Stuck Bass Strings

fretlessman71 · #1 11-24-2011, 01:03 AM

Wow... the search turned up nothing? I can't believe I'm the only person to whom this has happened...

Got a new (to me) bass. Strung through the body. Went to change the strings, but the ball ends are stuck inside the grommets.

I have a small metal hook (like a dental instrument). No dice; it bent the hook out of shape.

I used pliers to grab the string and push it through, and when that didn't work, I tried twisting it to at least get the ball end to move a little bit. Nothing.

I have sprayed WD40 into it, hoping to remove whatever might be gumming it up. Nope.

My next thought is to get a drill bit with a diamond tip, or something that will drill through brass, in an attempt to destroy the ball end inside the grommet and release the strings THAT way. (I will certainly find a way to increase the size of the holes once I've done this!)

Is there something I've missed or haven't tried that I ought to? I have very little experience with strung-through-the-body basses. Thanks in advance.

Craig_S · #2 11-24-2011, 01:41 AM

That sucks... How about using a pin punch or a piece of dowel rod and a small hammer to tap them out from the bridge side? It's worth a try.

soulman969 · #3 11-24-2011, 02:12 AM

That one stumps me too. I've never had a ball end get stuck in any body through instrument I've ever owned. You may have to pull the bridge and go at it from the top as Craig S suggests. Driving them out may be your only choice and then of course you may want to replace the grommets anyway since you'll likely damage them in the process.

Maybe another member has had a similar experience and will chime in later today. Good luck to you

darkstorm · #4 11-24-2011, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

That sucks... How about using a pin punch or a piece of dowel rod and a small hammer to tap them out from the bridge side? It's worth a try.

This, or thin screwdriver, etc that can insert thru body top side and tap the ball end out with via light hammer taps.

Shanty · #5 11-24-2011, 08:35 AM

I could understand maybe one string getting caught, but all of them? There's something either terribly wrong with your bass, or those are some weird strings that are already on it.

mmbongo · #6 11-24-2011, 09:17 AM

Sounds like somebody glued them in!

fretlessman71 · #7 11-24-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Sounds like somebody glued them in!

FEELS like it, too.

fretlessman71 · #8 11-24-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanty

I could understand maybe one string getting caught, but all of them? There's something either terribly wrong with your bass, or those are some weird strings that are already on it.

I think that ball ends have for some reason grown over the last 20 years. I did manage to get two out, and the replacement strings' ball ends were just as difficult to shove IN as the others were to get OUT. Will definitely be resizing the grommets after this experience.

fretlessman71 · #9 11-24-2011, 10:18 AM

I do like the multi-suggested idea of trying to tap it out from the other side... something I hadn't considered. Removing the bridge to do it isn't a bad idea either. Will try this after Turkey Day festivities and such. Thanks guys!

fretlessman71 · #10 11-24-2011, 02:30 PM

Okay, had more time than I thought. Removed the bridge and clipped the strings as close as I could. Found a strong mini screwdriver and pushed it in, began to hammer on the end.

The strings were wedged in so tight they pushed the grommets out!

Unbelievable.

But they're OUT, and the grommets are finally off the strings and back in the bass as they were before. Thanks for the bright ideas!

A side note: D'Addario ball ends are not as large as GHS ball ends. Guess how I know.