Seriously ***? What is this?

Hector_G · #1 05-26-2009, 10:11 PM

Sorry about the length.
I guess this is the appropriate forum to post this in.

I've never even seen this happen before.

I got my new Warwick RockBass not too long ago.
I hated the strings it came with (steel). So... I replaced them with an extra Carvin set. I've liked the Carvins because they're taper wound and I think they have a good tone.

As I'm finishing up and stringing up the B string, I hear a pop. Damnit, the core broke as it I was winding it up on the post.
See pic...The yellow arrow indicates where the core broke the thick part of the string (these are not the Carvin strings BTW)

As the really thick part of the string started wrapping around, I don't know, it just broke the core.

I thought it might be a defective string. So I took a B string out of another set I had. Same thing happened! The core broke as the thick part wrapped around the post.

I guess the peg is too close to the nut causing some weird stress and tension.

I go to Guitar Center the next day and look at some strings that have exposed cores at the tuning peg.
I settled on the GHS Bass Boomers. I've always liked them.

I go home to string it up and encountered another stupid problem.
All was going well until I got to the B string.
I put it through the bridge and try to pull it taught.
The damned thing wouldn't go through.

It seems the extra winding right before the ball end are too big to fit through the hole in the bridge. So it's just hanging out there like an idiot. I've tuned it up and the tension is there, it just won't go through. Also, it sounds really dead. really muffled. Just a lame little thump when I slap or finger it.

At the tuning peg all was well as you can see in the first picture.
The exposed core wrapped around nicely.

Anyone ever seen this? I know I haven't.
This is ridiculous. Are the real Warwick Corvettes like this? Not so much at the bridge(the real Warwicks have the 2 piece), but at the tuning pegs?

AND FINALLY.... The major reason for my post...

Can anyone recommend a set of strings that are taperwound at the bridge and tuners. NICKEL please. I'm not a steel fan.

thirtypoint87 · #2 05-26-2009, 10:16 PM

Don't know what metal they're made of, but I'm a big fan of Dean Markley SR2000's.

Sometimes that sort of breakage just happens with a low B, or even an E, when you wind the thick part of the string onto the post. Winding slowly and not yanking on the string to stretch it out can help this, but ultimately the only way to solve this problem for good will be to find a string set that thins out before it reaches the post.

Good luck!

atheos · #3 05-26-2009, 10:17 PM

How about just get a real Warwick instead of those toys

EDIT: It's not about the price. A friend of mine is selling a Corvette for $450, it's dirt cheap but he's a Fender guy and just wants to get rid of the 'Vette. I'd buy it myself but don't have any spare money

But there are deal like that out there and I can guarantee that the crappiest Warwick out there is twice as good as the best Rockbass.

dhomer · #4 05-26-2009, 10:18 PM

Cleartones, but prepare to part w/$50 or so.. They're supposed to last longer, but at this point I can't verify.. The B is tapered both ends..

rodneyat · #5 05-26-2009, 10:22 PM

I have had that happen with the B string on Labella/Carvin nickels in the past as well. Their winding does not seem to taper off far enough down the string for some 34" scale basses. With Carvin..you can send them back and they will refund your money.

ashtray9 · #6 05-26-2009, 10:36 PM

Excellent post. Got to love bad engineering.

jpalir · #7 05-26-2009, 10:40 PM

I had a Labella low B string pop while winding it up. Well...the nut at the end popped off. Labella sent one out for free!

Hector_G · #8 05-26-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atheos

How about just get a real Warwick instead of those toys

EDIT: It's not about the price. A friend of mine is selling a Corvette for $450, it's dirt cheap but he's a Fender guy and just wants to get rid of the 'Vette. I'd buy it myself but don't have any spare money

But there are deal like that out there and I can guarantee that the crappiest Warwick out there is twice as good as the best Rockbass.

I was about to reply "It's about the price". Ha.
Well I purchased this bass in a hurry as I was in a rush to acquire a new second bass. The new band I joined plays in E flat.

So uh..... who's your friend? 4 or 5 string? Willing to ship?
Trust me, if I found a real Corvette for that price... I would have bought it in an instant.

warwick.hoy · #9 05-27-2009, 05:28 PM

To help the issue a little more urgently....how does the string tree look? Are there any burrs on it, that could weaken the string...?

Also to help get the string to fit into the bridge...get some of those flatnose toothless pliers and gently squeeze and flatten that end of the string till it fits. Flatten it enough so that it is easy to get back out.

Fieldy Snuts · #10 05-27-2009, 05:37 PM

I find that when restringing a B that wont fit like that due to the extra wraps near the ball end, I remove the whole B string saddle and spring, it then goes trough like a charm with a bit of gentle pulling, I then screw the saddle back in and re-intonate.

excane · #11 05-27-2009, 05:40 PM

Wouldn't it just be dandy to have a Floyd Rose Locking Bridge and just cut off the ball ends and clamp 'em down with the hex key?

I keed, I keed....

**lowendfriend** · #12 05-27-2009, 08:43 PM

Sadowsky Black Labels 45 series flatwounds...standard length....130T B string...doesn't say the metal, but I'd guess nickel lookin' at 'em. Works on Warwick Corvette $$. setcha back around 50 bux.