Problem Stringing Chromes on my SR5

Sean Baumann · #1 10-13-2006, 09:44 AM

Argh! I tried to string my SR5 with Chromes the other day and two of the strings slipped off the posts. I had 2.5 to 3 full winds on there and when I tuned to pitch, the strings started slipping off. On one of them the silk and wrap wire even broke, just leaving the core. What a waste of money.... blah.

What did I do wrong? I've never had a problem with strings before.

saxnbass · #2 10-13-2006, 10:30 AM

You bought D'Addarios, that's where you went wrong. I've had this problem before, but only with D'Addarios. It's really wierd. I'm not sure what causes it though.

Sean Baumann · #3 10-13-2006, 10:40 AM

I just emailed D'Addario to complain and see what I should have done.

saxnbass · #4 10-13-2006, 10:44 AM

Let me know what they say.

pickles · #5 10-13-2006, 03:10 PM

Sounds like you might have twisted the cores when installing ... flatwounds are way more delicate than rounds and twisting is especially bad. Need to make sure the string is "free" by sliding the ball out of the bridge slightly right before tuning up ...

Either that or completely defective strings.

Sean Baumann · #6 10-13-2006, 03:11 PM

I was pretty careful of twisting. I'm even careful of that with my round wounds. Are you not supposed to trim the flats at all or something? Not sure how I would have gotten all the windings if I didn't trim them some.

ldervish · #7 10-13-2006, 03:17 PM

Hope you get it figured out - IMO those strings are great

The Craw · #8 10-13-2006, 03:28 PM

Before cutting the string to length, did you make a right angle bend and then cut it just past the bend? That helps prevent breakage and slipping of the core.

Sean Baumann · #9 10-13-2006, 03:31 PM

Yeah, that's the way I do it. Bend then cut.

avid · #10 10-13-2006, 06:25 PM

Did you accidentally end up with the wrong scale length for your Ray?

Sean Baumann · #11 10-13-2006, 08:30 PM

I got the 5SL which I assume are the longest ones available. In fact the B might have been slightly too long as the actual string (not the silk) was wraping around the tuner as well. Seemed to work alright though.

avid · #12 10-13-2006, 09:06 PM

Sean,

I just put the SL chromes on my Fender MIA Jazz string-through and the E string non-silk portion goes to the top of the post. I would say they were barely long enough on the G string.

I wonder if the longs would have given you this problem or even if they would fit. In reading many posts about Chromes you see that people have problems with fit.

pickles · #13 10-15-2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Baumann

I got the 5SL which I assume are the longest ones available. In fact the B might have been slightly too long as the actual string (not the silk) was wraping around the tuner as well. Seemed to work alright though.

That could be the problem .... the main section of string isn't meant to wind on the post.

Other than that sounds like you did everything right.

Sean Baumann · #14 10-15-2006, 03:02 PM

The ones where the main part wound on the tuners were the ones that didn't slip. (B and E).

saxnbass · #15 10-15-2006, 03:13 PM

Get a reply back from D'Addario yet Sean?

markjazzbassist · #16 10-15-2006, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Baumann

Are you not supposed to trim the flats at all or something?

i never trim my strings. i put them on in there full length. sometimes they fill the entire tuner but i feel a loss of tension when they are cut. plus, the more string on the tuner, the less likely for it all to come off.

TrooperFarva · #17 10-15-2006, 03:49 PM

This might help

String problem/solution (Elixirs)

The Craw · #18 10-15-2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Baumann

Yeah, that's the way I do it. Bend then cut.

I asked because I know someone who had a similar thing happen a couple of months ago on the G string of a 4-string set, even though he bent and then cut past the bend. The core kept slipping and he couldn't tune it. Makes me wonder if D'addario is having a QC problem with the Chromes.

Sean Baumann · #19 10-15-2006, 07:03 PM

Hopefully they will answer my email early this week. Their auto response said 48 hours (I assume business hours).

jasper383 · #20 12-09-2007, 12:16 PM

Resurrecting a thread here. I just had this problem putting a set of Chromes on a Stingray 5. The D string just wouldn't tune. Slipped right out of the hole in the string post. I hadn't cut the string at all.

After it slipped, I cut it a little, the bent the tip into a sharp V, and put that into the hole in the string post. That wouldn't tune.

I have had this problem with Stingrays and Chromes twice before, with the G string.

Any advice? When people recommend bending the string, then cutting it, what exactly do they mean? Does the bend then go into the hole in the string post?