Question about bass strings & headstock

[Slutgarden]

Hey guys, just had a quick question. I tried to do a few searches since I figure this might have been answered but I didn't manage to find anything and its a little hard to describe via search.

I just changed the strings on my Ibanez GSR200 and I bought some new strings for $25. I noticed on the original strings that at the headstock where the strings are wrapped around the posts that the strings had some kind of frilly stuff, but on the new strings that I just bought there is no "frill". I assumed the frill was to prevent the raw metal of the bass strings from scratching the metal posts that they wrap around but I was told it should be OK... so my main questions are:

What is that "frill" stuff actually called and is it ok to just leave the bass strings bare against the metal posts or can it become a problem?

Thanks!

[PBass101]

They're called silk end wrappings, and plenty of strings don't have them - it isn't a problem.

[Slutgarden]

Cool, thanks again!