nut.

SwamiRob · #4 04-26-2008, 09:50 AM

It happens as soon as I put the string on. I can hear the lack of twang or whatever you might wanna call it as I'm tightening the string so I don't reckon it's any of the hygiene things. I'll try to make sure it's not twisted though, doesn't really seem to effect any other string other then my E though.

fenderhutz · #5 04-26-2008, 10:11 AM

Yeah that sounds like an issues with maybe the pickup or your nut.

jdombrow · #6 04-26-2008, 10:46 AM

It could also be a matter of "expectations". Go to a store and play a variety of basses, and take note of how the "E" string sounds in relation to each other strings. Perhaps the sound you hear in your head is not what an "E" string sounds like.

J.D.B. · #7 04-26-2008, 10:59 AM

Did the bass always behave like this? Was the E always dead? As posted, a lot of things can add up to this. I had an old Hohner I bought used (plywood body). It had a very dead sounding E, but, I knew it would need prepping, etc. Turns out the thing need a lighter gauge E to get some "life" into it. Had a .105 E on it to start, and went to an .090. sounded great after that. The ply just soaked up the vibes of the .105 and killed the sound. Just start checking it out, trying things. It may be a puzzle, but it does have a solution. This is where you get to learn some cool stuff about instruments so, take yer time and post back often.
Josh

SwamiRob · #8 04-27-2008, 05:00 PM

Yeah I'll look into it a little more, it doesn't ALWAYS happen but it's kinda annoying when it does. Doesn't stick out too much, just isn't as new sounding as the other 3 strings, seems to be the same for all brands and gauges. Perhaps I'm just expecting a little too much twang from an E, like one of you said, that it doesn't deliver due to its comparative size.

I'll try some stuff but I hope I don't have to down gauge my strings, I was planning on starting to use 110's on my ATK, already do on my Fender and it sounds great.

JimmyM · #9 04-28-2008, 02:52 AM

Yeah, that definitely sounds like a twisted string. Do you wrap the string around the post by hand when you first put it on or do you wind it up with the tuning peg?

PilbaraBass · #10 04-28-2008, 03:15 AM

really important tip...I tell everyone this, every opportunity I can...

when restringing..."seat" your strings...after you've tuned to pitch, and adjusted intonation, you should press down (towards the bass) on your strings just in front of the bridge saddle...

press hard. this gives your a good clean witness point for the string over the saddle and allows the string to ring out better.

do the same thing at the nut end (just not quite as hard)...

you WILL notice a big difference on the tone of your E and A strings, and a smaller difference on your D and G...

and yes, don't twist your strings...it can really mess with the tone in a bad way...don't wrap, use the tuners the whole way.

SwamiRob · #11 04-28-2008, 06:14 AM

Yeah I do wrap my strings round the post many times as possible before winding, so I'm guessing that's the problem then...

So for a string-through bass I should just be putting them through the bridge, cutting the end off, sticking the end in the hole (heheh), and letting the tuning peg do the work?

I'll try that seating thing too, sounds interesting as I try to avoid stretching my strings as much as possible, to the extent where I get stressed out to see that any of my strings have been resting sharp on my bass.

Ampeg SVT · #12 04-28-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwamiRob

So for a string-through bass I should just be putting them through the bridge, cutting the end off, sticking the end in the hole (heheh), and letting the tuning peg do the work?

Bingo

Vanceman · #13 05-01-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Yeah, that definitely sounds like a twisted string.

Better than a twisted nut!

manicbassman · #14 05-01-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwamiRob

Yeah I do wrap my strings round the post many times as possible before winding, so I'm guessing that's the problem then...

So for a string-through bass I should just be putting them through the bridge, cutting the end off, sticking the end in the hole (heheh), and letting the tuning peg do the work?

I'll try that seating thing too, sounds interesting as I try to avoid stretching my strings as much as possible, to the extent where I get stressed out to see that any of my strings have been resting sharp on my bass.

with the string through the bridge, lay it up against the neck and tuning pegs... get some good snips and snip the string about 3 or 4 inches past the relevant tuning peg and then stick the cut end into the tuning peg and get with the turning... do it carefully and lay the turns evenly so that the string moves down the peg as you wind the turns on... maintain tension all the time while doing this, it helps a lot...

you should have approximately three to four turns on the peg and this should result in a nice break angle over the nut... this is what I strongly suspect you haven't got...

SwamiRob · #15 05-01-2008, 05:38 PM

Sounds a little better doing it like this, was in the studio demoing one of my bands new songs but I had to string my bass in a bit of a rush so could probably do it better. Cheers for the advice though.

doktorfeelgood · #16 05-01-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

really important tip...I tell everyone this, every opportunity I can...

when restringing..."seat" your strings...after you've tuned to pitch, and adjusted intonation, you should press down (towards the bass) on your strings just in front of the bridge saddle...

press hard. this gives your a good clean witness point for the string over the saddle and allows the string to ring out better.

do the same thing at the nut end (just not quite as hard)...

you WILL notice a big difference on the tone of your E and A strings, and a smaller difference on your D and G...

and yes, don't twist your strings...it can really mess with the tone in a bad way...don't wrap, use the tuners the whole way.

This "string-seating" is interesting. I'm getting ready to re-string my main gigging J-bass and I'm gonna give this a shot. Can't hurt and I'll take your word for it that it works. )-(