Sadowsky Bridge or TI Flats Issue

[DavePlaysBass]

I can't get the B string from a set of TI Flats to stay in place. It pulls out of the bridge when I try to tune it up. I did not have this problem with TI Superalloys. But I gotta say the Sadowsky bridge is a pain whenever installing a non tapered B string. Most of them do not go into the slot without a lot of pulling, tugging, and cussing. Is it my bridge or have others experienced this?

Or are the TI Flats made with slightly smaller ball ends to blame? I noticed the other four strings going flat as I tuned them up but they did eventually take to the tension. Makes me wonder if they will pop out at the wrong time.

At this point I am running with a Sadowsky Black B but it does not sound right with the rest of the set. The E thru G sound pretty sweet. This is the first set of flats I have had on this bass. We'll have to see what they sound like in a band situation and hopefully a different B string solution.

[lump]

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

I can't get the B string from a set of TI Flats to stay in place. It pulls out of the bridge when I try to tune it up. I did not have this problem with TI Superalloys. But I gotta say the Sadowsky bridge is a pain whenever installing a non tapered B string. Most of them do not go into the slot without a lot of pulling, tugging, and cussing. Is it my bridge or have others experienced this?

Or are the TI Flats made with slightly smaller ball ends to blame? I noticed the other four strings going flat as I tuned them up but they did eventually take to the tension. Makes me wonder if they will pop out at the wrong time.

At this point I am running with a Sadowsky Black B but it does not sound right with the rest of the set. The E thru G sound pretty sweet. This is the first set of flats I have had on this bass. We'll have to see what they sound like in a band situation and hopefully a different B string solution.

It's not you--I ran into the same thing. The B stays in place, but just barely. Funny thing though, is that the non-tapered TI B sounds more focused and is overall better intonated than tapered the Sadowsky Bright Nickel I replaced. Go figure.

I just looked at it; the ball on the B string is oriented perpendicular(ish) to the body rather than lying flat against it. See if that helps.

[DavePlaysBass]

I stuck a #8 washer at the ball-end and strung her up. The ball-end sticks out from the bridge a little ways. This did the trick. The bridge is no longer quick change but at least it works. Well see how the washer holds up. If it bends I can replace it with two or three.

I agree that the TI Flat B is pretty good. Last night I was having a hard time with the Black Nickel B. I have used the Sadowsky Black Nickel B in 125 and 130 and neither sounded as good as the Labella HRS B or the TI Flat B. I thought the Sadowsky Blue Nickel 130 B was good though. And if the TI Flats don't stay on this bass, I probably will try the Sadowsky Blue Steels next. I need another Sadowsky so I can keep one with flats and the other with steels.

[pickles]

That washer will also do the same thing as the voodoo ridden B string cleanup method of putting a metal tube on the end of the string so you're not using the section of string near the ball end, but rather the witness point is up on the nice consistent part of the string farther up. Never know -- might be great.

[NorCal Dog]

Originally Posted by pickles

That washer will also do the same thing as the voodoo ridden B string cleanup method of putting a metal tube on the end of the string so you're not using the section of string near the ball end, but rather the witness point is up on the nice consistent part of the string farther up. Never know -- might be great.

do you have any photos ?

[DavePlaysBass]

Update for the archives.

The B strings holds well with the #8 washer.

However, I had the G string come out of the bridge after I loosened the G a lot to set intonation and then tried to bring it back to pitch. The #8 washer did not work on the G string so well because the hole in the washer was a lot bigger than the the string and it would move around and not really make solid contact with the bridge.

Solution: I took an old set of Ernie Ball Slinkies and cut the ball ends off of them and strung the EB ball ends onto the G, D, A, and E strings. The EB ball ends make contact with the bridge and hold the TI ball end slightly beyond the bridge (using the ball end as the washer). The ID on the ball end is about 0.120". So the washer stays on the B. Thanks to my a guitared wood worker / mechanical engineering for the idea of using the ball ends off an old set of strings. He said he could drill out a ball end for the B string but I think the washer on that one is fine.